Andre-Pierre Gignac (left) scored the only goal in Tigres' win over Leon in Liga MX Apertura semifinal, first-leg match on November 30, 2016. (Photo: Manuel Montoya/Straffon Images)
MEXICO CITY – The 2016 Liga MX Apertura playoffs opened Wednesday with Tigres posting a 1-0 win at Leon, while host Necaxa and Club America battled to a 1-1 draw a day later.
CONCACAF.com recaps the action:
2016 LIGA MX APERTURA
Semifinals, First Leg
November 30, 2016
Estadio Leon (Nou Camp) – Leon
(8) Leon 0, (3) Tigres 1
Andre-Pierre Gignac gave Tigres a valuable away win, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Leon to kick-off their semifinal series.
The France international used his chest to receive a right-sided cross from Ismael Sosa, eluded a defender in the box and fired a right-footed past goalkeeper William Yarbrough from eight-yards out.
It was a fourth goal in two games for Gignac, who netted a hat-trick against Pumas in a 5-0 quarterfinal, second-leg victory on November 26.
The sides will meet again on Saturday at the Estadio Universitario in San Nicolas de los Garza.
Notes:
- Tigres is unbeaten in six of its last seven 2016 Liga MX Apertura games (4W-2D-1L)
- Tigres has not conceded a goal in 204 minutes
- After going unbeaten in 11 straight 2016 Liga MX Apertura games, Leon has lost two straight
- In 20 games during the 2016 Liga MX Apertura, Leon has been shutout seven times
- In their only regular season meeting, Leon beat visiting Tigres, 3-2, on October 1, 2016
Estadio Victoria – Aguascalientes
(7) Necaxa 1, (5) Club America 1
Both goals were scored during a five-minute, second-half stretch as Necaxa and visiting Club America battled to a 1-1 stalemate.
An exquisite off-the-ball interchange between a trio of attackers at the top of the Club America penalty area saw the host take a 63rd-minute lead. Thanks to that movement, Luis Gallegos was freed to receive a finely chipped ball played into the box by Jesus Isijara. Gallegos took a touch to create space and lifted a right-footed shot over goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero from 11-yards out.
Club America then pounded away at the Necaxa goal, equalizing five minutes later. An attempted clearance failed to get out of the box, falling to Alex Ibarra, whose shot was blocked. The ball ricocheted to William Da Silva and his left-footed from 14 yards deflected off Marcos Gonzalez before finding the back of the net.
Pablo Aguilar nearly put the Aguilas ahead in the first half, only to see his attempt hit the woodwork.
The sides will meet again on Sunday at the Estadio Azteca.
Notes:
- Necaxa is unbeaten in its last five Liga MX matches (2W-3D-0L)
- Necaxa has conceded one goal or fewer in five straight Liga MX matches
- Club America is unbeaten in 11 straight 2016 Liga MX Apertura games (4W-7D-0L)
- Club America has conceded one goal or fewer in 10 of its last 11 Liga MX matches
- In their only regular season meeting, Necaxa and visiting Club America played to a 1-1 draw on September 20, 2016
