MIAMI – The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup continues with Tigres UANL hosting FC Cincinnati in the Second Leg of their Round of 16 series on Thursday at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico.

FC Cincinnati holds the advantage in the series after its 3-nil win at home in the first leg. A brace from Kevin Denkey, who also recorded an assist, and a goal from Tom Barlow led the MLS side to victory. FC Cincy will aim to advance to the Quarterfinals of the Champions Cup for the first time.

With its first leg result, FC Cincinnati became the first club from the United States to win a first leg match in any stage against Tigres UANL and snapped a 10-match unbeaten run for MLS sides against Liga MX teams (0-5-5).

Tigres UANL is currently in its seventh appearance in the Round of 16, having advanced on all previous occasions. The winners of the 2020 edition will look for a comeback to continue its journey in search of a second crown.

The winner of the series on aggregate will advance to the Quarterfinals. Away goals serve as the primary tiebreaker. If necessary, extra time and a penalty shootout will decide the winner.

Looking Ahead to The Round of 16 second Leg

FC Cincinnati recorded three consecutive victories for the first time without conceding a goal. The win against Tigres UANL was the fourth victory in a first-leg match in any stage, and every time the club won the first leg it advanced to the next round:

2025 vs FC Motagua (First Round)

2022 vs O&M FC (First Round)

Largest first-leg defeat for Tigres UANL

The loss against Cincinnati was the seventh first-leg defeat for Tigres UANL (including Finals) and the largest margin of defeat in a first-leg match. After losing the first leg, Tigres managed to advance three times:

2019 vs Deportivo Saprissa in the Round of 16 (aggregate 5-2)

2020 vs Alianza FC in the Round of 16 (aggregate 5-4)

2025 vs Real Estelí FC in the First Round (aggregate 3-1)

They were eliminated or failed to win the title three times:

2015-16 Final vs Club América (Aggregate 4-1)

2018 Quarterfinals (aggregate 4-4, eliminated on away goals)

2019 Final vs CF Monterrey (aggregate 2-1)

CCC Round of 16 Team Records

Tigres UANL
Penalty shootout appearances: (1). (Loss). (3-4 vs. Columbus Crew in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 edition after a 2-2 aggregate score: D 1-1 and D 1-1).
Hat-tricks: (3). Tomás Boy (MEX) vs. CSD Xelajú (1981 North & Central America First Round), Alan Pulido (MEX) vs. LD Alajuelense (Matchday 6, Group 6 of 2012-2013), Enner Valencia (ECU) vs. Deportivo Saprissa (2019 Round of 16).
Round of 16 appearances: 7 (2018 vs. CS Herediano, 2019 vs. Deportivo Saprissa, 2020 vs. Alianza FC, 2023 vs. Orlando City, 2024 vs. Orlando City, 2025 vs. FC Cincinnati, 2026 vs. FC Cincinnati).
Record in R16 history: GP-13 W-5 D-5 L-3 (GF-24 GA-17).
Top scorers in R16: Enner Valencia (ECU) 6, André-Pierre Gignac (FRA) 3, Nicolás Ibáñez (ARG) 2, Sebastián Córdova (MEX) 2.
Comebacks in the Round of 16: (2). (In the 2019 edition vs. Deportivo Saprissa, first leg L 1-0, second leg W 5-1, aggregate score 5-1). (In the 2020 edition vs. Alianza FC, first leg L 2-1, second leg W 4-2, aggregate score 5-4).

FC Cincinnati
Penalty shootout appearances: (0).
Braces: (4). Pavel Bucha (CZE) vs. FC Motagua (2025 Round One), Ayoub Jabbari (MAR) vs. O&M FC (2026 Round One), Kenji Mboma Dem (FRA) vs. O&M FC (2026 Round One), Ahoueke Denkey (TGO) vs. Tigres UANL (2026 Round of 16).
Round of 16 appearances: 3 (2024 vs. CF Monterrey, 2025 vs. Tigres UANL, 2026 vs. Tigres UANL).
Record in R16 history: GP-5 W-1 D-1 L-3 (GF-6 GA-7).
Top scorers in R16: Ahoueke Denkey (TGO) 2, Luciano Acosta (ARG) 1, Pavel Bucha (CZE) 1, Evander da Silva (BRA) 1, Tom Barlow (USA) 1.