Portuguese forward Paulinho (right) celebrates Toluca's goal against Tigres in the semifinals of the Mexican Clausura tournament, at the Universitario de San Nicolás de los Garza stadium, on May 14, 2025 (Julio Cesar AGUILAR)
Toluca drew 1-1 against Tigres at Universitario Stadium on Wednesday in the first leg of the semifinals of the 2025 Clausura tournament in Mexico.
Toluca took to the Volcán pitch and found a very adverse environment, with the spine-tingling chants of the feline fans and temperatures reaching 34°C, unusual for the 'Red Devils' home games.
Tigres also took the lead in the 19th minute when Ozziel Herrera broke down the left flank, reached the goal line, and touched the ball into the six-yard box where Argentine Nicolás Ibáñez beat the goalkeeper and the defender marking him to make it 1-0.
The high night temperature made it necessary to take a break at minute 25 for the players to rehydrate.
The 'Red Devils' then displayed a brilliant game led by the talented Alexis Vega and Marcel Ruiz.
In the quest to equalize, at 31, Vega connected with a powerful shot from mid-range, the ball curved and hit the junction of the right post and the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, Ruiz sent a cross down the left flank to Vega, who entered the area and tried to finish with a low touch, but Argentine goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán bent down to deflect the ball.
The first half was about to end when Toluca tied it at 1-1. Ruiz sent a precise cross into the six-yard box, and Portuguese forward Paulinho leveled the score with a header at 45-1.
Brazilian Luan García missed the opportunity to turn the score around in the 53rd minute when he headed wide of the right post of 'Patón' Guzmán's goal.
Tigres regained their attacking vocation with two plays completed by Diego Lainez that were resolved by goalkeeper Luis García.
In the 64th minute, Vega launched a deep Toluca attack. 'Paulinho' was about to score a brace, but defender Juan Purata swept through the six-yard box to break him up.
The Devils stifled the felines in the final stretch of the match, and Guzmán avoided defeat by saving shots from Juan Pablo Domínguez and Vega.
The second leg of this tie will be played on Saturday at Nemesio Diez Stadium, where Tigres must win to advance to the final.
tigres - toluca, tigres uanl vs toluca, tigres vs toluca, toluca vs tigres, tigres, toluca fc, toluca, tigres vs, tigres uanl, toluca vs, tigres vs. toluca, futbol mexicano, tigres toluca