LANGFORD, Canada – Andre-Pierre Gignac converted a late free kick to give Tigres a 1-1 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Game 1 of their 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series on Wednesday night at Starlight Stadium in Langford. British Columbia.
Vancouver looked set for a goalless win, but Gignac's pedigree came to the fore and the legendary French striker scored his 17th Champions Cup goal to give Tigres a crucial away goal.
Early on, the Whitecaps made several substitutions in their midfield, allowing the Tigres to have some good scoring opportunities, but Vancouver goalkeeper Yuhei Takaoka was up to the task and made two assists and made two saves to keep the score at zero.
Vancouver began to grow in the game and broke the tie in the 32nd minute with a wonderful goal that Brian White finished with a header towards Damir Krilac, who finished off a shot with his right foot, giving the team a 1-0 lead.
The home side took a one-goal lead at the end of the first half thanks to Takaoka, who was again called upon to make a save, this time with a direct shot from Ozil Herrera.
Emotions continued to run high as the second half progressed at a feverish pace, with both teams realizing that scoring a goal either way would go a long way toward tipping the series in their favor.
Tigres made one final attempt in the final moments, hoping to equalize and score a key away goal, and it came in the 88th minute with a shot from Gignac, who fired a free kick into the top right corner to secure a 1-1 draw. 1 for tigers.
Information: CONCACAF.
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