Cruz Azul and Tigres emerge unscathed in CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals

(AFP) Cruz Azul and Tigres emerged unscathed from their respective visits to América and Los Angeles Galaxy, playing to goalless ties on Tuesday in the first leg of the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals.

The quarterfinals got underway at Mexico City's Ciudad de los Deportes stadium with a scoreless tie between América and Cruz Azul.

In the 22nd minute, Cruz Azul's "La Máquina" put the ball into América's net, but the goal was disqualified for being offside after a call by Uruguayan goalkeeper Ignacio Rivero.

Kevin Mier, Cruz Azul's Colombian goalkeeper, kept his clean sheet intact with key saves, stopping shots from Kevin Álvarez in the 9th minute and Uruguayan Brian Rodríguez in the 42nd minute.

Mier made two crucial consecutive saves for Cruz Azul in the 47th minute, first cutting off a low cross from Colombian Cristian Borja, then stopping a close-range shot from Chilean Diego Valdés.

In the 57th minute, Luis Ángel Malagón, goalkeeper for América's "Águilas," managed to deflect a dangerous header from Ángel Sepúlveda over the crossbar.

"We're leaving with a bit of a bitter feeling, I think we had the clearest chances and we couldn't define them," said Diego Valdés. "We deserved to win."

The second leg of this tie will take place on Tuesday, April 8, at the Olímpico Universitario stadium in Mexico City, where Cruz Azul will host América.

Later, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, the Galaxy and Tigres also played to a 0-0 tie in a match with few shots on goal.

The quarterfinal will also be played on Tuesday, April 8 at the Estadio Universitario, where the Tigres will host the LA Galaxy.

The first legs of the quarterfinals will continue on Wednesday. At BMO Stadium, Inter Miami, led by Argentine star Lionel Messi, will visit LAFC. Meanwhile, at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada's Whitecaps will host Mexico's Pumas.