The semi finals for this year's Liga MX Apertura gets underway in a matter of hours but all remaining teams needed a taste of drama just to get to this stage.
To get to this stage, Monterrey needed some added time heroics to overcome Club América; Toluca held on to prevent a historic night for Juárez; Tigres overturned a first leg three goal deficit; Cruz Azul needed a second half inspired performances, with the help of a missed penalty, to send Chivas packing.
Club América 2 vs 3 Monterrey: Los Rayados count on Germán Berterame
Monterrey seemed destined for a semi final berth following a 2-0 win at the Estadio BBVA, but their efforts counted for nothing when Las Águilas responded with two early goals in the second leg to level the playing field.
Given their advantage in the regular season standings, América needed only an aggregate draw to go to the next round and seemed even more likely to do so when Monterrey were reduced to 10-men after Jorge Rodríguez was handed a second yellow card. However, their chances of qualifying vanished in the 93rd minute when Ricardo Chavez's cross was met by Germán Berterame, unmarked, to stun the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes.
Toluca 2-1 FC Juárez: Reigning champions see of history-chasing Bravos
Toluca came from behind in the first leg, despite conceding in the second minute, thanks to goals from Antonio Briseno and Paulinho. The result meant that Los Rojos Diablos would still qualify for the semi finals, as long as they didn't lose by more than one goal back at their fortress, Estadio Nemesio Diez.
Back in Toluca, the sides settled for a bore draw, despite Juárez's best efforts to break down the reigning champions, it wasn't enough as Los Bravos fell in their first ever postseason battle in the club's history.
Tigres 5-3 Tijuana: Los Felinos hit Tijuana for five to overturn first leg shock
Tigres looked down and out of this tie in the first leg having suffered a 3-0 defeat at the Estadio Caliente, but the result only fuelled Los Felinos for a rampant return to 'El Volcán'.
Liga MX's third seed started the rampage in the 15th minute through Nicolás Ibanez and they were level on aggregate by halftime, following a first half brace from Juan Brunetta. By the break, Tigres had the advantage in tie thanks to their league position and never looked like turning back. Despite a missed penalty from Ozziel Herrera, the 24-year-old was able to right his wrongs six minutes later by grabbing Tigres' fourth goal of the night before Juan Pablo Vigón rounded off the performance with a fifth in stoppage time.
Cruz Azul 3-2 Chivas: Chicharito made to rue penalty miss as La Máquina advance
Cruz Azul and Chivas couldn't be separate after a first leg goalless tie, only setting up for an intense battle upon the return to the capital for the second leg.
Los Rojiblancos took the lead twice in the first half, but knew that if they were to advance, that they would need to hold onto that victory.
Despite a dominate first half display, all came undone when Jeremy Márquez equalised with 18 minutes left on clock. Back level, Chivas were awarded a penalty in the final moments of the battle, which was handed to the legendary Javier Hernández. As one of the youngest squads in the league, handing the ball to someone with the experience of Chicharito made sense, until his spotkick ballooned over the bar, leaving Cruz Azul still in control of the tie.
As Chivas continued to push forward in search of a winner, space opened up for Carlos Rodríguez who expertedly looped his effort over Raúl Rangel to seal the tie for once and for all, sending La Máquina into the next round.
Liga MX Apertura: Semi Final
Tonight, the final four gets underway with these being the fixtures to look out for:
Cruz Azul vs Tigres
Monterrey vs Toluca
The second leg for these fixtures will be played on Saturday 6th December.
Who do you think will make it to the final? Let us know!
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