Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 6y

Tigres take advantage over Santos Laguna in Clausura quarterfinal first leg

Goals from Hugo Ayala and French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac secured a 2-0 victory for Tigres over Santos Laguna in Thursday's Liga MX 2018 Clausura quarterfinal first leg.

The result puts Tigres in a commanding position ahead of Sunday's second leg, with Santos unable to find an away goal in Estadio Universitario.

2017 Apertura champions Tigres started the game slowly, but clicked into gear after Mexico international Ayala headed in from a corner in the 22nd minute.

Gignac netted from the penalty spot in the 79th minute, after Carlos Izquierdoz was judged to have handled a Gignac shot from inside the box.

Santos Laguna finished the regular season one place above Tigres in fourth in the table, but ended with three consecutive defeats and struggled to generate real scoring opportunities against the champions.

Tigres are looking to reach their four consecutive Liga MX final.

In Thursday's later quarterfinal, Morelia and Toluca drew 2-2 in Estadio Morelos.

Top seed Toluca took the lead in the 15th minute when Pablo Barrientos spotted Morelia keeper Sebastian Sosa off his line and launched a precise shot into the net from 40 yards.

Morelia improved notably in the second half and leveled the score via Mario Osuna in the 56th before Emanuel Loeschbor handed it the lead seven minutes later.

Morelia threatened to extend its advantage as the game became stretched, but Colombian Fernando Uribe equalized in the 79th through a lofted finish, with home side Morelia left to rue missed opportunities to take a lead into Sunday's second leg.

In Wednesday's quarterfinal first legs, Club America overcame Pumas 4-1 and Club Tijuana drew 1-1 with Monterrey.

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