Tigres Face Must-Win Match Against Real Estelí in Concacaf Clash

MONTERREY, Mexico — The Tigres UANL are set to host Real Estelí on February 12, 2025, in a pivotal second-leg match of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Trailing 1-0 on aggregate after a surprising loss in Nicaragua, Tigres must secure a victory by at least two goals to advance to the Round of 16.

The match will be held at the Estadio Universitario with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 p.m. local time. This showdown comes after Tigres experienced a narrow defeat that left them needing to shift momentum.

Tigres coach Veljko Paunovic acknowledged the pressure on his team following their earlier loss, stating, “We have to win tonight. Our fans expect us to turn this around at home.” Despite their recent struggles, Tigres remain unbeaten at home this year, winning all three of their Liga MX matches.

Meanwhile, Real Estelí, currently positioned fourth in the Nicaraguan Primera Liga, arrives in Monterrey after suffering back-to-back defeats, including a 2-1 setback against ART Jalapa. The Nicaraguan side, which reached the Champions Cup by finishing as runners-up in the 2024 Copa Centroamericana, aims to pull off another upset.

The last encounter between these teams at Tigres’ home ground ended badly for Estelí, as they were defeated 4-0 in 2012. Tigres must overcome their recent performance in this competition, having previously won the Champions Cup in 2020.

Fans are expected to fill the stadium to support their team as Tigres looks to regain confidence and patch up its record in this international tournament. “We need to show character, and our supporters will be crucial in this match,” Paunovic added.

The stakes are high for Tigres, who need to score early and often to ensure a safe passage to the next round. Any goal from Real Estelí could complicate matters, requiring Tigres to win by a wider margin. With anticipation building, all eyes are on Estadio Universitario as the Incomparables strive for a triumphant comeback.