🔬 The Debrief on Saturday's thrilling Leagues Cup drama | OneFootball

🔬 The Debrief on Saturday's thrilling Leagues Cup drama | OneFootball

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OneFootball

Emily Wilson·4 August 2024

🔬 The Debrief on Saturday's thrilling Leagues Cup drama

Article image:🔬 The Debrief on Saturday's thrilling Leagues Cup drama

Matchday 3 of the Leagues Cup delivered more drama as teams fought for spots in the Round of 32. Here is what went down from around the grounds.

What happened

Tigres beat MLS Supporters’ Shield leaders Inter Miami to top spot in Group East 3 as a beautiful solo goal kicked off an eventual 2-1 win.


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Leonardo Campana scored for the American side and tied Gonzalo Higuaín's all-time leading scoring record (29), but it wasn't enough.

Later in the evening, familiar foes Monterrey and Pumas went head to head in a win-or-go-home match.

Despite Monterrey dominating the stats and a stunning volley from substitute Jesús Manuel Corona, Pumas fought back for a 1-1 draw before eventually prevailing on penalties. Giants Monterrey missed all three spot-kicks.

Meanwhile, Canada's Vancouver Whitecaps pulled off an impressive 3-1 comeback inside a packed BC Place as Club Tijuana imploded.

The Liga MX side scored the opener but lost their goalkeeper to injury, and Aarón Mejía Montoya received a red card as they ultimately bowed out.

Moment of the night

It might not have been the best goal of the night, but we're handing this award to the Whitecaps after a brilliant team move to kickstart the comeback.

What a run! Talk about slick passing.

Player of the night

The standout star from Saturday's showing has to be Juan Brunetta after scoring a Goal of the Tournament contender against Inter Miami.

What this means

Group winners Tigres could meet Inter Miami again in the quarter-finals as both teams moved on.

The Herons will return to the drawing board before a crunch league clash with FC Cincinnati. Manager Tata Martino confirmed that Luis Suarez will be back in the mix after being left out as a precaution.

Meanwhile, Pumas pipped Monterrey to a spot in the knockouts and moved on alongside Austin FC from Group West 1.

Finally, Vancouver (first) and LAFC (second) will represent MLS's Western cohort after moving on from Group West 7. The two will go head-to-head in their next MLS match.

Club Tijuana created their own misery and subsequently boarded the plane home.

What comes next

The action continues on Sunday with seven games on the schedule. Buckle up!

Feature image credit: © Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports