UANL Tigres may have been in their very first CONCACAF Champions League match, but experience wasn’t really a factor against Real Esteli. They destroyed their Nicaraguan opponents, 4-0, with two goals on each side of halftime to get off to a flying start in the competition they are considered one of the favorites in.
UANL Tigres Vs. Real Esteli, 2012 CONCACAF Champions League: Tigres Smash Nicaraguans, 4-0
After strong play early on that Tigres couldn’t turn into a goal, Edno Cunha finally got the home side a lead in the 35th minute when he knocked in an Alan Pulido header. Pulido’s header was actually a shot off of a good cross from Alberto Acosta and it was going to go over the line by itself, but Cunha got there and stole the goal by hitting it over himself.
Once they got on the scoreboard, Tigres were a runaway train. Eight minutes later, Fernando Navarro doubled their lead. As was the case with the first goal, Acosta was involved as his good shot resulted in a rebound that Navarro got to and finished, giving the favorites a two-goal halftime lead.
The second half didn’t see Tigres pressure Esteli as much because they didn’t have to. They were in complete control and even without pressing Tigres still forced a couple good saves from Justo Lorente. Taufic Guarch finally beat Lorente in the 80th minute and then Jose Rivas added one more later on, as Tigres made their Champions League debut count.
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