The 2023 Campeones Cup semifinal between LAFC and Tigres UANL kicked off at BMO Stadium on a Wednesday night. A scoreless draw after 90 and extra minutes of play was notable, but so were a number of controversial incidents that occurred during the game.
This year’s matchup between the Mexican and American soccer league champions lived up to the hype as expected. After losing the Concacaf Champions League final, LAFC was desperate to get back on the winning track. Tigres, meanwhile, had not won the Campeones Cup since 2018, so they were eager to get it back.
Both teams were shown red cards at some point during the game, adding to the tension. The most contentious issue, however, was referee Drew Fischer’s decision to disallow a goal scored by LAFC’s DΓ©nis Bouanga. Giorgio Chiellini’s allegedly errant moving pass during a set piece play was the supposed cause. Fans of LAFC were outraged by the decision, which sparked discussions on social media.
The outcome of the game may have been different if this goal had been allowed to stand. It would have given LAFC the boost they needed to force overtime or even a penalty shootout. The issue here is whether or not the referee’s call was a strict application of the rules or a fair application of the rules.
However, Tigres had their own problems, including having a player sent off in the 85th minute. However, their team’s hero was goalkeeper Nahuel GuzmΓ‘n, who made spectacular saves on penalty kicks from both Timothy Tillman and Ryan Hollingshead.
The final score, a 4-2 victory for Tigres in a penalty shootout, left LAFC with the sour taste of defeat in a major final for the second time in as many years. Now, they need to put all of their energy into the 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in an effort to make amends and end their recent losing streak against Liga MX clubs.
This game, however, shows how referee decisions can drastically change the course of a game. The controversy over Bouanga’s disallowed goal shows how important it is to regularly review soccer’s rules and refereeing practices to ensure fair play.
In contrast, Tigres is rejoicing after winning the Campeones Cup after a five-year drought. They proved to be a tough squad by triumphing in the shootout and penalty shootout.
There were many unexpected developments and controversies during LAFC’s 2023 Campeones Cup match against Tigres UANL. It’s a reminder of how unpredictable and exciting soccer can be, while also calling into question the fairness of refereeing decisions. Even though the Tigres won the game, the story of what transpired during it will be told for years to come.
