Tigres Femenil salvaged a 2-2 draw in the final minutes against Cruz Azul in matchday 17 of the 2025 Apertura in Liga MX Femenil. Goals from Diana Ordoñez and Thembi Kgatlana secured first place with 42 points for the Amazonas. Cruz Azul, who led the score, returns to the playoffs after three years away.
The match, played on matchday 17 of the 2025 Apertura, saw Tigres Femenil visit Cruz Azul aiming to hold their table position. The Amazonas, led by Spanish coach Pedro Martínez, ended the regular phase with 60 goals scored, a historic record for the team. They met the under-18 minutes rule by starting Tatiana Flores and including minutes from Mía Villalpando, who is with the Mexican national team at the Under-17 World Cup in Morocco.
In the first half, Tigres held more ball possession, but Cruz Azul created the best chances, with two key saves by goalkeeper Cecy Santiago. The score opened early in the second half: Tigres lost the ball on the way out, Alejandra Lomelí crossed from the right, and Aerial Chavarin headed inside the area for 1-0. Minutes later, in the 58th, a shot from Chavarin was parried by Santiago, allowing Lomelí to tap in for 2-0.
Jennifer Hermoso's entry in the 48th minute boosted Tigres' attack. Cruz Azul nearly made it 3-0 with a shot from Niomi Grimaldo deflected over the bar by Santiago for a corner. Tigres pulled one back in the 79th with a header from Diana Ordoñez on a free kick from the left flank, her 14th goal of the season. The equalizer came in the 83rd: Hermoso stole the ball, passed to Thembi Kgatlana, who after a one-two with the Spaniard shot in front of goal for 2-2.
Jennifer Hermoso and Thembi Kgatlana did not start due to international duties in the FIFA window. Tigres, with six titles and 10 finals, is the most successful team in Liga MX Femenil. In the playoffs, they face Juárez in the quarterfinals; Cruz Azul meets Pachuca, América plays Monterrey, and Toluca takes on Chivas. Cruz Azul qualified after three years and came close to beating Tigres for the first time.