MEXICO CITY (AP) — Former Atlético de Madrid winger Angel Correa UANL Tigres defeated reigning champions with second-half goal on Thursday Toluca 1-0 in the first leg of the Mexico Apertura final.
The 30-year-old Correa, who played 469 games for Atlético and scored 88 goals and provided 65 assists, joined the Mexican team in the summer and scored the winner in the 46th minute after converting a cross from former Real Betis player Diego Lainés.
The Argentine winger helped Atletico win the Spanish league title in 2020/21 and reach the Champions League final in 2016.
Last appearance for Atlético Although he participated in the Club World Cup, the team was unable to advance from the group.
UANL Tigres is aiming for its ninth league title, and seventh since 2011, with a core of players including Argentine goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman and former Olympique de Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac.
The second leg will be played on Sunday at the Nemesio Diez Stadium in Toluca, a city about 65 kilometers (40 miles) southwest of Mexico City.
Toluca will aim for its 12th league championship. The Red Devils are also trying to become just the fourth team since 1996 to win back-to-back championships.
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