Diego Lainez makes Tigres debut in win over Cruz Azul

Diego Lainez returned to Liga MX action at the Estadio Azteca, this time in the Tigres UANL shirt, as he was selected by Diego Cocca for the club’s Matchday 5 Clausura 2023 fixture, despite the fact that the player only arrived in Mexico in midweek from Portugal, where he played for Braga.

In the 53rd minute, Nicolás Ibáñez left the field to be replaced by Lainez, who was booed by La Máquina fans, as he was part of the América squad that took the title from them in 2018. Lainez then left Mexico for Europe, a champion of Mexican football.

In the 71st minute, Lainez showed his quality, as he entered the area, cut past two defenders and struck a powerful shot that did not, however, find the net because Jesús Corona stretched to block the effort of the new Tigres player. A few minutes later, Lainez had a headed effort blocked by Ramiro Funes Mori.

Tigres held out for a narrow 1-0 win over Cruz Azul and will be content to have Lainez in their squad this season.