Tigres beat Orlando in thriller, Whitecaps, LAFC go through

MLS Cup winners Los Angeles FC survived a scare against Costa Rica's Alajuelense but progressed with a 4-2 aggregate win. The Vancouver Whitecaps also take their place in the last eight despite losing 3-2 to Real Espana in Honduras. The Canadians advance with a 7-3 aggregate win after winning the first leg 5-0.

A goalless draw in the first-leg in Monterrey meant that a score draw would be enough for Tigres in Orlando and while they achieved exactly that they were pushed to the wire by the MLS side in a dramatic finale. Orlando had their goalkeeper Pedro Gallese to thank for keeping them on level terms in the early stages as he made a series of fine saves including a great reaction to keep out a powerful header from Nicolas Ibanez.

The Florida side also went close when Ivan Angulo did well to work himself some space in the box but fired his effort just wide of the post. But Tigres got their crucial away goal in the 21st minute when Jesus Angulo lofted in a high cross towards the back post and Francisco Cordova took advantage of the space granted him by a disorientated Luca Petrasso to chest the ball down and then fire past Gallese.

Gallese came to the rescue again after the break when Ibanez broke clear, but the Orlando keeper responded with a diving save to deny the Argentine forward. Luis Quinones had a great chance to wrap up the tie for Tigres but shot weakly straight at Gallese and after that reprieve Orlando began to apply their late pressure.

Their efforts were rewarded when Austrian Ercan Kara scored with a spectacular bicycle kick that set up a wild finale with Orlando knowing another goal would send them through. Orlando peppered the Tigres box with testing high balls and had an appeal for a penalty turned down when another bicycle kick from Kara struck a defender with claims of handball. Surprisingly the incident was not reviewed by VAR.