Tigres Monterrey have taken control of the Apertura Final with a 1-0 away win over ten-man Santos Laguna in the first leg on Thursday.

Damien Alvarez put Tigres in front after seven minutes, and any hopes Santos had of levelling the match were dealt a severe blow in the 23rd minute when Juan Rodriguez was given his marching orders.

Tigres will now be the clear favourites to claim the title in the second leg back in Monterrey on Sunday evening.