Despite losing 3-2 on Tuesday, Toronto FC advanced due to the away goals rule after battling Mexican giant Tigres to a 4-4 aggregate score in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.
Sebastian Giovinco scored and created an own-goal as TFC was taken to the very brink in Monterrey.
FT: The Reds are moving on! The semifinals await thanks to a pair of away goals. #TFCLive | #TIGvTOR | #SCCL2018 pic.twitter.com/ZLZmiq8g9J
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) March 14, 2018
Here are three takeaways from Tuesday's contest:
Seba Things
There's no doubt that Giovinco is the best player in TFC's short history.
The little Italian has scored and created dozens of goals in his time with the club, but he's perhaps become best known for his superb ability on free kicks.
Giovinco is already the deadliest free kick taker in MLS history, and on Tuesday he brought some of that dead ball magic to Mexico. The 31-year-old stepped up in the 73rd minute and gave Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán no chance.
💥🐜🎯
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) March 14, 2018
Sebastian Giovinco and free kick golazos. It never gets old. #TFCLive | #TIGvTOR | #SCCL2018 pic.twitter.com/hHixCKej82
Earlier in the game, Giovinco was also directly involved in Toronto's opener as he forced a Tigres own-goal.
A goal's a goal, right? 😉
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) March 14, 2018
A great ball in from @OsoJ92 puts Giovinco in on net. Tigres do the rest. #TFCLive | #TIGvTOR | #SCCL2018 pic.twitter.com/uj1TtC0uQw
Needless to say, TFC's all-time leading scorer was highly influential in helping his team advance to the semifinals.
No Morrow
One of TFC's most consistent performers since joining the club ahead of the 2014 season, Justin Morrow is a virtual lock to start every game on the left side.
He did so again on Tuesday, and was involved in a few attacks down his wing until the 30-year-old pulled up with a leg injury just before the 15-minute mark. A tireless worker who almost never exits matches, Morrow was forced to leave the game at the quarter-hour mark.
15’ TFC SUB (1/3)
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) March 14, 2018
🔛 Auro
↩️ Morrow #TFCLive | #TIGvTOR | 0-0
Brazilian newcomer Auro, usually a right-sided player, stepped into Morrow's vacated position for the rest of the match. The youngster performed extremely well, but Toronto will be hoping that Morrow's injury is nothing major.
Monster Mavinga
For an hour, Chris Mavinga was the best defender on the field.
His pace and athleticism has been invaluable for TFC over the past year, and on Tuesday he provided a few more moments of brilliance.
Like he did in the first leg, Mavinga made a perfectly-timed slide tackle from behind to stop a dangerous Tigres attack. In addition, he made a crucial block in the 24th minute to prevent a surefire goal, keeping the home team from grabbing a first-half lead.
Big time from @Chris_Mavinga 💪 #TFCLive | #TIGvTOR | #SCCL2018 pic.twitter.com/IlhAkj7mD3
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) March 14, 2018
Unfortunately for Mavinga, he had to leave the match after taking a knock in the second half. His replacement, Nick Hagglund, struggled to match Mavinga's high standard.