Toluca ends a 23-year CONCACAF title drought as Luis Garcia shines in a shootout

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Goalkeeper Luis García’s shootout heroics lifted Toluca past UANL Tigres on Saturday, securing the club’s first CONCACAF Champions Cup title in 23 years.

Jorge Díaz Price, who came into the match in the 88th minute, put the home side ahead at the end of the first period of extra time, but Brazilian defender Joaquim Pereira leveled things with a header in the 113th minute.

In the penalty shootout García saved attempts from Fernando Gorriarán and then José Juan Purata to give Toluca a 6-5 victory.

The Red Devils, who defeated LAFC in the semifinals with a dramatic comeback victory, won the CONCACAF title for the third time in their history and first since 2003.

With the win, Toluca earned a place in both the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, where they joined the 2025 champion Cruz Azul.

CONCACAF has four spots allocated for the next Club World Cup.

The UANL Tigres were aiming for its second CONCACAF title, and its first since 2020.

With Toluca’s victory, Mexican teams extended their winning streak to four consecutive titles in the Campeones Cup. The Seattle Sounders were the last non-Mexican team to win the title in 2022.

Tigres forward Marcelo Flores, who has been called up to the Canadian national team for the 2026 World Cup, suffered a right knee injury in the 77th minute. The team did not immediately disclose the severity of the injury, but the 22-year-old left the pitch in tears.

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Tigres' Marcelo Flores grabs his knee after being injured during the CONCACAF Champions Cup final soccer match against Toluca in Toluca, Mexico, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Toluca fans reacts during the penalty shootout on the CONCACAF Champions Cup final soccer match against Tigres in Toluca, Mexico, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Toluca's Jorge Díaz celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Tigres during the CONCACAF Champions Cup final soccer match in Toluca, Mexico, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Toluca's goalkeeper Luis Garcia, right, blocks a shot by Tigres' Juan Purata during a penalty shootout on the CONCACAF Champions Cup final soccer match in Toluca, Mexico, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

CHICAGO (AP) — Dennis Hull, the two-way NHL forward who starred alongside superstar older brother Bobby Hull with the Chicago Blackhawks and helped Canada win the 1972 Summit Series, died Friday night, according to brother Garry. He was 81.

Nephew Bart Hull confirmed Hull's death on social media Saturday, and the Blackhawks followed that with a statement from owner Danny Wirtz. No other details were available.

Hull played 13 of 14 seasons in the league with Chicago before one final year with the Detroit Red Wings. He appeared in five All-Star Games and was voted a second-team NHL All-Star in 1972-73.

"Dennis enjoyed a distinguished career built on his scoring ability and consistency, leaving lasting contributions not only to the Blackhawks franchise but to the game itself," Wirtz said. “Known around the league for his immense skill, toughness and intelligence, Dennis was as dominant on the ice as he was beloved off it. He often drew on his sharp wit and sense of humor to keep the locker room loose, while his warmth and humility made everyone he met feel welcome.”

While brother Bobby was excluded from playing for Canada against the Soviet Union in '72 because he was in the World Hockey Association, Dennis went and had two goals and two assists in four games, playing on a line with New York Rangers stars Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert.

Hull had 303 goals and 351 assists for 654 points in 959 regular-season NHL games. He had another 67 points in 104 games in the playoffs, during an era Chicago came close but never won the Stanley Cup.

Bobby Hull, the Hall of Famer known as the “Golden Jet,” died at 84 in January 2023.

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This story has been changed to correct the first name of the Blackhawks owner to Danny.

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FILE -Former Chicago Blackhawks player Dennis Hull was honored in a "One More Shift" ceremony before an NHL hockey game between the Blackhawks and the Calgary Flames on Monday Jan. 7, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton, File)