Monterrey will take a slender advantage back to Estadio BBVA Bancomer after a 1-1 draw with Tigres in the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura finals.
A corner swung in from Monterrey's Dorlan Pabon in the ninth minute was glanced into the net by Nico Sanchez past an outstretched Nahuel Guzman in the Tigres goal.
But Tigres would level from the penalty spot after Rogelio Funes Mori toppled Enner Valencia in the penalty area in the 26th minute and the Ecuador international converted with a cheeky Panenka finish to make it 1-1.
The hosts looked the better side for the remainder of the rain-soaked match, but the conditions did not work in TIgres favor.
The two teams finished with 10 men each after Hugo Ayala was sent off for Tigres in stoppage time and Monterrey's Leonel Vangioni was handed his second yellow minutes before.
Antonio Mohamed's side will like its chances against Tigres in the second leg, having scored 23 goals and conceded just four in home games this season.