The Columbus Crew wrote a new page of history on Tuesday with its first-ever semifinal qualification in CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Black & Gold eliminated Tigres in Monterrey, Mexico following a 1-1 draw and a 4-2 win in the penalty kick shootout.

Against all odds, the MLS Cup champions overcame an early-match mistake by goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who later became the match’s hero by saving two shots in the penalty shootout. The Crew’s equalizer was scored by forward Diego Rossi in the second half.

The Black & Gold’s beginning was rough.

Schulte’s second-minute mistake gave Tigres an early lead in the game for a 2-1 aggregate score. Andre-Pierre Gignac, Tigres’ forward and star player, took the ball from Schulte’s feet as he attempted to dribble around the attacker and pushed it to an empty net.

Following another defensive mistake by the Black & Gold players trying to play out from the back, Tigres’ goal was waved off after a five-minute VAR review. Officials ruled that the ball was touched by midfielder Diego Pizarro and was offside.

After 15 minutes, Columbus surpassed the Liga MX team’s initial pressure and held possession for a while in Tigres’ half to create goal opportunities.

The first chance for the MLS Cup champions came in the 31^st minute when forward Marino Hinestroza high-pressed Tigres’ defense and almost stole the ball coming off a short pass to goalkeeper Felipe Rodriguez.

Less than five minutes later, Rossi had an impressive dribbling effort on the right side of the field. However, his cross didn’t find a teammate and ended in Rodriguez’s hands.

Tigres recovered possession of the ball and earned a few goal chances without success.

A quick run by midfielder Fernando Gorriaran through the Crew’s defense gave the home side a clear 2 v. 1 chance chance. Schulte’s incredible save, rushing back and diving to his right, to midfielder Marcelo Flores’ solo shot kept Columbus in the series.

Three minutes later, midfielder Juan Brunetta’s long-shot distance was poorly parried away by Schulte and ended at. Flores’ feet. After an offside pass to Gignac, Tigres’ second goal was waved off thanks to a VAR review.

Columbus came out in the second half looking for an equalizer.

The most controversial call of the night came in the 50^th minute when left back Yaw Yeboah went down with contact inside Tigres’ penalty box. However, the VAR official didn’t call the referee to review the play further and no penalty kick was awarded.

Rossi buried the equalizer for the Black Gold in the 60^th minute to keep hopes alive. Forward Cucho Hernandez’s outstanding play on the left side of the pitch ended in a crossed ball that was poorly controlled by wing back Mohamed Farsi. The ball found its way to Rossi who fired his shot home.

After the goal, Tigres pushed forward, looking for the winner at home

In the 65th minute, following Brunetta’s pass inside Columbus’ 18-yard box, Gignac shot from an uncomfortable position, failing to put his team up 2-1. Another missed shot by Gignac came in the 72nd minute, with no action by Schulte needed.

The last clear chance of regulation occurred in the 85^th minute. Substitute Jacen Russell-Rowe passed the ball to Hernandez. The forward’s his shot went slightly wide of the mark.

Extra time was toughly fought in the midfield with many fouls and no action from the goalkeepers.  The Crew’s only scoring opportunity came from Hernandez’s header to Rodriguez’s hands.

The second half of extra time was entirely dominated by the Black & Gold’s willingness to come back from the initial adversity. The closest chance came when Tigres almost scored and own goal, but Rodriguez’s quick reflexes saved the home side.

A series of corner kicks were the last options for the MLS Cup champions to score, but the score remained 1-1, and the quarterfinals were decided by a penalty shootout.

Tigres began the penalty shootout. Schulte saved the first attempt of the night by Gignac and Rossi put the Crew on the board with his shot.

Schulte then saved Pizarro’s shot to the left side of the goal and Russell-Rowe’s soft and calibrated shot put Columbus up 2-0 in the penalty shootout.

Oziel Herrera converted the first penalty kick for Tigres. Midfielder Alexandru Matan, an extra time substitute, opened his foot for a nice goal and put the Crew 3-1 up in penalties.

Sebastian Cordova’s shot barely made it through Schulte’s hands and Tigres remained alive on the fourth penalty attempt. Hernandez shot was blocked by Rodriguez and drowned Crew’s chances of qualification in the fourth round of penalty kicks.

Jesus Angulo gave Tigres hope until the last shot of the game. Second-year player Max Arfsten’s ice-cold shot gave the Black & Gold a historic qualification to the semifinal.

Columbus will play the winner of MLS side Inter Miami and Liga MX club Monterrey. The two clubs play in Guadalupe on Wednesday night, with Monterrey holding a 2-1 advantage.