Tigres became the first Mexican team to qualify for the final of a Club World Cup, after defeating the Copa Libertadores champion 1-0, the Brazilian Palmeiras, this Sunday at the Education City Stadiun de Rayán (Qatar).
A penalty goal from French André-Pierre Gignac (53) allowed the ‘Felinos’ to make history in the planetary eventAnd now the team led by Ricardo Ferretti awaits a rival for the title, which will come out of Monday’s duel between Bayern Munich German and Al-Ahly of Egypt.
Tigres therefore improved the best performance of a Mexican team, and of any other representative of the Concacaf in the 16 previous editions of the Club World Cup.. Necaxa (2000), Monterrey (2012 and 2019), Pachuca (2017), and the Costa Rican Deportivo Saprissa (2005) reached third place.
The champion of the Concacaf Champions League, who arrived after defeating his Asian counterpart, the South Korean Ulsan Hyundai 2-1, woke up Palmeiras of the dream of becoming the first Brazilian team to win the world title since Corinthians won it in 2012.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino witnessed the solid performance of the ‘Tuca’ Ferreti team from the box, who only made one modification regarding the eleven who played in the quarterfinals; Francisco Meza fell and Paraguayan Carlos González entered, something that would reveal a success.
Despite a first warning with a powerful header from Carlos González repelled by Weverton In minute 3, it was the Brazilians who controlled the longest in the first act.
Until Gignac and Colombian Luis Quiñones found their inspiration minutes before the break. Both men of attack struck by the left flank creating incessant danger.
At the return of the locker room, the tonic was maintained and the fruit came with a penalty in the 52nd minute by Luan Garcia’s grab on Carlos González. Gignac did not tremble and surpassed the Brazilian goalkeeper below to score his third goal in this World Cup, all those that Tigres adds. It was also the 147th goal for the French striker with the San Nicolás de los Garza squad.
There were 40 minutes ahead of Palmeiras, but the team led by Portuguese Abel Ferreira He did not find the way to disturb the Argentine goal Nahuel Guzmán. In his first appearance at a Tigers Club World Cup he made history, but he wants to continue making it.