FIFA.com
- Tigres become first Mexican side to reach Club World Cup final
- Andre-Pierre Gignac seals a deserved victory for the underdogs
- Concacaf champions now face Bayern München or Al Ahly
Andre-Pierre Gignac was Tigres’ hero once again as the Mexicans stunned Palmeiras to become the first Concacaf team to reach a FIFA Club World Cup™ final.
Ricardo Ferretti’s side were good value for their surprise win and will now face off for the title against either FC Bayern München or Al Ahly SC on Thursday.
Palmeiras went into the game as favourites but struggled throughout, and were indebted to goalkeeper Weverton for keeping the score blank in the first half.
Three times the Verdão No1 displayed excellent reflexes to deny Tigres, with the pick of his saves a superb, instinctive stop to tip wide from Gignac’s curling, goal-bound right-foot shot.
The game was developing into something of a personal duel between Gignac and Weverton, in fact, and this continued in the second half when Tigres were awarded a penalty eight minutes after the restart.
On this occasion, and while he guessed right, the Palmeiras keeper could not prevent the Frenchman’s powerfully-struck spot-kick finding the bottom-left corner.
Palmeiras had, of course, struck extremely late in the Copa Libertadores final to earn their place at the global showpiece, and pressed for an equaliser as the clock ticked down.
But their huffing and puffing produced precious little in the way of genuine opportunities, and Tigres were left to celebrate a famous – and deserved – semi-final victory.
Tigres become first Mexican side to reach Club World Cup final
Andre-Pierre Gignac seals a deserved victory for the underdogs
Concacaf champions now face Bayern München or Al Ahly
Andre-Pierre Gignac was Tigres’ hero once again as the Mexicans stunned Palmeiras to become the first Concacaf team to reach a FIFA Club World Cup™ final.
Ricardo Ferretti’s side were good value for their surprise win and will now face off for the title against either FC Bayern München or Al Ahly SC on Thursday.
Palmeiras went into the game as favourites but struggled throughout, and were indebted to goalkeeper Weverton for keeping the score blank in the first half.
Three times the Verdão No1 displayed excellent reflexes to deny Tigres, with the pick of his saves a superb, instinctive stop to tip wide from Gignac’s curling, goal-bound right-foot shot.
The game was developing into something of a personal duel between Gignac and Weverton, in fact, and this continued in the second half when Tigres were awarded a penalty eight minutes after the restart.
On this occasion, and while he guessed right, the Palmeiras keeper could not prevent the Frenchman’s powerfully-struck spot-kick finding the bottom-left corner.
Palmeiras had, of course, struck extremely late in the Copa Libertadores final to earn their place at the global showpiece, and pressed for an equaliser as the clock ticked down.
But their huffing and puffing produced precious little in the way of genuine opportunities, and Tigres were left to celebrate a famous – and deserved – semi-final victory.
Gallery: Palmeiras-Tigres
Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL shoots
Matias Vina of SE Palmeiras passes the ball under pressure from Javier Aquino of Tigres UANL
The shirts of Danilo, Vinicius, Jailson and Weverton of SE Palmeiras
A detailed view of the Tigres UANL badge
The shirts of Andre-Pierre Gignac and Diego Reyes of Tigres UANL
Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL shoots under pressure from Luan Garcia of SE Palmeiras
Silvia Grecco and their son Nickollas look on from the stands during the FIFA Club World Cup
Ricardo Ferretti, Manager of Tigres UANL gives their team instructions
Rafael Carioca of Tigres UANL is tackled by Ze Rafael of SE Palmeiras
Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL is tackled by Gustavo Gomez and Ze Rafael of SE Palmeiras
Luiz Adriano of SE Palmeiras walks out prior to the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2002 Semi-Final
A Tigres UANL fan shows their support wearing a face mask and visor inside the stadium
A detailed view of an SE Palmeiras badge seen on a shirt inside the dressing room
Jesus Duenas of Tigres UANL runs with the ball
Luis Quinones of Tigres UANL runs with the ball under pressure from Danilo of SE Palmeiras
Rafael Carioca of Tigres UANL controls the ball under pressure from Gabriel Menino of SE Palmeiras
Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL celebrates after scoring
Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL celebrates after scoring
Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL celebrates with teammate Carlos Salcedo
Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL celebrates after scoring – Read More
