Liverpool defeats Monterrey in Club World Cup

Firmino (m.91) and Guinean Naby Keita (m.12) scored for Liverpool, and Argentine Rogelio Funes Mori (m.14) did it for Monterrey.

At the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Liverpool took possession of the ball against a Monterrey team focused on maintaining defensive order and marking.

In the 12th minute, the European champions took the lead; Mohamed Salah appeared on the left wing and provided a service to Keita, lethal with his right-footed shot.

Far from shrinking against the second-ranked team in the world, Monterrey went for the draw. In the 13th minute, Colombian Dorlan Pabón shot wide in a good opportunity for the Mexicans, who equalized a minute later in a play initiated by defender Stefan Medina, finished off with a left-footed goal by Funes Mori when he picked up a rebound.

From the 1-1, Monterrey gained confidence and played head-to-head. In the 23rd minute, Liverpool missed a chance with a James Milner arrival, set up by Salah, but the Rayados responded with two dangerous attacks. The most real one came in the 37th minute when Allison seemed to prevent Funes Mori's shot from Pabón's pass.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool came out pressing in the second half. In the 48th minute, Andrew Robertson had a dangerous arrival. The Mexicans responded two minutes later when Pabón shot from behind and Allison appeared to maintain the tie.

Monterrey put the opponent in trouble with a dangerous offensive. After several touches, Pabón shot wide, and at that point, the match was anyone's game.

The duel continued with alternating dominance until the first minute of stoppage time when Egyptian Salah showcased his class. He shook off the marking of Gallardo and Vangioni and started a play that ended with Firmino's goal.

In the final, Liverpool will face Flamengo, the champion of the Copa Libertadores, who won on Tuesday against Al Hillal Saudi Arabia with a score of 3-1.

- Technical Sheet:

1. Monterrey: Marcelo Barovero; César Montes (m.79, Miguel Layún), Nicolás Sánchez, Leonel Vangioni, Jesús Gallardo, Stefan Medina; Jonathan González, Carlos Rodríguez, Dorlán Pabón (m.82, Maxi Meza), Rodolfo Pizarro (m.90, Jonathan González) and Rogelio Funes Mori.

Coach: Antonio Mohamed.

2. Liverpool: Alisson; Joseph Gomez, Jordan Henderson, James Milner (m.75, Trent Alexander-Arnold), Andrew Robertson; Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Adam Lallana; Xherdan Shaqiri (m.68, Sadio Mane), Mohamed Salah, Divock Origi (m.85, Roberto Firmino).

Coach: Jurgen Klopp.

Goals: 0-1, m.12: Naby Keita. 1-1, m.14: Rogelio Funes Mori. 1-2, n.91: Roberto Firmino.

Referee: Roberto Tobar from Chile. Yellow cards to Vangioni (m.47) and Gallardo (m.78) from Monterrey, and Joseph Gomez (m.58) from Liverpool. Coaches Mohamed (m.76) and Klopp (m.77) were also cautioned.

Incidents: Club World Cup semi-final match played at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar.