Al Hilal SFC were denied a third place finish in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 by Mexico’s Monterrey who triumphed 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday.
Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cardenas was the hero in the shootout as he saved Carlos Eduardo and Mohamed Kanno’s efforts before scoring the decisive penalty.
Al Hilal took the lead in the 35th minute through Eduardo but Monterrey scored two quick goals in the second period through Arturo Gonzalez and Maximiliano Meza, only for Bafetimbi Gomis to draw the 2019 AFC Champions League winners level and force the tie to penalties.
After a slow start which saw neither side having clear looks on goal, Al Hilal opened the scoring on 35 minutes as Eduardo headed home Yasser Al Shahrani’s cross past Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cardenas.
Eduardo could have put Al Hilal further ahead in the 40th minute but sent his header over the crossbar while Omar Khribin was denied by Cardenas shortly after.
Monterrey started the second half aggressively and levelled the tie through Arturo Gonzalez’s header in the 55th minute.
The Mexicans took the lead five minutes later when Angel Zaldivar sent a low cross to Maximiliano Meza who scored from close range.
Al Hilal, however, drew level in the 66th minute as second half substitute Gomis headed home Eduardo’s cross.
The left post denied Gomis, the 2019 AFC Champions League MVP and Top Scorer, a winner late into the tie as Monterrey prevailed in the penalty shootout with goalkeeper Cardenas emerging the hero.
Monterrey coach Antonio Mohamed (C) and players greet fans after the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup 3rd place playoff against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday. Picture on right shows Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cardenas celebrating his goal in the penalty shootout.
