Leonel Vangioni booked a date with Liverpool with one monstrous lash of his left foot.
Monterrey’s 31-year-old Argentine left back launched a stunning long-range goal to help his team beat Al-Sadd 3-2 in the Club World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday in Qatar. The victory sends Los Rayados to the semifinals against UEFA Champions League champion Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Vangioni goal arrived in spectacular fashion in the 23rd minute of a scoreless match. Given a bit of time and space, he shot from more than 30 yards out, drilling the inside of the far post for the first goal of the day.
QUE GOLAZOOOO!!
Leo Vangioni gives Monterrey the lead in their Club World Cup semifinal vs Al Sadd in spectacular fashion. #ClubWC pic.twitter.com/L1lZEpue0D— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 14, 2019
Rogelio Funes Mori added another goal in the 41st minute against Al-Sadd, which is coached by Barcelona legend Xavi.
Al-Sadd pulled one back in the 66th minute through Baghdad Bounedjah. Monterrety put the game away in the 77th minute when a rampaging run by Jesús Gallardo was finished with a perfect strike from Carlos Rodríguez.
BANG! Carlos Rodriguez with the strong finish restores Rayados' 2-goal lead. #ClubWC pic.twitter.com/8k5OPlte3Z
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 14, 2019
Al-Sadd made it a nervy finish with a fine strike from Abdelkarim Hassan in the 89th minute before Monterrey held on for the win.
Brilliant support for Monterrey here in Qatar.#ClubWC pic.twitter.com/7XvrqV1dDG
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 14, 2019
Al-Sadd qualified for the tournament by winning the Qatar Stars League since Qatar hosted the tournament. Xavi’s team needed extra time to see off part-timers Hienghéne Sport of New Caledonia in the first round on Wednesday.
Monterrey qualified for the Club World Cup by beating UANL 2-1 on aggregate in the final of the Concacaf Champions League back in May. Los Rayados took out Atlanta United 3-1 and Sporting KC 10-2 on aggregate en route to the regional title.
On the other side of the bracket on Saturday, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal beat Tunisia’s Espérance de Tunis 1-0 thanks to a wonderful goal from French striker Bafétimbi Gomis.
Al-Hilal will face Brazilian club Flamengo on Tuesday. Flamengo is coached by Jorge Jesus, who last year coached Al-Hilal.
During this diner we promised each other that we will meet again and it’s with a real pleasure that I will play against you and your team @Flamengo hope that we will have a big game! See you mister pic.twitter.com/MNaYU8vXk8
— Bafétimbi Gomis (@BafGomis) December 14, 2019
Wednesday will be a big day for soccer as Liverpool and Monterrey face off in Qatar and Barcelona and Real Madrid do battle in a make-up El Clásico. Hopefully we'll see another strike like the Leonel Vangioni goal vs. Al-Sadd on Saturday.
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