It doesn’t matter the tournament, "Monsieur Liguilla" will deliver.
It was André-Pierre Gignac’s brace against Ulsan Hyundai that propelled Tigres into their FIFA Club World Cup semifinal against Brazil’s Palmeiras, and it was again Gignac who provided the difference on Sunday with a converted penalty in the 54th-minute that ultimately proved the match-winner at Education City Stadium in Qatar.
Andre-Pierre Gignac doesn't miss pic.twitter.com/cHf4bGzqrF
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 7, 2021
The prize is a place in Thursday’s final against the winner of the other semifinal between Germany's Bayern Munich and Egypt’s Al Ahly, although everyone will be hoping for a duel between Tigres and the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry.
While Monterrey and Pachuca have done CONCACAF proud in recent years, this is the first time ever that the region has advanced to the final of the Club World Cup. That they did it against Palmeiras — which just recently captured its second Copa Libertadores with the likes of Luiz Adriano, Rony and Weverton leading the charge — makes it a truly sensational achievement.
Tigres held the South American powerhouse to just one shot on target with Luis Rodríguez, Guido Pizarro, Diego Reyes and Carlos Salcedo playing like men possessed.
It could’ve been more for Tigres if not for the play of Weverton in the Palmeiras goal.
¡La que tuvo Gignac!
Nuevamente el arquero de Palmeiras salva al equipo brasileño.@RodolfoLanderos @marianot19 @emperadorsuarez @SirJohnLaguna #MDCenFD pic.twitter.com/wzEfsGPK7u— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) February 7, 2021
Bayern Munich plays Al Ahly tomorrow. The final is scheduled for Thursday at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
UNA FIESTA
El festejo de Tigres en el vestidor luego de ser el primer equipo mexicano en una final del Mundial de Clubes https://t.co/aFlhS3JoPq pic.twitter.com/ZBV2J6ncEt— Futbol Picante (@futpicante) February 7, 2021
