Doha (AFP)
Liverpool finally holds its global crown: the English club won, in pain, its first Club World Cup, beating the Brazilians in Flamengo 1-0 after extra time, Saturday in Doha.
Two finals lost in the former Intercontinental Cup in 1981 (against ... Flamengo) and 1984, one in the Club World Cup in 2005. The Reds had a very upset relationship with this competition, which however often smiled at the teams from the Old Continent. Until the 99th minute of this fourth final against the stunning winners of the Copa Libertadores and the recent champions of Brazil.
Unconvincing, especially in the first period, the men of Jürgen Klopp were released from their curse by a late goal from Firmino, perfectly served by Mané, after a masterful counter.
Winners of the Champions League, the European Super Cup and undisputed leader of the English Championship with 10 points ahead, the men of Jürgen Klopp thus conclude a superb year 2019.
But the Mersey club suffered from a Brazilian team made up largely of former boarders from European clubs.
Three chances from the first five minutes: the European champions first gave the illusion of a one-way match. But after the resumption over Firmino and the strikes next to Keita and Alexander-Arnold, the Reds did not show much. Like Salah and Mané much too discreet.
In front of a majority audience made up of Flamengo supporters, it was enough to hear the whistles rising in the stands of the Khalifa stadium in Doha shortly after half an hour of play.
- VAR offers rab -
The second period fortunately offered more spectacle. From the 47th minute, Firmino found the right amount of goals for Diego Alves, the former Valencia goalkeeper. Flamengo responded with "Gabigol", whose strike forced Alisson to relax (54th).
Worried in the game, the English then lost Oxlade-Chamberlain, hit an ankle and replaced by Lallana (75th).
After this heavy blow, the men of Jürgen Klopp reacted thanks to Salah, author of a goal canceled for offside (77th), then by Sadio Mané, sharper and at the origin of a counter concluded by a strike distant from Henderson under the bar deflected with the tips of the fingers by the Brazilian goalkeeper (86th).
As we headed for overtime, the VAR invited themselves into extra time (90 + 2). Launched in depth, Mané was hooked by former Bayern player Rafinha. The referee whistled for a penalty for the Reds, and then canceled his decision after viewing the video, the foul having been committed outside the area. No penalty, but no free kick either, much to the chagrin of the English players. And so here is 30 minutes of additional extension time ...
Clumsy in the 1st minute, unhappy in the 47th, Firmino did not tremble in the 99th to win his head to head against his compatriot Diego Alves and sent the Reds to the roof of the world.
© 2019 AFP