Doha (Qatar) (AFP)
The Mexicans of Tigres qualified for the semi-finals of the World Club Cup by beating the South Koreans of Ulsan Hyundai 2-1 thanks to a brace from André-Pierre Gignac on Thursday in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
The second quarter-final saw Egypt's Al Ahly side beat home Al-Duhail 1-0, also at Al Rayyan.
Al Ahly will face Monday in the semi-final against the favorite of the competition, Bayern Munich, who will enter the competition on this occasion as European champion.
In the brand new Ahmad Ben Ali stadium, the Mexicans conceded the opener on a header from Kim Kee-hee (24th, 1-1).
Gignac equalized by taking a volley from a corner extended by a teammate (38th, 1-1), then the French gave the advantage to his team from the penalty spot before the break (45 + 5, 2-1).
The former Olympique de Marseille striker, idol of the Monterrey club where he has played since 2015, had already offered his club the Concacaf Champions League last December against Los Angeles FC (2-1).
A success which is worth to Mexicans to participate in this World of clubs.
The Tigers will face the Brazilians of Palmeiras, recent Copa Libertadores winners in the half.
In the other meeting of the day, Al Ahly, nine times winner of the African Champions League, dominated the champion of Qatar Al-Duhail, coached by the French Sabri Lamouchi, thanks to a single goal scored in the first period by Hussein El Shahat (30th).
Al Ahly, whose entry was, is participating for the sixth time in the World Club.
Initially scheduled for last December, the 17th edition of the Club Mondial has been postponed due to the health crisis.
The number of spectators is limited to 30% of the capacity of each of the two 40,000-seat stadiums of the tournament.
According to a format created in 2000, this World Cup opposes the winners of major club competitions from the six FIFA confederations, plus the reigning champion of the organizing country.
But this year only six teams are in the running, instead of seven: Auckland, winner of the Oceania Champions League, forfeited due to the quarantine that the New Zealand delegation should have undergone on its return to the country.
Since the coronation of Bayern in 2013, the trophy has never escaped European representatives: Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), Barcelona (2015) and Liverpool (2019) have entered their names on the prize list.
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