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Liverpool FC won the first Club World Cup in its history on Saturday December 21, defeating Flamengo in the final (1-0 after extra time). The Reds snatched their victory thanks to Roberto Firmino, well served by Sadio Mané (99th).
Europe remains at the top. Since the victory of the Corinthians Brazilians against Chelsea in the final of the 2012 Club World Cup, the Old Continent has had several titles (one for Bayern Munich in 2013, one for FC Barcelona in 2015 and four for Real Madrid in 2014 , 2016, 2017 and 2018). The 2019 edition also returns to the European representative. Liverpool, winner of the UEFA Champions League, beat Flamengo, winner of the Copa Libertadores, in the final on Saturday 21 December (1-0 ap).
🏆 WE'RE CLUB WORLD CHAMPIONS !! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/stSfr4NvR7
Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 21, 2019Flamengo, a finalist with sponsor
After dominating the Monterrey Mexicans in the semi-final (2-1), the Reds were offered a second chance to add the Club World Cup to their record. The first time, in 2005, they had failed against other Brazilians, those of Sao Paulo. Flamengo, qualified for this competition for the first time, for its part, aimed to become the 4th sacred Brazilian club after the Corinthians (2000 and 2012), Sao Paulo (2005) and SC Internacional (2006).
The two continental champions have been neutralized for a long time in the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Well entered in this final with their trio Salah-Firmino-Mané aligned from the outset, Liverpool obtained a few occasions before Flamengo recovered and made a level play and even seriously disrupts the plans of the Mersey players.
Video arbitration still questioned
From the start of the second period, Roberto Firmino made the Brazilians tremble with a powerful shot on the post. The response of his compatriot Gabriel "Gabigol" Barbosa forced Alisson Becker to intervene (53rd, 69th). Diego Alves saved Flamengo by deflecting a missile dispatched by Jordan Henderson (86th), until the controversial action of the match.
In the 90 + 1e, Sadio Mané goes alone for a duel with Diego Lopez. His shot flees the frame, but the referee, Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Jassim, signals a penalty due to the tackle of Rafinha on the Senegalese. But with the help of the VAR, the Qatari whistle realizes that the tackle took place outside the surface. No penalty therefore ... and in fact, no fault at all, because according to his judgment, Rafinha did not touch Mané.
Mr. Al-Jassim's decision is open to debate. Nevertheless, he did not return, despite the face of incomprehension of Jürgen Klopp, the coach of Liverpool. And the two finalists were therefore entitled to the extension.
Firmino crowns Liverpool
Masters of the ball against tired and physically damaged Cariocas, the Reds ended up making the difference. Left against, Liverpool could count on their attackers, as often. Found deep in an outdated defense, Sadio Mané drew two players towards him to better serve Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian had time to control the ball to better erase Diego Lopez and find the way to the nets (99th).
Decisive in the semi-finals - barely entered the game, he had scored the goal of victory in additional time -, the Brazilian has proved once again, how he forms a complementary offensive line with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané . Firmino embodied the global dominance of Liverpool.
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🤩🤩🤩 Si Senor 🤩🤩🤩 #ClubWC #LFC #LiverpoolFC #Liverpool
A publication shared by Liverpool Football Club (@liverpoolfc) on Dec. 21. 2019 at 12: 03 PST
Flamengo tried until the end to return to the score. The men of Jorge Jesus have also almost managed to achieve it in the last seconds with the young Lincoln, but in the surface, the attacker saw his shot fly over the cage of Alisson (119th). Liverpool succeeds Real Madrid and signs a decidedly beautiful year 2019 with the Champions League and the Club World Cup, without forgetting 2nd place in the Premier League in 2018-2019. It remains to conquer this title in England which has refused to the Reds since 1990. It is off to a good start, but there is still a long way to go.