mid the glitz of the
glass skyscrapers
and rising World Cup
venues of Qatar’s
capital, European
champions Liverpool
won their first global crown with a 1-0
victory in Doha over Flamengo in
a thrilling and dramatic Club World
Cup Final.
Flamengo’s industry and quality
led to extra time, but Liverpool’s
Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino broke
his compatriots’ hearts with a winning
goal to hand Liverpool a title that had
eluded them previously in 1981, 1984
and 2005.
The Final was a marvellous box-
to-box game that delivered on its
promise of a fascinating intercontinentalencounter. Buttressed by the return
of defender Virgil Van Dijk and his
commanding presence, Liverpool
had three chances inside the first six
minutes, exploiting Flamengo’s high
defensive line. However, Roberto
Firmino after 30 seconds, Naby Keita
and Trent Alexander-Arnold all failed
to make the most of the opportunities
they were given.
But Liverpool’s barnstorming opening
did not bowl over Flamengo and the
South American champions recovered
their poise to seize possession and
dominate the first half without creating
any genuine opportunities. Out wide
on the left, Bruno Henrique stymied
Alexander-Arnold’s attacking runs.
In the second half, Roberto Firmino
rattled the woodwork and Gabriel
Barbosa repeatedly tested Liverpool
keeper Alisson, but the Brazilians tiredLiverpool reach
the summit
Klopp’s side claim first global title
after the 70th minute – perhaps a
consequence of a gruelling domestic
calendar that required them to play
74 games in 2019. The introduction
of Vitinho for Giorgian De Arrascaeta
backfired and not even Diego, the
veteran statesman and match-winning
substitute against both River Plate in the
Copa Libertadores Final and Al Hilal in
the Club World Cup semi-finals, could
exert much influence.
In a bizarre decision, Qatari referee
Abdulrahman Al Jassim overturned his
decision to award Liverpool an injury-
time penalty for a foul by Rafinha on
Sadio Mane just as the Senegalese
shaped to shoot. VAR showed Mane
had been clipped, but following a
lengthy on-field review Al Jassim
decided that the infringement had
occurred outside the penalty box.
With Flamengo physically
on their knees, the end was
inevitable. Liverpool’s 99th-
minute winner dashed Flamengo’s
dream of a global crown, even
if substitute Lincoln should haveClinch...Flamengo’s Bruno
Henrique gets to grips with
Joe Gomez of Liverpool“We don’t fly 3,000
miles, we don’t fly that
distance, not to show up”
Liverpool boss Jurgen KloppA
Club World Cup
SAMINDRA KUNTI
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