Al Duhail ended their campaign at the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup yesterday on a high note with an inspiring 3-1 defeat of Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai to secure a fifth-place place finish.

A superb strike from Edmilson Junior in the 21st minute (his 13th goal in the last ten appearances), coupled with two other brilliant second-half goals from Mohammed Muntari (66') and Almoez Ali (82'), separated the two sides at the end of the enthralling encounter inside the newly-opened Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium while Yoon Bit-garam got on the score sheet in the 62nd minute for the Korean side.

Both teams had suffered narrow defeats in their respective second-round ties with 2020 AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai edged 2-1 by Mexico's Tigres UANL while reigning Qatar Stars League champions Al Duhail were defeated 1-0 by Egypt's Al Ahly SC.

The Red Knights, who have recently bounced back to life in the QNB Stars League under new coach Sabri Lamouchi, left no one in doubt of their intention from the blast of the whistle with their high-pressing play and rampaging run in the Korean's half of the field.

Therefore, it was not a surprise when the Qataris efforts were rewarded in the 21st minute as Iranian Ali Karimi put Edmilson through in the midfield and the Belgian raced down the middle unchallenged before unleashing a powerful, low shot to beat the Ulsan goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.

The home side could have added to their tally much earlier in the game if not for some wasted chances with newly-signed Michael Olunga, the main culprit.

However, Ulsan was much improved after the break and claimed a deserved equalizer just after the hour-mark, when Yoon Bitgaram scrambled home after some fine build-up play.

But parity lasted for just four minutes, as Al Duhail quickly reclaimed the lead with another delightful effort, as Dudu's scooped pass was volleyed home first-time by Mohammed Muntari.

And victory was secured eight minutes from time – again, with a goal of the highest quality – as Almoez Ali wriggled in from the right before burying a powerful right-foot shot beyond the helpless Jo Hyeon-woo.

Meanwhile, Andre-Pierre Gignac was Tigres' hero once again as the Mexicans stunned Palmeiras to become the first Concacaf team to reach a FIFA Club World Cup™ final.

Ricardo Ferretti's side was good value for their surprise win and will now face off for the title against either FC Bayern München or Al Ahly SC on Thursday.

Palmeiras went into the game as favorites but struggled throughout, and were indebted to goalkeeper Weverton for keeping the score blank in the first half.

Three times the Verdão No1 displayed excellent reflexes to deny Tigres, with the pick of his saves a superb, instinctive stop to tip wide from Gignac's curling, goal-bound right-foot shot.

The game was developing into something of a personal duel between Gignac and Weverton. This continued in the second half when Tigres were awarded a penalty eight minutes after the restart.

On this occasion, and while he guessed right, the Palmeiras keeper could not prevent the Frenchman's powerfully-struck spot-kick finding the bottom-left corner.

Of course, Palmeiras had struck extremely late in the Copa Libertadores final to earn their place at the global showpiece, and pressed for an equalizer as the clock ticked down.

But their huffing and puffing produced precious little in the way of genuine opportunities, and Tigres were left to celebrate a famous – and deserved – semi-final victory.

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