Firmino gives Liverpool first FIFA Club World Cup

Liverpool are Club World Cup Champions

Liverpool are Club World Cup Champions

Liverpool are Club World Cup Champions

Liverpool have won their first FIFA Club World Cup, beating a resilient South America champions Flamengo.

The Anfield team have become the second English team to win the cup, after Manchester United in 2008.

Once again, like in the semi-final, it was the lot of Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino to make the dream win possible with a strike in the 99th minute at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.

Firmino was picked out by Sadio Mane and waited for goalkeeper Diego Alves to commit before slotting low into the net in the 99th minute of an absorbing contest in Doha, Qatar.

Firmino : the moment he almost tore his jersey and once again the Liverpool hero

It was the moment that finally punctured the hopes of the Brazilian side and their vibrant support, after Liverpool had been denied a penalty by VAR at the end of normal time.

The Qatari referee initially gave a spot-kick for a foul on Mane by Rafinha on the way into the box, but changed his mind following a lengthy review, forcing the contest into an extra 30 minutes.

Still the European champions had enough to come out on top, with Firmino repeating his semi-final heroics, when he scored an injury-time goal to secure victory against Monterrey of Mexico.

Liverpool are Club World Cup Champions

“It’s an incredible feeling, to win another trophy and a world title,” said Firmino.

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“It is the fruit of our success in the Champions League. We came here to win. It wasn’t easy but I am delighted with the victory.”

The win allows Liverpool to complete a fabulous year with a third piece of silverware to go with the Champions League and UEFA Supercup.

Having earned the title of world champions, if Klopp’s team see out their huge lead at the top of the Premier League, they will have a case to be remembered as the finest side in the illustrious history of the club.

A year to remember for Liverpool: L-R, Salah with UEFA Cup, Mane with Supercup and Henderson with Club World Cup

Flamengo had been hoping to repeat their win over Liverpool in the old Intercontinental Cup back in 1981 and thereby become the first non-European winners of the Club World Cup since fellow Brazilians Corinthians beat Chelsea in 2012.

They fell short, but they certainly gave the Premier League leaders a game in what was their last outing of a long season.

“We lost, but only in terms of the result. Otherwise we were not losers in any respect. We were as good as them,” said their Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who took over in June before leading them to the Brazilian title and the Copa Libertadores.

“Flamengo have had an unforgettable season. We have shown that the best Brazilian team can compete on the same level as the best teams in Europe.”

*With AFP report

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