Liverpool Reaches Club World Cup Final on Firmino's Late Winner

Roberto Firmino came off the bench to send Liverpool to the final vs. Flamengo.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) – Roberto Firmino's 90th-minute winner sent Liverpool into the Club World Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Monterrey on Wednesday.

The Brazil forward flicked in Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross at the near post to set up a meeting with South American champion Flamengo of Brazil at the Khalifa Stadium.

Roberto Firmino for the win! Liverpool's star forward comes off the bench and delivers the stoppage-time dagger vs. Monterrey.

It'll be Liverpool vs. Flamengo in the #ClubWC final

(via @FoxDeportes) pic.twitter.com/XdSLFZSfc6

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) December 18, 2019

Naby Keita had put Liverpool ahead in the 11th minute but the European champion's opener was canceled out inside three minutes by Rogelio Funes Mori for the Mexican team.

Mohamed Salah's pass sets up Naby Keita for Liverpool's opener vs. Monterrey, but it's 1-1 now at the #ClubWC

(via @FoxDeportes) pic.twitter.com/Fh8ltZQMQ8

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) December 18, 2019

Rogelio Funes Mori fires home the rebound and brings Monterrey level with Liverpool #ClubWC

(via @FoxDeportes) pic.twitter.com/96KyhHshFx

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) December 18, 2019

Unlike during the world track and field championships in the same Khalifa stadium two months ago, there was no need for sections to be covered with material. The stadium was largely full for the FIFA event, with an attendance of 45,416 given for the second semifinal. Even for showpiece track sprints, barely a thousand fans were in the stands.

Unlike for those championships, there has been an influx of visiting fans - particularly from Brazil and from England.

The lineup for the final will roll the clock back almost three decades.

Liverpool and Flamengo met in a 1981 version of this tournament when the Brazilians won the meeting of the European and South American champions.