Rayados has valiant effort vs. Liverpool, but was it enough?
Liverpool advanced to the FIFA Club World Cup Final by edging Rayados 2-1 thanks to a stoppage-time goal by Brazilian star Roberto Firmino.
Jurgen Klopp and the Reds were well aware that the match versus the CONCACAF champions was not going to be an easy one, but they probably never imagined it was going to be this challenging.
The Reds took the lead, thanks to an early goal by Naby Keita. The Guinean player played a give-and-go to perfection with Mohamed Salah, which allowed Keita to put the ball into the goal.
It appeared as though the English team would cruise to victory following that goal; however, the team from northern Mexico took only two minutes to strike back. Following a scramble inside the box, Jesus Gallardo managed to get a shot off that was saved by Alisson. Unfortunately for the Red’s goalkeeper, Rogelio Funes-Mori was at the right place at the right time and crushed the ball into the back of the net.
Monterrey’s confidence skyrocketed with the goal, and they continued to press Liverpool. Rayado’s constant pressure didn’t allow Klopp’s men to create significant danger, and the teams went to lockers tied 1-1.
Despite controlling most of the ball possession, the Premier League side was getting outshot by Rayados. The Reds did push lines in hopes of becoming a more significant threat, that however allowed the Mexican squad to get a couple of counter-attacks.
Both teams exchanged dangerous opportunities and nearly took the lead. Late in the game, just when it appeared that the game was destined to go extra-time, Roberto Firmino, who had been subbed in the 85th minute, scored from inside the small box. The Brazilian starlet tapped the ball into Rayados’ goal following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s timely pass.
The goal broke the tied and shattered the hearts of the hundreds of Monterrey fans who made the trip to Qatar and the millions of Mexican fans watching on television.
It was a brave and fearless effort by the team from Nuevo Leon. They played toe-to-toe against arguably the best club in the world. Despite the energy and performance, the team lost, and it continued the tradition of Mexican teams losing outside of the CONCACAF region.
As long as Mexican squads continue NOT winning, they will always be viewed as mediocre by the soccer world powers. Until there’s a consistent amount of victories over the top countries and teams in the world, Mexican soccer will continue to be JUST OK.
