Gignac double sends Tigres UANL into semis

Andre-Pierre Gignac struck twice as CONCACAF Champions Tigres UANL staged a strong comeback to down Ulsan Hyundai FC 2-1 and book a semi-final clash against SC Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 which kicked off yesterday. The Monterrey-based Tigres will now face Copa Libertadores champions from Brazil on Sunday for a place in the final of the inter-continental tournament. At the shining new FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, the Asian champions Ulsan took the lead through Kim Kee-hee who headed from a corner in the 24th minute before the former French international struck a leveler in the 38th minute, followed by a spot kick just a moment before the half time break (45+5).

With his brace, yesterday, the French veteran who is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 146 goals, made history by scoring the 400th goal in the history of the Club World Cup. Gignac, the driving force behind the Mexican club’s success in recent years, was elated with joy after yesterday’s victory and gave credit to their opponents for good ball handling. “The Koreans played a great game, I thought we were going to play against little guys but they are big and strong. They have good ball-handling, but the game was played with a standing ball,” he said with a smile.

“They are matches with details. Goals from set pieces. It’s a World Cup (and it) is not easy. "It is important that we win because we want to make history and we are going to try to achieve it on Sunday against Palmeiras,” said Gignac, who is often described as a powerful and dangerous striker well-known for his aerial presence. Gignac and the Tigres UANL will now face Palmeiras who themselves will be riding high following a brilliant title win in the Copa Libertadores final against Santos just five days ago. If they succeed, the Mexican giants will be able to create history by becoming the first CONCACAF team to reach a final of the FIFA Club World Cup.