Tigres reach final, River qualify for Club World Cup
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| AFP |
Mexico’s Tigres won through to the Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday when they overcame a first leg deficit to beat Internacional on aggregate and advance to a showdown against Argentina's River Plate next week.
The result also means that River will represent CONMEBOL in the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015, given Mexico are part of the CONCACAF confederation.
Tigres, who subsequently won 4-3 on aggregate after losing the first leg 2-1, will play the first match in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
Former Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, who arrived at Tigres last month, put the hosts ahead with a 17th-minute header. Tigres doubled their advantage with five minutes remaining in the first half as Inter defender Geferson tried to pass the ball to Allison, but his shot was too strong and beat the goalkeeper and nestled into the back of the net.
Tigres could have been 3-0 ahead five minutes into the second half but Allison saved former Inter striker Rafael Sobis' penalty. The Mexicans did not have to wait too long for their third goal as Uruguay midfielder Egidio Arevalo headed a Javier Aquino cross from the right past Allison in the 56th minute. Lisandro Lopez reduced the deficit for Inter with two minutes remaining, but it was vain for the visitors.
Tigres winger Jurgen Damm told Fox Sports: "I'm very happy. We are very motivated because we are one of the two best teams in the continent."
"River is a great team, we know how important they are in their country and the continent, we want to play good football and be champions. We are not intimidated by them. It is 11 versus 11."