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Auckland City FC’s giant-killing run at the Club World Cup is over – but not before threatening another stunning boilover.
It took extra time for South American champions San Lorenzo to see off a staunch display from Auckland’s team of semi-professionals, winning their semi-final 2-1 in Marrakech, Morocco.
The teams were locked 1-1 after 90 minutes, but the Argentina heavyweights ensured a tight encounter wouldn’t be decided by a penalty shootout thanks to a goal to substitute Matos Mauro three minutes into extra time.
Auckland City struggled to create any clear chances during the 30-minute stanza – possibly suffering fatigue from a third game in seven days, against opponents playing their first game of the tournament.
It sets up a play-off for third place in Marrakech on Saturday against Mexican opponents Cruz Azul, preceding the final between San Lorenzo and European giants Real Madrid.
Regardless the outcome, Auckland City can reflect on a head-turning display in Morocco which featured two sizeable upsets last week, beating Morocco’s Moghreb Tetouan on penalties and African champions ES Setif of Algeria 1-0.
They unfurled another highly-proficient performance on Wednesday, holding their own in every aspect of quality game, arguably creating the better chances in regulation time.
San Lorenzo scored first in the second minute of first-half stoppage time through a sharp left-foot strike from midfielder Pablo Barrientos, who was unmarked in the goal box after overlapping defender Emmanuel Mas pulled a cross back.
A slick 67th-minute equaliser was scored by Angel Berlanga, who found the empty net from a tight angle.
The Spanish defender latched onto a sweet pass from striker Emiliano Tade which took a deflection from midfielder Ryan de Vries when he was confronted by San Lorenzo goalkeeper Sebastian Torrico.
Berlanga earlier picked up his second yellow card of the tournament, meaning he will miss the last game through suspension.
Some rare Auckland City uncertainty in defence resulted in the decisive goal, with John Irving’s attempted clearance falling kindly for Mauro.
Argentine Tade unfurled some lovely attacking touches but was left to rue missing a glorious chance when put through in regulation time with only the keeper to beat.
Auckland City’s defence, marshalled by veteran midfielder and captain Ivan Vicelich, once again stood out.
They frustrated San Lorenzo, who struggled for attacking fluency and conceded their share of fouls, accruing five yellow cards to three in the process.
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