Pachuca players (pictured) celebrate after scoring against Al Jazira in the FIFA Club World Cup match for third place on December 16, 2017, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo: Mexsport)
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – A three-goal, second-half outburst gave Pachuca a 4-1 win over the United Arab Emirates’ Al Jazira in the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup match for third place on Saturday at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
The Tuzos equaled Necaxa (2000), Saprissa (2005) and Monterrey (2012) for the best-ever final placement by a CONCACAF side in the competition’s history.
Player of the Match Jonathan Urretaviscaya gave the CONCACAF champion a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute, when he received a superb through ball from Franco Jara and jabbed a shot from 12-yards out with the outside of his right underneath charging goalkeeper Khaled Al Senaani.
Khalfan Alrezzi leveled the scored in the 57th minute, but three minutes later, Jara – the 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Golden Ball winner – put Pachuca ahead for good, slotting in from 11 yards off Angelo Sagal’s well-guided pass from near the upper-left corner of the 18-yard box.
History was made in the 79th minute as substitute Roberto De La Rosa became the first player born after 1999 to compete in – as well as score -- in the competition. The 17-year-old got behind the Al Jazira defense to latch onto Erick Sanchez’s neatly rolled pass through the middle and easily beat Al Senaani with his right foot from 15 yards.
Sagal punctuated the scoreline by converting an 84th-minute penalty kick.
In three previous FCWC appearances, Pachuca had never finished better than fourth place (2008).
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2017 FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP
Pachuca Results
Second Round
09.12.17: Zayed Sports City Stadium – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Pachuca 1, Wydad Athletic Club 0 (aet)
Victor Guzman 112’
Semifinals
12.12.17: Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium -- Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates
Gremio 1, Pachuca 0 (aet)
Everton 95’
Match for Third Place
16.12.17: Zayed Sports City Stadium – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Al Jazira 1, Pachuca 4
Khalfan Alrezzi 57’ / Jonathan Urretaviscaya 37’; Franco Jara 60’; Roberto de la Rosa 79’; Angelo Sagal 84’ pen
