DOHA — Super-sub Bafetimbi Gomis sent FIFA Club World Cup debutants Al Hilal into the semifinals as his goal saw off Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
A keenly-contested encounter between the top sides of Asia and Africa was settled when the French striker produced a sublime moment of skill and cool finish to seal the semifinal spot.
The pair had been evenly matched from the outset in a frenetic and lively clash. Esperance’s Anice Badri was the first to come close, firing just wide, before Al Hilal ended the opening period the stronger as Andre Carrillo’s effort needed both Moez Ben Charifia and Mohamed Yakoubi to keep it out.
Coming onto the field from the bench, Gomis took just eight minutes to produce a magical winner. Rolling off the shoulder of the backline, he conjured a masterful flick to deceive the sliding defender before slotting into the bottom corner.
The win sets up a meeting with South American big guns Flamengo on Tuesday. — Agencies