2019 FIFA Club World Cup Final

Liverpool qualified for the Club World Cup as champions of the UEFA Champions League, having defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the final. The club had previously played in the 2005 Club World Championship, finishing as runners-up to São Paulo.[12] Liverpool's participation in the tournament required them to field a squad of youth players in their EFL Cup quarter-final fixture against Aston Villa, losing 5–0 in the process.[13]

Liverpool entered with a bye to the semi-finals, where they faced North American champions Monterrey of Mexico. The Reds went ahead in the 12th minute with a strike by Naby Keïta, who collected a pass from Mohamed Salah at the top of the box. Monterrey equalised two minutes later as Rogelio Funes Mori, who collected a rebound off Alisson's save of a volley taken by Jesús Gallardo. Liverpool had several chances to retake the lead and switched to a new formation after half-time, but were unable to score and left themselves open to counter-attacks. Substitute Roberto Firmino scored the winning goal for Liverpool in the first minute of stoppage time, tapping in a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold within the six-yard box.[14][15]

Flamengo qualified for the Club World Cup as winners of the Copa Libertadores, defeating River Plate with two last-minute goals by Gabriel Barbosa in the final, which was played a month before the Club World Cup.[16]

Flamengo entered with a bye to their semi-final match against AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia. Flamengo started poorly and nearly conceded to Bafétimbi Gomis in the 16th minute after a big rebound from goalkeeper Diego Alves. Two minutes later, Mohammed Al-Breik crossed low to Salem Al-Dawsari in the box who scored the opening goal. Flamengo did little to create good chances in the first half but returned with a different posture and higher defensive line in the second half. Within three minutes, Flamengo's attacking trio leveled the score: Gabriel Barbosa found Bruno Henrique open inside the box, who rolled the ball across to Giorgian De Arrascaeta for the equalizer. Diego came on in substitute for Gerson and initiated the play in the 78th minute that resulted in Rafinha's cross to Bruno Henrique for the go-ahead header. Three minutes later, Diego found Bruno Henrique in the box whose cross was deflected in by Ali Al-Bulaihi for an own-goal. Moments later, André Carrillo of Al-Hilal was sent off after hitting De Arrascaeta. Flamengo advance with the 3–1 victory.[17]

Roberto Firmino nearly scored for Liverpool in the first minute of the match, as the ball was lifted to him past the defense but his shot sailed high. Shortly after, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool find shots of their own. Both teams continued equally matched, with Flamengo having a spell of possession after a rocky start and maintaining nearly sixty percent possession in the half.[18] Bruno Henrique found some chances, though none quite as dangerous as Liverpool's.[19]

Two minutes into the second half Firmino nearly scored again, this time hitting the inside of the left post.[20] In the 53rd minute, Flamengo's Gabriel shot high, and later forced a diving save from goalkeeper Alisson with a shot from inside the 18-yard box. In the 73rd minute, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was injured and came off for Adam Lallana. Flamengo brought on Vitinho and Diego in place of Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Éverton Ribeiro. In the 83rd minute Liverpool had their first dangerous shot on goal: a shot from Henderson fed by Mohamed Salah that was tipped over the frame by Diego Alves. Moments into stoppage time, Liverpool was awarded a penalty after Rafinha clipped the trailing foot of Sadio Mané free on goal on the edge of the penalty area. The decision was taken to video review where it appeared that the foul occurred outside the box and would result in a free kick, however the foul was waved off completely and play resumed with Flamengo.[21] Regulation time ended with the match still scoreless.

In the 99th minute Liverpool scored the breakthrough goal. Henderson played a long ball forward to Mané which Rodrigo Caio could not deflect. One-on-one with Rafinha, Mané played to an approaching Firmino on his left who hesitated and scored around Diego Alves. For Liverpool, James Milner came on for Naby Keïta, and for Flamengo Lincoln came on for midfielder Gerson.[22] In the second period of extra time, Flamengo found one dangerous opportunity to equalize in the 119th minute when a Vitinho cross rebounded back to him off a defender and he picked out Lincoln whose shot sailed high from ten yards out.[23] Minutes later the match ended and Liverpool were victors by a score of 1–0.[24]