Mexican side Monterrey defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal 4-3 on penalties to finish third in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Luis Cardenas was the hero for Monterrey as he saved two and then converted the winning shoot-out spot-kick to clinch bronze for his team.

The shoot-out was enforced after the sides were level 2-2 at the end of regular time.

Carlos Eduardo and Bafetimbi Gomis scored either side of a quick-fire double from Monterrey, with the 4-3 win on penalties seeing the Mexicans equal their best-ever performance at the Club World Cup.

A stagnant affair in the opening stages, Al Hilal kicked things into gear on 35 minutes when captain Eduardo powered home their first attempt on goal from Yasser Al Shahrani’s measured cross.

Monterrey shook things up after the break though, having rediscovered some of their drive. First, an awkward cross and some head tennis saw Arturo Gonzalez head into an open goal past a stranded Abdullah Almuaiouf.

Maxi Meza had them briefly ahead, slotting home coolly after a swift counter, but, for the second time in the tournament, Gomis performed some super-sub heroics. Eduardo’s superb cross from the left found the Frenchman to see him convert with a diving header.

The AFC Champions League Most Valuable Player almost snatched bronze in normal time, seeing his swept shot deflected onto the post. The game went to penalties and saw Cardenas step up for Monterrey’s fifth and final penalty, sealing victory in the tie-breaker.