Auckland City beat Cruz Azul on penalties for third place

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:25 am
Auckland City celebrate their victory in the Club World Cup third-place game.
Mohamed Mahmoud/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Auckland City ended their surprising run at the Club World Cup by winning the third-place game on penalties, besting CONCACAF champions Cruz Azul of Mexico.

Ryan De Vries scored the opener for the New Zealand team just before the opener, and although Joao Rojas equalised in the second half, Auckland City prevailed 4-2 on penalties.

The semi-professional side won their third match of the tournament after beating hosts Moghreb Tetouan in the opening game and African champions ES Setif.

They also pushed Copa Libertadoes champs San Lorenzo to the limit, losing 2-1 in extra time in the semi-finals.

Auckland City came out full of pride while Cruz Azul had their heads down after losing to Real Madrid in the other semi.

The minnows stuck to their strategy of playing the ball long, with Emiliano Tade testing Cruz Azul goalkeeper Jose Corona early on. 

The reward came just before half-time, when forward De Vries raced onto Tade's pass before slotting past Corona.

Rojas equalised for Cruz Azul after the break, lashing home from close range in the 57th minute.

Both sides had chances to win in normal time, but Christian Gimenez was denied in the 73rd minute and within seconds, Tim Payne was denied by Corona.

With no extra time, the match went straight to penalties and after Ismael Valadez missed for Cruz Azul, substitute Sanni Issa netted from the spot to hand the New Zealand side a famous victory.