Gonzalez: Proud Tigres came here for the trophy
- Carlos Gonzalez signed for Tigres in December to partner Gignac
- He won the penalty for decisive semi-final goal
- Gonzalez: “This triumph is for our fans”
When Tigres UANL recruited Carlos Gonzalez in December 2020, the hope was that the Paraguayan front man would form an effective strike partnership with Andre-Pierre Gignac, not least at the imminent FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020™. It is a tournament with no margin for error and which demands a step-up in quality, something the Mexican side have demonstrably shown.
Gonzalez was unquestionably one of the key figures in the historic 1-0 triumph over Palmeiras in the semi-finals that made Tigres the first Mexican side to win a Club World Cup semi-final in ten attempts.
Moreover, the two previous semi-finals between teams representing CONCACAF and CONMEBOL had gone the way of the South Americans, who had not even conceded a goal. All those sequences finally ended thanks to an inspired performance by Los Felinos, with Gonzalez among their number.
“Here we are, with the stars in the sky shining down on us. We’re very proud of what we’ve done, and I imagine there are a few tears among our fans. This triumph is for them,” the player nicknamedCharlysaid at the post-match press conference.
It is true that the 28-year-old centre forward, who was signed from Pumas to deliver goals, was not on target himself against Palmeiras, but only some superlative stops from Weverton prevented that. In the first half, the Brazilian produced one of the saves of the tournament when he parried a bullet of header from close range by the Paraguayan.
Even so, Gonzalez’s contribution in attack was noteworthy, with his role as target man allowing Gignac to drop deeper and focus more on the creative side. Thus, both players managed to pop up unnoticed on more than one occasion and trouble the Verdão defence.
The best example was in the build-up to the penalty that led to the winning goal. Catching Luan off guard, Gonzalez stole a yard on the defender, who had no option to bring him down to prevent a one-on-one with Weverton. Gignac dispatched the resulting spot-kick, and the rest is now history.
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![Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL reacts after a challenge from Luan]()
Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL reacts after a challenge from Luan
07 Feb 2021
DOHA, QATAR – FEBRUARY 07: Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL reacts after a challenge from Luan Garcia of SE Palmeiras which leads to a penalty for Tigres UANL during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2002 Semi-Final match between Palmeiras and Tigres UANL at the Education City Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. FIFA are allowing a limited number of spectators (12,000) to be in attendance as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. (Photo by David Ramos – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Carlos Gonzalez and Erick Avalos of Tigres UANL react as they walk out to warm up]()
Carlos Gonzalez and Erick Avalos of Tigres UANL react as they walk out to warm up
07 Feb 2021
DOHA, QATAR – FEBRUARY 07: Carlos Gonzalez and Erick Avalos of Tigres UANL react as they walk out to warm up with teammates prior to the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2002 Semi-Final match between Palmeiras and Tigres UANL at the Education City Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. FIFA are allowing a limited number of spectators (12,000) to be in attendance as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. (Photo by David Ramos – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Carlos Gonzalez and Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL compete for a header]()
Carlos Gonzalez and Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL compete for a header
07 Feb 2021
DOHA, QATAR – FEBRUARY 07: Carlos Gonzalez and Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL compete for a header with Luan Garcia and Marcos Rocha of SE Palmeiras during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2002 Semi-Final match between Palmeiras and Tigres UANL at the Education City Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. FIFA are allowing a limited number of spectators (12,000) to be in attendance as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. (Photo by Mohamed Farag – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL is tackled by Gustavo Gomez of SE Palmeiras]()
Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL is tackled by Gustavo Gomez of SE Palmeiras
07 Feb 2021
DOHA, QATAR – FEBRUARY 07: Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL is tackled by Gustavo Gomez of SE Palmeiras during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2002 Semi-Final match between Palmeiras and Tigres UANL at the Education City Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. FIFA are allowing a limited number of spectators (12,000) to be in attendance as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. (Photo by David Ramos – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL celebrates with teammate Carlos Gonzalez]()
Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL celebrates with teammate Carlos Gonzalez
07 Feb 2021
DOHA, QATAR – FEBRUARY 07: Andre-Pierre Gignac of Tigres UANL celebrates with teammate Carlos Gonzalez after scoring their team’s first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2002 Semi-Final match between Palmeiras and Tigres UANL at the Education City Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. FIFA are allowing a limited number of spectators (12,000) to be in attendance as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. (Photo by Fadi El Assaad – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL tackles Felipe Melo of SE Palmeiras]()
Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL tackles Felipe Melo of SE Palmeiras
07 Feb 2021
DOHA, QATAR – FEBRUARY 07: Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL tackles Felipe Melo of SE Palmeiras during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2002 Semi-Final match between Palmeiras and Tigres UANL at the Education City Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. FIFA are allowing a limited number of spectators (12,000) to be in attendance as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. (Photo by David Ramos – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL celebrates with Diego Reyes and teammates at full-time]()
Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL celebrates with Diego Reyes and teammates at full-time
07 Feb 2021
DOHA, QATAR – FEBRUARY 07: Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL celebrates with Diego Reyes and teammates at full-time after the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2002 Semi-Final match between Palmeiras and Tigres UANL at the Education City Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. FIFA are allowing a limited number of spectators (12,000) to be in attendance as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. (Photo by Mohamed Farag – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL looks on during a Post Match Interview]()
Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL looks on during a Post Match Interview
07 Feb 2021
DOHA, QATAR – FEBRUARY 07: Carlos Gonzalez of Tigres UANL looks on during a Post Match Interview during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2002 Semi-Final match between Palmeiras and Tigres UANL at the Education City Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. FIFA are allowing a limited number of spectators (12,000) to be in attendance as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. (Photo by David Ramos – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
“The triumph was down to immense effort. We achieved what we set out to do and are thrilled to be playing in a long-awaited final. Were it not for their keeper, the winning margin could have been greater,” added the striker, who spent his early years as a professional in Chile, before moving to Mexico, where he had successful stints with Necaxa and Pumas.
And to think that Gonzalez almost missed the Club World Cup because of a muscle injury picked up in a Mexican league game just the week before his side headed to Qatar. His coach Ferretti did not risk starting him in their opening game against Ulsan Hyundai FC, preferring to bring him on only in the second half.
Now, as you would expect from someone with his personality and infectious energy, he wants to go all the way. “No other Mexican team have gone this far, but now we want more. We came here hoping to lift the trophy and now that we’re close, we’re encouraged and motivated that we can achieve our goal.”
