Bayern Munich 1-0 Tigres UANL: Talking Points from the FIFA Club World Cup Final

FC Bayern Muenchen v Tigres UANL - FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020
FC Bayern Muenchen v Tigres UANL - FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020

Bayern Munich have got their hands on a sixth trophy in the last six months and their first Club World Cup since 2013, after a 1-0 win over Mexican side Tigres UANL on Thursday.

Tigres UANL, who were crowned champions of North & Central America in December, gave the German side a run for their money despite being the underdogs.

They matched their opponents physically and made it impossible for Bayern to sweep them away in high-tempo fashion.

Tigres UANL's 2-1 victory over Los Angeles FC ensured the Mexican side qualified for their first-ever Club World Cup competition.

After knocking out the Champions of Asia and South America in the previous rounds of the tournament, they were looking to cause a major upset by beating the Champions of Europe in the final.

Bayern Munich, who won the competition in their last appearance in 2013, knocked out African champions Al Ahly with a comfortable 2-0 victory earlier this week.

The Bavarians, however, came into the game knowing the final promised to be a harder test as the stakes were higher and their opponents were tougher.

The Mexican side put in a statement of intent with some quick play at the start of the game as they drove forward in numbers, but Bayern Munich soon took an expected foothold in the game.

The Bavarians controlled possession for large spells of the game, and their opponents were more than willing to let them have the ball as they defended their box in numbers and looked to break on the counter.

Bayern Munich seemed to have opened the scoring with a cracker from Joshua Kimmich, but it was bizarrely ruled out by the VAR after Tigres goalkeeper Guzman claimed Lewandowski was in his line of sight.

Bayern Munich kept up the pressure in the first half and Tigres matched them with their superb defending to see out the half.

The first and only goal of the game finally came through Benjamin Pavard at the hour mark. The Frenchman pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire home after a cross from Kimmich into the box.

The goal was once again reviewed by the VAR after Lewandowski looked to be in an offside position, but the goal stood and Bayern Munich were one goal to the good.

There wasn't much of a response from the North American Champions onwards, and Bayern Munich pretty much cruised through the final half-hour.

The German giants have now won all six trophies available to them in a football year and have equalled the achievement of Barcelona in 2009/10.

On that note, we look at five talking points from the game:

#1 VAR drama continues

The VAR being used in VfL Wolfsburg v FC Schalke 04 - DFB Cup: Round Of Sixteen
The VAR being used in VfL Wolfsburg v FC Schalke 04 - DFB Cup: Round Of Sixteen

Since introducing the Video Assistant Referee at the 2018 World Cup and its integration into world football, it has been met with both praise and criticism.

The bizarre cancelation of Joshua Kimmich's strike in the first-half is an example of why the innovation has come under so much scrutiny lately.

An absolutely faultless goal was canceled after Guzman's persistent argument that Lewandowski was in his line of sight when the shot was taken.

Bayern Munich ended up winning the game, so there will be little concern about the occurrence, but it would probably have been a different story had they lost.


#2 Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick is a serial winner

Hertha BSC v FC Bayern Muenchen - Bundesliga
Hertha BSC v FC Bayern Muenchen - Bundesliga

The German head coach has been at the helm for about 14 months, and he has already amassed six trophies with the Bundesliga powerhouse. He also boasts of an incredible 85% win rate with the Bavarians.

His unrelenting, high-tempo style of play was visible for all to see in their triumph over Tigres UANL and while the Mexican side did well to prevent Bayern Munich from being at their rampant best, Hansi Flick's men never really looked in danger of losing the game.

With his side on course to win a 10th straight Bundesliga title, Hansi Flick's time at Bayern Munich has been laden with silverware.

#3 Andre-Pierre Gignac is ageing like a fine wine

Pachuca v Tigres UANL - Playoffs Torneo Clausura 2019 Liga MX
Pachuca v Tigres UANL - Playoffs Torneo Clausura 2019 Liga MX

The Frenchman surprised the world when he opted to leave Europe for Mexico after his contract at Marseille expired in 2015.

The French outfit were more than willing to renew his contract, and after scoring 23 goals in all competitions for Marseille in his final season, he had multiple interests from top clubs in Europe.

He moved to Tigres UANL stating he wanted to help the side win their domestic league, and he did just that while also inspiring them to their first Champions League title ever.

Gignac is entering his sixth year at the club, and is the top scorer in the club's history.

Although his side lost in the Club World Cup final to Bayern Munich, the 35-year-old striker was awarded the silver ball, awarded to the second-best player of the tournament.


#4 Bayern Munich thrive without Thomas Muller

FC Schalke 04 v FC Bayern Muenchen - Bundesliga
FC Schalke 04 v FC Bayern Muenchen - Bundesliga

Bayern Munich veteran forward Thomas Muller started in the semifinals of the tournament against Al Ahly, but he was ruled out of the finals after he was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19.

Bayern Munich talisman Lewandowski scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Al Ahly in the semi-finals, but without Muller, he did not really have much to do in the finals as he was defended very well by the Tigres backline.

With one of their main men unavailable, Bayern Munich did not fold or flounder, and they still ran the show with their usual dominance.

Bayern Munich scored the goal and did the little defending they needed to ensure they clinched the title.


#5 Joshua Kimmich continues his world-class midfield performances

FC Bayern Muenchen v Sport-Club Freiburg - Bundesliga
FC Bayern Muenchen v Sport-Club Freiburg - Bundesliga

Kimmich started his Bayern Munich career as a right-back, but he was moved to midfield in recent seasons due to injuries to others and the arrival of Pavard at the club.

His integration into the midfield was seamless and he looked right in place.

His consistency at dominating and dictating midfield play was on show in both games that he played at the tournament.

He had an outstanding goal wrongly chalked off, but that did not dampen his spirit as he provided the cross into the box which led to the winning goal.

Kimmich was awarded the bronze ball, which is the award for the third-best player of the tournament, but one could make a case that he should have been ranked higher.

The German has it all in his arsenal, from passing to set-piece delivery to long-range shots, all alongside his defensive duties.

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Edited by Jay Lokegaonkar
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