Comeback win bags fifth for Monterrey

Published Dec. 14, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Monterrey came from behind to beat Esperance 3-2 and secure victory in the fifth-place play-off at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Goals from Hiram Mier, Aldo De Nigris and Jesus Zavala enabled the Mexican side to overcome the loss of injured striker Humberto Suazo and see off their opponents in Toyota.

Yannick Ndjeng gave Esperance the lead in the 31st minute when he got on the end of a long ball from Oualid Hichri and drilled home from 12 yards.

Monterrey hit back to stun the Tunisian side and turn things around in their favour by half-time.

The equaliser came in the 39th minute when Mier netted a rebound, after Sergio Santana had seen a header hit the crossbar, then a minute before the interval it was 2-1 when De Nigris headed past goalkeeper Ben Cherifia.

Monterrey looked in control when Navala made it 3-1 from close range two minutes into the second half, after De Nigris had headed Mier's looping centre into his path.

However, the African champions were given hope 15 minutes from time when Khaled Mouelhi converted a penalty, awarded after Mier brought down Youssef Msakni.

Monterrey held on, although Esperance went close in the 82nd minute when a goal-line clearance from Sergio Perez prevented Mouelhi from equalising.