The AFC President said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to congratulate Al Hilal for their fourth-place finish in Qatar. Asian clubs have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with on the world stage and Al Hilal can be very proud of their performance.

Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cardenas was the hero in the shootout as he saved Carlos Eduardo and Mohamed Kanno's efforts before scoring the decisive penalty.

Al Hilal took the lead in the 35th minute through Eduardo but Monterrey scored two quick goals in the second period through Arturo Gonzalez and Maximiliano Meza, only for Bafetimbi Gomis to draw the 2019 AFC Champions League winners level and force the tie to penalties.

There was cheer for Al Hilal SFC's Carlos Eduardo too as he was named the Bronze Ball winner with Flamengo's Bruno Henrique collecting the Silver Ball.

Firmino was picked out by Sadio Mane and waited for goalkeeper Diego Alves to commit before slotting low into the net in the 99th minute of an absorbing contest at the Khalifa International Stadium.

It was the moment that finally punctured the hopes of the Brazilian side and their vibrant support, after Liverpool had been denied a penalty by VAR right at the end of normal time.

The Qatari referee initially gave a spot-kick for a foul on Mane by Rafinha on the way into the box, but changed his mind following a lengthy review, forcing the contest into an extra 30 minutes.

Al Sadd finished the match with 10 men as former AFC Player of the Year Abdelkarim Hassan was sent off in the 22nd minute while mistakes allowed Tunisian side Esperance to score six goals for a resounding win.

Salem Al Dawsari gave the Saudi club a deserved lead in the first half of this semi-final on a rare rainy night at the Khalifa International Stadium, but Flamengo woke up after the interval and equalised through Giorgian De Arrascaeta in the 49th minute.

Bruno Henrique then headed home after 78 minutes and the Rio club made sure of their win when the same player's low cross was turned into his own net by defender Ali Albulayhi with eight minutes to play.

Al Sadd found themselves two goals down after just 13 minutes as Esperance's Libyan forward Hamdou Elhouni netted a hat-trick as the Tunisian side recorded a deserved victory.