Esperance exit the Club World Cup with second loss

Esperance suffered a second consecutive defeat in as many games at the ongoing Fifa Club World Cup in Japan

African champions Esperance lost fifth place at the Club World Cup when losing 3-2 to Mexicans Monterrey in Japan.

The Tunisians took the lead in the 31st minute when Yannick Ndjeng scored a fine goal, but Monterrey quickly responded to lead at the break.

Hiram Mier equalised after 39 minutes before Aldo de Nigris grabbed a second a minute before the break.

After Jesus Zavala added a third after the break, Khaled Mouelhi's penalty reduced the deficit after 75 minutes.

The pair met after Esperance lost Saturdays' quarter-final to Al-Sadd of Qatar, while Monterrey fell to Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol.

Esperance's second defeat in as many games capped a disappointing debut appearance at the Fifa Club World Cup, leaving them to finish sixth after New Zealand's amateurs Auckland City took last spot.

Last year, DR Congo's TP Mazembe made history when becoming the first African team to reach the final - only to lose to Inter Milan of Italy.

Later on Wednesday, South American champions Santos advanced to the Club World Cup final by beating Kashiwa Reysol 3-1, setting up a possible showdown between Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Brazil teenager Neymar.

The 19-year-old Neymar, who is touted to be the next big star in football, scored one of the Brazilian club's goals - with Borges and Danilo bagging the others.

Barcelona will take on Al-Sadd in Thursday's semi-final in Yokohama, the city which hosted the World Cup final in 2002 and which will host the Club World Cup final on Sunday.