Two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande of China defeated world renowned team Club América of Mexico, 2-1, in the quarterfinals of the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan on Sunday.

The victory pushed the Southern China Tigers to advance in the semifinals of the said tournament against La Liga and UEFA Champions League titlists FC Barcelona in a game scheduled on Dec. 17 at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama.

Like Us on Facebook

América actually scored the opening goal versus Guangzhou with veteran striker Oribe Peralta finding the back of the Tigers' net five minutes before the hour mark of the match.

However, Chinese left winger Zheng Long managed to equalize the count at the 80th minute while Brazilian midfielder Paulinho sealed the game three minutes into injury time with a brilliant header to snatch the game away from Las Águilas and set up a dream matchup with the Catalonia giants on Thursday, as per ESPN.

"I have done this two or three times, I did this before in national team as well," the 27-year old Brazil international said. ""This is football, even in the last minute you should try to score. Today it is one more time the goal came in the last minute."

The five-time Chinese Super League champions were held by the Liga MX powerhouse to a goalless first half as the two teams were in a feeling out process early in the match.

Xinhuanet noted that "Evergrande coach Luiz Felipe Scolari made three crucial substitutions, Zheng Long, Gao Lin and Yu Hanchao to change the course of the game" 10 minutes into the second half.

"Football is a 90-minute game and we really wanted to make the semifinals, so I made some high-risk substitutions. On this occasion, they worked - on another night it might not have done," the 67-yearold World Cup-winning coach said.

"But I know the team and I know what they can do. Club América are a huge team, with a fantastic history but we fought back and won and we should continue to dream big for the next match against Barcelona. Victory is not impossible," Scolari added.

Tags2015 FIFA Club World Cup, Club America, Zheng Long, Paulinho