Tigres came from behind to defeat Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai in the tournament's opening match, with French forward André-Pierre Gignac the hero for the Monterrey-based team.

Gignac scored twice at Education City Stadium, with an event full 45 minutes all about corners.

Kim Kee-hee first gave the South Korean side the lead, heading in at the near post following a well-worked routine.

Gignac then scored from a Tigres corner, volleying home from close range, before the video assistant referee spotted a handball at another Tigres corner.

Gignac duly dispatched the spot-kick and 2-1 was how it finished, despite the best efforts of Yoon Bit-garam, who scored what appeared to be a stunning, acrobatic equaliser before he was flagged offside.

Egypt's Al Ahly beat Qatar's Al-Duhail - invited as the host nation's representative - 1-0 in the later game at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

Hussein El Shahat scored the game's only goal, shooting into the bottom corner from 20 yards out when the goalkeeper, who was somewhat slow to react, seemed unsighted.

Al Ahly will play European kings Bayern Munich on Monday (February 8) - a day after Tigres take on Palmeiras, who won the Copa Liberatores less than a week ago.

This year's tournament is taking place without Oceania's champions, Auckland City, because of coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

Both of these venues will stage FIFA World Cup matches in 2022.