Dylan Connolly, Ireland's only representative in the Club World Cup, was substituted on in the second half of Auckland City's surprise 1-1 draw with Argentinian side Boca Juniors.
The former Lucan United player made his way onto the Geodis Park in Nashville after a weather delay, where play was suspended for almost an hour due to lightening strikes in the area that was deemed a safety risk for players and officials.
Auckland managed to equalise just before the delay with a goal from Christian Grey, the club's first, and only goal in the tournament.
Boca went one up earlier in the game from an unfortunate Auckland own goal in the 26th minute.
This is the second time Auckland have experienced a delay in play in the competition and the fourth interruption due to weather so far in the tournament.
Auckland, who were hammered 10-0 by Bayern Munich earlier in the competition, finish bottom of Group C on one point, with Boca Juniors also eliminated.
Andreas Schjelderup's goal saw Benfica shock Bayern Munich 1-0 to top the group.
The Norwegian’s finish into the bottom left corner in the 13th minute saw the Portuguese club topple the Bundesliga champions, with both sides qualifying for the knockouts.
Liam Delap scored his first Chelsea goal as the Blues reached the last 16 of the Club World Cup with a 3-0 win over Esperance Tunis.
The former Ipswich forward struck just moments after defender Tosin Adarabioyo had opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time of their final Group D game in Philadelphia.
Tyrique George scored a third in time added on at the end of the game after Chelsea had a penalty awarded for handball overturned by VAR.
The result means the Londoners will now face Benfica in the next round in Charlotte on Saturday.
Wallace Yan's 86th-minute equaliser lifted Flamengo to a 1-1 draw with the already eliminated Los Angeles FC in Orlando.
Neither side was able to impact the scoreboard until the dying stages of the Group D clash, when Denis Bouanga scored LAFC’s first goal of the tournament in the 84th minute.
Flamengo responded two minutes later, substitute Yan finding the back of the net after pouncing on a terrific pass from Jorginho.
The Brazilian side will face Bayern Munich in the round of 16.
Watch USA v Republic of Ireland on Friday from 2am on RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
Watch USA v Republic of Ireland on Sunday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
