BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Faced with what could have been his last game ever, New York Cosmos star Raul ensured that his playing career extended one more week.

Raul provided the game-winning goal in the 61st minute to lead the Cosmos to a 2-1 victory over the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers in Saturday’s NASL semifinals match at MCU Park. The victory means the Cosmos will host either Minnesota United or Ottawa Fury FC in the NASL championship game on Nov. 15.

Played in by Danny Szetela, an unmarked Raul drove into the box and into space before firing home a left-footed effort that banked off the right post. The finish was the Spanish legend’s ninth of 2015.

The Strikers got on the board first through a returning Victor ‘PC’ Giro, who had missed the past several games due to injury. Darting down the right side, Giro beat his defender before smashing a shot to the far post that bested Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer.

After seeing another PC effort saved by Maurer, the Cosmos found their equalizer in the 37th minute when Gaston Cellerino tapped home from close range.

Cellerino’s tap-in came via a Marcos Senna free kick, which was parried away by goalkeeper David Meves. The ball trickled straight into the path of Cellerino, who pulled the Cosmos level.

Both teams created early chances, only to see efforts corralled by the opposing goalkeepers. The Cosmos got the better of the early looks, with Raul intercepting a pass in the 12th minute before slamming an attempt straight into the gut of Meves.

Giro also came close to scoring in the 32nd minute, forcing Maurer into a diving save.

The Strikers eventually rued their missed chances, as Raul’s second-half finish saw the Strikers eliminated in the semifinal round a year after losing in the finale.

With the victory, the Cosmos await the result of the second semifinals match, which will see Minnesota United visit Fall Season champion Ottawa Fury FC.