Real Madrid reach Club World Cup final after comfortable win

Champions League winners Real Madrid defeated Egypt’s Al Ahly 4-1 to advance to the FIFA Club World Cup final on Wednesday.

Real Madrid will meet Al Hilal in the #ClubWC Final! 🇪🇸

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 8, 2023

Vinicius Jr opened the scoring when Al Ahly’s well-organized defense capitulated three minutes before the interval and Federico Valverde doubled the lead just after the break.

Tunisia’s Ali Maaloul reduced the deficit after converting a penalty in the 65th minute after Eduardo Camavinga tripped Hussein El Shahat inside the box.

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The 10-time African champions, who are still chasing a first win against European opposition at this level, had their moments during a frenetic second period.

Mohamed Afsha missed a sitter from close-range that would have been the equaliser, while Hussein El Shahat and substitute Percy Tau both troubled Real’s defence.

Mohammed El Shenawy denied the 14-time European champions a third goal by saving Luka Modric’s penalty in the 87th minute.

Rodrygo and substitute Sergio Arribas, however, made sure of the win in stoppage time with two sublime efforts to seal a comfortable win for the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid face Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal in the final on Saturday while Al Ahly, who finished third in 2006, 2020 and 2021, will play Brazil’s Flamengo in the third place play-off.