European champions Real Madrid have booked their place in the FIFA Club World Cup after beating Egypt’s Al Ahly 4-1 on Wednesday.
Vinicius, Valverde, Rodrygo and Arribas scored for Los Blancos with Maaloul getting a consolation for Ahly at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
During the first half of the game, both teams had opportunities to take the lead but their efforts were thwarted by impressive saves from the goalkeepers. However, Real Madrid managed to secure a goal just before halftime, when Vinicius Jr broke away from the Al Ahly defence and expertly lobbed the ball over Mohamed El Shenawy.
Two minutes into the second half, Federico Valverde doubled Real Madrid’s lead with a well-placed shot. Despite El Shenawy’s initial save on Rodrygo’s shot, Valverde was quick to follow up and calmly strike the ball into the net.
Real Madrid appeared to be on their way to the final, but their progress was disrupted after Eduardo Camavinga committed a foul in the penalty box, resulting in a penalty being awarded to Al Ahly. Tunisian defender Ali Maaloul took the penalty kick and successfully beat Real Madrid’s stand-in keeper, Andriy Lunin.
Rodrygo added to Real Madrid’s lead with a goal created through impressive interplay with substitute Dani Ceballos, who expertly set him up with a backheel pass.
The celebration continued for Real Madrid when the ball fell to the young Sergio Arribas inside the Al Ahly box, and he took advantage of the opportunity by scoring his first goal for the club.
The Spanish giants will lock horns with Al Hilal in the final on Saturday.
Real Madrid are the competition’s most successful team, having lifted the trophy on four occasions.
By Thierry Nyann|3Sports|Morocco
