AFRICA’S quest for a third Club World Cup final appearance ended after European champions Real Madrid beat Egypt’s Al Ahly 4-1 in the semi-final on Wednesday.
Al Ahly’s well organised defence capitulated as Vinicius Jr opened the scoring three minutes before half-time with Federico Valverde doubling the lead just after the break.
The Red Devils competed well after the hour mark, and the pressure paid off when Eduardo Camavinga tripped Hussein El Shahat inside the box.
Tunisia’s Ali Maaloul tucked away the penalty to make it 2-1 in the 65th minute.
Al Ahly 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 Madrid’s defence.
Mohammed El Shenawy denied the 14-time European champions a third goal by saving Luka Modric’s penalty in the 87th minute.
But Rodrygo and substitute Sergio Arribas made sure of the win in stoppage time with two sublime efforts to seal a comfortable win for Real.
