RABAT, 8 February (Reuters) The Spanish club Real Madrid reached the Club World Cup final following the goals of Vinicius Jr, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Sergio Arribas secured a 4-1 victory against Al Ahly of Egypt. Al Ahly in Morocco on Wednesday.
Without key players such as forward Karim Benzema and goalie Thibaut Courtois Real Madrid experienced a home-field atmosphere and local fans making noise at the full-sale Prince Moulay Abdallah stadium in Rabat.
The black Real Madrid jerseys outnumbered Al Ahly’s red by an enormous difference. The Morocco supporters even held an enormous banner to show their support for the Spanish giants which created a lively atmosphere and a roar which is unusual for the Club World Cup in what was meant as a neutral venue.
They tried for a way to get the ball out of the range but Al Ahly’s well-organized defense and the Egyptians in danger of counter-attack.
Vinicius shot out of the goal at the end of 28thminute. Rodrygo failed to hit the post, but Real began scoring in the second half.
Aliou Dieng made an unlucky strike to Mahmoud Metwaly, who was pressured by Vinicius, dropped the ball for the Brazilian and then he smashed with a powerful strike on the goalkeeper. It was scoring his 50th strike in the 202 matches in 202 games for Real Madrid.
Valverde increased Real’s lead following the restart, putting a shot into the empty net following the goalkeeper’s pushed away Rodrygo’s pointless strike.
Vinicius wasted two opportunities to make it 2-0 and Al Ahly got a lifeline after Eduardo Camavinga tripped Hussein El Shahat in the box at the end of the 65thminute. the defender Ali Maaloul tucked away the penalty.
Afsha missed a shot close to the goal that could be the equaliser to Al Ahly and although Real’s Luka Modric did not score a penalty with three minutes remaining to the end of the match, Rodrygo and substitute Arribas made sure they won comfortably in stoppage-time with close-range shots.
Real will take on the Saudi Arabian Al Hilal in the final in Rabat on Saturday following their defeated South American champions Flamengo 3-2 in the semi-final’s first game.
“We arrived with tremendous determination to win the championship,” coach Carlo Ancelotti declared.
“We are excited to be playing in the final as well as the pressure to do it with a high level of play. We must rest, but we’re not getting much time. We must rest properly in order to be able to be successful.”
