Real Madrid is the first team in the history of the FIFA Club World Cup to reach the final five times.
The European champions beat Egypt’s Al Ahly and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal 4-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final. Vinicius Junior capitalized on Mahmoud Metvolli’s error to give Real Madrid the lead in the 42nd minute.
Federico Valverde doubled Real’s lead 58 seconds into the second half with the first rebound after Rodrigo’s early save. In the 63rd minute, Al Ahly scored a penalty kick. Ali Maalou scores a penalty after Eduardo Kamaving fouls Hussein El Shahat. Real Madrid had a penalty kick of their own, but Luka Modric missed it when he was saved by goalkeeper Mohamed Elsenavi.
However, Modric’s mistake did not cost his side as Daniel Ceballos’ back pass helped Rodigo make it 3-1 moments later. Then 21-year-old Sergio Arribas scored his first goal to seal the victory.
Real Madrid will now return to the Prince Moulay Abdullah Stadium for Saturday’s final. Although Saudi Arabia beat South American champions Flamengo earlier this week, Real Madrid start the final with a convincing win over Al Hilal.
Real Madrid beat Egypt’s Al Ahli 4-1 in the Club World Cup final on Wednesday after goals from Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Rodigo and Sergio Arriba.
Real Madrid were without several key starters at home, including striker Karim Benzema and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, as local fans played Moulay Abdullah in a sold-out Rabat. There was a lot of commotion in the Princes Stadium. However, they struggled to break the deadlock, the Egyptian threatening to counter-attack against a well-organised Al Ahly defence.
In the 28th minute, Vinicius missed the goal, Rodrigo hit the post and Real Madrid took the lead at halftime. Aliou Djeng’s pass to Mahmoud Metwali was poor and Mahmoud Metwali lost the ball to the Brazilian under pressure from Vinicius, who produced a superb strike in front of goal for his 50th goal in 202 games for Real Madrid.
Valverde extended Real Madrid’s lead after the break, turning the ball into an empty net after Rodrigo’s close-range shot was saved by the goalkeeper. “We went 2-0 up and thought the game was over, but that’s not football. We had to do better, our tempo dropped, we lost control, we thought the game was won but it wasn’t, we had to play well. . Good and focused until the end,” said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. Eduardo Kamavinga tripped Hussein El Shahat in the 65th minute and defender Ali Maaloul converted a penalty, Vinicius twice wasted chances to extend their lead and Al Ahly got the nod.
Afsha missed the visitors’ goal to equalize for Al Ahly, although Real Madrid’s Luka Modric missed a penalty three minutes from time. “I have to choose better!” Ancelotti said after his side failed to convert another penalty this season. “Sometimes you miss penalties and Luka always takes them well. But of course we have to pick the best, Karim [Benzema], [Luka] Modric, [Marco] Asensio. Penalty training is difficult, you cannot reproduce the atmosphere in training. “
In regular time, Rodrigo and substitute Aribas scored an easy victory from close range.
Madrid’s record at the FIFA Club World Cup so far is perfect. Since 2014, when Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale scored in the 2-0 final against Argentina’s San Lorenzo, they have each played for Real Madrid. Every participant in this event will win the championship.
Madrid’s won three consecutive Club World Cup finals between 2016 and 2018, beating Japan’s Kashima Antlers 4-2, Brazil’s Gremio 1-0 and United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain 4-1. Madrid’s last lost in the final in 2016 when they went down 2-1 to Kashima in Yokohama before winning in extra time.
Including Madrid’s, only four teams have participated in multiple Club World Cup finals.