On Monday, Al Ahly will go head-to-head with Fluminense of Brazil, the title holders of Copa Libertadores, in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup 2023.
Al Ahly of Egypt secured a spot in the Club World Cup semifinals with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Al-Ittihad. Despite Karim Benzema’s penalty miss, he later redeemed himself by finding the back of the net for the Saudi side. The African champions will now go head-to-head with Fluminense, the reigning Copa Libertadores champions from Brazil, in the upcoming semifinal clash on Monday.
In the 21st minute, Al Ahly took the lead as left-back Ali Maaloul successfully converted a penalty kick. The penalty was awarded due to a handball committed by Al-Ittihad defender Hassan Kadesh. Marcelo Bielsa’s team, determined to level the score, also earned a penalty for a handball by Al Ahly defender Mohamed Abdelmonem.
However, Al-Ittihad’s former Real Madrid forward Benzema was unable to convert his shot into a goal as goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy made a brilliant save. Al-Ahly extended their lead when Hussein El Shahat skillfully curled the ball into the net just before the 60th minute, assisted by Kahraba. Three minutes later, Kahraba himself hit a cross-shot, which Emam Ashour successfully fired home after a swift counter-attack.
The Saudi champions, who had last reached the semifinals in 2005, concluded their campaign with a consolation goal from Benzema in the final moments of the match. This occurred shortly after Al Ahly’s Anthony Modeste was shown a red card in the 90th minute, having substituted Aliou Dieng just minutes earlier.
On Tuesday, the upcoming semi-final match will feature European champions Manchester City facing off against Urawa Red Diamonds, the holders of the Asian Champions League. Urawa Red Diamonds secured their place in the semi-finals by defeating CONCACAF champions Leon with a 1-0 victory on Friday.