Soccer-Al Ahly Thrash Al-Ittihad In Club World Cup To Book Fluminense Semi-final – News18

JEDDAH: Egypt’s Al Ahly cruised to a 3-1 win over Al-Ittihad on Friday to ebook a spot within the Club World Cup semi-finals after Karim Benzema missed a penalty earlier than scoring for the Saudi aspect.

The African champions will face Copa Libertadores title holders Fluminense of Brazil within the final 4 on Monday.

Al Ahly broke the impasse within the twenty first minute by left-again Ali Maaloul who transformed a penalty which was awarded for handball by Al-Ittihad defender Hassan Kadesh.

Marcelo Bielsa’s staff battled for an equaliser and in addition acquired a spot kick for handball by Al Ahly defender Mohamed Abdelmonem.

However, Al-Ittihad’s former Real Madrid striker Benzema didn’t convert after his shot was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

Al-Ahly elevated their lead when Hussein El Shahat curled the ball into the web simply earlier than the hour mark from an help by Kahraba, who three minutes later hit a cross-shot that Emam Ashour fired dwelling after a fast counter-assault.

The Saudi champions, showing within the event for the primary time since reaching the semi-finals in 2005, ended their marketing campaign with a final-minute comfort aim from Benzema.

That got here simply after Al Ahly’s Anthony Modeste was despatched off within the ninetieth having come on for Aliou Dieng minutes earlier.

The different semi on Tuesday sees European champions Manchester City towards Asian Champions League holders Urawa Red Diamonds, who beat CONCACAF champions Leon 1-0 earlier on Friday.

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)