2023-12-15 20:38:00
Karim Benzema will not see the last four of the Club World Cup. His club Al Ittihad was beaten this Friday by Al Ahly (3-1), who opened the scoring with a penalty whistled following a handball from defender Hasan Kadesh and transformed into force by the Tunisian Ali Maaloul (21), before to double the score with a superb shot from close range by Hussein el Shahat (59th). Taking advantage of the opponent’s defensive weakness, the attacker then offered, on a short cross, the third goal to Emam Ashour (62nd).
Benzema, five-time winner of this competition with Real Madrid, saved the honor by narrowly hitting a header on the post from Ahmed Hegazy in added time (90+1). At the very end of the first period, the French striker missed the equalizer also on a penalty for a hand fault, when his shot placed on the left was deflected by goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy (45th). And in the second half, the Cairo goalkeeper was saved by his post on a close shot from Faisal al-Ghamdi (55th).
At the very end of the match, Frenchman Anthony Modeste, who had just come on for Al Ahly, was sent off for an elbow. It is a terrible disappointment for the Saudi team with a star-studded roster coached by Marcelo Gallardo, who was invited to this Club World Cup organized for the first time in the oil monarchy.
Haaland uncertain with City?
Previously, a goal from the Dutchman Alex Schalk in the 78th minute, totally forgotten by the opposing defenders, had allowed Urawa, winner of the last Asian Champions League (AFC) to win to reach the last four for the second times in its history. The first dates back to 2007, with a third place at the end of this edition.
The Red Diamonds will have a lot to do on Tuesday once morest Manchester City, who is not sure of being able to field their star Erling Haaland, injured in a foot. The last time the trophy eluded the European champions was in 2012, when Brazilian Corinthians beat Chelsea. This is the last edition with seven clubs. In 2025, the United States must host the new Club World Cup imagined by Fifa with 32 teams.
Update on the competition
Al Ittihad (KSA) – Auckland City (NZL) 3 – 0
Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) – Club Léon (MEX) 1 – 0
Al Ahly (ONE) – Al Ittihad (KSA) 3 – 1
(19h00) Fluminense (BRA) – Al Ahly (ONE)
(19h00) Manchester City (ENG) – Urawa Red Diamonds (JAP)
(3:30 p.m.) match for 3rd place
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