Percy Tau's Al Ahly advanced to the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals after defeating Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad 3-1 on Friday night.
FIFA Club World Cup
Result: Al Ahly 3-1 Al-Ittihad Club
Date: 15 December 2023
Venue: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium
Percy Tau kept his spot in the Red Devils line-up as he competes at his third Club World Cup tournament, while the Saudi Pro League side including the likes of Benzmea, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho.
The game got off to a lively start, with Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy called upon to keep out the likes of Romarinho, Faisal Al Ghamdi and Al Hawsawi in the opening 15 minutes.
Al Ahly were awarded a penalty in the 21st minute after Hassan Kadesh was deemed to have handled the ball in the box. Ali Maâloul stepped up and calmly slotted home to put his side in the lead.
Al Ittihad had to chance to level matters with a penalty of their own just before the halftime break, but Benzema's spot-kick was kept tou by El Shenawy as Al Ahly went into the break leading.
The Saudi Pro League side came out firing in the second half as Faisal Al Ghamdi unleashed a strike from distance that forced El Shenawy into a fine save five minutes after the restart.
However, Al Ahly doubled their lead on the hour mark when Hussein Elshahat collected a pass from Kahraba before curling the ball into the back of the net.
The African champions extended their lead two minutes later, with Kahraba turning provider once again to pick out Emam Ashour who fired home with a neat finish to end any hopes of a Al Ittihad comeback.
The Saudi Pro League club did manage to bag a consolation goal in second-half stoppage time, with Benzema adding his second goal of the tournament as Al Ahly held on for the win and will now face Fluminense in the final four.
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