The only representative of Saudi Arabia, host country of the 2023 edition of the Club World Cup, and qualified thanks to the place granted to the champion team of the host country, Al-Ittihad of Benzema, Romarinho and Fabinho, between others, made short work of the Australians Auckland City, beaten 3-0 at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium.
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With four Brazilian starters, namely Grohe in the cages, Fabinho in the middle, and Coronado and Romarinho on the wings, Al-Ittihad started their match in the best way by opening the score in the 29th minute, scored by the top scorer in the club’s history, Romarinho, with a clear cross shot at the entrance to the penalty area. Kanté then took charge of widening the score 7 minutes later, before Karim Benzema definitively drove the point home by scoring the 3-0 goal in the 40th minute.
Pas d’ambiance en Arabie Saoudite 🇸🇦 ?
Voici la Curva Gold d’Al Ittihad 👀
— Al Ittihad FR 🇫🇷 (@al_IttihadFR) December 12, 2023
A 100% Arab confrontation to follow
Following its victory, Al-Ittihad advances to the next round where the Saudis will face the Egyptians Al-Ahly, recent winners of the African Champions League. The meeting is scheduled for December 15 at 7 p.m.
Before Fluminense and Manchester City enter the semi-finals, where the English will face the winner of this 100% Arab confrontation between Saudis and Egyptians, another match will decide between the Mexicans of León and the Japanese Urawa Reds to find out who, of these two continental winners, will face Fluminense.
In any case, whoever wins this edition, we will have a new champion since none of the teams competing this year have already won the Club World Cup.
