Fluminense beat Al Ahly 2-0 in the first semi-final of the Club World Cup being held in Saudi Arabia and earned its place in the decisive match that will be played next Friday at 3pm (Brasília time).
Jhon Arias from the penalty spot and John Kennedy at the end made the difference for Fernando Diniz’s team, which found victory thanks to the security of goalkeeper Fábio, the solidity of Nino and Felipe Melo in the central defense, the mobility of Martinelli and the Marcelo’s quality.
The first half was dizzying, with clear scoring chances for both teams. The Copa Libertadores champion had the most dangerous footballer in Arias: the Colombian hit the post twice, the first at 9′ after connecting with a Keno cross and the second at 23′, when he finished off a low pass from Ganso on a corner kick exit.
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The Egyptians had a chance to score at 18′: a cross from a corner that a player hit with a header at the near post and when striker Kahraba was preparing to push it over the line, a saving clearance by Samuel Xavier appeared. At 35′ the one who became a hero was Fábio when he saved a point-blank header from Kahraba with one hand.
The start of the second half maintained the same line as the first, with the Brazilian team betting on greater possession and the Egyptian team looking for counterattack spaces.
CLASSIFICADOS!
FINALISTS!
النهائي
🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺#ClubWC #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/EfbZX3khjn
— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) December 18, 2023
In a tight match, the difference was made by Marcelo who brought down a quality ball, threatened Percy Tau with a shot and the South African fouled him inside the area. The Polish referee Szymon Marciniak did not hesitate and awarded a penalty, which at 70′ Arias converted into a goal to the delirium of thousands of supporters present at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah and many more in Brazil.
With more desire than football, Al Ahly looked for an equalizer that with each attempt was met with good responses from Fábio. Germán Cano had the chance to widen the difference with a one-on-one, but the 2-0 was converted at the end thanks to the left foot of John Kennedy, the hero in the Copa Libertadores final.
🇧🇷 @FluminenseFC are #ClubWC Finalists. 👏
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2023
Manchester City-Urawa Red Diamonds in the other semi-final
Fluminense now awaits the winner of the other semifinal that will be played tomorrow, starting at 3pm (Brasília time), between Manchester City and Urawa Red Diamonds.
Pep Guardiola’s team closes a golden year after having won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Champions League and the European Super Cup. But they arrive in Saudi Arabia in the middle of an irregular performance in the local tournament and with the Norwegian Erling Haaland, his goal card, recovering from a minor injury.
Meanwhile, the Japanese earned their place after becoming Asian champions and beating the Mexican León last Friday. It is their third appearance in the Club World Cup and their best result was obtained in 2007 when he finished third.
