Madrid reach the Club World Cup final

Real Madrid defeated Al Ahly at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat to book their place in the final of the Club World Cup, where they will face Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal this Saturday (8pm). Ancelotti‘s men will be looking to lift the trophy for the eighth time after claiming victory in a game in which Vini Jr. put them ahead on the stroke of halftime with a neat chipped finish. In the second half, goals from Valverde and Rodrygo, the second of which involved a dazzling exchange of backheels between the Brazilian and Ceballos, and one by Arribas with his first touch of the game, sealed the win for the European champions.
 
The first half was an entertaining affair with both sides carving out numerous chances. The Egyptians had the first clear sight of goal when Sherif fired over after a fine counterattack in the 19^th minute. Eight minutes later, Abdelmonem’s header narrowly missed the target. Ancelotti’s men then had their best spell of the half and almost broke the deadlock on two consecutive occasions. Rodrygo slipped in Vini Jr. but the latter was unable to beat El Shenawy when one-on-one with the keeper on 28’.  Then Rodrygo pickpocketed El Solia and glided past Metwaly with a neat turn, but his effort struck the post and went wide.

Nearly half an hour into the game, El Shahat feigned a cross and then fired in a shot that forced Lunin into a fine save. Chances were the order of the day in a fast-paced game and that's where Vini Jr. came in. The Brazilian was clever to capitalise on Mitwaly's mistake in the clearance and beat El Shenawy in the 42^nd minute with a beautifully placed finish. If the first half had ended well, then the second was to start even better. Modrić's pass found Rodrygo, who controlled with his back to the ball, turned and was one-on-one with the keeper, who was up to the task and blocked. However, the rebound fell to Valverde, who faked to send Abdelmonem and the keeper to the turf, he then slotted the ball home.
 
The Whites had the game under control and in the 56^th minute Vini Jr. was brought down inside the box by Mitwaly. The play was reviewed by the VAR and in the end no penalty was awarded. From there it was 1-2. From a penalty not given to another one that was indeed awarded; Shahat was brought down inside the box when he turned inside Camavinga and Maaloul reduced the deficit from twelve yards. The move put some wind in the Egyptian team's sails and they could have equalised in the 69^th minute. Afsha's shot from a counterattack going just over the bar.
 
Goal of the Game
Al Ahly pushed forward in search of an equaliser. They could have levelled in the 78^th minute when Mohamed headed goalward from a corner. Lunin's diving save thwarted the attempt however. In the 83^rd minute, Vini Jr. was brought down inside the box by El Solia and the referee, after reviewing the play on the monitor, awarded a penalty. Modrić took the spot-kick, but El Shenawy guessed right and cleared the ball. In stoppage time, the goal of the match was to come. Well taken by Rodrygo after a fantastic move with Ceballos, who provided the back-heel assist. It was not to be the last though and Arribas, a few seconds after coming on, made it 4-1 with a left-footed diagonal shot.