Al Ahly Triumphs 3-1, Advances to Club World Cup Semis

 Al Ahly Triumphs 3-1, Advances to Club World Cup Semis

Achraf Hakimi of PSG is closely marked by Duje Caleta-Car of Olympique Lyon during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and Paris Saint-Germain at Groupama Stadium on September 03, 2023 in Lyon, France. (Image_Getty Images)

On Friday, Egypt's Al Ahly had a great 3-1 victory against Al-Ittihad, securing a spot in the Club World Cup semi-finals. This happened after Karim Benzema, playing for the Saudi side, missed a penalty but later scored.

The match's first goal came in the 21st minute when Al Ahly's left-back, Ali Maaloul, converted a penalty awarded for a handball by Al-Ittihad's defender, Hassan Kadesh. Marcelo Gallardo's team tried to level the score and also got a penalty for a handball by Al Ahly's defender Mohamed Abdelmonem.

However, Benzema, the former Real Madrid striker for Al-Ittihad, couldn't convert the penalty as Al Ahly's goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy made an excellent save.

Al Ahly increased their lead around the 60th minute when Hussein El Shahat scored after a beautiful assist from Kahraba. Just three minutes later, Kahraba hit a cross-shot, and Emam Ashour scored after a quick counter-attack.

Although Al-Ittihad managed to score a last-minute consolation goal with Benzema, it was not enough. Al Ahly's Anthony Modeste was sent off in the 90th minute, having come on for Aliou Dieng minutes earlier.

Now, Al Ahly, the African champions, will face Copa Libertadores title holders Fluminense of Brazil in the semi-finals on Monday. The other semi-final on Tuesday features European champions Manchester City against Asian Champions League holders Urawa Red Diamonds, who beat CONCACAF champions Leon 1-0 earlier on Friday.