UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid came out on top in an entertaining meeting between the most decorated clubs of Europe and Africa, beating Al Ahly 4-1 to set up a FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) final with Saudi giants Al-Hilal.

 

Al Ahly hadn’t conceded in their previous four competitive games, and went largely untroubled during the opening encounters. Even in the face of such stern opposition, they also crafted their own chances, with Mohamed Sherif and Mohamed Abdelmonem each sending efforts off target early on. But Real always looked the wilier side, and started hitting their stride when Rodrygo pickpocketed Amr Elsoulia before dancing his way through and hitting the post with a dinkec attempt.

 

Real’s third finally came when Rodrygo rounded off some wonderful link-up play with Dani Ceballos by providing a cheeky finish. Sergio Arribas then provided a fourth mere moments after coming off the bench, as Real secured their 11th win in 12 CWC matches to reach the final. Meanwhile, Al Ahly fell at the semi-final stage in a third consecutive CWC campaign, and will now hope to beat Flamengo in the third-place play-off to equal their best-ever finish in the competition.