FIFA Club World Cup: Real Madrid vs Al Ahly, Flamengo vs Al-Hilal – It’s time for the knockout stages at the FIFA Club World Cup. The first semifinal features Flamengo taking on Al-Hilal in the first semifinal on Tuesday past midnight. The second semifinal features Real Madrid locking horns with Al-Ahly on Wednesday. Real Madrid is aiming for a record 5th FIFA CWC title and is just a couple of wins away from doing so. Follow FIFA Club World Cup 2023 Updates with InsideSport.IN.
FIFA Club World Cup 2022: Real Madrid eye RECORD 5th FIFA CWC title, take on Al-Ahly in semis, Flamengo vs Al-Hilal in 1st semifinal today at 12.30 AM, Follow LIVE Updates
The countdown is ON 🌍#AlHilal_Flamengo ⚽️#AlHilal_inWorldCup 😍#ClubWC 💫#AlHilal 💙 pic.twitter.com/78QIcNVv0c
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) February 6, 2023
Semifinal 1 – Flamengo vs Al-Hilal
In the first semifinal, Al-Hilal goes toe-to-tie with Flamengo, in what is touted as a rematch of the 2019 Club World cup Semifinals. The match will be played past Tuesday midnight at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier.
Flamengo could become the third team from Brazil’s Serie A to reach the final in the tournament’s four previous editions. It’s been over a decade since a Brazilian club has won the CWC title.
The two teams have only met once, at the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup, when the Brazilians defeated Al Hilal 3-1. The AFC team is making their third appearance on the world stage, having previously competed in the 2019 and 2021 editions before falling short in the semi-finals.
Flamengos are expected to get the better of Al-Hilal and make it to the final.
💬 @MrAncelotti: “Playing in the Club World Cup means we’ve done well.”#ClubWC pic.twitter.com/t2aQiX9pPV
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 7, 2023
Semifinal 2 – Real Madrid vs Al-Ahly
Real Madrid begin their quest for record 5th FIFA CWC title on Wednesday, when they take on Al-Ahly in semis. Real Madrid last lifted the Club World Cup title in 2018, and is officially the most successful team in the competition.
The semifinal clash will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco on Wednesday. The winners of the match will face either Flamengo or Al-Hilal in the final on Saturday, while the losers will be determined by a playoff.
The challengers: Al- Ahly
Al Ahly is in the Club World Cup semi-finals for the third year in a row. This year marks Al Ahly’s eighth appearance in the Club World Cup. No other club in the competition’s history has played more games than Al Ahly. The Red Devils must now defeat European powerhouse Real Madrid in order to reach the Club World Cup final for the first time.
Their defense has proven to be a vital asset for the Egyptian outfit. They have not conceded a goal in the last eight out of ten games and have conceded just once in eight games in 2023.
The favourites: Real Madrid
Real Madrid go into the game as favourites, but solely on reputation and not on form and injuries to the players in the side.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, forward Karim Benzema and defenders Eder Militao, Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy are out of the Wednesday’s game but the first three may be available for a possible final on Saturday if Real Madrid advance.
Real Madrid suffered a major setback in their bid to retain the La Liga title last weekend, losing 1-0 away to mid-table Mallorca. Carlo Ancelotti has already started playing mindgames, stating that the team has done something right in reaching the semis. Now, the Spanish giants needs to focus a lot more, in order to make it to the CWC final.
FIFA Club World Cup 2022: Real Madrid eye RECORD 5th FIFA CWC title, take on Al-Ahly in semis, Flamengo vs Al-Hilal in 1st semifinal today at 12.30 AM, Follow LIVE Updates
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Editors pick
