Real Madrid beats Al Ahly 4-1, sets up Al Hilal clash in FIFA Club World Cup final

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Real Madrid secured its place in the Club World Cup final with a 4-1 win against Egyptian club Al Ahly on Wednesday to keep alive its quest for a record-extending eighth world title.

Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Sergio Arribas scored for the Spanish side, which will play Al-Hilal in Saturday’s final. The Saudi Arabian team beat Brazilian club Flamengo 3-2 on Tuesday.

Madrid has won the world club title a record seven times, including three times when the competition was called the Intercontinental Cup. Madrid is chasing its first world club title since 2018.

Ali Maaloul scored the lone goal for Al Ahly, with his team already trailing 2-0 in the second half. Vinícius opened the scoring in the 42nd minute and Valverde added to the lead early in the second half before Rodrygo and Arribas sealed the victory in stoppage time.

Madrid was without six injured players who did not travel to Morocco, including striker Karim Benzema, defender Éder Militão and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. They may join their teammates for the final, but forward Eden Hazard and defenders Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vázquez are not expected to make it.

Madrid had been struggling recently, having won only two of its last seven matches in a stint that included defeat against rival Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.

Madrid won the Club World Cup in 2014 — also in Morocco — and from 2016-2018. The other titles in 1960, 1998 and 2002 came in the Intercontinental Cup.

The last time a non-European team won the Club World Cup was in 2012 when Brazil’s Corinthians beat Chelsea 1-0 in Japan.