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

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Real Mrid secured its place in 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 Spanish side, which will play Al-Hilal in Saturday’s final. Saudi Arabian team beat Brazilian club Flamengo 3-2 on Tuesday.

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

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

Mrid was without six injured players who did t travel to Morocco, including striker Karim Benzema, defender Éder Militão and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. y may join ir teammates for final, but forward Eden Hazard and defenders Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vázquez are t expected to make it.

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

Mrid won Club World Cup in 2014 — also in Morocco — and from 2016-2018. or titles in 1960, 1998 and 2002 came in Intercontinental Cup.

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