KEY POINTS

  • Real Madrid defeated Al Ahly in the Club World Cup semi-final
  • Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Los Blancos
  • Club World Cup final will take place on Saturday

Real Madrid thrashed Egyptian side Al Ahly 4-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the Club World Cup final.

Los Blancos scored four goals against Al Ahly, who are known for their well-organized defense.

Despite being without some of their key players, including forward Karim Benzema and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid experienced a home-like environment, with the local fans cheering for Los Blancos at the sold-out Prince Moulay Abdallah stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Sergio Arribas scored for Real Madrid. The team will now take on Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal in the final Saturday.

Three minutes before the half-time break, Vinicius opened the scoring. Valverde doubled Real Madrid's lead just after the break. Following the hour's mark, Al Ahly began to compete well and their intense work paid off when Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga tripped Hussein El Shahat inside the box.

Tunisia's Ali Maaloul scored from the spot and halved the deficit in the 65th minute. From there on, the Egyptian side produced some chaotic moments as they missed a few chances of scoring an equalizer. Al Ahly's goalkeeper Mohammed El Shenawy denied the 14-time European champions a third goal by saving Luka Modric's penalty in the 87th minute.

However, Rodrygo and substitute Sergio Arribas scored a goal each in the stoppage time to secure a comfortable 4-1 win for Carlos Ancelotti's side.

Real Madrid boss Ancelotti admitted his side should be "better" in regrouping after conceding a goal.

"We were good for an hour, but then thought the game was over when it was 2-0. But, football doesn't work like that. We need to be much better when we have a situation is like that. We need to focus until the end. The game became open again, but we finished it off well. I wouldn't say we won it completely calmly, but we controlled it fairly well," Ancelotti told reporters.

Ancelotti also praised Vinicius for his overall performance in the semi-final on Wednesday.

"He likes to play football wherever he is. He had a complete game, scoring a goal and providing constant danger," Ancelotti said in a post-match interview.

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Rodrygo (L) celebrates after scoring his team's third goal against Barca
AFP