Doha (AFP)
Flamengo in the final! The Brazilians won against Al-Hilal (3-1) Tuesday in the first semi-final of the Club World Cup in Doha and will play the title against the winner of the other half Liverpool-Monterrey scheduled for Wednesday.
The Brazilians scored their three goals in the second half (49th, 78th 82nd) after the opening of the Saudi score by winger Salem al-Dawsari (18th).
A man was decisive on the Carioca side: the lateral Rafinha, formerly of Bayern Munich.
He initiated a superb collective action on the return from the locker room, concluded by the Uruguayan Giorgian De Arrascaeta, alone against the goal to equalize (49th) before addressing a perfect center on the head of Bruno Henrique to give the advantage to his own (78th) in a Khalifa stadium acquired for the cause of the Reds and Blacks.
In the final minutes, the Al-Hilal Saudis lost ground: al-Bulaihi scored against his own camp (82nd) then Carillo (83rd) received a deserved red card.
The Saudi international Salem al-Dawsari had however opened the mark with a flat foot with the penalty spot to deceive Diego Alves (18th).
Frenchman Bafétimbi Gomis, scorer in the quarterfinals for Al-Hilal, could not do anything against the oiled collective of Flamengo, trained by the Portuguese Jorge Jesus.
Recent winner of the Copa Libertadores and new champion of Brazil, Flamengo will aim for the second world title on Saturday after a victory in 1981 in the Intercontinental Cup, the ancestor of the Club World Cup.
The Brazilians will face Saturday the winner of the duel between the English of Liverpool, favorites of the competition, and the Mexicans of Monterrey, who clash Wednesday.
Al-Hilal will play the 3rd place match on Saturday.
Semi-finals:
Tuesday:
Flamengo (BRA) - Al-Hilal (KSA) 3 - 1
Wednesday:
(5.30 p.m. GMT) Monterrey (MEX) - Liverpool (ENG)
Saturday:
Third Place Match (2:30 p.m.)
Final (5.30 p.m.)
© 2019 AFP