Al Ahly eliminate Seattle Sounders to set up Real Madrid semi-final

CLUB WORLD CUP Al Ahly eliminate Seattle Sounders to set up Real Madrid semi-final

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 22:45 - 04.02.2023

A deflected shot handed Egypt's Al Ahly a late winner as they edged Seattle Sounders 1-0 at the Club World Cup in Morocco on Saturday to book a semifinal against Real Madrid next week.

Mohamed Afsha's 88th minute rebound, after he had initially struck the woodwork, took a wicked deflection to win the game for the Egyptian club and set up a dream match for them against the European champions, Real Madrid.

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Afsha hit a speculative effort from distance that looped over Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei and dipped onto the crossbar, bouncing right back into his path and allowing him a volley that Alex Roldan steered past his own goalkeeper as he stuck his foot out to block the shot.

Mohamed Afsha
Mohamed Afsha

Al Ahly, competing at an eighth tournament, now meet Real Madrid in Rabat on Wednesday. The match follows Tuesday's other semi-final between Flamengo of Brazil and Al Hilal of Saud Arabia. 

Asian champions Al Hilal won earlier on Saturday against home team Wydad Casablanca on post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw.

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