"Never knew refs fix this tournament too" - Twitter erupts as Real Madrid FIFA Club World Cup final against Al-Hilal with 4-1 Al Ahly win
Real Madrid beat Al Ahly 4-1 in their semi-final clash in the Club World Cup on Wednesday, February 9.
Before the game kicked off, the stadium fell into a moment of silence in solidarity with the victims of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
Madrid took charge of the game with their possession. They played with high intensity, applied pressure to Al Ahly, and gave them little time to get comfortable on the ball. Despite controlling the proceedings, Real Madrid couldn't pose a significant threat to Al Ahly's goal for much of the first half, with the Egyptians holding on.
Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior had a number of chances together in the first half. However, they put their chances just wide. Most notably, Rodrygo had a run-through on goal, but his chip shot hit the post and did not go in.
The match remained highly competitive, with both teams putting in a lot of effort and creating opportunities. Al Ahly's El Shahat caused trouble for Real Madrid, dribbling past defenders and forcing a smart save from Lunin.
As the first half came to a close, Real Madrid took on a more patient approach, working their possession from the back.
Their chance eventually came just before the first half and Vinicius capitalized on an error to chip the ball beautifully into the goal and give Madrid the lead.
Real Madrid score three more to secure close win over Al Ahly
The Egyptians immediately went on the back burner as Federico Valverde scored the second goal for Real Madrid right at the start of the second half. Los Blancos were casually making progress towards the Club World Cup final. However, their lead was threatened when Al Ahly scored from the penalty spot.
El Shahat was brought down by Eduardo Camavinga in the box and the referee pointed straight to the spot, giving Al Ahly a potential lifeline. Ali Maaloul scored the penalty with composure, sending the ball to his left and Lunin in the opposite direction.
The goal sparked Al Ahly back into life as they began pressing and harassing Real Madrid's players. The temperature among the supporters in the stadium also increased. There were some signs of nervous moments for Madrid as they struggled to maintain possession.
However, it would be a hopeless affair for the Egyptians, as their intensified play did little to help them against the strength of the Spaniards. Late in the game, Los Blancos turned things around and won a penalty after a VAR check, but Luka Modric missed from the spot.
It didn't matter as Rodrygo added his name to the scoresheet for Madrid's third, while six minutes into injury time, Sergio Arribas added the fourth. Here is how Twitter erupted, following Madrid's win over Al Ahly:
@theMadridZone Egyptian farmers team smh lol
@theMadridZone Never knew refs fix this tournament too.
How did vini's chance wasn't a penalty
@theMadridZone VARcelona paying FIFA. what else is new?
Maybe Carlo will give 5 minutes in the next game lol. Giving him only 2 minutes is so shameful. And yet he managed to score a goal.
Why is no one talking about Real Madrid receiving 22 penalties this season ?🤔
Every Real Madrid fun pushing the Arribas agenda right now https://t.co/m1A3dzH9zv
@theMadridZone Real Madrid are the best club in the history of football
@theMadridZone Arribas goal means we won’t sign a RW this summer https://t.co/Ch1qMPoDPS
@theMadridZone Just let him play https://t.co/fouw8ET8pq
@theMadridZone Final prob winning but next la liga game drawing/losing tbh
Watching real madrid and I don't even want to know what they will do with us, gn amigos🥲🤍 https://t.co/UTpxFEEneH
Carlo Ancelotti right now https://t.co/3l07RhIFnf
@totalcristiano in our situation right now, ancelotti should trust castilla players instead of our dead players in the team
Wallahi Arribas should’ve done this to Ancelotti ffssssssssss https://t.co/FoIlxbDNPI
Ancelotti’s reaction to Arribas’ goal. 🤨👀 https://t.co/Qpmus9JXVD
@totalcristiano Carlo Ancelotti gave him only one minute on the pitch and he already scored, what a baller😭😭
Ancelotti have blood on his hands if he don't play Arribas from now
Ancelotti in a fascist way gave Arribas just 1 minute but who knew my starboy just needed 10 seconds to prove himself.😭
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid has elevated Benzema, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Valverde, Camavinga and Ceballos to levels we have never seen before. Incredible stuff, keep that hate aside. ❤️
A bunch of Real Madrid fans vanish whenever the clubs wins an important game, but awake when the club loses. They’re called Carlo Ancelotti haters, man played puppet with Perez & delivered big with minimal resources, this season without Ballon D’Or Benzema in many games.
Real Madrid without Benzema 👀👀👀 https://t.co/958biiLDDl
Real Madrid missing penalties lately is worrisome, last time it was Asensio tonight it’s Modric, so we can’t score pens without Benzema?
Game over baby
im sorry Vini is really good but our team cannot rely on him man...he cant do it alone YET. his decision making still sucks. Benzema is still our best and most important attacker by a lot.
WHO WAS YOUR MAN OF THE MATCH, REAL MADRID FANS?
ME: RODRYGO
Rodrygo x Valverde x Vini Jr
the world ain't ready this for this new trio🥶🥶🥶 https://t.co/zbMVztIV7O