ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (News Wires) – Egypt’s Al-Ahly finished third at the FIFA Club World Cup for the second year in a row after thrashing nine-man Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia and Asian champions 4-0.
The Red Devils bagged the bronze medal for the third time following on from their success in 2006 and 2020, through their seven appearances.
Defender Yasser Ibrahim headed the African champions ahead early in Abu Dhabi before Al-Hilal had former West Brom attacker Matheus Pereira sent off.
Ibrahim scored again on 17 minutes and Al Hilal were soon reduced to nine players when midfielder Mohamed Kanno saw red.
Ahmed AbdelKader made it 3-0 late in the first-half and Amr el-Solia, who started last Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal, capped off the win just past the hour.
“It means a lot to us. We know we didn’t improve in terms of the colour of the medal, but we are happy and our fans are happy,” Al-Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane said after the match.
“We got here against all odds considering the absences we had. We showed Al-Ahly spirit. The bronze medal this year means a lot more to me than the one last year,” Mosimane added.
Chelsea beats Palmeiras for world club crown
Chelsea extended Europe’s domination of the Club World Cup by beating Palmeiras 2-1 after extra time to win the intercontinental title for the first time, AP reported.
Kai Havertz scored a penalty deep into extra time as Chelsea completed their collection of major trophies.
Romelu Lukaku’s superb header gave the European champions the lead on 54 minutes but Raphael Veiga levelled from the spot for the Copa Libertadores winners just past the hour in Abu Dhabi.
Havertz, the hero in the Champions League final against Manchester City, was Chelsea’s match-winner again as he converted a penalty on 117 minutes awarded following a VAR review.
Chelsea has now claimed every possible trophy since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003, and become the third English side to win the global tournament after Manchester United and Liverpool.
The Blues avenged their 1-0 loss to Corinthians in the 2012 final, but will have little time to celebrate with a critical stretch on the horizon once they return to London.
They face Lille in the Champions League last 16 either side of the League Cup final against Liverpool and FA Cup fifth round, playing in four different competitions in 12 days.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel was back in the dugout having flown out to Abu Dhabi on Friday after missing the past two games following a positive test for Covid-19.
“It never stops. We want to keep on winning trophies,” Tuchel said in a pitch-side interview before his team was given their medals by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“In the end if you score late you need luck to do it but we were relentless and we did not stop trying.”
South American club champions Palmeiras worked like Trojans to keep Chelsea in check and Tuchel’s side laboured early on.
They were not helped when Mason Mount, one of four changes to the side that started against Al-Hilal in the semi-final on Wednesday, was forced off with an injury.
Palmeiras settled into the game and in Dudu they had a real threat with the midfielder firing narrowly over before flashing another effort wide of Edouard Mendy’s post.
Chelsea rarely threatened in the first half but they took the lead in clinical fashion 10 minutes after halftime.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, who had been wasteful, got to the byline and his cross was perfect for Lukaku who headed past Weverton.
The lead did not last long though as Brazilian Thiago went up to clear a cross but the ball struck his raised arm and Veiga fired the spot kick inside Mendy’s left-hand post.
Chelsea moved up a gear with Havertz just missing the target with a thunderous shot from an angle before Christian Pulisic, who replaced Mount, went close with a shot.
The Premier League club continued to turn the screw in extra time with Palmeiras beginning to flag.
Pulisic’s low cross was deflected up on to the woodwork as Palmeiras dug deep. But the Brazilians’ resistance was finally pierced as Havertz again showed an appetite for the big occasion to keep Chelsea’s trophy machine rumbling on.
Edouard Mendy returned in goal in the wake of Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations victory, at the expense of Kepa Arrizabalaga, whose much improved form is likely to attract interest from other clubs in the summer.
Chelsea’s decline in the Premier League has coincided with lack of authority and conviction, and despite controlling possession it wasn’t until the end of the first half they forced Weverton into a save.
Even then, Thiago Silva’s searing drive from distance appeared to be going wide.
In contrast, Palmeiras were twice left to rue their lack of efficiency as Dudu stabbed well wide before Andreas Christensen made a key intervention to negate a promising attack for the Brazilians.
Lukaku has struggled to meet expectations after rejoining Chelsea from Inter Milan as the club’s record signing, but the Belgian made it two goals in as many games here early in the second half.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, given the nod at left wing-back, whipped in a cross and Lukaku soared above two defenders to power beyond Weverton.
Christian Pulisic, brought on 30 minutes in for the injured Mason Mount, curled just wide after tidy interplay with Lukaku, but Chelsea gave Palmeiras a way back in when Silva handled in the area.
Australian referee Chris Beath was recommended to review the incident on the touchline monitor as Palmeiras players and coach Abel Ferreira appealed, and he almost immediately pointed to the spot.
Veiga, on target in the 2-0 win over Al-Ahly, held his nerve to slam the penalty beyond Mendy, greeted with bellowing roars from many of the near-capacity 32 871 in attendance – the majority wearing the green and white of Palmeiras.
Pulisic again rolled an effort narrowly wide from an inviting lay-off and extra time came as little surprise, Chelsea forced to play an extra 30 minutes for the second time in a week.
A frantic scramble inside the six-yard box saw Pulisic bundle against the bar, although an offside in the build-up would have ruled out any goal.
Timo Werner curled over as time ticked away and Palmeiras defended deep, but Chelsea got the late breakthrough when Luan was penalised for blocking Cesar Azpilicueta’s volley with his arm.
Havertz sent Weverton the wrong way to spark wild celebrations, and a bitter night for Palmeiras culminated in them finishing with 10 men after Luan was sent off for scything down the German.
Club World Cup Champions
2011_Barcelona (Spain) 4, Santos (Brazil) 0
2012_Corinthians (Brazil) 1, Chelsea (England) 0
2013_Bayern Munich (Germany) 2, Raja Casablanca (Morocco) 0
2014_Real Madrid (Spain) 2, San Lorenzo (Argentina) 0
2015_Barcelona (Spain) 3, River Plate (Argentina) 0
2016_Real Madrid (Spain) 4, Kashmir Antlers (Japan) 2, ET
2017_Real Madrid (Spain) 1, Gremio (Brazil) 0
2018_Real Madrid (Spain) 4, Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates) 1
2019_Liverpool (England) 1, Flamengo (Brazil) 0, ET
2020_Bayern Munich (Germany) 1, Tigres (Mexico) 0
2022_Chelsea (England) 2, Palmeiras (Brazil) 1, ET
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