One finalist for the 2021 Club World Cup has been won. This is after Palmeiras beat Al Ahly two goals without reply.
In the semifinal match which was held at Al Nahyan Stadium, Wednesday (9/2/2022) early morning WIB, Palmeiras, who was the Copa Libertadores champion, played dominantly with 58 percent possession of the ball.
However, Palmeiras was not effective because it only released three attempts on target out of a total of 10. Meanwhile, Al Ahly had five shots on target out of a total of 11. Weverton’s toughness under Palmeiras’s rule was the reason.
Both teams have been attacking each other since the minute and trying to score goals as soon as possible. However, Palmeiras finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. Raphael Veiga listed his name on the scoreboard.
Dudu provided a fantastic through ball that saw Veiga escape the offside trap and burst into the penalty area before shooting into the corner. Weverton had denied Al Ahly’s opportunity at the end of the first half from Amr Al-Sullaya.
Al Ahly’s efforts to get up were even more difficult after their goal was conceded again in the 49th minute, or four minutes after the break. From the counter-attack scheme, Palmeiras was able to tear down Al Ahly’s defense.
This time it was Veiga’s turn to be the architect of the goal after he sent a ball with his heel to Dudu on the right. Without control, Dudu easily dribbled up to the 16 meter area to send the ball to the far post of Ali Lofti’s goal.
After that Palmeiras played more comfortably and completely defended against Al Ahly’s wave of attacks. Until the match ended, Palmeiras won 2-0 and was entitled to a ticket to the 2021 Club World Cup final.
Palmeiras advanced to the first or second Club World Cup final after the Intercontinental Cup in 1999. Unfortunately, Palmeiras at that time lost to Manchester United.
In the final which was held at the Mohammed bin Zayed stadium, Abu Dhabi, Sunday (12/2/2022) evening local time or Monday morning WIB, Palmeiras will face the winner of the Al Hilal party against European champions Chelsea.
Watch the video ‘Aground in the 2012 Final, Chelsea Determined to Win the 2021 Club World Cup’:
[Gambas:Video 20detik]
(mrp/rin)
