Saudi team Al Hilal reach FIFA Club World Cup final by beating Flamengo 3-2

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - Saudi team Al Hilal reached the FIFA Club World Cup final Tuesday by beating Brazilian club Flamengo 3-2.

Salem Aldawsari's penalty goal gave an early lead to the Saudi side in the fourth minute at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, Morocco.

Flamengo forward Pedro leveled the score in the 20th minute.

Al Hilal were awarded a video assistant referee (VAR) given penalty as Flamengo's Gerson Santos da Silva was sent off with a second yellow card in the 53rd minute. Aldawsari netted another penalty kick in the 54th minute and the first half ended 2-1.

Argentine forward Luciano Vietto made it 3-1 for Al Hilal in the 70th minute and then Pedro took one back for the Brazilian side in the 91st minute.

The match ended 3-2 and Al Hilal reached their maiden FIFA Club World Cup final.

On Saturday, Al Hilal will take on the winner of the Al Ahli-Real Madrid match, which will be held Wednesday.

The FIFA Club World Cup, which was first contested in 2000 as the FIFA Club World Championship, is an international men's association football competition organized by the International Association Football Federation (FIFA).

The Club World Cup features the winners of six continental confederations, including defending UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid and the host nation's champions.

Real Madrid qualified for the Club World Cup for a sixth time, winning the title in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

England's Chelsea were the 2021 Club World Cup champions, but they cannot defend their title in Morocco.