Africa’s quest for a third Club World Cup final appearance ended after European champions Real Madrid beat Egypt’s Al Ahly 4-1 in the semi-final on Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n Al Ahly’s well organised defence capitulated as Vinicius Jr opened the scoring three minutes before half-time with Federico Valverde doubling the lead just after the break.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Red Devils competed well after the hour mark, and the pressure paid off when Eduardo Camavinga tripped Hussein El Shahat inside the box.<\/span><\/p>\n Tunisia’s Ali Maaloul tucked away the penalty to make it 2-1 in the 65th minute.<\/span><\/p>\n Al Ahly had their moments during a frenetic second period. Mohamed Afsha missed a sitter from close-range that would have been the equaliser, while Hussein El Shahat and substitute Percy Tau both troubled Real Madrid’s defence.<\/span><\/p>\n Mohammed El Shenawy denied the 14-time European champions a third goal by saving Luka Modric’s penalty in the 87th minute.<\/span><\/p>\n But Rodrygo and substitute Sergio Arribas made sure of the win in stoppage time with two sublime efforts to seal a comfortable win for Real.<\/span><\/p>\n Al Ahly will play Brazil’s Flamengo in the third place play-off, before Real Madrid face Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal in the final on Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller was left frustrated with his team’s defeat, defensive blunders and missed chances in the second half.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s a frustrating result because the team competed well against Real Madrid but failed to take advantage of the scoring opportunities,” said Koller.<\/span><\/p>\n “As a team we will go into the game against Flamengo feeling strongly confident because we’ve seen their last game here against Al Hilal.<\/span><\/p>\n “We lost today but we fight again on Saturday.”<\/span><\/p>\n Africa’s most decorated team, and one of the world’s most successful, Al Ahly are last-four regulars at this tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n The 10-time African champions, who are still chasing a first win against European opposition at this level, finished third in 2006, 2020 and 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Ali](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/1605F\/production\/_128570209_gettyimages-1246898458.jpg\")
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