Real Madrid are to face Egyptian side Al Ahly in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup on February 8, it has been confirmed.
Being the Champions League winners, the Spanish side automatically qualified for the final four of the tournament, as did Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo.
They knew last month that they’d have to beat one of Al Ahly, Seattle Sounders or Auckland City if they wanted to set up a potential clash with the Brazilian side in the final, and now know that the Egyptian side will stand in their way.
Al Ahly beat Auckland City with ease at the start of 2023, winning 3-0, before prevailing 1-0 over Seattle Sounders on Saturday.
The MLS side has more shots than their opponents but weren’t able to take their chances and paid the price when Mohamed Magdy Afsha scored the winning goal with just two minutes of the match to go.
On the other side of the draw, Al Hilal beat Wydad AC on penalties after the sides played out a 1-1 draw to set up a clash with Flamengo.
Real Madrid are the only one of the remaining teams to win the competition before, doing so four times – more than any other club – but Flamengo have come close, losing the final 1-0 to Liverpool in 2019.
