African champions Al Ahly of Egypt beat Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds 4-2 to secure the bronze medal at the FIFA Club World Cup, at the Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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Al Ahly Claims Bronze In FIFA Club World Cup

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African champions Al Ahly of Egypt beat Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds 4-2 to secure the bronze medal at the FIFA Club World Cup, at the Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Al Ahly, appearing in its fourth consecutive third-place playoff, finished third in 2006, 2020 and 2021, while Japan’s Urawa came third in 2007.

In an end-to-end playoff encounter, goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Percy Tau put Al Ahly in control as the African champions came out firing in spectacular fashion.

Al Ahly winger Percy Tau (10) celebrates goal against Urawa Red Diamonds.

However, Jose Kante’s curling strike in the 43rd minute reduced the deficit for Urawa Red Diamonds. 2-1!

In a turn-of-events, defender Alexander Scholz equalised from the penalty spot early in the second half after VAR adjudged Mohamed Hany handled the ball in the box to put the Egyptian giants on the ropes.

Urawa Red Diamonds defender Alexander Scholz (28) celebrates goal against Al Ahly.

But Hany remarkably went from villain to hero in the space of six minutes, firing Al Ahly back in front via a huge deflection off Yoshio Koizumi. 3-2!

In the 75th minute Al-Ahly had the chance to restore their two-goal lead but Ali Maaloul’s penalty was saved by Nishikawa diving low to his right to keep his side in the game.

However, the Egyptians wrapped up the win in the ninth minute of added time when Maaloul made up for his penalty miss with a stunning free kick to spark jubilant celebrations in the stadium.

Al Ahly’s Ali Maaloul celebrates goal with teammates.

Having suffered semi-final heartbreak against Fluminense, Ahly looked doomed after Scholz’s penalty hauled Urawa level at 2-2.

But in a thrilling contest befitting their rollercoaster run to the third-place playoff, the Egyptian side emerged victorious.

After the despair of falling short in the semis, the African champions Al Ahly bounced back to make the continent proud in a six-goal thriller.

They can now return home with heads held high after a heroic comeback secured the club a record-extending fourth Club World Cup bronze medal.

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