Flamengo sprung to life in the second half to beat Al Hilal 3-1 and book their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar Tuesday. The red-hot South American champions had gone into the contest as favourites, but Salem al-Dawsari’s 18th minute strike had stunned their travelling supporters, who had packed the Khalifa International Stadium.
While an upset looked like very much on cards – with Flamengo looking uncharacteristically dull in the first half – the Brazilians came into their own in the second.
Giorgian de Arrascaeta stroked home from close range four minutes after the restart to draw level, before Bruno Henrique had a hand in the next two goals. Henrique headed home in the 78th minute for Flamengo’s lead and the advantage doubled four minutes later with the striker’s cross turned into own goal by Al Hilal defender Ali Albulayhi.
Flamengo now await the winners of the second semi-final between European champions Liverpool and CONCACAF title holders Monterrey of Mexico Wednesday. If Liverpool do live up to the expectations and beat Monterrey, it will set up a repeat of Intercontinental Cup final in 1981, which Flamengo went on to win 3-0 in Tokyo.
Club World Cup holds a special place for Flamengo fans and it was quite evident with the large number of them making a long haul journey from Brazil to Qatar. But it was not a start they would have hoped for as their players looked off-colour in the opening period.
Flamengo did create the first opportunity of the game with de Arrascaeta whipping a cross to Gabriel Barbosa, who couldn’t quite connect at the back post. Hilal conjured their opening chance only in the 16th minute and the Saudi Arabian side should have gone one-up.
After al-Dawsari’s shot was blocked by Flamengo goalkeeper Diego Alves, the rebound went straight to Bafetimbi Gomis, but the pace of the ball was too much for the striker as he could only find the stands.
Flamengo survived but not for long as Hilal were in front two minutes later. With South American side’s defence all over the place, Mohamed al-Burayk’s pass from the right cut back sharply into the box, where a charging al-Dawsari shot in one motion. The ball took a slight nick of defender Rodrigo Caio and also a touch of Alves’ gloves before slamming into the net.
Al-Dawsari, who played a key hand in Hilal’s AFC Champions League success last month, celebrated with a double flip in front of Flamengo’s end. The Brazilian team’s supporters were not alarmed though as recent history suggested their team was capable of mounting a comeback.
Flamengo had conceded in the 12th minute of the Copa Libertadores final. But they scored in the 88th and 91st minute to win the tournament for the second time and seal Club World Cup qualification. They did not leave it that late against Hilal Tuesday.
After Everton Ribiero’s cross was palmed away by Hilal stopper Abdullah al-Mayoof, De Arrascaeta raised the decibel level of Khalifa. Gabriel Barbosa found Henrique in the box, with the forward unselfishly sending the ball to unmarked De Arrascaeta, with the Uruguayan tapping home into the open goal.
While the game went flat thereafter for a long period, Henrique headed into the net after Rafinha’s cross from the right put Flamengo ahead. Later when Albulayhi put the ball into his own net the game was over for Hlial.
With six minutes left, Andre Carrillo was shown a straight red card for a high boot foul as Hilal’s good start to the contest went in vain.
Flamengo’s Bruno Henrique (centre) in action with Al Hilal’s Mohamed al-Burayk (left) during the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. (Reuters)
