Manchester City will face Fluminense in the FIFA Club World Cup final if they overcome Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday, after the Brazilian giants overcame Al Ahly in Monday’s first semi-final.
Fluminense, who won the Copa Libertadores for the first time by overcoming Boca Juniors in last month’s final at the Maracana, took on 11-time CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly in the last four.
Having hit the post twice in a cagey first half, Jhon Arias gave Fluminense the lead from the penalty spot after 72 minutes.
Arias converted from 12 yards after Real Madrid legend Marcelo nutmegged Percy Tau and was promptly brought down inside the area by the forward.
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The Egyptian side pushed for a leveller late on but saw their chances of reaching the final killed off in stoppage time as John Kennedy – who hit the winner in the Libertadores final – came off the bench to turn and fire home from the edge of the area.
Fluminense, whose coach Fernando Diniz is also leading Brazil on an interim basis, will now await the winner of Tuesday’s second semi-final in Friday’s showpiece, while the loser will face Al Ahly in the third-place play-off.
Brazilian teams have won the Club World Cup on four occasions, most recently when Corinthians beat Chelsea in the 2012 final. Spain is the only country to provide more winners of the competition with eight, while three English sides have previously lifted the trophy.
🇧🇷 @FluminenseFC are #ClubWC Finalists. 👏
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2023
