Odion Ighalo helps Al Hilal make Club World Cup history in Morocco

Odion Ighalo shone as his side Al-Hilal defeated 10-man Flamengo to become the first Saudi Arabian team to reach the Club World Cup final following a 3-2 victory in Tangier, Morocco.

The Saudi Arabian champions stunned South American champions on Tuesday at the Ibn Batouta Stadium, thanks to two penalties from Salem Al Dawsari and a close-range strike from Luciano Vietto.

Al-Hilal went ahead as early as the 4th minute after referee Istan Kovacs deemed Matheuzinho to have fouled Luciano Vietto in the box, leading to a penalty that was calmly dispatched by Salem Al-Dawssari.

Matheuzinho would make up for his error after he set up Pedro, who fired past Abdullah Al-Mayouf in goal for AL-hilal. The Arab regained the lead just before halftime as Al Dawsari again converted from the spot, with Gerson sent off for a second booking after stomping on Vietto in the penalty area.

Dawsari thought he scored the third for the Saudi team, but it was ruled out as offside. The Blue Waves would not be denied when Al Dawsari returned the favour to Vietto, putting the ball on a plate for the Argentinian to score with a point-blank strike in the 70th minute of the game to put his club 3-1 up.

Flamengo threatened late drama as Pedro reacted quickest to a rebound to make it 3-2, but Vitor Pereira’s men held on to make history.

Flamengo became only the sixth Copa Libertadores champions not to advance to the final, while Al Hilal, the first Saudi side to reach the final, will face the winners of Real Madrid’s semi-final against Al Ahly on Wednesday in Rabat.