Real Madrid await after Al Ahly snatch late victory against Seattle Sounders

Real Madrid await in the Club World Cup semi-finals for Al Ahly after the Egyptian side snatched a late victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Mohamed Afsha’s 88th-minute strike proved the difference as Al Ahly edged a tight quarter-final 1-0 against their Major League Soccer opponents in Morocco.

The reward for Al Ahly’s late drama sees Marcel Koller’s side face reigning Spanish and European champions Madrid on Wednesday in Rabat.

Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer believes there was not much to pick between the two teams, with Seattle unfortunate to see their Club World Cup hopes dashed with just minutes remaining.

Mohamed Afsha = @AlAhly‘s man of the moment pic.twitter.com/cKGbLKSp9I

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 4, 2023

“I thought we were good and I thought we were evenly matched,” he said. “Had a couple of chances, but the deflection on the goal was unfortunate.

“They put everything into the game and everything into the pre-season.”

Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal defeated Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca on penalties in the other quarter-final clash after a 1-1 draw.

Al Hilal will face South American champions Flamengo on Tuesday in their bid to reach the final.