Pictures by: Salim Matramkot | The Peninsula
Robert Lewandowski yesterday fired a brace as German giants Bayern Munich cruised into the final of FIFA Club World Cup with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Al Ahly at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Seeking a staggering sixth title of the season in Qatar, Bayern dominated the nine-time African champions to book Thursday’s final against Mexican giants Tigres UANL, who stunned Brazil’s Palmeiras 1-0 in the first semi-final on Sunday.
The title clash will kick off at 9:00pm at Education City Stadium.
Best FIFA Men’s Player Lewandowski took the European champions ahead in 17th minute and sealed victory late into the second half, defying a good crowd support from Al Ahly fans, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino also present among the spectators.
Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly, who edged Qatari champions Al Duhail to quality for the semi-final, looked off colour in the first half and came back as an improved side in the second half but they were not good enough to challenge in-form Bavarians, who clinched their sixth consecutive victory yesterday.
As the two teams met for the first time since 2012 when the Bavarians won 2-1 in friendly, coach Hansi Flick missing Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez - left behind in Munich after contracting coronavirus – started with midfielder Marc Roca. He changed his formation to 4-2-3-1 from Friday’s Bundesliga win against Hertha.
Al Ahly coach Mosimane went with his routine 4-2-3-1 formation but fielded his electrifying forward Mahmoud "Kahraba" Abdel-Moneim instead of Walter Bwalya in the starting XI.
Living up to their favourites tag, Bayern Munich started strongly keeping most of the ball possession and making formidable attacks to keep opponents under constant pressure, with sights on winning their second Club World Cup trophy after their 2013 triumph.
With Al Ahly lacking composure to retain ball possession, the Bavarians made their first attempt in eighth minute when Serge Gnabry’s header from Benjami Pavard cross flew over the bar. Bayern continued to push for a goal with Thomas Muller and Gnabry making more efforts keeping Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shennawi on his toes.
Bayern finally got the opener, punishing poor Al Ahly defense as an unmarked Lewandowski – who missed a penalty against Hertha – fired the ball past El Shennawi from a close range after getting a short pass from Gnabry. It was the Polish striker’s 187th goal for Bayern.
Al Ahly, who were mostly busy in defending, made their first attempt in 22nd minute when Mohamed Hani crossed in the box but Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer comfortably saved Mohamed Taher's header.
A one-goal lead didn’t look enough for Bayern, who continued to their aggressive display. They almost doubled the lead but Roca’s shot inside the 6-yard sailed just a foot wide.
Such was their dominance in the game, that the Germans kept around 75 per cent of the ball possession making 4 shots on target from 11 attempts at hour-hour mark, with Mosimane making his first substitute in the 27th minute, sending in Yasser Ibrahim to replace injured Ali Maaloul.
Eight minutes into the first half, Lewandowski after a move with Joshua Kimmich came close to scoring his second goal, chipping the ball over El Shennawi, while also missing the target as Al Ahly avoided double deficit in the first half.
Though the Bavarians dominated the opening session, they were still not at their best being sloppy in their final passing that deprived them of more goals.
In the second half, Al Ahly returned to the pitch as a better side and created an immediate chance with Hussein El Shahat leading the attack by beating two defenders, but his shot got deflected. Al Ahly made more attacks but their poor final passes kept them away from scoring.
Sensing danger, Bayern regained their dominance in the match after being pushed back to their net. Just before an hour-mark, El Shennawi denied Lewandowski his second goal again with some slick defense after a flick from Muller, before the German star was replaced by Eric Choupo-Moting. Gnabry was also called back with Leroy Sane coming off the bench.
Ahly also called in three subs with Aliou Dieng, Salah Mohsen and Walter Bwalya coming in 69th minute to replace Mohamed Afsha, El Shahat and Kahraba while Flick put Corentin Tolisso in for Roca.
Bayern earned a free kick on the edge of the box after Kimmich was fouled in 76th minute but they failed to double their lead, with Flick sending in two more subs Jamala Musiala and Niklas Süle to replace Coman and Jérôme Boateng.
With five minutes left, Lewandowski, finally, completed his brace from a brilliant cross from Sane, heading the ball past keeper from a close range after evading his marker, as Bayern walked into the final. The Germans are now 3-0 up in head-to-head against the Egyptians as they also defeated the African champions 2-1 in 1977.
Al Ahly will now face Palmeiras in the third position play-off to be played on Thursday at Education City Stadium, with kick off set for 6:00pm.
