African champions Al Ahly from Egypt claimed the bronze medal at the FIFA Club World Cup by defeating Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds 4-2 in a spectacular match at the Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Al Ahly, making their fourth consecutive appearance in the third-place playoff, had previously secured third place in 2006, 2020, and 2021, while Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds achieved a third-place finish in 2007.
In an intense encounter, goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Percy Tau gave Al Ahly an early advantage. However, the Urawa Red Diamonds narrowed the gap with Jose Kante’s curling strike in the 43rd minute, making it 2-1.
A dramatic turn of events saw Urawa’s Alexander Scholz equalise from the penalty spot early in the second half, as VAR adjudged Mohamed Hany to have handled the ball in the box. Hany quickly went from being the culprit to the hero, restoring Al Ahly’s lead with a deflected shot off Yoshio Koizumi. The score stood at 3-2.
In the 75th minute, Al Ahly had the opportunity to extend their lead, but Ali Maaloul’s penalty was saved by Urawa’s goalkeeper, Nishikawa, keeping the Japanese side in the game. Nevertheless, in the ninth minute of added time, Maaloul redeemed himself with a stunning free kick, securing the victory and sparking jubilant celebrations in the stadium.
After experiencing semi-final heartbreak against Fluminense, Al Ahly staged a remarkable comeback in the thrilling contest, showcasing their resilience and making their continent proud. The Egyptian side can now return home with heads held high, having secured a record-extending fourth Club World Cup bronze medal.
