Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal stunned South American champions Flamengo 3-2 on Tuesday to advance to the Club World Cup final, thanks to two penalties from Salem Al Dawsari and a close-range strike from Luciano Vietto.
Al Hilal took the lead after Matheuzinho tripped Vietto inside the box, thanks to Al Dawsari’s perfectly placed penalty kick.
Pedro equalised for Flamengo in the 20th minute with a close-range strike, but Al Hilal regained the lead just before halftime as Al Dawsari converted from the spot once more, with Gerson sent off for a second booking for stomping on Vietto in the penalty area.
With Flamengo reduced to ten men for the entire second half, Al Hilal controlled the tempo and eventually scored the third goal, when Al Dawsari returned the favour to Vietto, putting the ball on a plate for the Argentine to score with a point-blank strike.
Flamengo became only the sixth Copa Libertadores champion not to advance to the final after Pedro’s close-range effort in extra time.
On Wednesday in Rabat, Al Hilal, the first Saudi team to reach the Club World Cup final, will face the winners of Real Madrid’s semifinal against Al Ahly.
