Al Hilal shock Flamengo with 3-2 win in Club World Cup semi-final

TANGIER :Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal stunned 10-man Flamengo to reach the Club World Cup final with a 3-2 victory over the South American champions on Tuesday thanks to two penalties from Salem Al Dawsari and a close-range strike from Luciano Vietto.

Al Dawsari opened the scoring from the spot after three minutes and while Pedro levelled for the Brazilians, their hopes were hit when Gerson conceded a penalty and was sent off in first-half stoppage time.

That allowed Al Dawsari to grab his second and Vietto added a third after the break, ensuring Pedro's late goal for Flamengo was just a consolation.

Al Hilal, the first Saudi side to reach the Club World Cup final, will face the winners of Real Madrid's semi-final against Al Ahly on Wednesday in Rabat.

On a windy and chilly night at a half-empty Ibn Batouta stadium, Flamengo's Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira sprung a surprise, leaving former Atletico Madrid fullback Filipe Luis on the bench.

He also left out Uruguay’s Guillermo Varela, opting for a younger and more attack-oriented fullback duo.

It was Varela’s replacement, right back Matheuzinho, who changed the course of the game in the third minute, when he went too forcefully into a challenge on Vietto inside the box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Al-Dawsari slotted it home, just out of the reach goalkeeper Santos.

Flamengo went on the attack and wasted a golden opportunity in the 15th minute when Gerson, in a great position to score inside the area, tried to win a penalty instead of shooting.

The referee did not fall for it and showed a yellow card to the Flamengo midfielder for simulation.

But Pedro equalised four minutes later, firing home with a first-time strike from close-range from a Matheuzinho assist.