Flamengo say goodbye to dream of becoming two-time world champion

Flamengo's dream of winning the FIFA Club World Cup for the second time in history came to an end yesterday afternoon (Feb. 7). The Brazilian team were defeated 3-2 by Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) at Ibn Batouta stadium, in Tangier (Morocco), in the semifinal round.

There were high expectations that Flamengo, which had won the world championship in 1981 against Liverpool (England), could make a good performance against the Saudi team, Asian champions, and not find troubles to reach the great final.

But what we saw from the beginning of the match was Flamengo with better technical quality, however with difficulties towards Al Hilal, very disciplined in defense and with counter-attacking moves, taking advantage of spaces given by the defenders of the Brazilian team.

Now the Saudi team await the clash between Real Madrid (Spain) and Al Ahly (Egypt), starting at 4 p.m. (Brasília local time) today (8), at Prince Moulay El Hassan stadium, in Rabat (Morocco), to know their opponent in the final.