The 2023 FIFA Club World Cup is in full swing in Saudi Arabia, and the last tournament to be held by seven teams, and from 2025, the Club World Cup will be expanded to 32 teams, and the more fierce competition will attract the attention of fans around the world. All the places in the semi-finals of this year's Club World Cup have been decided, with Champions League winners Manchester City taking on AFC Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds and Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense taking on African champions Cairo Nacional.
Both of these games have different stories and highlights, so let's take a look back at the highlights of the second round. Cairo Nationals reversed Jeddah United and Benzema was unable to bounce back after hosts Jeddah United comfortably beat Auckland City in the first roundConfidently welcomed the challenge of the African champion Cairo Nationals.
Jeddah United boast the likes of French international Czambia Blizzema and N'Golo Kante and are considered the favourites for this game. However, the Cairo Nationals were undeterred by Jeddah United's momentum and showed the tenacity and flexibility of the African side to come back with a 3-1 win over Jeddah UnitedAdvance to the semi-finals.
In the 19th minute of the game, Jeddah United midfielder Kadesh was fouled for handball in his own penalty area, and the referee awarded a penalty. Cairo Nacional captain Malour took the penalty and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, which the goalkeeper saved, giving Cairo Nacional a 1-0 lead.
The goal boosted the morale of the Cairo Nationals, who began to press Jeddah United's defence more aggressively. In the 43rd minute, the defender of Cairo National also committed a handball foul in his own penalty areaThe referee awarded a penalty again.
This time, Jeddah United's number one star, Karim Benzema, stood at the penalty spot and he was hoping to equalise for his side. However, his shot was blocked with his foot by Cairo Nacional goalkeeper Abdullah and Benzema missed a great chanceJeddah United are still 1-0 down.
After the start of the second half, Cairo Nationals continued to maintain their fighting spirits, using quick counter-attacks and accurate passing, causing a lot of problems for Jeddah United's defence. In the 59th minute, Cairo Nationals' striker Elshahat received a cross from his teammate, and he volleyed into the top right corner of the goal in the penalty area, and the Jeddah United goalkeeper did not react, and Cairo National extended their lead 2-0.
Elshahat excitedly ran to the corner flagpole as he mimicked Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo's trademark SIU celebration to show the world his strength and confidence. In the 62nd minute, Cairo Nationals' midfielder Ashur got the ball outside the penalty area, he was not disturbed by Jeddah United's defenders, he pushed the shot, and the ball flew into the bottom left corner of the goal, Jeddah United's goalkeeper was powerless again, Cairo Nationals led 3-0,It was almost a sealed victory.
Ashur raised his arms and hugged his teammates in celebration, who already smelled the semi-finals. Jeddah United did not give up after falling behind by three goals and they began to step up their attackTrying to find the back of the net.
They controlled the initiative on the pitch and created some dangerous shots on goal, but none were able to score. It wasn't until the 92nd minute of stoppage time that Benzema received a pass from a team-mate in the penalty area, and he fired a blast into the top right corner of the goal, and Jeddah United finally pulled one back, but it was too late.
Benzema didn't celebrate, he just shook his head helplessly, knowing that his team was out of the semi-finals. At full-time, Cairo Nationals reversed Jeddah United 3-1 to advance to the semi-finals, where they will face South American champions FluminenseCompete for a place in the finals.
Jeddah United were eliminated early and will face León in the fifth-place final in a secure spot. In terms of statistics, Jeddah United's performance is not bad, they have 58% possession, 13 to 9 shots, 6 to 5 shots on target, 3 to 0 corner kicks, 1 to 0 in the frame of the goal, 4 to 3 great chances, 13 to 2 crosses, and they are superior in almost all aspects, but the score was 1-3 to Cairo Nacional, which reflects their very low offensive efficiency, while Cairo Nacional made full use of their opportunities to play the characteristics of an African team, showing strong combat power and willpowerTheir victory was well deserved.
Urawa Red Diamonds force Cleon, Schalke substitute contribution Another game, AFC Champions League champion Urawa Red Diamonds against Central and North American champion Leon, this is a matchup between Asia and the Americas, both sides have different styles and characteristics, and the game is also full of suspense and tension. In the end, Urawa Red Diamonds relied on Schalke's second-half substitute to knock out Leon 1-0 and advance to the semi-finals, where they will face Champions League winners Manchester City in what will be a tough battle to test Urawa Red Diamonds.
In the first half, neither side scored and the game was deadlocked. Urawa Red Diamonds' manager Oliveira made a crucial substitution at half-time when he replaced Sasaki with SchalkeAttack damage has been increased.
The move paid off quickly, and in the 60th minute, Urawa Red Diamonds' striker Muto was tackled by Leon's defenders in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. Schalke took the penalty and smashed the ball into the bottom right cornerUrawa Red Diamonds lead 1-0.
Schalke excitedly ran to the bench and hugged his team-mates in celebration, proving the manager's decision right with his goal. Leon did not give up after falling behind by one goal and they began to intensify their attack in an attempt to find an equaliser.
Their main attacker is Mexico international Jimenez, who has scored 12 goals in the CONCACAF Champions League this season and is León's top scorer. He also had a couple of dangerous shots in the gameBut they were all saved by Urawa Red Diamonds' goalkeeper Nishikawa.
In the 75th minute, Jimenez received a pass from a teammate in the penalty area, he volleyed and the ball hit the crossbar and bounced, Leon missed his best chance, Jimenez covered his face, he couldn't believe his luck. Urawa Red Diamonds didn't let up after taking a one-goal lead, and they continued to maintain a compact defenseLeave no room for Leon.
Their back line, led by Japan international Makino, was very steady and composed, and they used their iron bucket defense to block all of Leon's attacks. Their midfield has also provided constant support to their forwards, with Brazil international Fabio at the heart of the game, who showed great skill and vision in the game, causing plenty of problems for León's defence with his clever passes.
At full-time, Urawa Red Diamonds defeated León 1-0 to advance to the semi-finals, where they will face Champions League winners Manchester City in what will be a tough battle to test Urawa Red Diamonds. León were eliminated from the tournament and will face Jeddah United in the fifth-place finalStrive for a consolation position.
In terms of statistics, Urawa Red Diamonds' performance is not dominant, their possession rate is 46%, shots are 8 to 10, shots on target are 4 to 5, corners are 2 to 3, excellent chances are 1 to 2, crosses are 4 to 6, and they are at a disadvantage in almost all aspects, but the score is a 1-0 victory over Leon, which shows that their defensive quality is very high, while Leon has not been able to take their chances, playing the characteristics of the American team, showing insufficient fighting power and willpower, and their defeat is understandable. Highlights of the semi-finals of the Club World Cup and ** Through the second round of matches, all the semi-final places of the Club World Cup have been decided, and the Champions League champion Manchester City will face the AFC Champions League champion Urawa Red DiamondsFluminense, the winner of the Copa Libertadores, will face the African champions Cairo Nacional.
Both of these games have different highlights and **, let's analyze them together. Manchester City vs Urawa Red Diamonds This is a European and Asian matchup, with both sides having strong strength and prestige, and the game is also full of challenges and attractions.
Manchester City are Champions League winners, they are the favourites to win the Club World Cup, they have a world-class manager Pep Guardiola and a squad of players who play possession and attack as they aim to win the Club World Cup and complete their historic year. Urawa Red Diamonds are the AFC Champions League winners, they are the biggest dark horse in this Club World Cup, they have a great manager Oliveira and a squad of players, their style is defensive and counter-attacking, and they are aiming to challenge Manchester CityCreate the miracle of Asian football.
The highlight of this game is whether Manchester City's possession and attack can break down Urawa Red Diamonds' defense and counter-attack, and whether Urawa Red Diamonds' defense and counter-attack can cause problems for Manchester City. Manchester City's main attacker is Argentina international Sergio Aguero, who has scored 15 goals in the Champions League this season and is the top scorer in the Champions League, and his speed and technique are excellentHe is Manchester City's number one killer.
Urawa Red Diamonds' main defender is Japan international Makino, who has been very solid and composed in this season's AFC Champions League, and his interceptions and tackles are excellent, and he is the iron-clad captain of Urawa Red Diamonds. The best thing about this game is that Manchester City have a clear advantage, they are far superior to Urawa Red Diamonds in terms of quality and prestige, they have enough confidence and motivation to have a good chance of winning this game and qualifying for the final.
Urawa Red Diamonds have a big disadvantage, they are far inferior to Manchester City in terms of quality and prestige, they have a lot of pressure and difficulty, and they have a slim chance of winning this game and qualifying for the final. However, football is round, anything can happen, and Urawa Red Diamonds will not give up easily, they will use their hard work and hard work to create problems for Manchester CityStrive for a surprise result.