Step 1: Reach the Club World Cup Step 2: Defeat Real Madrid! Step 3: Profit But wait, are we forgetting something? First, Flamengo have to make sure they don't trip up at the semi-final stage. Al Hilal defeated Wydad Casablanca today and will face Flamengo on Tuesday (16H in Brazil, 11am/2pm in the US). The winner will play again on Saturday against Real Madrid or Al Ahly. Most pundits in Brazil have been lamenting that Flamengo didn't prepare as well as they could. On the other hand I already saw at least one conclude that the easier opponent won today... "salto alto" or will it be a smooth semi-final? At any rate, the semi is one of those awful games that only matter if you lose. Flamengo is fully invested in the final, so they better get there!
I know, Pundits have been putting FLAMENGO in the finals without any regard for the other semi finalist and that is dangerous. I am glad though that we didn’t have to meet a Moroccan team, I mean after this past WC surprise. Too bad the Seattle Sounders, first team in the history of this tournament from the USA, to lose such a heartbreaker. Truthfully I’m nervous about tomorrow but confident. And with RM having so many problems with injuries, we are at a great advantage in the finals should we make it. MENGAO !!!!
I hope Flamengo don't take Al Hilal for granted. The Saudi NT that beat Argentina in the WC is mainly composed of this Hilal team.
Al Hilal get a PK in the dying minutes of the first half and a second yellow to Gerson. 2x1 Al Hilal and Flamengo down one player. I'm thinking some of the half-time talk in Brazil is going to be about how long before VP is fired.
Pedro scores in the 45th minute of the second half. Too little too late? 3x2 Al Hilal still winning. 6 mins of added time.
Yep, too little, too late. Flamengo 2x3 Al Hilal Some poor refereeing (inconsistent/questionable criteria) but that doesn't forgive the overall result. There's going to be some fallout from this I'm sure.
Don't blame the referee. Al Hilal played well. And missed some great chances. I also saw Flamengo's match with Palmeiras. The defense is easily overcome
I mean, the text you quoted clearly has a "but" right there. I agree with you, Flamengo are poor in defense and it's not the refereeing that lost them the match. I don't doubt right now pundits are already calling for Vitor Pereira's head, but even if Flamengo were to change coaches, they'd then just move on to talking about how we need to replace João Gomes.
Tough loss guys. I know how that feels. Haven't seen the highlights yet, but 2 PKs and a red card is a lot to overcome. Was looking forward to watching Madrid x Flamengo.
Pretty sick goal there . Game over. I've seen European teams struggle in these games against non-CONMEBOL teams enough to lose ... but none of the the teams have been able to pull it off yet.
I left at 2x1 with Al Ahly having some momentum and came back to a 4x1 blowout on paper. That's how it goes sometimes. Like you said, UEFA teams have struggled at times, but not to the point of being unable to get the result. EDIT: Just saw the Rodrygo goal, that was dirty. Flamengo x Al Ahly on Saturday! Can't wait...
And to think I booked my trip to Rio for tomorrow because I was sure I was going to catch the final with meu querido Mengao while in Rio, and then could you just imagine the celebration in Rio had FLAMENGO beat RM in the finals ?! The jokes on me. It still hurts.