Wed 08-02-2023 01:55 AM
TANGUER, 7th February, 2023 (WAM) – Two Salem Aldawsari penalties, and a goal from Luciano Vietto, powered Saudi Arabia’s giants Al Hilal to a 3-2 win over Brazil’s Flamengo in the Morocco 2022 semi-finals.
The first incident of the game involved two players who weren’t expected to start. Matheuzinho tripped Luciano Vietto and the referee pointed to the spot. Salem Aldawsari grabbed the ball and, although Moussa Marega attempted to take it off him, the Saudi Arabia international tucked his penalty into the bottom corner.
Flamengo were level before the clock hit 20. Everton Ribeiro slipped the ball to Pedro, who stylishly side-footed it into the bottom corner.
Deep into first-half stoppage-time, the contest swung dramatically in the Saudis’ favour. Gerson conceded a spot-kick and was consequently sent off for a second yellow card. Aldawsari again made no mistake from 12 yards to put Al Hilal ahead.
Vietto smashed the ball into the roof of the net to extend the lead with 20 minutes remaining, and though Pedro’s second of the game gave them a nervy last few moments, Al Hilal held on to record a famous victory.
Hatem Mohamed
