ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI was on the double as Bayern Munich downed Egypt’s Al Ahly 2-0 in their Club World Cup semi-final.
Bayern will now face Mexico’s Tigres in Thursday’s final.
Follow ALL of the latest reaction below…
THAT’S ALL FROM QATAR
Bayern Munich made it to the Club World Cup Final after beating Al Ahly 2-0 in the semi-finals.
Bayern dominated throughout the match and reached an easy as well as well-deserved victory.
The Bavarians hammered the African champions with a whopping total of 24 shots and controlled 68.5 per cent of possession.
Bayern opened the scoring after 17 minutes when Kingsley Coman switched the ball to Serge Gnabry on the left wing.
Gnabry then flicked it back to Robert Lewandowski, who had no problem beating Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy.
The Egyptian champions failed to create any substantial chances throughout the encounter and so Bayern sealed their qualification just five minutes before full-time.
Leroy Sane delivered a cross from the right flank and found Lewandowski completely unmarked in front of open goal which allowed him to head the ball to the back of the net.
Bayern are now set to take on Tigres in the Final on Thursday, whereas Al Ahly will battle Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras for third place on the same day
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FLICK ON TIGRES
Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick praised Tigres ahead of Thursday’s Club World Cup Final.
Flick said: “Tigres are a very good team.
“I saw them in the semi-final. They are elastic. They play skilfully. We will study them tomorrow and we will look for the tactic to win.
“It gave me a pleasant impression and they deserve the final. I was impressed with how they ran and pushed”
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MAN OF THE MATCH
Who else?
Robert Lewandowski has been named Man of the Match following his brace against Al Ahly.
That means Lewandowski has now scored a staggering total of 29 goals in 27 matches across all competitions this season.
Tigres will have to keep an eye on him in the Club World Cup Final!
DIETER-MINED TO SUCCEED
Bayern Munich boss Hans-Dieter Flick has a date with history on Thursday when the European champions meet Tigres in the Club World Cup Final.
If Flick wins the competitions then he will become the first ever Bayern manager to win the Bundesliga, German Cup, German Super Cup, Champions League, European Super Cup and World Cup in the club’s illustrious history.
Jupp Heynckes enjoyed a sensational treble with the Bavarian giants in the 2012-2013 season but left shortly after the end of the campaign and was replaced by Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola went on to win the 2013 European Super Cup by beating Chelsea as well as the Club World Cup of that year by overcoming Raja Casablanca.
But the current Manchester City boss lost that year’s German Super Cup to Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund as he suffered a 4-2 defeat
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WHAT’S NEXT?
Bayern Munich are now set to take on Tigres in the final on Thursday.
Al Ahly’s journey is not over despite their 2-0 loss to Bayern.
The African champions are going to meet Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras on the same day to battle it out for third place.
Still a great opportunity for the Egyptian giants to make a mark on the competition!
STATS
Bayern Munich qualified for the Club World Cup Final in style as they dominated 68.6 per cent of possession.
Bayern had full control throughout the encounter and it’s shown by the fact that they produced 24 shots, seven of which were on target.
Al Ahly only managed five shots, two of which were on target.
The Bavarians found the African champions’ weakness, which was in the air, and that allowed them to control the pace.
Bayern won a staggering 71.4 per cent of aerial duels
FT: AL AHLY 0-2 BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern Munich have made it to the Club World Cup Final where they will take on Tigres.
Bayern defeated Al Ahly 2-0 with ease thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s brace.
The European champions dominated throughout the entire match and didn’t leave much space for Al Ahly to create any substantial chances.
Bayern opened the scoring after 17 minutes when Kingsley Coman passed the ball towards Serge Gnabry on the left and he flicked it back to Lewandowski who had no problem beating goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy.
The star striker capped the German champions’ triumph just five minutes before full-time when he picked up Leroy Sane’s cross from the right flank and headed the ball to the back of the net
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PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S IT, BAYERN ARE IN THE FINAL!!!!!!!!
AL AHLY 0-2 BAYERN MUNICH
90+3 Bayern are taking it easy now.
Al Ahly have accepted their fate
AL AHLY 0-2 BAYERN MUNICH
90 Referee gives another four minutes of added time.
Bayern are set to take on Tigres in the Club World Cup Final!
AL AHLY 0-2 BAYERN MUNICH
89 There was no way Lewandowski was going to miss this!
Bayern are through to the final!
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AL AHLY 0-2 BAYERN MUNICH
88 CHANCE
Lewandowski fires a powerful shot from outside the box but completely misses the target
AL AHLY 0-2 BAYERN MUNICH
85 And just like that Bayern go to the Club World Cup Final!
Sane gets the ball on the right flank and fires a cross right on the goal line.
Elshenawy doesn’t jump to catch the ball, which reaches a completely unmarked Lewandowski who then heads it to the back of the net
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!
LEWANDOWSKI MAKES IT 2-0 FOR BAYERN!!!!!!!!
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
83 SUBSTITUTION
Mohamed comes off and gives his place to Sherif
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
81 Bayern have regained the same dominance they enjoyed int he first half.
Al Ahly have ran out of steam while the German champions are looking for a second
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
78 SUBSTITUTIONS
Bayern bring in Sule, whoo replaces Boateng, and Musiala, who takes Coman’s place
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
77 CHANCE
Alaba tries a long-range shot but doesn’t worry Elshenawy, who watches the ball go out for a goal-kick
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
74 Al Ahly are running out of steam and so their pressure is becoming looser.
Bayern are positioned very well but would love a second goal to seal their qualification to the final
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
71 CHANCE
Tolisso fires a splendid shot just outside of the box.
But the Bayern star just misses the target, that was a beautiful curling shot
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
70 SUBSTITUTIONS
Bayern bring Tolisso in for Roca.
Al Ahly make a triple change as Salah Mohsen replaces El Shahat, Bwalya takes Kahraba’s place and Dieng comes in for Afsha
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
68 Pavard delivers a cross from the right and Ayman’s poor clearance sees the ball going back to the outer side of Elshenawy’s net.
That was almost an own-goal!
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
68 Bayern move the ball splendidly on the left as Davies finds Coman.
He delivers the cross but Elshenawy gets to the ball first
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
67 Lewandowski has been spotted limping after a rough challenge in Al Ahly’s third.
However, the Bayern star appears to be fit enough to continue
AL AHLY 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH
65 Flick has removed two of his most creative players from the pitch while Al Ahly are starting to press.
Maybe a risky move…
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
