Karim Benzema misses penalty as Al Ahly humble Saudi champions Al-Ittihad at Club World Cup to reach last four

Karim Benzema missed a penalty as star-studded Saudi champions Al-Ittihad were humbled on home soil in Jeddah by Egypt's Al Ahly, who progressed to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup with a 3-1 win.

N’Golo Kante and Fabinho also started for Al-Ittihad after joining the glut of big names to leave European football behind for the riches on offer in the Middle East in the summer.

However, the gulf that still lies between the Saudi Pro League and its ambition to become one of the strongest domestic competitions in the world was exposed in front of a packed 60,000 crowd at the King Abdullah Sports City.

Al Ahly will face South American champions Fluminense in the last four, while Manchester City will begin their quest to win the competition for the first time live on TNT Sports against Urawa Red Diamonds, who beat Club Leon 1-0.

Benzema became the first player to score in four editions of the Club World Cup when he and Kante netted in a 3-0 victory over Auckland City in the first round of the competition on Wednesday.

But the Frenchman had a night to forget as the 11-time African champions, backed by a vociferous travelling support from Egypt, proved a step up in class that was beyond the home side.

The first half was a tale of two penalties awarded after VAR reviews for handball.

Ali Maaloul converted from the spot after Hassan Kadesh was penalised for handling a long ball into the Al-Ittihad box.

In first half stoppage time, the roles were reversed as this time a cross into the Al Ahly box came off the outstretched arm of Mohamed Abdelmonem.

Benzema, , stepped forward only to see his tame spot-kick saved by Mohamed El Shenawy.

The home side had another huge chance to equalise at the start of the second half when El Shenawy turned Faisal Al-Ghamdi’s shot onto the post with Benzema begging for the ball to be squared for a tap in.

Those misses proved costly as Al Ahly wrapped up the tie with two goals in three minutes around the hour mark.

Hussein El Shahat curled beautifully into the far corner to double the Egyptians' lead before a wonderful team counter-attack was finished off by Eman Ashour with a cool finish.

A fine night for Al Ahly ended on a sour note, though, as Anthony Modeste was sent off just minutes after coming on as a substitute for a flailing elbow.

The 10 men conceded almost immediately when Benzema snapped up the rebound after El Shenawy could only parry a header from a corner.

However, the damage was done as Al Ahly move on to face Brazil’s Fluminense in the last four.

In Friday’s other quarter-final, substitute Alex Schalk scored the only goal 12 minutes from time as the Asian champions edged past Mexico's Club Leon for the chance to face City.

Schalk was then fouled by Leon captain William Tesillo on the edge of the box that led to a second yellow card and ended any hope of a fightback from the CONCACAF champions.

“It's a dream come true,” said Dutch striker Schalk. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for so many players. To be playing on this stage is already something special. To come on and have an impact, it’s a dream.”

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