“Stunning Last-Minute Victory: Urawa Red Diamonds Seal Club World Cup Semifinal Spot with Dramatic 1-0 Win Over Leon! Manchester City Showdown Looms!”
On Friday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Urawa Red Diamonds secured a spot in the Club World Cup semifinals by defeating Leon 1-0, with substitute Alex Schalk scoring the decisive goal in the 78th minute. The victory sets up a clash with Manchester City in the next round.
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The winning moment unfolded when Jose Kante delivered a crucial pass into the box to Schalk, who, having entered the game just five minutes earlier, skillfully controlled the ball with his left foot before confidently slotting it past the advancing goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota.
Urawa Red Diamonds
Leon’s hopes for a comeback at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium suffered a major setback six minutes later, as their captain, William Tesillo, received a second yellow card, reducing the Mexican club, CONCACAF Champions Cup winner, to 10 men.
This marked Leon’s debut in the Club World Cup, while Urawa Red Diamonds, the Asian champions, previously finished third in the competition in 2007 and participated in 2017. Their upcoming challenge is a meeting with the European Champions League winners, Manchester City, scheduled for Tuesday.
The other semifinal, set for Monday, will feature Copa Libertadores champion Fluminense facing the winner between Al Ahly of Egypt and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, who will play later on Friday.
