MIAMI, Florida – 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League winners Monterrey opened their 2021 FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a narrow 1-0 quarterfinal defeat to Al Ahly of Egypt on Saturday night at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
An early second half goal from the 2020-21 CAF Champions League winners proved to be the difference, sending Monterrey to the Fifth Place Match on Wednesday. It was also the first defeat for Rayados in three FCWC matches with Al Ahly.
It was a very entertaining first 45 minutes between the two sides, even though it ended goalless. Monterrey had a clear advantage in shots, but Al Ahly’s dangerous counterattacks were keeping the Rayados defense on their toes.
Monterrey GK Esteban Andrada was called on twice to make point-blank saves in the 4’ and then again in the 28’, while an early Rogelio Funes Mori shot and an Arturo Gonzalez effort from outside the area were the best looks at goal for Rayados.
Rayados looked to stay on the front foot in the second half, but Al Ahly had other ideas and the Egyptian side broke the deadlock in the 53’ when Andrada punched away a deep cross, but it fell right to Mohamed Hany, who fired a strike into goal for a 1-0 Al Ahly lead.
Monterrey committed numbers forward in hopes of finding an equalizer, but the Al Ahly defense held firm to keep the Liga MX side at bay until the final whistle.
