Egypt's Pyramids FC saw their historic FIFA Intercontinental Cup campaign come to an end on Saturday, falling 2-0 to Brazilian giants Flamengo in the semi-final at Doha's Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. The African champions, who had become the second Egyptian side to reach the Challenger Cup, were undone by two goals from set-pieces, with defender Leo Pereira and midfielder Danilo scoring from Giorgian De Arrascaeta deliveries.
Egypt's Pyramids FC saw their historic FIFA Intercontinental Cup campaign come to an end on Saturday, falling 2-0 to Brazilian giants Flamengo in the semi-final at Doha's Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. The African champions, who had become the second Egyptian side to reach the Challenger Cup, were undone by two goals from set-pieces, with defender Leo Pereira and midfielder Danilo scoring from Giorgian De Arrascaeta deliveries.
The match was dominated from the outset by Flamengo, who controlled 68% of the first-half possession. After creating several early chances, they broke through in the 24th minute when Pereira rose to head home a De Arrascaeta free-kick from close range. Pyramids' best opportunity of the half fell to Fiston Mayele just before the break, but his one-on-one effort was superbly saved by goalkeeper Agustin Rossi.
Pyramids emerged from halftime with increased urgency but were caught by a sucker punch seven minutes into the second period. Another precise De Arrascaeta free-kick found Danilo unmarked in the box, and he powered a header past the goalkeeper to double Flamengo's advantage and put the result beyond doubt. Despite making several attacking substitutions, including introducing Ewerton and Marwan Hamdi, Pyramids could not find a way back into the match, with a late Mohamed Hamdy header sailing narrowly wide.
The defeat concludes a monumental season for Pyramids FC, who had already secured the CAF Champions League, the CAF Super Cup, and the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup. They reached the Intercontinental Cup semi-finals with impressive victories over Auckland City and Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli. Flamengo, who advanced by defeating Mexico's Cruz Azul in the Derby of the Americas, now move on to the final, while Pyramids' remarkable global journey comes to a close.
