TOKYO, Dec 14: Amoroso scored twice as Sao Paulo beat Al Ittihad 3-2 on Wednesday to reach FIFA’s Club World Championship final. Amoroso gave Sao Paulo the lead in the 16th minute, finding space for a right-foot shot which took a deflection and trickled past goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid.

Ittihad equalised in the 33rd minute when captain Mohammed Noor bundled in the loose ball after Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio had parried Mohammed Kallon’s initial effort.

But Amoroso restored Sao Paulo’s advantage two minutes into the second half, tucking in Real Madrid-bound Cicinho’s low cross from point-blank range.

Rogerio scored from the penalty spot in the 57th minute to make it 3-1 and give the goalkeeper his 53rd goal since his first-team debut for Sao Paulo in 1993.

Hamad Al Montashari pulled one back for Al Ittihad with a 68th-minute header.—Reuters