Al Hilal capped an impressive first half by taking the lead through Salem Al Dawsari but Flamengo responded by lifting their game in the second half to seal a meeting with either England's Liverpool or Mexico's Monterrey in Saturday's final.

Salem Al Dawsari gave the Saudi club a deserved lead in the first half of this semi-final on a rare rainy night at the Khalifa International Stadium, but Flamengo woke up after the interval and equalised through Giorgian De Arrascaeta in the 49th minute.

Bruno Henrique then headed home after 78 minutes and the Rio club made sure of their win when the same player's low cross was turned into his own net by defender Ali Albulayhi with eight minutes to play.

Al Sadd finished the match with 10 men as former AFC Player of the Year Abdelkarim Hassan was sent off in the 22nd minute while mistakes allowed Tunisian side Esperance to score six goals for a resounding win.

Al Sadd found themselves two goals down after just 13 minutes as Esperance's Libyan forward Hamdou Elhouni netted a hat-trick as the Tunisian side recorded a deserved victory.

Gomis emerged as the hero for Al Hilal as he came off the bench in the 65th minute to score the only goal eight minutes later to steer Al Hilal into the semi-finals where they will meet Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo.

Two first-half goals gave CONCACAF Champions League winners Monterrey a comfortable lead and despite Baghdad Bounedjah and Abdelkarim Hassan finding the back of the net for Qatar's Al Sadd, the Mexicans set up a semi-final meeting with European champions Liverpool.

In addition to the double-header of games on December 17 – the fifth-place play-off and the semi-final involving CONMEBOL Libertadores winners Flamengo – Khalifa International Stadium will also host the second semi-final, involving UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool on December 18, along with the final and the third-place play-off on December 21.