Real Madrid avoided humiliation against Al Jazira as Gareth Bale’s late winner earned them a 2-1 victory and a place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Despite Real dominating the match at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, it was the hosts who took a shock 41st-minute lead through Romarinho.
And Al Jazira looked to have gone two ahead early in the second half but it was chalked off for offside after a video referral.
Cristiano Ronaldo equalised shortly afterwards and substitute Bale scored moments after his introduction with nine minutes left to set up a final clash with Brazilians Gremio on Saturday.
?????????? Club World Cup final, here we come!#HALAMADRID#RMCWC pic.twitter.com/w8kX2gGTeW
— Real Madrid C.F.???????? (@realmadriden) December 13, 2017
Tweet of the match
Real Madrid on course for their most humiliating defeat to a TV channel since they lost to Granada in 2013
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) December 13, 2017
Star Man – Ali Khaseif
Al Jazira’s keeper Ali Khaseif—instant legend. ???? pic.twitter.com/luiSgbxFKi
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 13, 2017
The first-choice goalkeeper was forced off only six minutes into the second half but performed heroics to keep Real out during the opening period.
Zinedine Zidane’s side fired in 17 efforts during the first half but could not beat Khaseif, with the stand-out saves coming from Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.
Stat of the match
RECORD-BREAKER! ????
With @Cristiano levelling the scores in Abu Dhabi, the @RealMadrid man becomes the #ClubWC's all-time top scorer, registering his sixth goal in the competition! pic.twitter.com/0hzU5QijsZ— #ClubWC ???????????? (@FIFAcom) December 13, 2017
With his sixth goal, Ronaldo became the Club World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.
Video referee watch
The score remains goalless following the video assistant referee review. A goal was not awarded.@AlJazira_uae 0-0 #RealMadrid#RMCWC | #HalaMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F.???????? (@realmadriden) December 13, 2017
The Video Assistant Review system is being used in the Club World Cup and was put into action when Casemiro headed what appeared to be the opening goal.
Having initially appeared to rule out the goal and then given it, Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci then chalked it off for good having decided Benzema, who was in an offside position, was interfering despite not touching the ball.
A better advert for VAR came when a second ‘goal’ for Al Jazira was disallowed for offside.
Ratings
???? Tonight's MVP, @lm19official!#RMCWC | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/uwO48GoN1u
— Real Madrid C.F.???????? (@realmadriden) December 13, 2017
Who’s up next?
????????????
Join us in taking a closer look at South American champions @Gremio, as we investigate whether they can win a first ever #ClubWC title!
????????https://t.co/Nixk8J9c96 pic.twitter.com/AlgOFUVp9K— #ClubWC ???????????? (@FIFAcom) December 5, 2017
Al Jazira v Pachuca (Club World Cup, December 16)
Real Madrid v Gremio (Club World Cup, December 16)
Source: By PA Sport Staff