Real Madrid vs Club America live: Cristiano Ronaldo goal given after video referee referral to seal semi-final win
Follow the latest from the Fifa Club World Cup semi-final in Japan
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Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid are through to the Fifa Club World Cup final after securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Mexican side Club America, setting up a final clash against Japanese side Kasima Antlers in Tokyo on Sunday to decide the club champions of the world. Re-live the action here.
- Real Madrid beat Club America 2-0
- Real take first-half lead through Karim Benzema goal
- Cristiano Ronaldo doubles the advantage in final minutes
- Ronaldo's goal originally disallowed for offside before being reviewed on video
- Ronaldo had earlier struck the post twice
- Real to play Asian champions Kasima Tokyo in Sunday's final
- Club America to feature in 3rd-place play-off against Atletico Nacional
Follow the live action below...
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A big game for…
Rubens Sambueza. The Club America club captain is hoping to return to the starting XI to offer his team more control and bite in the centre of the park as they attempt to pull off a surprise victory over Madrid. Should he feature, Sambueza will need to recreate the sort of form which has seen him rack up four goals and nine assists this season. As club captain, Thursday’s semi-final comes a big game for the Argentine.
Best stat…
35 - The number of matches that reigning European champions Real Madrid have gone since they last lost. Their longest unbeaten run in 27 years, it comprises 26 wins and nine draws in all competitions and stretches back to April.
Player to watch…
Karim Benzema. The Frenchman was rested for the side’s 3-2 La Liga win over Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday and is expected to return to play in Thursday’s semi-final. After bagging a brace in his last appearance against Borussia Dortmund, America will need to keep an eye on the 28-year-old.
Last meeting…
The most recent meeting between the two sides came in a friendly match back in August 2010. Madrid emerged victorious on that occasion, with Cristiano Ronaldo striking late to end the game 3-2.
Predicted teams...
Club America: Munoz, Valdez, Samudio, Arroyo, Goltz, Aguilar, Sambueza, Da Silva, Peralta, Quintero, Romero.
Real Madrid: Navas, Danilo, Marcelo, Varane, Ramos, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Vasquez, Ronaldo, Benzema.
What’s been said….
Club America coach Ricardo La Volpe: “It’s players and not shirts that win games. We’ll go out to play Real Madrid without any kind of burden on our shoulders. We have to work twice as hard to make sure we’ve got two men up against every one of theirs all across the pitch. We’re going to play a great side and we’re going to see what we’re made of.”
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos: “We’d like to get the Champions Badge back. The Club World Cup gives us the chance to test ourselves against other styles of play that we’re perhaps not so used to. We have new goals to achieve, and new records to break. There are always new challenges.”
Form guide...
Club America: WWDWD
Real Madrid: WDDWW
Vital information...
Kick-off: 15 December, Yokohama, Japan, 10.30 (UTC)
TV: The game is not being broadcast in the UK. Follow our live blog for minute-by-minute updates.
83 min: Nothing comes of the corner as the delivery overshoots the box and is booted clear.
85 min: Five minutes to go as Club America search for a late goal but they've shown very little this half of finding the back of the net. After a defiant opening 45 minutes, America have been kept pinned back by Zidane's side who have hammered the Mexicans' defence for much of the second half. In contrast, America have enjoyed just one significant chance in front of goal.
89 min: Marcelo once again makes his way to the left-hand side byline as he cuts the ball back to substitute Morata. After an initial poor first touch, he finds his feet and with a shot on the turn looks to pick out the top right corner. It's a dangerous effort but it fizzes inches wide of the post. That could have been the game well and truly dusted.
90+1 min: Nacho is shown yellow, the second card of the game, for his late tackle on Da Silva. Two minutes to go.
90+3 min: The Madrid wheel continues to whir away as the Spanish midfield strokes a series of passes around the centre of the park, winding the clock down.
GOAL! Ronaldo scores a last-minute goal!
Ronaldo confirms Real Madrid's spot in the final with a controversial last-minute goal! After bursting into the box from the right, the Portuguese star drilled the ball across the face of goal to pick out the far bottom corner. The ref initially awarded the goal, before changing his mind only to then consult the video replays. After a minute of chaos, the goal was eventually given (again) to seal the deal for Madrid.
FULL TIME: Club America 0-2 Real Madrid
Madrid's victory never looked in doubt. After breaking the deadlock moments before the half-time whistle, Zidane's side went on to assert themselves throughout the second half as they tightened their grip on the game. The chances came thick and fast, with Valdez, Ronaldo and Benzema all coming close. Club America, on the other hand, looked lacklustre and failed to create any clear-cut opportunities for themselves. As the game wore on, the Mexicans grew increasingly quiet and dispirited. A well-deserved win for Madrid that sees the side through to the final where they face Kasima Antlers.
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