A goal at the end of each half led Real Madrid past Club America and into Sunday’s FIFA Club World Cup final against the Kashima Antlers.
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In the semifinal clash in Yokohama, Karim Benzema opened the scoring right on half time and in second half stoppage time recently crowned Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo added a second (the 500th goal of his career) as Real extended its unbeaten run to 36 games in all competitions with the 2-0 win.
In truth it was a pretty low-key encounter between UEFA Champions League winners Real and reigning CONCACAF Champions League champs Club America, but the quality of Zinedine Zidane’s team shone through in the end.
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Real will now face Japanese champions Kashima Antlers on Sunday in the final in Yokohama after the team from the host nation shocked Atletico Nacional in the other semifinal.
Club America and Atletico Nacional will play the in the third place match, also in Yokohama on Sunday.
Below are the highlights of Thursday’s Club World Cup semifinal, as Real now aim to become the fourth-straight European winners of the competitions which has seen eight of its last nine champions hail from Europe.
Benzema’s lovely finish opened the scoring right on half time
Le but de @Benzema https://t.co/m6FBfijQoR
— Real France (@realfrance_fr) December 15, 2016
Ronaldo puts a bow on it
#AmericavsRealMadrid 2do gol @Cristiano @realmadrid @ClubAmerica pic.twitter.com/cE8gb8U28N
— La Era Mediática (@LaEraMediatica) December 15, 2016