Real Madrid 2-1 Al Jazira: Bale saves Madrid from ridicule
The host team, Al Jazira, went 1-0 up after two disallowed Madrid goals
Madrid played one of their worst games of the season
Gareth Bale came off the bench to score on his return from injury to save Real Madrid's blushes in the Club World Cup semi-final win over Al Jazira.
Al Jazira
1 ________________ 2
Real Madrid
LINE UP
Al Jazira
Ali Khaseif (Housani, m.51); Rashid, Jumaa, Ayed, Musallem Fayez; Al Hammadi (Al Otaiba, m.60), Al Hosani (Rabia, m.72), Al Attas, Boussoufa; Romarinho y Ali Mabkhout
Real Madrid
Keylor Navas, Achraf, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Modric, Casemiro, Kovacic (Lucas Vázquez, m.68), Isco (Marco Asensio, m.68), Cristiano Ronaldo y Benzema (Bale, m.80).
Goles
1-0, m.41: Romarinho. 1-1, m.53: Cristiano Ronaldo. 1-2, m.81: Bale.
Arbitro
Sandro Ricci (Brasil). Amonestó a Ayed (68) por el Al Jazira.
Árbitro
Encuentro de semifinales del Mundial de Clubes disputado en el Zayed Sports City Stadium, con 36.650 espectadores en las gradas
The UAE side went ahead through Romarinho in the first half as Madrid had two goals correctly disallowed, but Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale netted after the break.
Goalkeeper Ali Khaseif became a local hero with a string of sensational saves to keep Madrid at bay, while a Ronaldo foul in the build-up caused Benzema's goal to be ruled out, and then the French striker was offside and interfering with play (as decided by video referee) which meant Casmiro's goal was stricken from the records as well.
After Romarinho struck on the break, Madrid levelled through Ronaldo after a fine Modric pass, with the Croatian also setting up Bale's winner. Benzema hit the post twice as he showed some wasteful finishing in the second period.
Madrid now play Gremio in Saturday's final.
