The second semi-final of the 2016 Club World Cup pitted European champions Real Madrid against Mexican giants Club America in Yokohama, Japan.
America impressed for long stages of the first period, but Real Madrid entered the interval with a one-goal lead courtesy of a smart finish from Karim Benzema in the second minute of added time.
America pressed for a leveller in the second 45 minutes, although Zinedine Zidane's side were always comfortable and wrapped up the victory in second-half stoppage time through Cristiano Ronaldo.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live coverage continues from Yokohama, Japan as European champions Real Madrid face Mexican giants Club America in the second semi-final of the 2016 Club World Cup. The Spanish giants are the overwhelming favourites to make Sunday's final - where Kashima Antlers are waiting - but it could well be a tricky fixture for Zinedine Zidane's side. Be sure to stay tuned for the action!
Kashima Antlers secured their spot in Sunday's final after recording a 3-0 win over Colombian side Atletico Nacional in the first semi-final on Wednesday, meaning that the Japanese side will have an extra day than either of these two teams to recover for the final. That particular match also saw Kashima Antlers, who are the first Asian team to make the final, become the first side to benefit from a video replay in FIFA competition as they scored from the penalty spot after the game had been stopped.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Yokohama. Just how strong has Real Madrid boss Zidane decided to go for this semi-final...
TEAMS!
AMERICA: Munoz; Alvarado, Valdez, Goltz, Aguilar; Samudio, Da Silva, Sambueza; Ibarra, Romero, Peralta
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Ronaldo, Benzema, Vasquez
Experienced Mexican international Paul Aguilar was an injury doubt ahead of the match, but the full-back does indeed start for America here. Meanwhile, Silvio Romero, who scored twice in the semi-final against Jeonbuk Motors, keeps his spot in the final third alongside Oribe Peralta. An experienced XI also sees Argentine Rubens Sambueza skipper the team from the middle of the park.
As for Real Madrid, key centre-backs Pepe and Sergio Ramos both miss out through injury, while Gareth Bale remains on the sidelines. It is Nacho alongside Raphael Varane in the centre of defence, with fit-again Casemiro operating as the defensive midfielder. Further forward, Lucas Vasquez keeps his spot in the team alongside Karim Benzema and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Yokohama. I shall discuss America a little bit later, but let's first focus on Real Madrid, who booked their spot in this competition after winning the European Cup last season. It is not a priority trophy for Los Blancos, but there is no question that they will be desperate to land the prestigious crown.
Real Madrid won this particular competition in 2014 after recording a 2-0 victory over Argentine side San Lorenzo in the final. Barcelona are the holders of the Club World Cup, meanwhile, after beating River Plate 3-0 in last year's final. Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich won it in 2013, but English outfit Chelsea famously lost 1-0 to Brazilian side Corinthians in the 2012 final in Japan.
The current format of the Club World Cup involves seven teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation - on this occasion Japan - over a period of two weeks. Indeed, those involved are the winners of the AFC Champions League, CAF Champions League, CONCACAF Champions League, Copa Libertadores, OFC Champions League and the European Champions League.
It will not come as much of a surprise to learn that European teams have been the most successful in this competition – landing eight titles. As mentioned, the last non-European club to win the competition was Corinthians in 2012, but fellow Brazilian clubs Sao Paulo and Internacional have also previously triumphed. It would be some story if Real Madrid did not win the crown once again.
Real Madrid will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 victory over Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga on Saturday night. That result ensured that Los Blancos would end Week 15 six points clear of second-place Barcelona, while they have also booked their spot in the last-16 stage of the Champions League, where they will take on Italian outfit Napoli over two legs in February 2017.
The Madrid giants are still unbeaten in all competitions this season, which has also seen them qualify for the next round of the Copa del Rey. In fact, Zidane's side have not lost a competitive match since the start of April, when they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Wolfsburg in the Champions League. There is no question that they have been one of the most impressive teams in world football this term.
Real Madrid, however, will just be a little bit wary of playing in this competition. Barcelona's league form suffered after they returned from the 2015 Club World Cup and Los Blancos will enter the winter break one match behind their league rivals due to their participation in this tournament. By the time they return to league action on January 7, the gap at the top could be down to three points.
As for America, the Mexican outfit booked their spot in the semi-finals after recording a 2-1 victory over Jeonbuk Motors on Sunday. Silvio Romero hit a brace for America to set up the dream clash with Real Madrid and like their Spanish opponents, the Mexican side will enter this match off the back of an impressive unbeaten run. This will not be a straightforward win for the European champions.
Indeed, Ricardo La Volpe's team have not lost a competitive game (other than a penalty shootout) since September 18. They did take part in last season's Club World Cup, but lost to China's Guangzhou Evergrande in their opening match and eventually finished the tournament in a disappointing fifth. Whatever happens in this match, America can take a lot from the competition.
Indeed, America are the most successful outfit in the history of Mexican football. The club has won a record 12 league titles, in addition to a joint-record five Copa Mexico cups and five Campeon de Campeones cups. They have also won a record seven CONCACAF Champions League trophies, landing last season's crown after recording a 4-1 victory over Tigres UANL in the final.
Just a reminder of the two teams that will start this match...
AMERICA: Munoz; Alvarado, Valdez, Goltz, Aguilar; Samudio, Da Silva, Sambueza; Ibarra, Romero, Peralta
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Ronaldo, Benzema, Vasquez
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first period. We are just approaching 7.30pm local time in Yokohama and it is a cool seven degrees inside the stadium. Real Madrid are the big favourites to triumph tonight, but Club America are a very experienced outfit.
KICKOFF! Club America kick things off in Yokohama...
... wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight - let's hope that the football matches it! There has already been a couple of flying challenges in the early moments, with Samudio diving into Lucas Vasquez in the opening minute. America will look to upset Real Madrid's tempo here.
It will not come as much of a surprise to learn that Real Madrid are in control of the possession here as they move the ball from left to right. America seem to be playing with a back five tonight, which means that space will be minimal for the Spanish giants. No chances to report early on in Japan.
Smart work from Sambueza wins a corner for America, but Real Madrid manage to clear their lines at the second time of asking. Decent pressure from the Mexican side as they deliver a couple of dangerous balls into the Real Madrid box, although Zidane's side were not overly concerned.
Real Madrid continue to see plenty of the ball as they pass and probe in the final third, but America have been nice and solid at the back and a smart header from Goltz clears the ball ahead of Ronaldo.
Vasquez hammers one from distance after a corner is half-cleared, but his effort is wide.
America have actually settled quite well in the opening 10 minutes of this match and they look capable of causing problems when Real Madrid drop into a defensive shape. You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in terms of the final result.
Marcelo and Vasquez both have chances to deliver from the left in quick succession, but Sambueza is across on both occasions to make vital blocks. Real Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third, but we are still looking for the first chance of this semi-final, which is 12 minutes old.
Ronaldo fires harmlessly wide of the post from distance.
CHANCE! Super chance for America as Da Silva finds Peralta inside the Real Madrid box, but the experienced striker curls his effort over the crossbar. Should have done better there!
Many expected Real Madrid to turn up and completely blow America off the park. Well, that has not been the case in the opening 15 minutes of football. It is true that the European champions have had more of the ball, but America have been dangerous in the final third of the field.
Ronaldo breaks through on the America goal and hits the inside of the post with a low strike, but the Portuguese had been ruled offside. It was tight, but the flag was just about the right call.
Sambueza is getting through some serious work at the moment as the America captain pops up in the middle of the park to challenge Kroos, before going stride-for-stride with Ronaldo down the left. The clearest chance of the match thus far has fallen to America, with Peralta missing from inside the box.
Just a reminder that the winner of tonight's match will take on Kashima Antlers in the final of the competition on Sunday night. The loser, meanwhile, will face Atletico Nacional in the third-place play-off. Still goalless with 21 minutes on the clock and America are still matching Real Madrid here.
Navas has to drop down and keep out a long-range strike from Da Silva.
BOOKING! Sambueza (America) is booked for a late tackle on Vasquez.
Ronaldo takes the resulting free kick, but his effort is straight into the America wall.
Well, 25 minutes on the clock and we are still goalless in Yokohama. Just a few signs that Real Madrid are taking control of this match, but America are still offering a threat on the counter-attack due to the pace of Da Silva in wide positions and the clever movement of experienced forward Peralta.
POST! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to make the breakthrough as Vasquez drives down the right before delivering a super cross onto the head of Ronaldo, but the ball smashes against the post and Benzema cannot fire home at the far post. Real let-off for the Mexican side!
While America are containing Real Madrid at the moment, there is still a lot of football to play in this match and you just wonder whether they can maintain this intensity throughout the second period. Carvajal and Marcelo are getting a lot of joy in wide positions as they continue to break forward.
Ibarra dances into the Real Madrid box and threatens to find a low cross into Peralta, but Marcelo is on hand to make the challenge and the Spanish club can clear their lines. Brilliant intensity from America as they continue to put the pressure on the European champions. Still goalless here.
Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area as Vasquez is bundled to the deck...
... Ronaldo hits another free kick straight into the America wall.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Benzema fires home for Real Madrid after Munoz kept out a strike from Ronaldo, but the striker was in an offside position and the goal does not stand.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Yokohama and still America hold the European champions, who have huffed and puffed without being able to make the breakthrough here.
SAVE! Navas has to get down and keep out a strike from William, who has caused Real Madrid all sorts of problems in this first period. Navas needed to make that stop.
Uncomfortable few minutes for Real Madrid as America continue to put the pressure on the Spanish giants. Da Silva has been very impressive for the Mexican giants and impressive footwork from the number seven wins another free kick in a dangerous area, which Real Madrid have to defend.
It just has not happened for Real Madrid in this first period as America continue to defend their lines. Benzema manages to break through for the Spanish side and tests Munoz with a low strike, but the offside flag had been raised once again. Still goalless late in the first half of action here.
Not an awful lot to report in the last couple of minutes, with both teams guilty of conceding possession of the ball. America will be delighted with their first-half performance in this semi-final.
Just one additional minute at the end of the first period.
GOAL! Club America 0-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the second minute of added time at the end of the first period as Kroos slides a super pass into Benzema and the Frenchman finishes into the top corner!
HALF-TIME: Club America 0-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 at the interval courtesy of that stunning finish from Benzema in the second minute of added time. Club America have impressed for doing spells of this match, but they are now behind in Japan.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have shaded the possession with 58%, while they hit the target with three of their 10 attempts in the first 45 minutes. America, meanwhile, hit the target twice from five attempts. Just the one booking to report in the first period and that came to America's Sambueza.
BENCH WATCH! Isco, Asensio, Mariano, Morata and Kovacic are among those available for Zidane, who is expected to make changes in the second period. As for America, Arroyo, Martinez and Guerrero are available for a team that need to answer back in order to stay in the competition.
Benzema's goal is the difference ahead of the second period...
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action in Yokohama...
... no changes from either manager at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, you suspect that both coaches will already have alterations in mind for the second period. If America have serious ambitions of reaching the final then surely they need to score the next goal here.
Just a reminder that there will be extra-time and potentially penalties if tonight's match finishes level. That goal just before the break would have really hurt America and Real Madrid have taken control of the possession at the start of the second period. It could be a tough half for the Mexicans!
America's manager La Volpe has a sensational moustache, but his team are just struggling at the moment as Real Madrid continue to boss possession of the ball. The Mexican side will always be a threat in the final third, but a second goal for Los Blancos could well kill this semi-final.
America just cannot seem to gain a foothold in this match as the Mexican side continue to concede free kicks in dangerous positions. Real Madrid are not exactly creating chance after chance, but they are very much in control of proceedings as this second period continues to gather pace.
Benzema heads a super Kroos free kick over the America crossbar.
AMERICA SUB! Guerrero replaces Alvarado for the home side.
End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes as Peralta fails to make the most of a decent opportunity inside the Real Madrid box, before Ronaldo has a shot blocked down the other end. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining and Benzema's goal remains the difference.
Benzema looks to slide a pass into Ronaldo as Real Madrid counter once again, but the Frenchman puts too much weight on the ball and America regain possession with their goalkeeper Munoz.
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match and America are causing more problems since the change was made. That said, Real Madrid have a lot of space on the counter-attack and surely they will find that elusive pass at some point. Fascinating game at the moment.
SAVE! Quite stunning save from Munoz as the America goalkeeper somehow keeps out a powerful strike from Ronaldo, who had been found by Vasquez inside the box. Wow!
AMERICA SUB! Quintero replaces Ibarra for America.
America have the chance to threaten from a free kick in a wide position after a late challenge from Marcelo, but Navas does well to punch clear and Ronaldo carries down-field for Real Madrid. Little over 25 minutes of normal time remaining and still just the one goal in this semi-final contest.
CHANCES! Couple of brilliant chances for Real Madrid, but Ronaldo cannot head into an empty goal at the far post, before Modric misses the target from inside the box. Still 1-0!
Still no movement on the Real Madrid bench, but America are preparing to make their third change with just about 20 minutes of normal time remaining in Japan. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match and Los Blancos might be left to rue some missed chances here.
AMERICA SUB! Arroyo replaces Romero for America here.
REAL MADRID SUB! James Rodriguez replaces Kroos for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid are very much in control of this semi-final as they continue to force the issue, but at 1-0, America will always be in with a chance. Many expected the Spanish giants to find it pretty straightforward to beat America tonight, but the Mexican side have been impressive for long spells.
Another half-chance for Real Madrid as Vasquez finds Modric on the edge of the America box, but the midfielder can only place his effort into the arms of Munoz, who releases down-field.
Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining and America are still huffing and puffing without really threatening to level the scores. Real Madrid boss Zidane still has two permitted changes remaining and it would not be a surprise to see those made late on in a bid to kill the game.
REAL MADRID SUB! Morata replaces Benzema for Real Madrid.
America have struggled to threaten in this second period, but they have some serious pace in the final third at the moment and Arroyo has just run past Varane, which is not something that you see on too many occasions. Benzema's goal remains the difference with 82 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance comes and goes for Real Madrid as Vasquez's cross from a wide position is blocked. Vasquez has been brilliant for Los Blancos tonight, with the winger fully justifying his continued selection. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining in this semi-final contest.
Decent possession for America as they build an attack from deep and look to stretch Real Madrid in the wide positions, but there is just no end product and the danger is cleared once again.
Another half-chance comes and goes for Real Madrid as Marcelo delivers a dangerous cross towards Ronaldo, but the Portuguese misses the ball and James cannot make enough contact. America break down the other end, but Arroyo's effort was always moving wide of the post.
Morata misses the post with a curling effort after smart work from Marcelo down the left.
BOOKING! Nacho is booked for a late challenge on Quintero.
We are into the third of three additional minutes here and Real Madrid have possession.
GOAL! Club America 0-2 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
The goal stands, then it does not. Then it does. Following a video replay, Ronaldo's goal stands and Real Madrid have a second. Use of the video system once again, it was a bit of a mess though!
FULL-TIME: Club America 0-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Real Madrid book their spot in the final of the 2016 Club World Cup after recording a 2-0 victory over Club America on Thursday night. Los Blancos will face Kashima Antlers on Sunday for the crown! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the live action once again!
