Henk Ten Cate’s men overcame the odds to defeat Asian Champions League holders Urawa Red Diamonds in Abu Dhabi thanks to an Ali Mabkhout goal
Real Madrid will play UAE Arabian Gulf League champions Al Jazira in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
Al Jazira, managed by former Barcelona and Chelsea coach Henk Ten Cate, edged out AFC Asian Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds at the quarter-final stage in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
A single Ali Mabkhout goal in the second half from a pass supplied by Romarinho was the difference between the teams.
Article continues below
Editors' Picks
Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show Lukaku sends reminder that his Man Utd career is far from over
Madrid fly to UAE on Sunday having trashed Sevilla 5-0 in their final La Liga game before commencing their FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
Former Madrid star Lassana Diarra is on the books of Al Jazira but is not included in their squad for this tournament. He is expected to depart the club in the next transfer window.
In the other semi-final, Copa Libertadores champions Gremio will play Mexico’s Pachuca on Tuesday in Al Ain. Pachuca qualified for the semis after winning the CONCACAF Champions League and beating African representatives Wydad Casablanca in the quarter-finals.