Cruz Azul was no team to match up with Real Madrid. Real Madrid controlled the whole game and it was like a scrimmage for them. They had a few opportunities, but did not take advantage of them. After Saturday’s quarter final game, Cruz Azul players seemed really tired compared to the Madrid players. This time, Cruz Azul was playing against a phenomenal team and and had to get past Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas. It was not going to be easy to score on them.
Early in the first half, Madrid controlled the game. Minute 3′ Cristiano Ronaldo missed a golden opportunity as Sergio Ramos controlled the ball in midfield, and switched the field to Daniel Carvajal. Carvajal controlled and took it down the line and put a magnificent cross towards the second post to Karim Benzema, where he re-crossed it with a header back to the middle. Ronaldo beat Francisco Rodriguez as he slipped and kicked the ball, but Jesus Corona reacted to it quickly and kept the game at 0-0.
It did not take long for Real Madrid to score. Ten minutes later, in minute 13′, Carvajal got fouled by Fausto Pinto. Tony Kroos put a perfect ball to Sergio Ramos, away from Corona who came out awful and made it 1-0.
As Madrid kept possession of the ball, it made it harder for Cruz Azul to create any opportunities and got them tired since they were chasing the ball. Minute 35′, Carvajal got the ball down the line and decided to take on Fausto Pinto, he nut megged him and put a ball across. Benzema perfectly anticipated Gerardo Flores and made it 2-0.
This game was starting to become a nightmare to Cruz Azul, until they had a incredible opportunity five minutes before the half. Sergio Ramos got called for a penalty kick and got a yellow card. Even though there was not much contact on the play, the referee thought that it was enough contact from Ramos’ left hand towards Mariano Pavone’s shoulder to bring him down. Gerardo Torrado took the penalty after making two in the quarter final stage. He chose to go towards his left, medium height and Iker Casillas guessed correctly and made the save. Cruz Azul missed what was a perfect opportunity to get back into the game.
Four minutes into the second half, Benzema put a through ball to Ronaldo down the left side. Ronaldo crossed an excellent ball with his left foot over Fausto Pinto into Gareth Bale’s head and made it 3-0.
Fifteen minutes after Madrid’s third goal, minute 65′, Cruz Azul made two substitutions. One of them Pablo Barrera for Pavone. A minute after, Pablo Barrera created space for himself and took Marcelo and shot outside the eighteen with his right foot and hit the post. Iker Casillas just saw the ball hit the woodwork as he stood still.
Minute 71′, Isco patiently awaited a ball from Ronaldo. Isco received, took a touch inside and quickly positioned himself to hit a ball on the ground with the inside of his right foot. Enough to beat Corona down low on his right side. After 90 minutes, the score was 4-0, leaving Real Madrid as the winner.
Real Madrid will play the winner of tomorrow’s semi final match between San Lorenzo and Auckland City on Saturday, December 20th for the Championship match of the FIFA Club World Cup. As for Cruz Azul, it is not over yet. They will play a third place match on Saturday, December 20th against the loser of tomorrow’s semifinal.
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