Real Madrid through to the final of the Club World Cup

Real Madrid moved a step closer to winning FIFA’s Club World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Club America in their semi-final in Japan on Thursday. Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo scored the goals that extended the club’s unbeaten run to 36 games in all competitions.

After an evenly-balanced opening period Real Madrid started to impose themselves and Cristiano was twice denied by the woodwork. The breakthrough came when Toni Kroos threaded a ball into the area for Karim Benzema and the France striker netted with a great finish.

In the second half, Lucas Vazquez was particularly active and he was boosted in his endeavours by the arrival off the bench of James Rodriquez and Alvaro Morata. It was the recently-crowned Ballon d’Or winner who settled the tie in added time.

Real Madrid head into the final on Sunday where they play Japan’s Kashima Antlers.