Al Jazira 1-2 Real Madrid - 5 talking points

Scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo 53' Gareth Bale 81'

The UAE Champions Al Jazira pulled off a surprise by beating both Auckland City and Urawa Red Diamonds to make it through to the Semi-finals, while the European Champions Real Madrid received a bye into the Semi-finals, in search of their third Club World Cup title.

The European Champions were made to earn their win in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday by the spirited UAE Champions Al Jazira. The host took the lead in the first half but Ronaldo and Bale struck in the second half to send Real into the Saturday finals against Gremio.

Zidane fielded a strong team with Ronaldo, Modric, Isco, Marcelo and Benzema in the starting eleven while Al Jazira made a solitary change on the left wing.

On that note, Let's see the key talking points from the Semi-finals.

#5 Real Madrid missed a lot of scoring opportunities

One of many wasted opportunities for Real Madrid

Real Madrid could have killed the game in the first 15 minutes if they had taken their chances. They were brilliant in the build-up play and moved the ball beautifully but what lacked was the ruthlessness in front of goal.

They were dreadful in the first half as Benzema, Ronaldo, and Modric missed some clear-cut chances. They had 36 attempts on goal, out of which only 2 found the back of the net thanks to some brilliant defending and acrobatic goalkeeping but Real's finishing let them down once again. With El Clasico just a few days away, Zidane will be concerned with his side's form.

Real Madrid offensive stats:

Shots on target - 14

Shots off target - 14

Big chances missed - 6

Shot accuracy - 50%

#4 Al Jazira scored the first goal of the game and were impressive on the counter-attack

Romarinho opening the scoring for Al Jazira

After almost a dozen chances for Real Madrid, Al Jazira took the lead in the 41st minute through Romarinho. Casemiro was caught napping deep in his half and allowed Boussoufa to pick a perfect long ball to Romarinho.

Romarinho took the ball beautifully and got the better of Real full-back Achraf Hakimi to put it in the back of the net with a lovely side-footed finish. The goal came out of nowhere and Real Madrid was stunned.

Throughout the evening, Al Jazira threatened on the counter-attack but the final ball let them down. Boussoufa was brilliant on the left flank and led most of Al Jazira's counter-attacking play. They had a couple of good chances of their own but their passing lacked precision. It is fair to say, Al Jazira surprised Real with their intent and work rate.

#3 Ronaldo could have scored a couple of hat-tricks; Benzema failed again

Another frustrating night for Karim Benzema

Cristiano Ronaldo could have grabbed a hat-trick or two had he converted all his chances on Wednesday night. He fluffed his lines on multiple occasions before finally putting one past the substitute goalkeeper Khalid Al Senani.

Ronaldo had a chance to open the scoring in the 6th minute but his effort was brilliantly saved by Ali Khaseif. Another chance fell to him immediately but his header was brilliantly saved. Ronaldo missed another opportunity in the 10th minute as he was closed down at the vital moment. He missed a couple of clear-cut chances in the second half as Real struggled to stamp their authority.

Karim Benzema too was wasteful in front of goal. He missed a couple of good chances in the 7th minute and 12th minute and forced Khaseif into a brilliant save in the 16th. He hit the post on a couple of occasions in the second half to round off a poor night in front of goal.

#2 Spirited defensive display by Al Jazira. Khaseif impressive

Khaseif starred for Al Jazira in the first half.

The difference in quality between the two successful clubs was clearly evident but Al Jazira never stopped believing. They put in a wonderful performance against the European Champions and made them work hard to score the 2 goals. They battled hard from start to end and made life difficult for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid struggled to break down a resolute Al Jazira defence and had to wait 53 minutes for their first breakthrough. Al Jazira backline and their goalkeeper Ali Khaseif deserves a lot of credit for keeping Real at bay for the greater part of the game. Even after conceding the equalizer, Al Jazira showed determination and grit.

Khaseif deserves a special mention here as he single-handedly denied Ronaldo and Benzema on multiple occasions in the first half. He made some stunning saves before going off injured early in the first half. Ronaldo scored immediately after his departure.

Al Jazira defensive stats:

Interceptions - 17

Clearances - 40

Blocks - 8

Saves by Khaseif - 5

#1 Real Madrid leave it late, Bale to the rescue

Bale rescued Real on his comeback game

It was not a comfortable evening for Real Madrid like many had expected. They were trailing at halftime and had to chase the game in the second half. They equalized in the 53rd minute but the winner came late in the game.

They hit the post on multiple occasions and Zidane took Benzema off to bring in Gareth Bale in the 81st minute. The Welshman struck immediately on his comeback as he linked up well with Vazquez to put Real Madrid in front for the first time.

Bale was lively in the last 10 minutes as he troubled the host with pace and trickery. He almost got his second with an overhead scissor kick but it was well saved by the substitute keeper Al Senani.

Gareth Bale's return from injury was the only consolation for Zinedine Zidane in an otherwise underwhelming performance by the Spanish Giants.