United Arab Emirates champions Al Jazira earned all the plaudits despite losing 2-1 to European champions Real Madrid at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City Stadium in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final.

The hosts produced a memorable performance and were 1-0 up at the break before Real Madrid turned the game around with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Goalkeeper Ali Khaseif was called into action early on, making five consecutive saves inside the opening ten minutes. Two Ronaldo headers were repelled by the Al Jazira captain, before he dived low to save Luka Modric's shot from the edge of the area.

Ali Mabkhout came within a whisker of handing Al Jazira the lead in the 20th minute when he latched onto Mbark Boussoufa's pass to go through on goal, but his half-volleyed strike went narrowly wide of the post. 

At the other end of the pitch, Casemiro thought he had scored for the Spanish side on the half-hour mark, but after a video review, the referee ruled the goal out to keep the score at 0-0.

Instead, it was the Emirati champions who opened the scoring in the 41st minute. Boussoufa found Romarinho after a swift counter-attacking move and the Brazilian controlled with his left, before finishing with his right foot to put Al Jazira in front at the break. 

Khaseif's night-to-remember was brought to an early end when he hobbled off to be replaced by Khalid Al Senani six minutes into the second period.

Al Senani's introduction to the match was, however, not a happy one as he conceded within two minutes of coming on.

Defender Fares Juma slipped while attempting a clearance and was instantly punished by Ronaldo. The Portuguese received Modric's pass inside the box and powered in a shot at the far post to bring the European champions level in the 53rd minute.

Karim Benzema struck the woodwork twice in the following ten minutes before being withdrawn for Gareth Bale whose first touch produced a second Real Madrid goal to put the Spaniards in front for the first time with nine minutes remaining.

An added time save from Al Senani denied Marcos Asensio from a free-kick as the final whistle announced Real Madrid's progress to the final. Al Jazira will play Keisuke Honda's Pachuca in the third place Play-off on Saturday. 

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