FIFA Club World Cup: Cruz Azul see off Western Sydney Wanderers and face Real Madrid next
Saturday 13 December 2014 23:11, UK
Cruz Azul set up a semi-final showdown with Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup after beating nine-man Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 in dramatic fashion on Saturday.
Wanderers, despite losing Matthew Spiranovic to a red card midway through the second half, looked to be heading through as Iacopo La Rocca's 65th-minute strike saw them leading going into the final minute of normal time in rain-drenched Rabat.
However, Cruz Azul captain Gerardo Torrado kept his cool to slot home an 89th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot to the send the game to extra-time, where the Mexican club would snatch the win.
Wanderers were reduced to nine men when skipper Nikolai Topor-Stanley was handed his marching orders, and Cruz took full advantage with Hugo Pavone putting them ahead in the 108th minute before Torrado scored his second spot-kick two minutes from time.
CONCACAF Champions League winners Cruz Azul will now face Madrid in Rabat on Tuesday for a place in the final, with the European champions looking to extend a 20-match winning streak in all competitions.
Saturday's other quarter-final saw Oceanic champions Auckland City - who won a play-off for the last eight in midweek - beat ES Setif 1-0 with a 52nd-minute goal from John Irving.
They will now face San Lorenzo in Marrakech on Wednesday.
