Kashima set up Madrid semi as Al Ain stun Esperance

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The 2018 FIFA Club World Cup saw Asian champions Kashima Antlers beat Mexican side CD Guadalajara 3-2 and Emirati outfit Al Ain stunned Tunisian giants Esperance 3-0 at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday.

Kashima Antlers will next confront Real Madrid again in their first encounter since the final of 2016 edition, when Kashima nearly beat Real. Al Ain will meet recent Copa Libertadores champions River Plate in the semi-finals.

Kashima Antlers squad pose before the match against Guadalajara in the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, December 15, 2018 /VCG Photo

Guadalajara roared into an early lead thanks to Angel Zaldivar's third-minute goal, but Ryota Nagaki equalized at the 49th minute. Kashima went ahead through Serginho's 69th minute penalty and Hiroki Abe secured victory, making Leo Silva's own goal deep in injury time academic.

Kashima's meeting with Champions League winners Real on Wednesday will be a re-run of the 2016 final, which the Spanish giants won 4-2 after extra-time. Real will travel to the United Arab Emirates after their La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Al Ain had to fight from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Team Wellington, before winning the match on penalties, before booking their quarter-final ticket.

Tongo Doumbia of AI Ain FC (L) and Ghaylen Chaaleli of Esperance de Tunis during their match in the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, December 15, 2018 /VCG Photo

But the home team avoided making the same mistake against the African champions on Saturday, Mohamed Ahmed opening the scoring two minutes in before Hussein El Shahat doubled their lead on the quarter-hour. Bandar Mohammed's strike on the hour mark capped a deserved 3-0 win that will give Argentinian opponents River Plate food for thought ahead of their semi-final clash on Tuesday.

The final and the third place play-off will be held on December 22.

(Cover: Atsuto Uchida (R) of Kashima Antlers and Eduardo Lopez of Guadalajara compete for the ball during the match in the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, December 15, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP