Real Madrid required a late goal from substitute Gareth Bale on Wednesday to see off Al Jazira and make the Club World Cup’s final with a tight 2-1 triumph.
There were heroes all over the pitch on home soil for the Pride of Abu Dhabi, Brazilian forward Romarinho opening the scoring just before the break.
A number of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions and the woodwork strived to deny the UEFA Champions League winners, who required efforts from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale to advance from a memorable match.
Here, we dissect the winners and losers from Zayed Sport City
BALE’S BRILLIANCE HAS BEEN MISSED
What a luxury for Zidane to be able to turn to Bale.
The Wales superstar’s first touch was decisive, earning a hard-fought 2-1 win. Another calf injury suffered at the end of last month in the Copa del Rey against minnows Fuenlabrada had recently denied Los Blancos of such an influence.
If, and it is a big one, Bale can carry this momentum forward, it adds intrigue. Ronaldo and Benzema have only six La Liga goals between them this season, while the emerging Marco Asensio has scored just once in his last eight appearances.
Bale is a potentially potent addition to this mix.
Gareth Bale scoring his winner against Al Jazira
KARIM’S FORM IS A CAR CRASH
A change of competition and – supposedly – weaker opposition did nothing to cure the Frenchman’s ails.
VAR, the woodwork and some comical finishing ensured Benzema remains on just five goals in 18 poor performances in 2017/18. His struggles even saw him roundly booed by the partisan crowd in Abu Dhabi.
Head coach Zinedine Zidane remained steadfast in his support, post-match. Yet rumours about Internazionale’s Mauro Icardi still flicker, while the summer sale of Alvaro Morata to Chelsea still seems an issue.
Goals against Gremio on Saturday must follow.
Real Madrid frontman Karim Benzema
TEN CATE’S PLACE AS JAZIRA’S GREATES COACH IS ASSURED
Running the superstars of Madrid this close was a triumph for everyone associated with Jazira – but especially their leader, Henk ten Cate.
It is staggering to think how far he has led a club which is always so close to self-destruction. Somehow relegation threatened upon arrival in December 2015 despite a huge summer spend in Abel Braga’s miserable return, he would lead the Pride of Abu Dhabi to an epic penalty-shootout win against Al Ain in the President’s Cup.
Better would follow in a record-breaking charge to the Arabian Gulf League title – for just the second time in history – in 2016/17. Issues on and off the field have stained their defence, yet he was able to rouse a team devastated by injury to push the aristocratic Madrid all the way.
What a swansong to the ex-Barcelona and Chelsea assistant career.
Al-Jazira players celebrate with Henk ten Cate after victory over Urawa Red Diamonds
MABKHOUT FLUFFS LINES ON BIGGEST STAGE
There was one note of caution to emerge from this match, however harsh.
Striker Ali Mabkhout has so long been the hero for Jazira, his solitary effort sending them through at the weekend against Urawa Red Diamonds and his record-breaking 33 goals helping secure last term’s top-flight title.
Yet, one negative emerged from this tie. Racing through on goal, he dallied for too long and Morocco midfielder Mbark Boussoufa ran offside to deny a potentially-decisive 2-0 lead.
Similar clutch moments have recently been missed on UAE duty, notably the terminal 1-1 draw at Thailand in World Cup 2018 qualifying.
For this usually nerveless finisher, an improvement – however demanding – is required.
Ali Mabkhout is a picture of focus against Madrid
