Cruz Azul vs. Real Madrid: Goals, Highlights from FIFA Club World Cup Semi-Final

Any suggestion that Real Madrid were not taking their FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Cruz Azul seriously was put to bed upon the arrival of the team sheet, which featured plenty of familiar faces.

Los Blancos took the lead against the reigning CONCACAF Champions League champions after 15 minutes, when goalkeeper Jose Corona was left stranded in no man's land as Sergio Ramos headed in a Toni Kroos free-kick.

Shortly before the goal, Cristiano Ronaldo wowed the crowd in Marrakech, Morocco, with a lovely no-look backheel pass.

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Club World Cup: Ramos goal... Cruz Azul 0-1 Real Madrid https://t.co/X45I4LIHMP

— Football News Alert (@Footy_Layne24) December 16, 2014"

The Spanish side doubled their advantage in the 36th minute, when Karim Benzema took advantage of some more questionable defending from the Mexicans.

Three minutes later, Cruz Azul had the opportunity to pull one back when Hugo Pavone drew a penalty and booking out of a Ramos challenge in the penalty area. However, Iker Casillas was able to keep Gerardo Torrado’s resulting spot-kick out of the net. 

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Club World Cup: Benzema goal... Cruz Azul 0-2 Real Madrid https://t.co/M3WvpM3agg

— Football News Alert (@Footy_Layne24) December 16, 2014"

In the 50th minute, Real Madrid put the game out of reach of their opponents when Gareth Bale was gifted a free header to make it 3-0. Yet another example of poor defending made it all too easy for Cristiano Ronaldo to set the Welshman up with a perfect cross.  

Around 10 minutes later, it was Bale's turn to feed Ronaldo with a cross from the right during a rapid counter-attack. The Portuguese megastar very nearly scored an outrageous volleyed Rabona from the chance.

If that had gone in, it would have completely broken the internet. Permanently.

CR7 was clearly in the mood to toy with the Liga MX side, as demonstrated by the multiple stepovers he performed before setting up Isco for Madrid's fourth unanswered goal of the evening. It was like watching 2003 Ronaldo!

Here's a better look at Isco's strike, which also featured some fancy footwork.  

The match finished 4-0 to Real Madrid, who will progress to Saturday's Club World Cup Final to face either Copa Libertadores champions San Lorenzo or OFC Champions League winners Auckland.

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GOAL ISCO! 4-0 for Real Madrid https://t.co/wskdz3HIKZ

— Football Live Goals (@FootyLiveVines) December 16, 2014"