Gremio Beats Pachuca on Extra-Time Goal to Reach Club World Cup Final
AL AIN, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Brazil's Gremio defeated Mexico's Pachuca 1-0 in extra time to advance to the Club World Cup final on Tuesday.
The Copa Libertadores champion will play Real Madrid or Emirates league winner Al Jazira, who meet in the other semifinal on Wednesday.
Substitute forward Everton scored five minutes into extra time, clearing a defender inside the area and striking a right-footed shot into the top corner.
Pachuca played with 10 men during the final minutes of extra time after Victor Guzman received a second yellow card for a hard foul.
''Our players were too nervous in the beginning of the match,'' Gremio coach Renato Gaucho said. ''We improved in the second half, and in extra time Everton got the goal that we needed. We overcame a great opponent to make it to the final.''
Pachuca, the CONCACAF winner, made it to the semifinals by defeating African champion Wydad Casablanca of Morocco 1-0 in extra time on Saturday.
Gremio and Real Madrid entered the competition in the semifinals.
The final will be on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
Gremio was in control for most of the match but struggled to create many significant chances in regulation time.
Forward Luan, one of Brazil's most promising stars, had one of the best opportunities when he struck the post with a long-range shot early in the second half.
Pachuca's best chance was a header by Guzman that just missed the far corner in the final minutes of normal time.
''We were too anxious, making too many passing mistakes,'' Everton said. ''It took a while but eventually we were able to get into the game.''
In the match for fifth place, Urawa Reds of Japan defeated Wydad Casablanca 3-2 with a pair of goals by Brazilian player Mauricio.
Wydad scored its second goal in stoppage time after being awarded a penalty kick with the help of video review.
Real Madrid is trying to win its third world title in four seasons, looking to extend the dominance of Spanish teams. Madrid won in 2014 and 2016, while Barcelona was the winner in 2009, 2011, and 2015.
