It will be at least another year until a CONCACAF team wins the Club World Cup as Cruz Azul bowed out to European champions Real Madrid in the semfinals of the tournament, losing 4-0 in Marrakech on Wednesday night.
Manager Luis Fernando Tena made two changes from Cruz Azul's victory over Western Sydney Wanderers, inserting former Montreal Impact man Hernan Bernardello into the starting lineup along with Ecuadorian international Joao Rojas.
The scoring started in the 15th minute when German World Cup-winner Toni Kroos found Sergio Ramos on a set piece and the Madrid legend headed it into the back of the net. Twenty-one minutes later, Daniel Carvajal beat Fausto Pinto down the right side, crossed the ball and found Karim Benzema on the back post, who smacked it home for Madrid's second goal.
Cruz Azul had their best chance in the 39th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Ramos took down Mariano Pavone in the box. Madrid were able to keep their clean sheet when Iker Casillas saved Gerardo Torrado's ill-fated penalty.
Gareth Bale and Isco both scored in the second half to put Carlo Ancelotti's team up four goals, allowing them to ease to victory, their 21st straight in all competitions.
CONCACAF teams are now 0-6 in Club World Cup semifinals, with five of the six losses coming against European competition. La Máquina will now look to come in third place, matching CONCACAF's best ever finish in the tournament. (Saprissa '05, Monterrey '12).
The winner of the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League will represent CONCACAF at next year's Club World Cup, expected to be held in Japan. D.C. United and the Montreal Impact have qualified for the CCL quarterfinals, which begin in February.
Cruz Azul Starting Lineup: Jesus Corona; Gerardo Flores, Maza Rodriguez, Julio Dominguez, Fausto Pinto; Gerardo Torrado, Hernan Bernardello; Joao Rojas (76' Ismael Valadez), Mauro Formica, Christian Gimenez (65' Marco Fabian); Mariano Pavone (65' Pablo Barrera)
Real Madrid Lineup: Iker Casillas; Daniel Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos (64' Raphael Varane), Marcelo; Asier Illaramendi, Toni Kroos (73' Sami Khedira), Isco (76' Jese); Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo
