Real Madrid reaches Club World Cup final by edging past Al Jazira

Real Madrid avoided a stunning defeat by coming from behind to beat host Al Jazira 2-1 in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final Wednesday.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale secured the Spanish side's place in the final as Real Madrid, which will take on Brazilian outfit Gremio in the final Saturday, attempts to win the tournament for the second straight year.

Real Madrid dominated the first half, but Zinedine Zidane's men failed to get one past goalkeeper Ali Khaseif, who produced a masterful display as the defending champion bombarded the Al Jazira net.

The Zayed Sports City Stadium erupted just minutes before half-time when Brazilian Romarinho took advantage of Real Madrid's sloppy defending and fired a shot past Keylor Navas to give Al Jazira a lead in the 41st minute.

The advantage lasted eight minutes into the second half, when Cristiano Ronaldo brought Real Madrid level in the 53rd minute to become the competition's all-time leading scorer with his sixth goal.

Zidane's decision to bring Gareth Bale on late then paid off instantly, as the Welsh international lifted Real Madrid into the lead less than a minute after replacing Karim Benzema with nine minutes remaining.

Real Madrid will attempt to match Barcelona's record and win its third FIFA Club World Cup during Saturday's final against Gremio, which beat Mexican side Pachuca to reach the other semi-final.