Real secure easy win

Real Madrid cruised to a 4-0 win in the semi-final of the World Club Championship against Mexican side Cruz Azul in Morocco on Tuesday evening.

First half goals from Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema were added to by Gareth Bale and Isco at the Stade de Marrakech as the Spanish giants recorded their 21st consecutive win in all competitions. Toni Kroos started the game and set up Ramos for the opener, before being replaced late on by Germany teammate Sami Khedira.

Azul did have their chances though - Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas was called into action to save a 40th-minute penalty after Ramos was ruled to have pushed Cruz striker Mariano Pavone. The veteran Spanish stopper was equal to Gerardo Torrado's weak spot-kick and now has two penalty saves in five days - all the more impressive having previously gone 45 months without saving one.

In Saturday's final, Madrid will meet either San Lorenzo of Argentina or Auckland City of New Zealand, who will play in the other semi-final on Wednesday.

pwh/jh (AFP, dpa)