Mariano Pavone (pictured) celebrates after scoring in Cruz Azul's 3-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in the FIFA Club World Cup on December 13, 2014, in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
RABAT, Morocco – Cruz Azul advanced to the semifinals of FIFA Club World Cup, rallying to defeat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 after extra time on Saturday at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah.
Gerardo Torrado netted twice on penalty kicks to set-up a meeting between the CONCACAF champion and European giant Real Madrid at the same venue Tuesday.
In a quarterfinal match played under heavy rain, Western Sydney finished with only nine players after Matthew Spiranovic (74’) and Nikolai Topor-Stanley (102’) were issued their second yellow cards.
Iacopo La Rocca gave Wanderers a 1-0 lead in the 65th minute. The 30-year-old Italian collected an awkward clearance from Francisco Javier Rodriguez and his 31-yard effort took a slight deflection before skidding inside the left post.
With a minute remaining in normal time Cruz Azul was handed a lifeline, when Torrado converted a penalty to level the score. The influential Marco Fabian was tripped just inside the box by Shannon Cole, giving referee Noumandiez Doue no choice but to point to the spot.
Shortly following Topor-Stanley’s dismissal, the Mexican power took control fully.
In the 108th minute, Christian Gimenez snapped off an effort from the middle of the box that Western Sydney goalkeeper Ante Covic did well to save with his legs. The rebound fell to Mariano Pavone, who slotted home with his right foot from the edge of the six-yard box to make it 2-1.
The comeback was completed in the 118th minute as Torrado once again struck from the penalty spot on the heels of a Mateo Poljak handball.
In the other semifinal, New Zealand’s Auckland City, which beat African champion ES Setif 1-0 earlier in the day, will square off against Copa Libertadores victor San Lorenzo on Wednesday.
