Gareth Bale scored a hat trick to lead Real Madrid to a comfortable 3-1 win over Japan's Kashima Antlers in the semifinals of the Club World Cup on Wednesday.
Madrid had qualified for the tournament between the top teams on each continent in large part thanks to Bale, who scored twice in the 3-1 win over Liverpool in May's Champions League final.
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Gareth Bale scored a hat trick to lead Real Madrid to a comfortable 3-1 win over Japan's Kashima Antlers in the semifinals of the Club World Cup on Wednesday.
Wednesday's game was a rematch of the 2016 final, when Madrid needed extra time to beat Kashima 4-2.
Madrid, however, took control and started probing the right side as Bale's speed proved too much to handle.
Bale was replaced by Marco Asensio, who later had to leave with an apparent leg injury.
On Tuesday, Al Ain upset River Plate of Argentina on penalties.
Madrid will next play host side Al Ain FC on Saturday, when the European champions will be heavily favored to claim a fourth club world title.
Japan's Kashima Antlers Nishi Daigo, left, duels for the ball with Real Madrid's midfielder Luka Modric during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Real Madrid and Kashima Antlers at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. (AP PhotoHassan Ammar)
Wednesday's game was a rematch of the 2016 final, when Madrid needed extra time to beat Kashima 4-2.
This time they had no trouble.
Kashima had a promising start as Serginho shot just wide and Gen Shoji almost reached a corner kick that would have left him with a pointblank header in the third minute.
Real Madrid's midfielder Gareth Bale, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Real Madrid and Kashima Antlers at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. (AP PhotoHassan Ammar)
Madrid, however, took control and started probing the right side as Bale's speed proved too much to handle.
Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos sent headers wide before Bale exchanged a quick pair of passes with Marcelo to score off the far post in the 43rd minute.
Bale's second goal in the 53rd minute came after two horrible passes by Kashima defenders left their goalkeeper stranded and he added his third two minutes later after Marcelo found him alone in the box.
Real Madrid's defender Raphael Varane, right, duels for the ball with Japan's Kashima Antlers Serginho during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Real Madrid and Kashima Antlers at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. (AP PhotoHassan Ammar)
Bale was replaced by Marco Asensio, who later had to leave with an apparent leg injury.
Kashima's Shoma Doi then closed the scoring with a goal in the 78th minute.
The match was interrupted in stoppage time when two fans ran onto the field toward Benzema and Marcelo. They were quickly removed by stadium security.
Real Madrid's midfielder Gareth Bale applauds to supporters during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Real Madrid and Kashima Antlers at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. (AP PhotoHassan Ammar)
On Tuesday, Al Ain upset River Plate of Argentina on penalties.
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Real Madrid's midfielder Gareth Bale, right, celebrates with teammates midfielder Casemiro and forward Vinicius Junior, top, after scoring his side's second goal during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Real Madrid and Kashima Antlers at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. (AP PhotoKamran Jebreili)