Super-sub Alex Schalk emerged as Urawa Reds’ match-winner as the Asian champions beat Club Leon to set up a mouth-watering FIFA Club World Cup last-four duel with Manchester City.
The Dutchman scored 12 minutes from time, and just five minutes after coming off the bench, to earn his Japanese employers victory in a tight, tense encounter at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.
Though chances were at a premium throughout, Urawa Reds earned their victory with a lively second-half display in which Schalk proved to be a genuine difference-maker.
The former Servette striker provided the game’s decisive moment when he broke through on to Jose Kante’s clever pass to slot coolly beyond the advancing Rodolfo Cota.
Schalk continued to prove a thorn in the Mexicans’ side thereafter, too, earning – and narrowly missing – from a late free-kick that also resulted in a second yellow card for Leon captain William Tesillo.
The Asian champions now march on to face the kings of Europe, led by the record-chasing Pep Guardiola, in King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.
