AL AIN: Gremio have put a South American team back in the Club World Cup final.

The Brazilian team defeated Mexico’s Pachuca 1-0 with a goal by winger Everton five minutes into extra time on Tuesday, giving South America a shot at the title after missing out on the final last year.

The Copa Libertadores champions will face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid or Al Jazira of the UAE for the title on Saturday.

The 21-year-old substitute Everton scored the only goal when he drifted inside from the left wing and slammed home a fierce right-footed strike beyond Pachuca’s 44-year-old goalkeeper Oscar Perez into the far corner.

Pachuca, who qualified as club champions of the Caribbean and North and Central American region, saw their hopes of an equaliser all but end with Victor Guzman sent off for a second booking 10 minutes from time.

“We were nervous at the start and we didn’t need to be,” said Gremio coach Renato Portaluppi. ““We improved in the second half, and in extra time Everton got the goal that we needed. We overcame a great opponent to make it to the final.

“It’s the end of the year as well, we are tired but we were the better team and now we can concentrate on the final.”

Last year, Kashima Antlers of Japan knocked out South American entry Atletico Nacional of Colombia in the semi-finals, then lost to Real.

Gremio, winners of the Intercontinental Cup — the forerunner to the Club World Cup — in 1983 and runners-up in 1995, will now aim to become the first non-European team to win the title since compatriots Corinthians beat Chelsea in 2012.

Pachuca made it to the semi-finals by defeating African champions Wydad Casablanca of Morocco 1-0 in extra time on Saturday.

Both Latin teams fought out a scrappy 90 minutes in Al Ain that featured 35 fouls and few clear-cut chances.

“We were too anxious, making too many passing mistakes,” Everton said. “It took a while but eventually we were able to get into the game.”

Gremio were the slightly more positive side, particularly in the second half, with Edilson coming close to scoring with three free kicks and Pachuca keeper Perez doing well do turn a goal-bound shot from Luan round the post after an hour.

At the other end, Gremio defender Bruno Cortez made two excellent blocks in the first half while Pachuca’s Guzman scraped the outside of the post with a header after 80 minutes.

The defeat was another letdown for the CONCACAF Champions League winners. The Mexican side have now played in five Club World Cup tournaments without reaching the final.

“The team competed incredibly,” Pachuca coach Diego Alonso said. “But in extra time the team started to feel a bit tired. But I’m delighted, I need to congratulate my players.”

Earlier, Japan’s Urawa Reds claimed fifth place as two goals from Brazilian Mauricio steered the Asian Champions League winners to a 3-2 victory over African champions Wydad.

Ismail El Haddad had cancelled out Mauricio’s opener, but Yosuke Kashiwagi put back Urawa back in front before Mauricio netted again on the hour mark, with Reda Hajhouj grabbing a late consolation from the spot.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2017