Urawa Red Diamonds set up Manchester City clash with win over Club Leon

Alex Schalk stepped off the bench to propel Urawa Red Diamonds into the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Club Leon in Saudi Arabia.

Schalk combined with Jose Kante in the 78th minute, just five minutes after coming on, to break the deadlock in a match which produced few chances at either end.

The Dutch forward chested a long ball to Kante and upon picking up the return pass, he fended off two defenders and stabbed the ball past Rodolfo Cota.

FULL TIMEClub León 0-1 #urawareds

𝙉𝙀𝙓𝙏 𝙈𝘼𝙏𝘾𝙃#ClubWC Semi Finalvs Manchester City FC(ENG)12/19(Tue)21:00/27:00(Japan time)King Abdullah Sports City Stadium#浦和レッズ #WeareREDS #負けたままじゃ終われない pic.twitter.com/FQeNefpLXq

— 浦和レッズオフィシャル (@REDSOFFICIAL) December 15, 2023

Cota should have done better but the keeper at least made amends with a fine save to prevent Schalk scoring a second late on.

Club Leon’s prospects’ dimmed when captain William Tesillo was sent off for a second bookable offence after hacking down Schalk with six minutes to go.

Manchester City await the Japanese J1 League club in the next round at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium.