Pachuca thrash Al-Jazira to claim Club World Cup third place

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

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Mexican side Pachuca claimed third place at the Club World Cup with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Al-Jazira in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The hosts nearly stunned defending champions Real Madrid in their semifinal on Wednesday, but it was Pachuca who looked more at home from the start.

Pachuca, who fell to Copa Libertadores champions Gremio in their semifinal, had two fine opportunities to open the scoring in the 16th minute after Franco Jara's header hit the post following Jonathan Urretaviscaya's free kick. Oscar Murillo latched on to the follow-up but his header bounced over the empty net.

Murillo's blushes were spared 20 minutes later when Urretaviscaya scored after an inch-perfect through ball from Jara -- a move set in motion by a mis-kick from Al-Jazira defender Saif Khalfan Saeed.

But as the hour mark approached Al-Jazira hit back. Brazilian Romarinho made a mazy dribble into the box, the ball pushed to safety by goalkeeper Alfonso Blanco.

A follow-up shot from Saleem Rashid Obaid was cleared off the line, but Khalfan Mubarak Al-Shamsi made no mistake -- finishing off a frenzy in the box with a ferocious drive into the back of the net.

Al-Jazira enjoyed being level for all of two minutes. Pachuca, always dangerous on the counter-attack, cut through the Al-Jazira backline once more to set Jara free and the Argentine did the rest -- coolly slotting the ball beyond Khaled Al-Senani.

Another fine team passing move served up Pachuca's third, this time Roberto De La Rosa enjoying all the time and space in the world to tuck the ball home.

Still the damage was not over for the Gulf League champions. Chilean Angelo Sagal converted from the penalty sport after Saleem Rashid Obaid was penalised for a clumsy push on De La Rosa.

The comfortable 4-1 win for Pachuca, who were contesting their fourth Club World Cup campaign, gives the club their best-ever finish in the competition.