Defending champions Real Madrid cruised into the Club World Cup final with a 3-1 win over Kashima Antlers that was inspired by Gareth Bale.
Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos and Benzema all threatened Kwoun Sun-tae's goal before Bale brought some quality to proceedings with a well-placed finish following a neat one-two with Marcelo on the edge of the Kashima penalty area.
Another marauding run down the left from Bale almost created a second goal five minutes after the restart, but Benzema's low shot was cleared off the line by Shuto Yamamoto.
Madrid were not to be denied soon after, however, as Bale doubled his tally with an opportunistic finish, the forward pouncing on a defensive mix-up between Yamamoto and Jung Seung-hyun.
He was celebrating a third goal just two minutes later as Kashima gave him far too much space, Bale lashing a left-footed shot across Kwoun from Marcelo's pass.
Solari withdrew the Welshman soon after and although Shoma Doi pulled one back for Kashima in the 78th minute, Madrid cruised into Saturday's clash with Al Ain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.
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