AFC Champions League winners have met Copa Libertadores champions twice before in third-place playoffs. Internacional beat Korea Republic's Seongnam 4-2 in an entertaining encounter in 2010, and Atletico Mineiro triumphed 2-1 over Guangzhou Evergrande in 2013.

But after River were stunned by Asian opposition in their semi-final it seems an evenly poised tie awaits, with the contest hinging on which club can most quickly put their recent setback behind them.

For the second time in two years, Kashima were beaten in the competition by Real, though Wednesday’s clash in Abu Dhabi saw a more comfortable victory for Los Blancos than the 2016 final in Hiroshima.

Despite facing a star-studded Madrid line-up, Oiwa had insisted before the game that he would set his team up to attack.

But after a promising start, Kashima faded and were ultimately overpowered by the European champions, who were inspired by a Gareth Bale hat-trick at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.

Kashima managed to keep the European champions at bay for 44 minutes but a devastating spell either side of half-time consigned them to a 3-1 defeat and a third-place playoff against River Plate. 

When Kashima and Real last did battle in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup final it was a Cristiano Ronaldo treble that proved the difference but this time it was Los Blancos’ Welsh wizard showing his ruthless streak in front of goal.

In 2016, Kashima lost to Los Blancos in the FIFA Club World Cup final and now, thanks to second-half goals by Ryota Nagaki, Serginho and Hiroki Abe, they will have the opportunity to renew rivalries in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Asian champions had fallen at the first hurdle of the tournament in four of the past six years but Kashima avoided the same fate as Urawa Red Diamonds (2017), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2016), Western Sydney Wanderers (2014) and Ulsan Hyundai Motors (2012) with a spirited showing at Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

A 5-4 penalty shootout victory over South American champions River Plate saw Al Ain become the first Emirati side to reach the final of the tournament.

It was the second time in three matches that Al Ain were taken to penalties, with Mamic’s side showing admirable endurance given a brutal recent fixture pile-up.

And the Croatian admitted he could barely believe how deep his players were able to dig for the victory.

Eisa made a string of fantastic saves during normal and extra-time before keeping out Enzo Perez‘s penalty in the shootout to propel The Boss towards a final meeting with either Real Madrid or Kashima Antlers. It is the first time an Emirati side has ever reached the FIFA Club World Cup final. 

A brace from Santos Borre and a goal each for Marcus Berg and Caio left the match evenly poised at 2-2 after 120 minutes. And just as they had done in the tournament’s opening match against Team Wellington, Al Ain triumphed on spot-kicks.

Early strikes from Mohamed Ahmad and Hussein El Shahat set reigning UAE Pro League champions on their way and a second-half goal from Bandar Al Ahbabi secured the win. Al Ain will now take on Copa Libertadores winners River Plate in the semi-final back at their Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.

Both teams unfurled enormous banners ahead of the game and there was frenzied atmosphere throughout the all-Arab clash.