A sole Alex Schalk goal gave Urawa Reds of Japan victory against Mexican opponents Leon in the second round of the Club World Cup on Friday.

Second-half substitute Schalk struck with the clock running down in Jeddah to book the 2022 AFC Champions League winners place in the semi-finals with a 1-0 win.

A tight affair was settled in the 78th minute when Dutchman Schalk found space in the Leon penalty box and managed to squeeze his right-footed shot past the advancing Rodolfo Cota, after being set up by Jose Kante.

Hopes of a comeback for the CONCACAF Champions League holders were extinguished when William Tesillo picked up a second booking six minutes from time and the 10 men could not find a way to break down Urawa Reds.

The Japanese side will now face Manchester City in the second semi-final on Tuesday.

Later, Al Ahly of Egypt will take on Karim Benzema's Al Ittihad, with the winners set to face Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense.