Japan's Asian champions Urawa Reds were swept aside 3-0 by the European winners Manchester City of England in the Club World Cup semifinals on Tuesday.
Urawa center-back Marius Hoibraten gave away an own goal in first-half stoppage time before Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva netted in the second half as Manchester City booked a place in Friday's final against South American champions Fluminense of Brazil.
Urawa will face African champions Al Ahly of Egypt on the same day in the third-place match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
"First half we organized our defense because we knew they would have much more possession. It looked like we cooperated in a good way and kept it 0-0, but unfortunately (we conceded)," Urawa manager Maciej Skorza said. "Manchester City were excellent in using their chances...today they were a much, much better team."
Forward Jose Kante gave City keeper Ederson two nervy moments in the first 10 minutes after charging the Brazilian down near his goal, but there was little more to cheer about for Urawa until the break as they failed to register a single shot.
Silva's 19th-minute volley off a Jack Grealish cross was straight at Shusaku Nishikawa and Matheus Nunes' sharp close-range effort in the 31st minute drew a reflex save from the Urawa keeper as City started to pin Urawa back at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Phil Foden and Rodri then both fired straight at Nishikawa from outside the box as Urawa clung on, but the deadlock was broken in an unexpected manner when Nunes' pass across the face of the goal was diverted past Nishikawa and into his own net by Hoibraten.
Kante had Urawa's first shot of the match inside the opening minute of the second half after Yoshio Koizumi picked him out from the left, but the Guinea forward's shot was blocked before City doubled their lead in the 52nd minute.
Right-back Kyle Walker split the Urawa defense with a diagonal pass from inside his own half and Kovacic sprinted down the middle before slotting high past Nishikawa.
Nunes headed Grealish's cross just wide in the 57th minute but Silva did get their third two minutes later when his shot from the edge of the box deflected in off Hoibraten.
Urawa forced a mistake in the City backline but failed to get a shot away in the 66th minute, while a heavy touch inside the box cost substitute Shoya Nakajima a big chance with 10 minutes to go as the J-League side ended the game without testing Ederson with a shot.
Urawa beat CONCACAF winners Club Leon of Mexico 1-0 last Friday to reach the last four, but were huge underdogs heading into their match with the three-time defending Premier League champions City managed by Pep Guardiola.
European champions have never failed to reach the final of the Club World Cup and have won the title for the last 10 years.
Urawa are making their third tournament appearance after finishing third on their 2007 debut and fifth in 2017.
Related coverage:
Football: Urawa captain Sakai eyeing Man City upset at Club World Cup
Football: Urawa down Leon, set up Club World Cup semi with Man City
Football: Urawa lose to Hanoi, eliminated in Asian Champions League
