Benzema and Courtois to miss Real Madrid´s Club World Cup semi-final

Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois have been left out of Real Madrid’s squad for Wednesday’s Club World Cup semi-final against Al Ahly.

Captain Benzema sustained a leg injury in last week’s 2-0 LaLiga win over Valencia and the striker subsequently missed Sunday’s shock 1-0 loss at Real Mallorca.

Goalkeeper Courtois suffered a groin strain during the warm-up of that defeat to Mallorca, which leaves Madrid trailing leaders Barcelona by eight points.

Neither player travelled with the Madrid squad to Moroccan capital Rabat on Monday, while Eder Militao, Lucas Vazquez, Ferland Mendy and Eden Hazard were also absent.

Key men Benzema and Courtois still have a chance of being fit for Saturday’s final against either Flamengo or Al Hilal, should Madrid overcome Egyptian side Al Ahly.

Los Blancos, who have won the competition four times in the past eight seasons, also have a Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at Liverpool in a fortnight.