Club World Cup semifinal venue switch for Madrid

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — FIFA has switched Real Madrid's opening match at the Club World Cup to Marrakech after heavy rain in Rabat.

FIFA cites "difficult pitch conditions" at the Rabat stadium which hosted Cruz Azul's victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in torrential rain on Saturday evening.

Madrid will now play Mexico's Cruz Azul at the Stade de Marrakech in the opening semifinal on Tuesday.

Large puddles formed on the pitch during the CONCACAF champion's 3-1 extra time win against the Australian champion of the Asian Football Confederation.

The switch means Marrakech will stage all the remaining matches.

South American champion San Lorenzo of Argentina plays Oceania champion Auckland City in the second semifinal Wednesday.