Japan’s Kashima Antlers defeated Atletico Nacional 3-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals in Suita, Japan, on Wednesday, their first goal coming on a penalty awarded after video replay, the first-ever such penalty in FIFA history.

Kashima Beats Atletico Nacional 3-0 In FIFA Club World Cup Semifinals

Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai stopped the game in the 32nd minute after Kashima midfielder Gaku Shibasaki sent in a free kick, and teammate Daigo Nishi was fouled inside the box by Atletico forward Orlando Berrio.

Kassai’s assistant alerted him of the incident, and the referee walked to the sidelines to get another look at the play on a monitor. He then signaled for Kashima to take the penalty.

Shoma Doi converted for 1-0.

“It did stop the flow of the game,” Kashima coach Masatada Ishii said. “But if they make a clear judgment using video assistant referees (VARs) then that is a good thing. Of course, if they use it many times during a game then that is something we need to think about.”

Barcelona breezed past Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande in the semifinal of the FIFA Club World Cup, but the mood was dampened by the absence of one of their stars.

Prior to the game, the club announced that Lionel Messi would be sidelined with after he woke up with abdominal pain; Brazilian star Neymar was on the bench as he is recovering from a groin injury.

“Leo Messi will not be playing in today’s Club World Cup semifinal against Guangzhou Evergrande,” read a statement on the team’s website. “The Argentinian striker is suffering from renal colic.” Renal colic is a type of pain usually caused by kidney stones.

Messi’s avaiability for the final against River Plate on Sunday will be determined after further medical tests. On the pitch, Luis Suarez netted an easy hat trick to put the European champions through.

Photo: Lionel Messi of Barcelona scores his teams fifth goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between FC Barcelona and AS Roma at Camp Nou on November 24, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Argentine club River Plate secured their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup Final with a 1-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday.

The only score of the game came in the 72nd minute, when River forward Lucas Alario headed home a loose ball that Hiroshima goalkeeper Takuto Hayashi failed to handle cleanly.

River Plate will face the winner of Thursday’s semi-final between Barcelona and the China’s Guangzhou Evergrande in Sunday’s championship game.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Mexican side Club América topped TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of the Congo) 2-1 to secure fifth place.

Photo: Lucas Alario of River Plate heads to score the opening goal during the FIFA Club World Cup semi final match between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and River Plate at Osaka Nagai Stadium on December 16, 2015 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)