Midfielder Leandro Benitez scored twice as Estudiantes of Argentina reached the Club World Cup final with a 2-1 win over eight-man Pohang Steelers of South Korea yesterday.

Steelers had three players sent-off, including goalkeeper Shin Hwa-yong, in the second half, with goalscorer Denilson taking over in goal.

Benitez put Estudiantes ahead in first-half stoppage time when he slipped the offside trap to get behind Hwang Jae-won at a free- kick and steered the ball gently with his head inside the near post.

He increased Estudiantes' lead eight minutes into the second half before Brazilian striker Denilson pulled one back in the 71st when the Korean side were down to 10 men after their captain Hwang was sent off for a second booking after a body check on winger Maxi Nunez.

Midfielder Kim Jae-sung was sent off in the 72nd minute for a foul on Juan Sebastian Veron, his second yellow, and keeper Shin got a straight red 12 minutes from time for a foul on Nunez outside his box as both raced for a long ball out of the Estudiantes half.

In Saturday's final, South American champions Estudiantes will meet the winners of today's semi-final between title favourites Barcelona and Atlante of Mexico.

"We wanted to reach the final, we are among the top two teams in the world," man of the match Benitez said in a pitch-side TV interview.

"We were superior at the beginning, then they took over in midfield and we couldn't maintain our game level."