Real Madrid secured a 4-2 win over Kashima Antlers in Yokohama on Sunday to win their second Club World Cup with a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick sealing the win.
Karim Benzema had set them on their way in the first half as he pounced to break the deadlock, but a double from Kashima midfielder Gaku Shibasaki ensured that there was a real scare for Zinedine Zidane’s side.
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The Spanish giants were fortunate that Sergio Ramos didn’t see red after a blatant foul worth of a second yellow card, while they were also lucky to have Ronaldo in great form in extra-time.
It was a thrilling contest with both sides having plenty of chances, but ultimately it Ronaldo’s quality that shone through to win the game with Kashima certainly able to walk away very proud of their efforts.
#Ronaldo is on ?#HatTrick #RealMadrid #CR7 ??? #Kashima #Final #football #footballtwitter #goal #goalalert pic.twitter.com/LgM25ueszP
— Gol de Señor (@golazodesenyor) December 18, 2016
The win for Real sees them win this competition for the second time in three years, becoming only the third club to win the Club World Cup twice.
With another piece of history made, they will now return to domestic action and focus on winning more silverware this season with the La Liga title, Copa del Rey and Champions League still all up for grabs.
Real Madrid player ratings: Navas 7; Carvajal 7, Ramos 4, Varane 5, Marcelo 6; Casemiro 6, Modric 7, Kroos 6; Vazquez 7, Ronaldo 10, Karim Benzema 7.
Substitutes: Isco 6, Kovacic N/A, Fernandez N/A, Morata N/A.