Ronaldo treble fires Real to Club World Cup

Atletico take emotional third place in Japan

AFP, YOKOHAMA (JAPAN): Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a hat-trick as Real Madrid survived a colossal scare to beat Japan's Kashima Antlers 4-2 and win the Club World Cup on Sunday.
A Gaku Shibasaki double threatened one of football's greatest shocks after Karim Benzema had given Real an early lead in Yokohama.
But Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot before pouncing twice in extra time to give the Spanish giants their second world title in three years and fifth in total.
"Bloody hell, what a game!" said a breathless Ronaldo. "We had to suffer, but that's what finals are about. It's a trophy we really wanted to win and we end the year in the best way possible so I'm very happy."
The victory extended Real's club-record unbeaten run to 37 matches in all competitions, while French coach Zinedine Zidane surpassed Fabio Capello's record for their best start to a season.
The European champions, yet to be defeated in 26 games this campaign, were forced to dig deep by an Antlers side who finished a distant third over the J-League season before winning the championship final.
Benzema's close-range opener was cancelled out on the stroke of halftime by Shibasaki, who took advantage of some calamitous defending from Raphael Varane to score with a sharp volley.
The Japan midfielder then sparked wild celebrations among a crowd of 68,000 seven minutes after the break when he smashed home a left-foot shot from a distance.
Kashima's lead was short-lived, however, as Ronaldo restored parity from the spot after Lucas Vazquez was clattered by Shuto Yamamoto.
Ronaldo, who scooped his fourth Ballon d'Or last week, put Real back in front with a clinical low finish eight minutes into extra time after a deft pass from Benzema. 
And the Portuguese superstar completed his hat-trick -- the first in a Club World Cup final -- six minutes later with another poacher's strike to break Japanese hearts.
Meanwhile, Atletico Nacional beat Mexico’s Club America 4-3 on penalties to finish third at the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday and cap an emotional three weeks for the Colombian side.
Miguel Borja swept home the decisive spot kick to seal victory for the reigning Libertadores Cup holders after they had squandered a two-goal lead over the 90 minutes in Yokohama.
Atletico, who failed to reach the final in Japan following their incidental part in the air tragedy that decimated Brazilian rivals Chapecoense last month, looked as if they would run away with the third-place clash after an explosive start.
Embarrassed by a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Japan’s Kashima Antlers in midweek, Atletico went ahead after just six minutes through a Miguel Samudio own goal.
Alejandro Guerra slammed in a second, but Michael Arroyo pulled one back with a ferocious volley seven minutes before the break. Substitute Oribe Peralta lashed home the equaliser from the penalty spot to make it 2-2.
Atletico, who made headlines when Chapecoense’s squad were all but wiped out by a plane crash while en route to play them in the Copa Sudamericana final, were cheered by a huge contingent of fans, many waving Chape flags in tribute to the fallen side.

 

 

Ronaldo treble fires Real to Club World Cup

Atletico take emotional third place in Japan

AFP, YOKOHAMA (JAPAN): Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a hat-trick as Real Madrid survived a colossal scare to beat Japans Kashima Antlers 4-2 and win the Club World Cup on Sunday. A Gaku Shibasaki double threatened one of footballs greatest shocks after Karim Benzema had given Real an early lead in Yokohama. But Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot before pouncing twice in extra time to give the Spanish giants their second world title in three years and fifth in total. Bloody hell, what a game! said a breathless Ronaldo. We had to suffer, but thats what finals are about. Its a trophy we really wanted to win and we end the year in the best way possible so Im very happy. The victory extended Reals club-record unbeaten run to 37 matches in all competitions, while French coach Zinedine Zidane surpassed Fabio Capellos record for their best start to a season. The European champions, yet to be defeated in 26 games this campaign, were forced to dig deep by an Antlers side who finished a distant third over the J-League season before winning the championship final. Benzemas close-range opener was cancelled out on the stroke of halftime by Shibasaki, who took advantage of some calamitous defending from Raphael Varane to score with a sharp volley. The Japan midfielder then sparked wild celebrations among a crowd of 68,000 seven minutes after the break when he smashed home a left-foot shot from a distance. Kashimas lead was short-lived, however, as Ronaldo restored parity from the spot after Lucas Vazquez was clattered by Shuto Yamamoto. Ronaldo, who scooped his fourth Ballon dOr last week, put Real back in front with a clinical low finish eight minutes into extra time after a deft pass from Benzema. And the Portuguese superstar completed his hat-trick -- the first in a Club World Cup final -- six minutes later with another poachers strike to break Japanese hearts. Meanwhile, Atletico Nacional beat Mexicos Club America 4-3 on penalties to finish third at the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday and cap an emotional three weeks for the Colombian side. Miguel Borja swept home the decisive spot kick to seal victory for the reigning Libertadores Cup holders after they had squandered a two-goal lead over the 90 minutes in Yokohama. Atletico, who failed to reach the final in Japan following their incidental part in the air tragedy that decimated Brazilian rivals Chapecoense last month, looked as if they would run away with the third-place clash after an explosive start. Embarrassed by a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Japans Kashima Antlers in midweek, Atletico went ahead after just six minutes through a Miguel Samudio own goal. Alejandro Guerra slammed in a second, but Michael Arroyo pulled one back with a ferocious volley seven minutes before the break. Substitute Oribe Peralta lashed home the equaliser from the penalty spot to make it 2-2. Atletico, who made headlines when Chapecoenses squad were all but wiped out by a plane crash while en route to play them in the Copa Sudamericana final, were cheered by a huge contingent of fans, many waving Chape flags in tribute to the fallen side.