Ronaldo hat-trick fires Real to Club World Cup
CRISTIANO Ronaldo smashed a hat-trick as Real Madrid survived a colossal scare to beat Japan’s Kashima Antlers 4-2 and lift the Club World Cup yesterday.
A Gaku Shibasaki brace briefly 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 all about.
“People always expect more of Cristiano,” he added, speaking of himself in the third person. “It has been an unforgettable year – winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and the Euros with Portugal.
“And to score three more goals and to have such a perfect end to this dream year, it’s incredible.”
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.
But 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 toe-poked opener was cancelled out on the stroke of half-time by Shibasaki, who took advantage of some calamitous defending from Raphael Varane to lash home 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 leftfoot shot from long distance.
Kashima’s lead was shortlived, however, as Ronaldo levelled from the spot after Lucas Vazquez was bundled over 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.
“The stats don’t lie,” Ronaldo said. “I’ve had a spectacular season. People often criticise me but I’m used to it. I just carry on working on the pitch and get on with my job of winning titles.”
European teams have now won the Club World Cup nine out of the last 10 years.
Atletico take emotional third
But Real rode their luck at times in a pulsating final, not least when Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe chose not to show captain Sergio Ramos a second yellow late on after what looked a cynical block.
“The referee lacked courage, which was regrettable,” said Kashima coach Masatada Ishii.
“My players were brave, their attitude was great and I feel we have grown as a club through this tournament.”
Atletico Nacional beat Mexico’s Club America 4-3 on penalties to finish third at the FIFA Club World Cup after 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 twogoal 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 side.
“We felt the tragedy very acutely and discussed it with the players many times,” Atletico coach Reinaldo Rueda said.
“They are professional footballers but still terrible things like this can happen. We can understand the pain the families and loved ones of Chapecoense must be suffering and it was on our mind while we played here in Japan.”