Abu Dhabi: Cristiano Ronaldo’s second half free-kick ensured Real Madrid picked up a fifth trophy of 2017 by beating Gremio 1-0 here Saturday to retain the Club World Cup.
A third Club World Cup in four years brings Madrid level with rivals Barcelona as the most successful side in the competition’s history and adds to the La Liga, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup titles already won by Zinedine Zidane’s men this year.
Ronaldo was once again Madrid’s man for the big occasion as his strike went through the Gremio wall eight minutes after the break to ensure the European club champions were also crowned world club champions for a fifth straight year.
“We wanted to win because Real Madrid have never won five trophies in one year,” said Ronaldo. “I think we played a very good game and deserved to win.”
Ronaldo has now scored 15 goals in 20 appearances for Madrid this season despite a slow start in La Liga. “The numbers speak for themselves,” the Portuguese asserted. “I give my answers on the pitch. The team were phenomenal and it is another trophy for the CV.”
Gareth Bale was left on the bench despite scoring with his first touch as a substitute against Al Jazira, Wednesday to book Madrid’s place in the final, as Zinedine Zidane kept faith with the same side that started in the Champions League final triumph over Juventus back in June.
Madrid dominated possession in the first half, but chances were hard to come by against the well-organised Gremio defence. Luka Modric came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box that flew inches wide of the far post.
Early in the second half, Ronaldo was tripped 25 yards from goal and the World Player of the Year’s resulting free-kick sneaked through a gap in the Gremio wall to skip into the bottom corner.
Agence France-Presse