ABU DHABI (REUTERS) - Real Madrid lifted the Fifa Club World Cup for a record fourth time on Saturday (Dec 22) after thrashing local side Al Ain 4-1 in the final in Abu Dhabi with the help of impressive distance strikes in either half from midfielders Luka Modric and Marcos Llorente.
Recently crowned Ballon d'Or winner Modric took one touch before thumping the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box to break the deadlock in the 14th minute after Al Ain had missed two early chances to take a shock lead.
Madrid's home-grown midfielder Marcos Llorente doubled the European champions' lead on the hour-mark with a superbly struck volley from outside the area.
Real captain Sergio Ramos grabbed his side's third goal with a powerful header from a corner before Al Ain, who shocked South American champions River Plate in the semi-finals, got a late consolation goal through Japanese defender Tsukasa Shiotani.
Madrid substitute Vinicius Jr. burst through in stoppage time and fired in a shot which defender Yahia Nader diverted into his own net.
Real have won the last three editions of the tournament, also lifting the trophy in 2014, and moved ahead of Barcelona as the team to have won it the most times.
"We're very happy, these players deserve this," said Real coach Santiago Solari after winning his first piece of silverware since replacing Julen Lopetegui in the dugout in October.
"This is the icing on the cake of winning the Champions League three years in a row. It's a great feat for the club, this group and the other coaches, and we can't forget we're here thanks to the work of Zinedine Zidane. It's going to be difficult for any team to do what this side has done."
Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic said Real were far too good for his side despite creating those early chances which forward Hussein El Shahat squandered, missing the target with one effort and seeing Ramos clear his shot off the line moments later.
"We have to congratulate Real Madrid because they won this game deservedly, by playing good football, and we couldn't compete with them," said the Croatian.
"It's the fourth game we've played in only a few days and it has taken its toll on us, but we have had a great tournament. No-one expected us to get to this point."
Football: Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs. Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs. "Watching now of course I can accept it was a mistake the shape we used. But
'I made a mistake': Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy
Kevin De Bruyne's timely return to action for Manchester City is a major boost for Pep Guardiola as his team brace for a punishing programme over the festive period. The Belgium international, who has been limited to just 96 minutes of league football so far this season, started the midweek League Cup quarter-final against […]
(Reuters) - Crystal Palace all but banished any lingering relegation fears as captain Luka Milivojevic fired home a late penalty to secure a 1-0 Premier League victory at Newcastle on Saturday.
Soccer: Milivojevic penalty seals Palace win at Newcastle
Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into last eight Jahanbakhsh was soon causing the Oman defence problems down the right flank but it was from a more central position that he opened
Soccer-Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into last
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino says his players are "still in a dream" after reaching the Champions League semi-finals in dramatic fashion but expects his side to be ready for
Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says Pochettino
Two goals in two minutes has seen the Socceroos comfortably dispatch Palestine 3-0 at the Asian Cup. Socceroos bounce back at the Asian Cup with Palestine win | Sporting News Australia
Socceroos bounce back with comfortable win over Palestine
Football: Harry Kane can be difference maker in Champions League final, says ex-Spurs defender Gary Stevens Harry Kane has not played since April 9 when he suffered ligament damage to his left
Virgil Van Dijk takes aim at Harry Kane ahead of Nations
Football: Liverpool look built to last. Manager Jurgen Klopp has re-established them as continental superpowers but Liverpool still have not won the league title since Margaret Thatcher was the
Klopp's Reds: Built to last - FOAR - LFC News, Opinions
China-US Trade Ties: US businesses optimistic on China growth, but bemoan 'unfair' treatment. US businesses optimistic on China growth, but bemoan 'unfair
UPDATE 1-U.S. businesses optimistic on China growth, bemoan
Temporary custody can be suspended at any time by the parents granting the custody. The Louisiana temporary guardianship form is a document by the minor's parent or guardian that provides another person with temporary legal guardianship to make decisions on health, educations and other aspects relating to the child.
Tottenham's Moussa Sissoko (centre) was replaced in the first half after he picked up an injury, and did not realise his side had advanced to the Champions League semi-finals.
Sissoko unaware Tottenham had advanced after Sterling goal
Eden Hazard "deserves" a move to Real Madrid, says Emmanuel Petit, but his departure is going to leave "boring" Chelsea struggling to "cope without him". The Belgium international forward is
Eden Hazard closer to Real Madrid move after 'decision' taken
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a dream start as Manchester United's interim manager as his side turned on the style to thrash his former club Cardiff City 5-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Solskjaer makes dream start as Man Utd thrash Cardiff
Cardiff City's Kenneth Zohore struck deep into stoppage time to secure a crucial 2-1 win on Saturday at fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton, who thought they had snatched a point with a
Zohore gives Cardiff win over Southampton in frantic finale
Espanyol's Wu Lei became the first Chinese player to score in La Liga on Saturday as his goal helped his team to a 3-1 win over Real Valladolid. Wu, who was named the Chinese Super League's
Wu Lei makes history for China in La Liga | Aaj News
0 comments:
Post a Comment