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Agence France-Presse

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 half-time 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 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 two-goal lead to finish 2-2.
Atletico, who made headlines when Brazil’s 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.
“We felt the tragedy very acutely and discussed it with the players many times,” said Atletico coach Reinaldo Rueda.


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Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick fires Real Madrid to come-from-behind win over Kashima Antlers in Club World Cup final

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his extra-time goal for Real Madrid against Kashima Antlers. Photo: AFP

Real Madrid players celebrate with their trophy after winning the Club World Cup football final match against Kashima Antlers of Japan at Yokohama International stadium in Yokohama on December 18, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Toru YAMANAKA

Football Soccer - Real Madrid v Kashima Antlers - FIFA Club World Cup Final - International Stadium Yokohama - Japan , 18/12/16 Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the Golden Ball trophy Reuters / Toru Hanai Livepic

Gaku Shibasaki (R) of Japan's Kashima Antlers scores an equalizer against Spain's Real Madrid in the first half of the Club World Cup final at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Dec. 18, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sport

Football

Spanish giants survive scare as they beat the Japanese side 4-2 in extra time in Yokohama


Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick fires Real Madrid to come-from-behind win over Kashima Antlers in Club World Cup final

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Spanish giants survive scare as they beat the Japanese side 4-2 in extra time in Yokohama

Spanish giants survive scare as they beat the Japanese side 4-2 in extra time in Yokohama