Real Madrid Wins FIFA Club World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a free kick to secure a 1-0 win for Real Madrid over Gremio in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai, December 16.

The match was a tight affair with Ronaldo’s set piece the only difference between the two sides, Insidethegames.biz, wrote.

Copa Libertadores champions Gremio, from Brazil, had offered a solid defensive performance in the first half and kept the score to 0-0 at half-time

Renato Portaluppi’s side continued this good display in the second half, causing Real Madrid players to get visibly frustrated at their inability to break down their opponent’s backline.

However, 2017 Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo fired home the only goal of the game with a low free kick in the 53rd minute to hand the Spanish European champions the lead.

Despite needing a goal to stay in the game, Gremio failed to muster any kind of meaningful attack.

The victory means that Real Madrid, managed by Zinedine Zidane, is the only team to ever defend the FIFA Club World Cup and has also now equaled FC Barcelona’s record of three titles.

Additionally, the club has won five trophies in a calendar year for the first time in its history. Real Madrid’s Croatian international midfielder Luka Modric collected the Golden Ball award for the best player.

Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Champions League holder CF Pachuca won the bronze medal thanks to a 4-1 victory over host Al Jazira, giving the Mexican side their best-ever finish at the Club World Cup.

Diego Alonso’s Pachuca took the lead in the 37th minute through Uruguay international Jonathan Urretaviscaya’s right-footed finish.

Al Jazira increased its tempo after half-time and eventually found the back of the net through Mbark Boussoufa in the 57th minute.

However, the Mexican team’s superior ability shone through in the end as Franco Jara and Roberto de la Rosa increased the lead to 3-1 before Angelo Sagal’s 84th minute penalty sealed the 4-1 win.