Ronaldo retains Club World Cup for Real Madrid

AFP  |  Abu Dhabi 

Cristiano Ronaldo's second-half free-kick ensured Real picked up a fifth trophy of 2017 by beating 1-0 in to retain the Club World Cup.

A third in four years brings level with rivals as the most successful side in the competition's history and adds to the La Liga, Champions League, Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup titles already won by Zinedine Zidane's men this year.


was once again Real's man for the big occasion as his strike went through the wall eight minutes after the break to ensure the European club champions were also crowned world champions for a fifth straight year.

"We wanted to win because Real have never won five trophies in one year," said

"I think we played a very good game and deserved to win."

has now scored 15 goals in 20 appearances for this season despite a slow start in

"The numbers speak for themselves," added the Portuguese. "I give my answers on the pitch. The team were phenomenal and it is another trophy for the CV."

was left on the bench despite scoring with his first touch as a substitute against on Wednesday to book Madrid's place in the final, as kept faith with the same side that started Real's final triumph over Juventus back in June.

booked their ricket to by winning the Copa Libertadores for the third time last month and knew they weren't in for a comfortable evening just two minutes in when raked his studs down the back of Ronaldo's calf without any punishment from Mexican referee

Ronaldo, though, confirmed he will be fit for next weekend's Clasico against

- Stubborn opposition -

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dominated possession but, unlike in their profligate semi-final performance, found clear-cut chances hard to come by against the well-organised defence.

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.

also hammered a long-range free-kick that dipped onto the roof of the net, whilst Edilson gave a similar scare at the other end with a free-kick from range.

pleaded for the referee to consult with the video referee (VAR) when clipped Ramiro inside the area early in the second period.

However, those claims fell on deaf ears and instantly broke up the other end to open the scoring.

was tripped 25 yards from goal and the world of the year's resulting free-kick sneaked through a gap in the wall to skip into the bottom corner.

were handed a lifeline when had the ball in the net again just before the hour mark, but was flagged for being marginally offside in the build-up.

then turned another Modric drive onto the post and made great stops from and Bale in the final 10 minutes to keep in the game.

However, the Brazilians failed to register a single shot on target as comfortably held out to seal their most successful ever year with a fifth trophy.

Earlier, Mexican side Pachuca beat hosts 4-1 in the third-place play-off.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sun, December 17 2017. 10:20 IST