Chronicle EditorYOKOHAMA. — Cristiano Ronaldo powered Real Madrid to the Club World Cup crown as they downed a gutsy Kashima Antlers 4-2 in the final at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama yesterday.
Los Blancos struck first through Karim Benzema but a brace from Gaku Shibasaki saw the Japanese outfit go ahead but their impossible dream was snuffed out as Ronaldo responded with a hattrick.
Antlers had the honour of being the first Japanese side to reach the final of this particular tournament and they did themselves proud against the European Champs.
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns can take some comfort from the fact that although they lost in the quarter-final it was to a team that made it all the way to their competition’s showpiece and performed so admirably. — Reuters.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter