Real Madrid 4-2 Kashima Antlers: Ronaldo hat-trick rescues Los Blancos
The Portuguese came alive to fire the European champions to their third Club World Cup crown in two years, though their spirited opponents more than held their own
Cristiano Ronaldo rose to Real Madrid's rescue with a hat-trick to fire them past Kashima Antlers 4-2 after extra time in the final to clinch the 2016 Club World Cup title on Saturday.The writing looked on the wall when the European champions took the lead against the J.League title winners - the first Japanese club to appear in the last two - as Karim Benzema opened the scoring.
However, Antlers struck back twice through Gaku Shibasaki, who volleyed in the equaliser before the break before showing fantastic skill to put his side ahead in the 52nd minute.
Zinedine Zidane's men found a way back through Ronaldo's penalty on the hour mark, though, after Shuto Yamamoto scythed down Lucas Vazquez in the box.
And it was the newly-crowned Ballon d'Or winner's decisive double in extra time that finally broke all resistance and be crowned world champions for the third time in two years.
More to follow.
http://www.goal.com/en/match/real-madrid-vs-kashima-antlers/2357633/report
