The Real Madrid wins the FIFA Club World Cup 2016
The Real Madrid won the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan 2016 after a dramatic 4-2 victory that required a hat-trick from their star Cristiano Ronaldo against Kashima Antlers, who forced extra time and could even have won the match.
Although the Japanese started well planted and with the lines very close together, the goal came with the first shot on goal from Madrid. Modric controlled a rebound in the penalty area and his shot was repelled by Sogahata to the feet of Benzema, who only had to push it into the net in minute 9. The goal did not discourage Kashima, who, encouraged by their tireless fans, reinforced the pressure. This allowed the whites to have more free areas in the transitions, so the Japanese lived dangerous situations, especially whenever Modric or Cristiano were involved.
The "deer" stood up to Madrid and just before halftime, Doi sent a ball into the area that Shibasaki collected and calmly crossed past Keylor Navas. At the start of the second half, Shibasaki found another ball on the edge of the area and managed to find space to shoot with his left foot and beat Keylor, who misjudged the bounce.
Madrid found its reward when the referee saw a penalty by Shuto on Lucas Vázquez, which Cristiano converted with power, low and to the right of the Japanese goalkeeper. The whites stretched more and had more chances, the clearest of which came from Benzema, who controlled the ball exquisitely in the six-yard box and forced Sogahata to make the best save of the night after vollying from very close range. The Japanese goalkeeper would save the day again shortly after when Cristiano attempted a shot after receiving a pass from Benzema.
Madrid's heart skipped a beat when the referee reached for his pocket after seeing a nasty foul by Ramos. However, Sikazwe ultimately spared the white captain a second yellow card. Then, Endo had the chance to win the Club World Cup when he found a ball in the six-yard box, but his shot went over the goal and that's how the match went into extra time.
In extra time, Cristiano ended Kashima's dream by calmly crossing the ball past the goalkeeper from Benzema's umpteenth deep pass. Even so, the Japanese did not give up and sent a header onto the crossbar through Suzuki, shortly before CR7 brought them back to reality, scoring the fourth goal by firing from close range against Sogahata.
The hat-trick from the 2016 Ballon d'Or winner shattered Kashima's effort and the dream of their fans (who never stopped cheering) and ended up giving Madrid - who would still have a couple more chances to extend the lead before the final whistle - their second Club World Cup.