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 second time in three years.
The trophy is Madrid’s second Club World Cup success and the fifth time they have been crowned world champions, with head coach Zinedine Zidane celebrating his third trophy of the calendar year.
Kashima had won three matches en route to the final and they produced a superb performance, testing Madrid to the limit in front of a passionate crowd.
No comments:
Post a Comment