Real Madrid became the first team in history to win back-to-back Club World Cup titles, following their 1-0 victory over Gremio in Abu Dhabi. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive goal, curling in a free kick shortly after half-time to hand victory to Los Blancos.
The match had a familiar theme, with the Copa Libertadores champions frustrating a Real Madrid side that lacked a cutting edge. Real had much more of the ball but struggled to carve out any meaningful chances against a well-organised defence. The first-half stats were telling, as Real Madrid had ten shots but only one of those efforts required Gremio stopper Marcelo Grohe to make a save.
With the Brazilian side defending deep, real resorted to shooting from distance. Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric all tried their luck but failed to find the mark. Shortly after the interval, Ronaldo was felled 25 yards from goal and the dead-ball specialist did the business. CR7 dispatched a curling effort through a gap in the wall to deceive Grohe and give Real the breakthrough.
Once again the Portuguese forward has delivered on the big stage for his club. He has now scored four times in three Club World Cup Finals. Add that to the three goals in Champions League finals and two goals in Copa del Rey finals and it’s clear that Ronaldo can be relied upon when it matters most.
Real Madrid have now won five trophies in 2017, making it their most successful year ever. It is the eighth competition win under head coach Zinedine Zidane, since the Frenchman took the helm in January 2016. They are now tied for the record of most Club World Cup wins with arch-rivals Barcelona, whom they face in El Clasico next weekend.
