Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score a Club World Cup final hat-trick in Real Madrid’s 4-2 extra-time victory over Kashima Antlers on Sunday.
Madrid looked like they could be heading for a shock defeat until Ronaldo drilled home from the penalty spot to make it 2-2, forcing an additional 30 minutes to be played.
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.
A thrilling contest moved towards extra time after Madrid survived three late scares, with Navas having to save from Fabricio and Mu Kanazaki, while Ramos avoided a second yellow card for a last-minute foul.
Ronaldo struck twice in extra-time, first firing in a left-footed finish after 98 minutes having broken the offside trap to latch on to Benzema’s pass.
