Ronaldo’s hat-trick wins Real Madrid Club World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the ball over Kashima goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata. Photograph: Kiyoshi Ota/EPA
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick on Sunday as European champion Real Madrid claimed its second Club World Cup title by beating Japanese side Kashima Antlers 4-2 after extra time.
“This has been an unbelievable year for me and for the team,” Ronaldo said. “A few days ago, I won the Ballon d’Or so it has been a perfect year for me.”
Ronaldo also led Portugal to the European Championship final in July, which it won against France.
With the score at 2-2 in Japan after normal time, Ronaldo received a pass from Karim Benzema in the 98th minute and calmly fired under Kashima goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata to make it 3-2.
The Portuguese star then sealed the win six minutes later with a left-footed shot to the roof of the net.
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