Real Madrid win Club World Cup after comfortable victory over Al Ain
Latest action from the Club World Cup final
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Real Madrid eased to a 4-1 win over Al Ain to claim a fourth Club World Cup on Saturday.
Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric and Marcos Llorente scored from outside the area, and Sergio Ramos added a late goal to lead the European champions to the world title.
Madrid, who have won the last three Champions Leagues, also won the Club World Cup in 2014, 2016, and 2017.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load
54 min: Real Madrid 1-0 Al Ain
It's just not happening for Karim Benzema today. He is well found by Gareth Bale but he rather skews his volley into the ground.
Wasn't far wide mind.
57 min: Real Madrid 1-0 Al Ain
The UAE side have really lost the sort of attacking threat they posed in the opening exchanges, and this is just the latest example of this.
Rayan Yaslam receives the ball in a good area and goes to curl the ball into the top corner. The shot however ends up going out for a throw in.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Al Ain (Llorente 60')
If you think Modric's was special, this is arguably even better.
A corner is cleared to the midfielder about 25 yards out, and he hammers home an effort on the half-volley right into the bottom corner.
Eissa is motionless.
64 min: Real Madrid 2-0 Al Ain
The second goal, unlike the first, seems to have woken the UAE side up a bit.
Caio has certainly started to look a little livelier, and he sees one of his efforts deflected behind.
66 min: Real Madrid 2-0 Al Ain
Karim Benzema has certainly been frustrated in front of goal tonight, but Gareth Bale hasn't fared much better.
The former Spurs man is played in again, but on the angle he is once again denied by Eissa.
71 min: Real Madrid 2-0 Al Ain
This game seems to be a bit like the so-called London buses, and we're currently in one of those lulls.
Santiago Solari sees it as a perfect opportunity for a sub, with Dani Ceballos replacing Toni Kroos.
75 min: Real Madrid 2-0 Al Ain
A little complacency has set in for Real Madrid at both ends of the pitch.
Karim Benzema and Ceballos have overhit simple passes which could have seen a third goal.
At the other end, Caio goes clean through, but Thibaut Courtois comes to the Spanish side's rescue with a block more reminiscent of Sergio Ramos, before Yaslam fires over the following opportunity.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Al Ain (Ramos 79')
While yellow cards are a big part of his game, so are emphatic, powerful headers.
The Spaniard produces another one here from Luka Modric's corner, and Eissa's fingertips cannot keep the effort out.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments