Gareth Bale hat-trick sends Real Madrid into the Club World Cup final
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Your support makes all the difference.Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick in 11 minutes to put Real Madrid in control in their Club World Cup semi-final clash against Kashima Antlers in Abu Dhabi.
The Wales forward opened the scoring just before the break, side-footing home, and then added two more in quick succession early in the second half to put the Spanish giants 3-0 up.
He scored his second after 53 minutes and completed his treble two minutes later with another neat finish to become the third player in Club World Cup history to score a hat-trick.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez also managed the feat.
PA
PREVIEW
Real Madrid vs Kashima Antlers kicks off at 4:30pm on Wednesday 19 December.
Where can I watch it?
The match will not be shown live in the UK, but you can follow the action with The Independent’s live blog.
Which teams are involved?
River Plate, Argentina (Conmebol)
Real Madrid, Spain (Uefa)
Kashima Antlers, Japan (AFC)
Esperance de Tunis, Tunisia (CAF)
Guadalajara, Mexico (Concacaf)
Team Wellington, New Zealand (OFC)
Al Ain, UAE (AFC)
22 minutes
An unconventional one-two from Shuto Yamamoto off Dani Carvajal allows the left back to get to the byline, and his cross forces Sergio Ramos to head behind.
Another corner for Kashima...
23 minutes
Karim Benzema leaps highest but his header is more up than out, and Hiroki Abe arrives like a freight train at the edge of the box.
Abe, only 19, scored a lovely goal against Guadalajara but doesn't get his finish right on this occasion, slicing it high and wide.
25 minutes
Real win their first corner which is understandably hoisted towards Sergio Ramos.
Ramos is marked tightly by Gen Shoji and is climbing all over him. Free kick to the Antlers.
26 minutes
Thibaut Courtois is pressed into action, reacting quickly to rush out and prevent Shoma Doi from finding a telling finish after being freed in behind.
At the other end, Karim Benzema finds only the gloves of Kwoun Sun-Tae with a curling, first-time 20-yard effort.
27 minutes
Again Real push forward and on this occasion it falls for Gareth Bale. The ball ricochets into Bale's path, and he cleverly lifts it over a defender to create space.
The Welshman rather makes a hash of his half-volley, coming over the top of it and sending it into the ground, allowing Daigo Nishi to clear.
30 minutes
On this occasion it is Toni Kroos who is able to line up a curler towards goal, but again it is relatively simple for Kashima goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-Tae to collect.
Real starting to build some pressure.
31 minutes
A hand ball against Yasushi Endo will allow Toni Kroos to deliver a free kick from about 35 yards, wide on the left.
It is met firmly by Sergio Ramos on the penalty spot, but the Real Madrid captain doesn't get the direction right on his header. Goal kick.
33 minutes
A flowing Real Madrid move sparked by a flick from Karim Benzema sees Gareth Bale return the ball to the Frenchman with a deep cross.
Benzema, celebrating his 31st birthday today, finds a pocket of space arriving late into the box but he can't find the target with his headed effort.
Serginho has looked dangerous for Kashima Antlers but has been well-watched by the Real Madrid defence so far.
36 minutes
More impressive interplay from Real Madrid, one touch football opening a gap up for an incisive Luka Modric pass.
Atypically for the Balon D'Or winner, Modric gets the weight wrong, and even Gareth Bale won't be able to retrieve that one as Kwoun Sun-Tae strolls to his right to gather.
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