MADRID (AFP) - Gareth Bale hit an 11-minute hat-trick on Wednesday (Dec 19) as Real Madrid strolled into the Club World Cup final by beating Kashima Antlers 3-1 in Abu Dhabi.
Bale scored in the 44th, 53rd and 55th minutes at the Zayed Sports City Stadium to put Madrid within touching distance of a record fourth success in this competition, and their third triumph in a row.
Real are currently tied with their La Liga rivals Barcelona, having each won it three times before, but it would be a major surprise if the European champions were not hoisting the trophy again on Saturday, when they face hosts Al Ain in the final.
Bale had missed the 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano last weekend with an ankle problem but he was in irresistible form, albeit against limited opposition.
The Welshman joins Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the only player to score in three separate Club World Cup tournaments while his treble, coming either side of half-time, is the fastest in the history of the competition.
"Bale ate everything today, the floodlights, the stands, the nets," coach Santiago Solari said. "He has shown what a player he is and what he can do. So let him rest and eat the nets again on Saturday."
Kashima Antlers, from Japan's J1 League, qualified after winning the Asian Champions League last month but, despite a lively start and a late consolation from Shoma Doi, they were clearly second best.
Bale now has 10 goals in 21 games for Real Madrid this season while victory will also come as a relief to Solari.
A handful of underwhelming performances had been badly timed given the sacking of Jose Mourinho by Manchester United, with speculation linking the Portuguese with a return to the club never far away.
"We see the final as a reward for this team that has been together a long time and given great joy to Madrid fans," Solari said.
Madrid were still sleeping during the opening 10 minutes and Antlers should have led, as Serginho's shot was tipped wide by Thibaut Courtois before Gen Shoji failed to connect with a free header three yards out.
REAL FIND THEIR GROOVE
They soon found their rhythm, however, with Karim Benzema twice shooting straight at the goalkeeper while Bale had an effort blocked after nipping between the Antlers central defenders.
Madrid's front two were tying Antlers in knots and two minutes before half-time, Bale struck. A neat one-two with Marcelo on the edge of the area set him in behind and Bale guided the bouncing ball into the far corner.
Benzema had a shot cleared off the line at the start of the second half but Madrid did not have long to wait.
Bale scored twice in as many minutes as first, he capitalised on a poor backpass from Shuto Yamamoto and then drove into the far corner after Marcelo had, again, teed him up.
Three clear, Madrid were home and dry, and Bale departed on the hour, replaced by Marco Asensio while Casemiro, recovered from an ankle injury, came on to make his first appearance since Nov 12.
Antlers pulled one goal back with 13 minutes left as Doi drove in after Yasushi Endo headed down. Initially ruled offside, VAR showed Endo was level but a comeback never looked likely.
Ronaldo Faces Disciplinary Hearing Over Goal Celebration After scoring the decisive penalty four minutes from time, Ronaldo turned towards the Atletico fans and replicated Simeone's gesture after the Spaniards' 2-0 first leg win by grasping his genitals and thrusting out his groin.
Ronaldo faces disciplinary hearing over goal celebration
Football: EPL bottom team Huddersfield condemn racist abuse
Start off well, Solskjaer tells United after winning run ends
Schools across the United Kingdom have recorded a significant surge in number of racial abuse cases as calls increase for more protection for pupils and teachers from different religious and ethnic backgrounds. The Guardian newspaper said in a report published on its website on Saturday that around
racial | meaning of racial in Longman Dictionary of
West Ham's Michail Antonio speaking to Sky Sports: It is beautiful. We came here and put ourselves in history and it is only right West Ham did it. They are a big rival for us, it goes way back so
Tottenham vs West Ham: Michail Antonio scores winner as Spurs
Football: Depay fires Dutch past Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying opener ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (AFP) - Memphis Depay dazzled for the Netherlands with a brace and two assists as they cruised past Belarus 4-0 in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday (March 21) despite having to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men.
Depay fires Dutch past Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying opener
(Reuters) - Manchester City linchpin Bernardo Silva faces a late fitness test before Sunday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, his manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.
Soccer: Guardiola to make late decision on Silva for Palace trip
The reason Spain suffered is because Norway were able to tie things up as Joshua King converted a penalty in the 65th minute, yet Luis Enrique's side showed fight and pressure, a foreign concept
Enrique praises Ramos as 'unique' player's penalty secures
England's midfielder Ross Barkley (C-R) vies for the ball with Montenegro's midfielder Marko Vesovic during the Euro 2020 football qualification match between Montenegro and England at Podgorica City Stadium on March 25, 2019 in Podgorica, Montenegro.
England thrash Montenegro 5-1 after early scare - msn.com
Get a report of the West Ham United vs. Southampton 2018/2019 English Premier League football match. Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Southampton.
Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Saints - Cyprus Mail
your username. A password will be e-mailed to you.
Champions fail to close title race as DPMM go up to second
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen