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.
For all the criticism of the predictability of Manchester United under Jose Mourinho, perhaps no performance was more predictable than that which gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a symbolic 5-1 win in
Attacking football 'the way Manchester United are - goal.com
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to seal a money-spinning move to Italian champions Juventus when his contract expires with the Gunners in the summer, according to reports on Thursday. The Welsh international will bring an end to 10 years at Arsenal at the end of the season after talks over a new deal broke down with the Premier League
Ramsey set to cash in with Juventus move - reports
Manchester United announced on Friday that midfielder Marouane Fellaini has left the club to join China's Shandong Luneng on a permanent transfer. The Belgium international, 31, arrived at Old Trafford from Everton in August 2013 and went on to make 177 appearances throughout five-and-a-half seasons at United, scoring 22 goals.
Marouane Fellaini: Manchester United midfielder joins
Football: Scottish title-chasing Rangers sign Jermain Defoe on loan from Bournemouth Rangers, managed by former England midfielder Steven Gerrard, signed former England striker Jermain Defoe in a
Jermain Defoe: Rangers set to sign Bournemouth striker, 36
BERLIN: Bayern Munich forward Sandro Wagner is leaving the German champions with immediate effect and will join China's Tianjin Teda, the Bundesliga club said on Wednesday. The 31-year-old
Bayern forward Wagner makes China move after 'very attractive
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/01/30/bayern-forward-wagner-makes-china-move-after-very-attractive-offer/
Bayern forward Wagner makes China move after 'very attractive offer' AFP January 30, 2019 AFP No Comments Shanghai (AFP) - Bayern Munich forward Sandro Wagner on Wednesday joined Tianjin Teda in the Chinese Super League (CSL) for a reported transfer fee of five million euros and a hefty pay packet.
Bundesliga: Forward Sandro Wagner leaves Bayern Munich to
SINGAPORE - Our Tampines Hub will be screening the Uefa Champions League final for free on Sunday (June 2). Tampines residents and visitors to the Hub can catch the 3am game between Liverpool and
Our Tampines Hub to screen Champions League final - tnp.sg
Jose Mourinho has set a deadline of June to return to management after turning down four offers following his dismissal by Manchester United. The 56-year-old has been out of work since losing his
Jose Mourinho rejects big offers to become new manager of 1
South Korea's victorious under-18 team were stripped of the Panda Cup on Thursday after they infuriated hosts China with their celebrations. The Koreans had already apologised to "all the people
China strips South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent
Mourinho leaves United after two and a half years in charge and we are now looking at the highs of his Old Trafford tenure. Mourinho guided Manchester United to Community Shield success against
Jose Mourinho's record with Manchester United
Welcome to the official Tottenham Hotspur website. Explore the site, discover the latest Spurs news & matches and check out our new stadium.
A pride of lion cubs became embroiled in family feud while honing their hunting skills when play fighting got a little out of hand. In the series of fascinating images the young lions can be seen
WHERE to hunt lions - answers.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment