Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday scored with a free-kick that went through the defensive wall to break Gremio’s brave resistance and give Real Madrid a 1-0 victory over the South American champions in the Club World Cup final.
Ronaldo’s 53rd-minute strike gave Real their second world title in a row and their third in the past four seasons, ending Gremio’s hopes of pulling off what would have been a huge upset.
The European champions, enjoying the backing of most neutrals at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, dominated as expected, with 20 shots on goal to Gremio’s one, but the Brazilians still made their lives uncomfortable.
Real extended European dominance 10-13 since the club cup was started in its current form in 2005, reflecting the region’s financial dominance in the sport.
The dynamics of modern soccer mean that the best South American, Asian and African players line up against, rather than for, the teams from their own continents, and Real’s side on Saturday included Brazilians Marcelo and Casemiro.
Gremio coach Renato Portaluppi won the old International Cup as a player with the same club in 1983 when his two goals gave them a 2-1 win over Hamburg, but a repeat never looked on the cards.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said the tournament needs a revamp and wants to replace it with a new one featuring up to 24 teams.
Gremio survived the first half with their goal intact thanks to some resolute, last-ditch tackling.
Pedro Geromel cleared Daniel Carvajal’s shot off the line with goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe beaten, Isco and Luka Modric both fired shots wide and Walter Kannemann made a last-gasp saving tackle on Ronaldo as he was about to shoot.
Edilson had Gremio’s best effort with a 35m free-kick that dipped and swerved just over the bar — their only shot of the match.
Real broke through after Ronaldo won a free kick about 25m from goal. As usual, he took it himself and blasted a low shot which flew through the wall, bounced and squeezed inside Grohe’s near post.
Ronaldo had another goal disallowed for a hairline offside decision. After that, Modric burst through the midfield and fired against the post and Grohe made more saves from Ronaldo and substitute Gareth Bale to keep down the score.
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