Ronaldo retains Club World Cup for Real

Cristiano Ronaldo's second-half free-kick ensured Real Madrid picked up a fifth trophy of 2017 by beating Gremio 1-0 in Abu Dhabi Saturday to retain the Club World Cup. A third Club World Cup in four years brings Real level with rival Barcelona as the most successful side in the competition's history and adds to the La Liga, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup titles already won by Zinedine Zidane's men this year. Ronaldo was once again Real's man for the big occasion as his strike went through the Gremio wall eight minutes after the break to ensure the European club champion were also crowned world champion for a fifth straight year.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores the lone goal as Real Madrid become the first team to win back-to-back Club World Cup titles! pic.twitter.com/j4hhRDI9bW

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 16, 2017

Gareth Bale was left on the bench despite scoring with his first touch as a substitute against Al Jazira Wednesday to book Real's place in the final, as Zidane kept faith with the same side that started Real's Champions League final triumph over Juventus back in June. Gremio booked their ricket to Abu Dhabi by winning the Copa Libertadores for the third time last month and Real knew they weren't in for a comfortable evening just two minutes in when Gremio captain Pedro Geromel raked his studs down the back of Ronaldo's calf without any punishment from Mexican referee Cesar Ramos. Real dominated possession but, unlike in their profligate semi-final performance, found clear-cut chances hard to come by against the well-organised Gremio defence.

Cristiano Ronaldo – record in finals for Real Madrid 3 goals in 3 CL finals 4 goals in 3 FIFA Club World Cup finals 2 goals in 2 Copa del Rey finals W7 L1 pic.twitter.com/ZytP3LWwRg

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 16, 2017

Luka Modric came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box that flew inches wide of the far post. Ronaldo also hammered a long-range free-kick that dipped onto the roof of the net, whilst Edilson gave Keylor Navas a similar scare at the other end with a free-kick from range. Gremio pleaded for the referee to consult with the video assistant referee when Sergio Ramos clipped Ramiro inside the area early in the second period.

?? Another final in 2017, another goal for @Cristiano! ⚽⚽ Champions League final ⚽ Spanish Super Cup ⚽ Club World Cup final#RMCWC | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/tIFmjDmsuF

— Real Madrid C.F.?? (@realmadriden) December 16, 2017

However, those claims fell on deaf ears and Real instantly broke up the other end to open the scoring. Ronaldo was tripped 25 yards from goal and the world player of the year's resulting free-kick sneaked through a gap in the Gremio wall to skip into the bottom corner. Gremio were handed a lifeline when Ronaldo had the ball in the net again just before the hour mark, but Karim Benzema was flagged for being marginally offside in the build-up.

1 - Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to score in consecutive FIFA Club World Cup finals. Hero. pic.twitter.com/GEGf4sy5dJ

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 16, 2017

Marcelo Grohe then turned another Modric drive onto the post and made great stops from Ronaldo and Bale in the final 10 minutes to keep Gremio in the game. However, the Brazilians failed to register a single shot on target as Real comfortably held out to seal their most successful ever year with a fifth trophy. Earlier, Mexican side Pachuca beat host Al Jazira 4-1 in the third-place play-off.

??? CHAMPIONS!#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/BJAQSVbE8f

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 16, 2017

RESULTSFinalReal Madrid 1 (Ronaldo 53) Gremio 0Third-place play-offAl Jazira 1 (Alrezzi 57) Pachuca 4 (Jonathan 37, Jara 60, De La Rosa 79, Sagal 84-P)