At 12:30 Lithuania time, the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup final took place in Japan.
The final saw the UEFA Champions League winners Madrid's "Real" club against the Japanese "Kashima" team, who played in the final for the first time with the support of their fans. The final lived up to expectations - Zinedine Zidane's team did not have an easy victory and only became the world's strongest club after extra time.
From the start of the match, the initiative belonged to the "Real" players, who dominated possession. The first goal came quickly - a mistake by the opponent's goalkeeper allowed Karim Benzema to put the Spanish capital team ahead.
Later, "Real" continued to dominate, but they failed to capitalize on their chances. The Japanese team attacked less, but their balls into the penalty area were dangerous. In the 44th minute, "Kashima" took advantage of an insecure "Real" defense and Gaku Shibasaki equalized the score.
The second half started with Zidane's team dominating again, but in the 52nd minute, the Champions League winners were unexpectedly punished - G. Shibasaki scored a precise shot from about 18 meters, leaving Keylor Navas with no chance.
"Real" had to react to the situation and in the 60th minute, they scored the equalizing goal. Lucas Vazquez was fouled in the penalty area and Cristiano Ronaldo confidently converted the penalty kick.
After the equalizer, "Real" could have quickly scored a third goal, but C. Ronaldo opted against passing to Karim Benzema and the dangerous situation ended in a corner kick.
During the remaining time, "Kashima" showed resilience against the Madrid team, even though they had more dangerous opportunities. Towards the end of normal time, the Japanese were even more active than "Real," but they failed to score a third goal and the teams headed into extra time.
During extra time, C. Ronaldo took matters into his own hands. In the 98th minute, after a great pass from Karim Benzema, the Portuguese player put "Real" ahead, and he secured the victory a few minutes later. The best player of the year scored a "hat-trick" in the FIFA Club World Cup final, becoming the second player after Pele to achieve this.
"Real" won the FIFA Club World Cup for the second time in the club's history. If you count previous tournaments between European and South American champions, the "Whites" added their fifth international title to their collection.
C. Ronaldo was recognized as the best player of the tournament, followed by Luka Modric in second place, while "Kashima" star G. Shibasaki received the bronze award.
This year, the "Real" club will not play any more matches. The year 2016 was successful for Zidane's team - they won the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Third place in the FIFA Club World Cup this year went to the "Atletico Nacional" team, who beat the representatives of "Club America" after a penalty shoot-out.
Result: "Real Madrid" 4 - 2 "Kashima" 9' [1 - 0] K. Benzema 44' [1 - 1] G. Shibasaki 52' [1 - 2] G. Shibasaki 60' [2 - 2] C. Ronaldo (penalty) 98' [3 - 2] C. Ronaldo 104' [4 - 2] C. Ronaldo
