- Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 53rd minute with a powerful free-kick
- Just minutes later, the Portuguese star had a goal disallowed as the La Liga side looked to double their lead
- Zinedine Zidane's side held on to become the first side to retain the Club World Cup on Saturday
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal from a free-kick as Real Madrid became the first team to retain the Club World Cup beating Brazilians Gremio 1-0.
When he won his fifth Ballon d’Or recently he said he was the best in history. Some of his critics laughed, but for trophies won and important goals scored Ronaldo continues to make his case regardless. This was his seventh goal in a Club World Cup game equalling Pele’s haul in the competition’s predecessor, the Intercontinental Cup.
He continues to lead his team to silverware. Real Madrid's record in finals is also very special - last ten finals played, all won.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Real Madrid team-mate Casemiro after scoring the only goal of the Club World Cup final
Ronaldo went over to celebrate with substitute Lucas Vazquez after netting his first free-kick since January 25
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is mobbed by his team-mates as Madrid fans celebrate in the stands behind them
Ronaldo gave the Club World Cup holders a deserved lead with his powerful free-kick in the 53rd minute
Gremio goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe could do nothing to prevent Ronaldo's effort from nestling into the left-hand corner
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo, who has now scored eight goals in his last eight games said: 'Zidane told us before the game that Madrid had never won five trophies in one year so that is what we wanted to do.'
Ronaldo was given a cynical welcome-to-the-game after a foul by Pedro Geromel inside the first five minutes but he very much had the last laugh to decide the game.
That early scare left him with stud-marks but he was soon flashing his first shot just wide of Marcelo Grohe’s goal.
Madrid had started well. Luka Modric worked his magic down the left and when his cross went out for a corner, Toni Kroos’ kick was headed down by Raphael Varane and almost turned in by Ronaldo.
Casemiro then went to ground with a late challenge on Luan and it earned him the first yellow of the game. Madrid were aggrieved after seeing there had been no yellow for the foul on Ronaldo.
Ederson took the free-kick. It was a long way out and his very long run up sent him as far back as the centre-cirle but although his shot was well hit it did not trouble Keylor Navas.
Gremio were improving and the dangerous Ramiro Benetti was threatening down the left. He had one fine run and cross that ended with Marcelo heading away the danger.
Spanish midfielder Isco runs with the ball as the Spanish giants searched for a second goal to relieve some pressure
Ronaldo fires another free-kick towards goal as the Gremio players jump to try and block the Portugal star's effort
The 32-year-old lines up the free-kick with his hands behind his back with the scoreline at 0-0 on Saturday
Fans inside the stadium watch on as Ronaldo takes a set piece during the Club World Cup final on Saturday evening
Ronaldo sent a free-kick narrowly over just before the break. And both he and Karim Benzema missed chances. It was all set up for Bale to play a decisive part in the second half. Modric was running midfield, Madrid just needed someone to finish up-front.
At the restart the game turned in the space of a minute. There was a clumsy challenge from Ramos on Ramiro that the Mexican referee Cesar Ramos could easily have given as a penalty.
He waved away appeals and Ronaldo went straight down the other end and won a free-kick, scoring straight through Gremio’s awful excuse for a wall to make it 1-0. Ronaldo deserved his goal. His first shot of the second half had been sliced closer to the corner flag than the goal but his head never drops. And after his goal he could have doubled the lead immediately when he had the ball in the net only for the flag to be raised in error.
It was Ronaldo’s first free-kick goal since January but it had surely won the trophy for Madrid.
Madrid left back Marcelo tries to dribble away from compatriot and Gremio midfielder Jailson during the final
Keylor Navas leaps into the air during the early stages of the match against the Brazilian outfit on the weekend
Madrid goalkeeper Navas prays before the Club World Cup final against Gremio on Saturday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium
Gremio brought on number 9 Michael Arroyo but it was Madrid who looked closer to scoring the next goal with Luka Modric hitting the base of Grohe’s post.
And there was worse news for Gremio. You had to feel for any tired Gremio defenders looking across at Bale warming up with Real Madrid's physical coach, Antonio Pintus. Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez were also stretching ready to be brought on.
Vazquez was the first to enter the fray but Bale was given the last 10 minutes and he so nearly got his goal with a brilliant outside of the left foot shoot that was tipped over by Grohe.
It stayed 1-0. Madrid had won this trophy for the sixth time and Ronaldo had once again been the difference.
A couple of Madrid and Gremio supporters are pictured clashing in the stands on Saturday afternoon
Madrid president Florentino Perez, Diego Maradona and Gianni Infantino embrace as they watch from the stands
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