Cristiano Ronaldo’s superb free-kick gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Brazilian side Gremio to retain their FIFA Club World Cup title in Abu Dhabi.
The Portugal forward, voted the Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2017 and winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award for a fifth time, broke the deadlock after 53 minutes when he clipped the ball over the wall and down into the bottom corner.
The hard-earned victory over a stubborn Gremio side at the Zayed Sports City Stadium was Real’s third FIFA Club World Cup crown since 2014 and equalled the record of La Liga rivals Barcelona.
Always a threat, it was Ronaldo’s brilliance from a free-kick which gave Real the breakthrough early in the second half and set them on their way to another FIFA Club World Cup crown.
After a resolute defensive effort from Gremio in the first half, it was always set to take something special to break the deadlock.
Ronaldo delivered when he curled a perfectly-executed free-kick up over the wall and into the bottom corner.
