Yokohama, Dec 18: Spanish giants Real Madrid won the football Club World Cup, defeating Japanese side Kashima Antlers 4-2 in the final match at the International Stadium here on Sunday, December 18.

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Real Madrid scored early when Luka Modric took a shot on target that was deflected by the goalkeeper before it arrived to Karim Benzema, who put it into the back of the net, in the ninth minute.

Just one minute before the end of the first half, Gaku Shibasaki equalised for Kashima Antlers from an assist by Shoma Doi.

In the second half, Shibasaki scored again for the Japanese side in the 52nd minute from outside of the box, but Madrid managed to make a comeback with a goal from a penalty taken by Cristiano Ronaldo in 60 minutes.

After the penalty, Real Madrid and Kashima received chances on goal. The match ended 2-2 in regulation time.

In the first half of extra-time, Ronaldo scored his second goal of the game and the third for Real Madrid on 98 minutes, and managed to complete his hat-trick six minutes later from an assist by Toni Kroos.

After Real Madrid's victory on Sunday, Spain is now the country with the most Club World Cup wins, with three titles for FC Barcelona, two for Madrid, one more than Brazil, who hold four titles.

IANS