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Cristiano Ronaldo caps off 'dream year' as Real Madrid win Club World Cup
CRISTIANO RONALDO branded 2016 a “dream year” after scoring a hat-trick in Real Madrid’s Club World Cup final victory over Japanese side Kashima Antlers.
Real Madrid won the Club World Cup in Japan
Ronaldo, who won the Ballon d’Or for a fourth time this month, netted twice in extra time to secure Real a 4-2 victory in Japan.
"It has been a dream year, really great," said Ronaldo, who also helped Portugal to Euro 2016 glory this year.
"It is a week full of great moments after winning the Ballon d'Or and now the Club World Cup, so it really is a perfect end to the year.
"I didn't think it would end like this: winning the final, scoring three goals and helping Real Madrid.
"I'd like to thank my team-mates yet again, because I cannot win individual trophies without them."
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in the final
Ronaldo celebrates with the trophy
Ronaldo steals the show in Portugal's mannequin challenge
Real first won the Club World Cup in 2014 when they beat San Lorenzo 2-0 in Morocco.
They took the lead in Japan just nine minutes in when Karim Benzema tapped home a rebound.
But the hosts stunned the European champions when Gaku Shibasaki scored either side of half time.
Kashima coach Masatada Ishii said: "We gave Real Madrid problems.
"That's what we were able to do. But we made small mistakes in positioning and judgment so it's frustrating."
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