Cristiano Ronaldo sets records scoring a hat-trick in the FIFA Club World Cup final
What a way to finish the year.
If you thought 2016 couldn’t get better for Cristiano Ronaldo, it has.
On Sunday in Japan, Real Madrid took on Kashima Antlers in a cracking game in the FIFA Club World Cup final.
The locals put on a brave performance against the 2016 Champions League winners, and at the end of 90 minutes it was 2-2.
The game moved into extra time when Ronaldo took over.
The final finished 4-2.
Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in the CWC final.
His first was simple enough coming from the penalty spot.
He doubled his tally in the 97th minute when he broke through the Kashima offside trap to slide the ball into the net.
He completed his hat-trick in the 104th minute with another clinical finish from close range.
In an incredible stat, Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 40 hat-tricks for Real Madrid since joining the club.
Ronaldo is also now the joint top scorer in CWC history with five goals. Cesar Delgado, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi have also scored 5.
Ronaldo is also the second player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA Club World Cup or Intercontinental Club Cup final after Pele in 1962.
In 2016, Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or, UCL, Euro 2016 and now the FIFA Club World Cup.