Club World Cup
Result: Kashima Antlers 1-3 Real Madrid
Date: 19 December 2018
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Sports City
Gareth Bale netted a hat-trick as Real Madrid advanced to the FIFA Club World Cup final with a 3-1 victory over Kashima Antlers on Wednesday evening.
Santiago Solari named a strong line up that included Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Lucas Vazquez in the attack, while Isco and Marco Asensio dropped to the bench.
The Japanese outfit looked lively in the early stages of the encounter, as Los Blancos, who had only scored two goals in their last three matches, struggled to get their attacking game going.
Los Blancos had to wait until the 33rd minute for their opening chances as Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos both headed wide in quick succession.
The LaLiga giants eventually got the breakthrough on the stroke of halftime as Bale latched onto a through-ball from Marcelo before finding the back of the net from a tight angle.
Eight minutes into the second-half, the lead was doubled as Bale netted his second after rounding the goalkeeper to slot into an empty net following a defensive error.
The Welshman completed his hat-trick two minutes later with a cracking finish into the top corner following another pass from Marcelo.
That was to be Bale's last involvement in the game as he made way for Ansensio after the hour mark, before Isco replaced Vazque eight minutes later.
Antlers did manage to bag a consolation goal on 78 minutes as Shoma Doi was allowed to sneak in and head past Thibaut Courtois following a cross from Yasushi Endo.
Doi's goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation though as Los Blancos claimed a 3-1 victory to advance to the final.
The European champions will now face tournament hosts Al Ain in Saturday's final.
