Gareth Bale hat-trick sends Real Madrid into the Club World Cup final
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Your support makes all the difference.Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick in 11 minutes to put Real Madrid in control in their Club World Cup semi-final clash against Kashima Antlers in Abu Dhabi.
The Wales forward opened the scoring just before the break, side-footing home, and then added two more in quick succession early in the second half to put the Spanish giants 3-0 up.
He scored his second after 53 minutes and completed his treble two minutes later with another neat finish to become the third player in Club World Cup history to score a hat-trick.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez also managed the feat.
PA
PREVIEW
Real Madrid vs Kashima Antlers kicks off at 4:30pm on Wednesday 19 December.
Where can I watch it?
The match will not be shown live in the UK, but you can follow the action with The Independent’s live blog.
Which teams are involved?
River Plate, Argentina (Conmebol)
Real Madrid, Spain (Uefa)
Kashima Antlers, Japan (AFC)
Esperance de Tunis, Tunisia (CAF)
Guadalajara, Mexico (Concacaf)
Team Wellington, New Zealand (OFC)
Al Ain, UAE (AFC)
66 minutes
Shoma Doi opts for the shot when a cross to a teammate looks a better option, and Thibaut Courtois safety beats it away.
Real Madrid break and Lucas Vazquez is freed down the middle. Vazquez opts for the dinked finish but fails to fool Sun-Tae in the Kashima goal. Wasteful in the end from Vazquez, who has been rather quiet and disappointing on the rate occasions he has seen the ball.
68 minutes
Unsurprisingly, Vazquez will be replaced.
Not a bad replacement, either - Isco, a man of much transfer chatter in recent days and I'm sure plenty more to come over the January window...
70 minutes
The game has lulled somewhat, with Kashima understanding that a comeback is extremely unlikely, Real comfortable and both side reticent to overexert themselves with games to come on Saturday.
Kashima against River Plate for third place could be an intriguing one. The Japanese side are able to move the ball nicely and if they can find a way to create more chances could trouble the Argentinians.
73 minutes
Shut Yamamoto presses forward from left-back and earns a corner off of Dani Carvajal.
Talking of overexerting oneself, Marco Asensio has picked up a knock.
74 minutes
Asensio's problem appears to be muscular and, just 14 minutes after joining proceedings, the Spaniard will have to be replaced.
Casemiro is Real's third and final alteration. Asensio likely wouldn't have started the final but any involvement in the game seems unlikely now.
GOAL! Kashima Antlers 1-3 Real Madrid (Shoma Doi, 77 minutes)
Shoma Doi has scored!
Or has he? VAR are checking...
The check is regarding a possible offside, but all seems fine and well...
And the goal is given!
Leo Silva lofts a diagonal to the right side of the box, it is won by a Kashima player and Doi reacts quickest, chesting the ball onwards and beating Thibaut Courtois with a low shot to the far post.
81 minutes
Karim Benzema leaps well to win a header from a corner but his effort is comfortably wide.
Final change for the Antlers - Leandro is their third Brazilian import and joins compatriots Leo Silva and Serginho on the pitch, with Yosushi Endo replaced on the right of midfield.
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