Madrid rule the world – again!

Real Madrid have been crowned world champions for a record sixth time after beating Gremio 1-0 in the Club World Cup Final on Saturday.

See how the action unfolded in Abu Dhabi with our liveblog!

Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick after the break saw Madrid make history as they became the first club to ever defend the trophy, having struggled to break down Gremio in the first half.

Gareth Bale scored the winner during Los Blancos' 2-1 victory over Al Jazira in the semi-finals, but that wasn't enough for the Welshman to replace Karim Benzema or Isco, both of whom had struggled in recent weeks.

Other than that, Zinedine Zidane named the same team that thrashed Juventus 4-1 in the Champions League Final last season, including Sergio Ramos, who played through the pain barrier.

Los Blancos were looking to be crowned world champions for a record sixth time against the Copa Libertadores holders, who were without Barcelona target Arthur with an ankle injury.

An early cross fell to Dani Carvajal, who rifled a volley towards Marcelo Grohe’s bottom left, but it was blocked by former Real Mallorca defender Pedro Geromel before it could cross the line.

Two chances in quick succession saw Raphael Varane power a header on target, which was just about scooped up by the goalkeeper, before Luka Modric’s daisy-cutter whistled the wrong side of the far post.

Gremio took their time before catching sight of Madrid’s goal, and it fell to defender Edilson, whose piledriver of a free kick skimmed the roof of Keylor Navas’ net.

Madrid then won a free kick of their own from a matter of yards outside the Brazilian side’s box, which Ronaldo blasted inches over the crossbar.

However, his subsequent attempt saw him curl the ball home in trademark fashion, and despite the Portuguese going on to volley in for 2-0, Karim Benzema was offside when he knocked down for his teammate.

Casemiro then unleashed a powerful drive, which Grohe pushed away, but the goalkeeper could only watch Modric’s angled shot clip the post.

Ronaldo lashed a finish hard and low, but the custodian got down to parry it away, before the custodian managed to tip over Bale’s brilliant strike with the outside of his boot.

Nonetheless, Los Merengues held on for the win comfortably and ended the Final having also won five trophies in a year for the first time in their history.

Real Madrid 1-0 Gremio

Ronaldo 53

Real Madrid: Keylor; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco (Vazquez 73); Benzema (Bale 80), Ronaldo

Gremio: Grohe; Edilson, Geromel, Kannemann, Cortez; Jailson, Michel (Maicon 84); Ramiro (Everton 71), Luan, Fernandinho; Barrios (Jael 63)

Referee: Ramos (MEX)

Tags Club World Cup Gremio
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