ABU DHABI • Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari paid tribute to the "work of Zinedine Zidane" after the European champions lifted the Fifa Club World Cup for a record fourth time.
Solari's men overtook three-time winners Barcelona after thrashing Emirati outfit Al Ain 4-1 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday for his first piece of silverware since replacing the sacked Julen Lopetegui in October.
The Argentinian, however, was quick to laud Zidane, who left the LaLiga side in the summer after leading them to three straight Champions League trophies, for laying the foundation for their recent successes.
After landing Real's third straight Club World Cup, the Argentinian told reporters: "We're very happy, these players deserve this.
"This is the icing on the cake of winning the Champions League three years in a row. We can't forget we're here thanks to Zidane.
"It's going to be difficult for any team to do what this side has done."
The Spanish giants have endured a turbulent start to the season, culminating in the firing of Lopetegui, but Solari has somewhat steadied the ship with 11 wins in 13 games under his watch.
85%
Real Madrid's win rate under Santiago Solari (11 victories in 13 games), including a record fourth victory in the Fifa Club World Cup final.
They had little trouble in brushing aside Al Ain, whose surprise run to the final included a three-goal comeback against Team Wellington to triumph on penalties and a shock shoot-out victory over Copa Libertadores winners River Plate.
The opposition could not mastermind another upset as two long-range strikes from Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric and Marcos Llorente - his maiden goal - set Real up for the comfortable win.
Tsukasa Shiotani's consolation goal was sandwiched between captain Sergio Ramos' goal for Real's third and an added-time own goal by Yahia Nader.
Llorente, who was delighted after finally getting off the mark with a fantastic volley, told reporters: "This is what we expected from ourselves, what we have been working on every week. It's my first for the senior team, and what could be better than in this final."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
London - England captain Harry Kane insists the Three Lions' squad are too united to be divided by the tension of club rivalries surrounding the Premier League title race and upcoming Champions
Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp
Billing, 22, received online racial abuse late on Tuesday from someone claiming to be one of the Yorkshire club's fans. "We're aware of the racist message sent to Philip Billing over social media on Tuesday evening and have subsequently referred the case to West Yorkshire Police," said a Huddersfield statement issued Wednesday.
Football: Huddersfield condemn racist abuse of midfielder
The victory saw Madrid climb to third place on 36 points, three ahead of Sevilla who have failed to win in their last four league outings, while Barcelona, who host Leganes on Sunday, are top with 43.
La Liga: Real Madrid climb to third with vital win over Sevilla
Singapore's Akbar is best coach in I-League. Mar 25, 2019, 5:00 am. Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best coach as champions Chennai City sweep awards.
Van Dijk embraces tearful referee whose mother had passed
sportslifetale.com/soccer/van-dijk-embraces-tearful-referee-whose-mother-had-passed-away/
'I wished him strength and said that he had done well': Holland captain Virgil van Dijk embraces tearful referee whose mother had recently passed away after securing Nations League draw with Germany Virgil van Dijk led the way for Holland on Monday and helped his side draw 2-2 The defender's late equaliser salvaged a point […]
Site Supervisor - Kenston Construction - Singapore
Football Federation Australia hailed the move as "an outcome that delivers on the gender equity principle of 'same base pay for same base work'". "This means that players in the Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League will receive the same minimum remuneration hourly rate," said FFA Head of Leagues Greg O'Rourke.
Australian female footballers to earn same base pay as men
Football: Pogba deletes cryptic post of him smiling after
Jun 06, 2019 · Players, both American and international, who will be worth watching at the World Cup in France: Julie Ertz — Now playing in the midfield, she is the link between the Americans' offense and defense.
Players to watch in France - straitstimes.com
Brighton moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second successive season as goals from Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia clinched a 2-1 win over Derby on Saturday. Chris Hughton's side have been sucked into relegation danger in the Premier League after six games without a win.
Brighton edge into FA Cup quarter-finals - Daily Nation
Win over Watford more like draw: Ole. But, after the 2-1 Premier League win over Watford on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, the 46-year-old admitted that
Win over Watford more like draw: Ole - theworldnews.net
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to footballer Sala. The player's body was recovered from the submerged wreckage on 7 February but 59-year-old Ibbotson remains missing.
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to
Neymar has paid a visit to Brazilian football legend Pele, who has been in hospital in Paris since April 3. The Paris Saint-Germain forward posted a photo on his Instagram account on Monday of
Neymar visits recovering Pele in hospital - CGTN
Almoez Ali scored with a spectacular overhead kick for a record ninth goal of the Asian Cup to set Qatar on their way to a first continental title with a stunning 3-1 win over four-times champions
Football: Ali on target as Qatar stun Japan to win first
0 comments:
Post a Comment