The Real Champs
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Real Madrid: Three takeaways from the FIFA Club World Cup final

By Ben Sundock

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 22: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates Marcelo and Daniel Ceballos after scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 Final between Al Ain and Real Madrid at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 22: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates Marcelo and Daniel Ceballos after scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 Final between Al Ain and Real Madrid at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /
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After cruising past Kashima Antlers earlier this week in the semifinal of the FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid cruised to the title as they defeated Al Ain 4-1 in Abu Dhabi. Here are three takeaways from the win.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 22: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates Marcelo and Daniel Ceballos after scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 Final between Al Ain and Real Madrid at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 22: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates Marcelo and Daniel Ceballos after scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 Final between Al Ain and Real Madrid at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /

Real Madrid was by far the best team in the tournament

There has been plenty of debate as to whether or not the club world championship tournament should be reformatted and those who argue that it should be were once again proven right by the way Real Madrid cruised in its two matches.

Gareth Bale lifted Real to a 3-1 win over the winners of the AFC Champions League and then never switched into second gear against the champions of the UAE Arabian Gulf League Al Ain in the final.

After River Plate was upset by the host club, everyone knew it would be Real Madrid lifting the trophy once again.

Los Blancos have now won four of the last five Club World Cups and the winner of the tournament has hailed from Europe in the previous six. The last club outside of Europe to win the world title was Brazilian-side Corinthians in 2012 when they defeated Chelsea 1-0.

This is supposed to be the premier tournament in club football, yet that is not the case still. While I see why the format is the way it is with each continent sending a team, something needs to change.

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