Real Madrid are the best team in the world and on Saturday they will have the badge to prove it
COMMENT: There's not a club in Europe that can match
Real Madrid, so the best that the Concacaf region had to offer were
always going to struggle
By Peter Staunton at Stade de MarrakechThings are going so well for Real Madrid currently that when Cristiano Ronaldo attempts a rabona half-volley you expect it to go in. Alas, that particular cherry was absent from this cake but, as preparation for Saturday's Club World Cup final goes, their 4-0 thrashing of Cruz Azul was exactly what was expected.
Real Madrid are the best team in the world. At the weekend they will be given the badge to prove it. The opposition might be San Lorenzo or Auckland City but the outcome is secure. Real Madrid are playing without equals and it is appropriate that there will be a ceremony to legitimise their claims to the throne.
The first thing the Moroccans did inside this magnificent stadium was chant "Olé". There was not a minute on the clock but the assembled throngs decided that it was already party time. They had come for an exhibition. They had come to watch Real Madrid power their way into the final. It was not long before the scoreboard reflected the inevitability.
Carlo Ancelotti's line-up suggested that Madrid were not going to be caught cold. The Champions League holders had built up a head of steam over the past 20 matches, wining them all, and nothing was being left to chance. The major stars were fielded from the start with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema leading the attack. Ronaldo was always efficient and occasionally unplayable when he decided to set up goals for Bale and Isco.
Cruz Azul were always going to have to be solid in defence but they were breached fatally, and early too. To concede from a set piece - against a side with as many threats as Madrid have - is intolerable. But Cruz Azul defended like the 13th-best team in Mexico. Sergio Ramos was on hand to drive Madrid forward.
This was not flawless from Madrid, not by any means. It was looking a bit too easy for them and they needed the occasional reminder that there was a competition on. There were defensive lapses, not least when Ramos yanked down Hugo Pavone for the penalty that was repelled by Iker Casillas.
Gerrardo Torrado scored two of them against Western Sydney Wanderers; Casillas saved one at the weekend against Almeria. The miss from the longtime Mexico international was characteristic of Cruz Azul as a whole.
They were jittery and uncertain of their worthiness of being at this stage of the competition against this class of opposition. Taking on the best that MLS and the Costa Rican Primera have to offer is one thing, but they are worlds apart from what is required here.
Dani Carvajal might not be considered one of Madrid's new Galacticos but his performance here was stellar. He made the first, earning the free-kick which Toni Kroos planted on Ramos's head. He made the second, finding the touchline before pulling the ball back for Benzema to power home.
Once Gareth Bale headed into an unguarded net only moments after half-time, Cruz Azul's misery was as good as complete. There was time for Ronaldo to showboat. That outrageous rabona effort had the will of 40,000 Moroccans behind it but found only the gloves of Jose Corona. The Real Madrid bench were smiling warmly by that stage.
Isco, assisted by Ronaldo, then danced at the edge of the Mexican area before finding the corner with his drive. At 4-0 up, the crowd were scarcely moved to cheer any more such was the relentlessness of the Madrid attack.
Real Madrid made all the right noises in the run up for this game. One game at a time. All champions here. But if they are too good for La Liga, currently, and too good for the Champions League, then what chance did the cream of Concacaf's crop have? None.
And so on Madrid march. They have already broken the club's own winning streak record. They are on course for the league title, will take some stopping in Europe and will have this title wrapped up in second gear on Saturday night. Who, then, might beat Real Madrid?
At the moment it seems there is not a team in the world - and certainly not the Club World Cup - capable.
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