Zidane desperate for Club World Cup glory

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is desperate to add the Club World Cup to his trophy cabinet as the Champions League holders prepare to take on Kashima Antlers in Sunday's final.

The European champions saw off Club America 2-0 on Thursday thanks to Karim Benzema's first-half effort and Cristiano Ronaldo's late strike - his 500th career club goal.

Kashima defeated Atletico Nacional 3-0 in their semi a day earlier and Zidane says the Japanese side have the quality to spring what would be a huge upset, especially in front of the Yokohama crowd.

"This game is hugely important for us, we came here to win," Zidane told reporters.

"We have to play well and know what we have to do. Our opponent will make life hard for us. But we are ready. 

"Our first game was a bit odd for us because of the journey and the pitch, but we are ready now. It has been a bit boring to spend so much time in the hotel, but that is part of the profession.

"Kashima have won three games and they deserve to be in the final. But we are ready for the task ahead after preparing for a week. Japanese football has improved a lot in recent years. Kashima are a good team, very well organised and they defend well.

"The fans will be on their [side], but that does not change anything. We will give our all because we will have to be on top of our game to win."

Madrid are aiming to win the competition for the second time in three years having beaten San Lorenzo to take the title two years ago.

But Zidane says that experience will count for little on Sunday.

"We are not thinking about our Club World Cup win two years ago. Things do not always go the same way," he added.

"We will enjoy a week off after this tournament and will then be back working hard once more."

Latest in
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
Latest in News
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report