In a match that took place very early in the morning Sunday in Europe, and VERY early in the morning Sunday in the United States, Real Madrid took down Japanese champions Kashima Antlers 4-2 in the Club World Cup final.
Football has long been obstinate in its opposition to video technology, going so far as to appoint fifth and sixth officials to stand behind the goals doing absolutely nothing as opposed to implementing any kind of instant replay system.
Goal-line technology has, in recent times, been successfully used at the highest levels of the game, but this only came about because of legitimate instances of robbery at the pinnacle of the sport.
If you are a Real Madrid or Club America fan you better fear the deer, and I’m not talking about the Milwaukee Bucks.
Since the dawn of the FIFA Club World Cup over a decade ago, there have seldom been semi-final upsets. In most Club World Cups, the decision of who takes the trophy has featured the UEFA Champions League winner and the Copa Libertadores champion.
Still, Japanese side Kashima Antlers just joined Congo’s TP Mazembe and Morocco’s Raja Casablanca as the only three teams to knock out a South American representative in the semifinals.
The surreal run of Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle almost came to an end in Quito on Wednesday. There’s still another leg to play in Medellin, but a loss at home would’ve almost certainly doomed del Valle. That wasn’t in the cards — the fairy tale added another chapter when Arturo Mina Meza snatched an 87th minute equalizer against Colombia’s Atletico Nacional.
The first leg draw means that del Valle need a win in regular time, extra time or penalties in Colombia to be crowned Copa Libertadores champions.
Barcelona star midfielder Ivan Rakitic was a big hit at the Club World Cup in Japan this month, but not for the reason you might think. Sure, he played well and Barcelona tournament, but the reason fans flocked to Rakitic is because he looks like Goku, the protagonist in the popular anime show "Dragon Ball Z."
Goku is beloved in Japan, and, because of that, now Rakitic is beloved in Japan.
A 1-0 lead during a match never guarantees you’ll be the eventual winner. Not in professional soccer. Especially not at the Club World Cup. The Club World Cup, the premier club tournament that only includes the top teams from each of the six confederations and the host country's champion club, was the opportunity Club America needed to end their year on a high note.
As the world prepares for The Force Awakens, the football-scheduling gods have set up a great weekend of football across the globe to watch while you wait in line to see Episode VII. Also, check out these fantastic Star Wars football kits designed by Nerea Palacios. Here are the top five can’t miss matches this weekend:
Sunday at 5:30 a.m. EST on Fox Sports 1