Cristiano Ronaldo was playing at the peak of his powers for the best team in the world on Tuesday, according to beaten Cruz Azul midfielder Marco Fabian.
Real Madrid were imperious as they swept the Concacaf representatives aside in their Club World Cup semi-final. Goals from Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Isco ensured a comfortable 4-0 triumph.
Despite not scoring, Ronaldo still stole the headlines with an audacious rabona attempt on the half-volley, and Fabian believes the Ballon d’Or holder and his Blancos team-mates played impeccably in the clash in Marrakech.
“Cristiano Ronaldo did brilliantly,” the Cruz Azul star, 25, told Goal. “He brings his whole team confidence with his performance, he is a great player in his prme.
“He didn’t score but he contributed with two assists. And the end result was that his team won.
“The match was so difficult for us, but we knew it was going to be. Real Madrid are a team that have the best players in the world. We tried our best but they were simply superior.”
Cruz Azul were almost handed a lifeline in the first half when they were gifted a penalty shortly before half-time, with the Real Madrid 2-0 up.
However, Iker Casillas saved Gerardo Torrado’s effort to pave the way for Carlo Ancelotti’s men to double their lead in the second half, and Fabian says the Mexican team will now concentrate on winning the third-place play-off.
“Casillas was key,” he added. “We had the penalty, it was saved…but these things happen. We couldn’t have done much more. We must face up to the defeat and prepare for the third-place match now.”
Cruz Azul will face the loser of Wednesday’s Club World Cup semi-final between San Lorenzo and Auckland City, with Real Madrid facing the winner in Saturday’s final.
