ABU DHABI: Cristiano Ronaldo scored with a free kick which went through the defensive wall to break Gremio?s brave resistance and give Real Madrid a 1-0 in the Club World Cup final on Saturday.

Ronaldo?s 53rd-minute strike gave Real their third world title in the last four seasons and ended the South American champions? hopes of pulling off what would have been a huge upset.

The European champions, enjoying the backing of most neutrals at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, dominated the final as expected but Gremio?s much more limited team still made their lives uncomfortable.

Overall, it was the Spanish club?s sixth world title as they also won the old Intercontinental Cup -- now recognised by FIFA -- three times.