Real Madrid crowned soccer champ

MARRAKECH, Morocco -- Real Madrid outclassed San Lorenzo of Argentina 2-0 in the Club World Cup final on Saturday to put a crown on its status as the best club in world football.

The cup added to Madrid's 2014 trophy haul of Champions League, Copa del Rey, and European Super Cup, and it will carry a 22-game winning streak into 2015.

Sergio Ramos made the breakthrough, leaping up and heading in Toni Kroos' sweetly stuck corner after 37 minutes. Ramos also got Madrid off the mark in its 4-0 victory over CONCACAF champion Cruz Azul in the semifinals.

Loosely marked in the area, Gareth Bale doubled Madrid's lead early in the second half. The South American champion's goalkeeper, Sebastian Torrico, should have done better with Bale's left-footed shot, which bobbled under his body.

This was Madrid's fourth world club championship, first in the Club World Cup format, and its last competitive match of 2014.

"An unforgettable year," Ramos said.

Madrid dominated the often scrappy, and at times ill-tempered final in Marrakech's Grand Stade. If San Lorenzo's most famous fan, Pope Francis, wasn't watching on television, then he didn't miss a classic.

In Madrid's ongoing streak of 22 wins, a Spanish record, Madrid has scored 81 goals and let in just 10.

Sports on 12/21/2014

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