Real Madrid beat J-League side Kashima Antlers 3-1 today, with Gareth Bale grabbing an impressive 11 minute hat trick to steer his side into the Club World Cup final.
The Welshman opened the scoring for the La Liga side just before halftime, after playing a neat one two with Marcelo on the left wing and finishing low to the keeper's right:
The second came as a result of a cock-up in the Kashima Antlers defence on 53 minutes, Bale pouncing on a bad back pass to the goalie, rounding the keeper and slotting into an empty net:
His third strike was the pick of the bunch, lashing home from a tight angle after being put through by Marcelo:
Bale would not be risked for the entire match and was substituted on 60 minutes, having scored in the competition for the third time, a feat only accomplished by ex-team mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
Kashmima Antlers would respond through Shoma Doi on 78 minutes but it wasn't enough as Real Madrid advance to the final, which takes place on Saturday against UAE's Al Ain.
