Ronaldo strike leaves Real on top of the world

EUROPEAN champions Real Madrid have beaten Olimpia of Paraguay 2-0 to win the World Club Cup for the third time, emphatically bringing to an end a poor run of results this season.

Real, who won the competition in 1960 and 1998, went ahead in the 14th minute at International Stadium when Brazilian striker Ronaldo finished clinically from just inside the box after Spain star Raul had cleverly dummied a left-wing cross from Roberto Carlos.

Guti, on as a late substitute for Ronaldo, added a richly deserved second for Real with his first touch, heading in a right-wing cross from Luis Figo in the 84th minute to exorcise the ghosts of the 2-1 defeat to Boca Juniors two years ago.