Cristiano Ronaldo's ‘hat-trick’ and an opening goal from Benzema gave Real Madrid the win in a final which was decided in extra time.
ristiano Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick as Real Madrid claimed their second FIFA Club World Cup crown after defeating J.League champions Kashima Antlers in extra-time at the International Stadium Yokohama.
Los Blancos, who tasted victory at Morocco 2014, were made to work hard for their world title by a spirited Kashima. After Karim Benzema opened the scoring on nine minutes, a Gaku Shibasaki double fired the Asian side into a dramatic second-half lead.
Real Madrid were dominant from the start, showing their clear intent to be crowned world champions here in Japan. They only needed 9 minutes to show it. Modric rifled a shot from the edge of the box, which Sogahata stopped but Benzema was on hand for the rebound, scooping the ball into the net.
Despite Los Blancos' dominance, Kashima continued to pass the ball elegantly and, with their first clear-cut chance, they grabbed an equaliser before the break. A Doi cross found Shibasaki in the centre of the area who showed great composure to control the ball, beat his marker and fire past Navas to send the host fans into the raptures.
Kashima kept a strong, organised shape in the second half and valiantly took the lead through Shibasaki's 52nd-minute strike. The midfielder showed great technique to beat several defenders before tucking his left-footed effort from the edge of the D into the bottom corner, grabbing his second of the game.
Quick reaction
The team had to go into the second half as a team. Things became more complicated in the 52nd minute following a peach of a left-footed shot from Shibasaki to score his brace. Real Madrid did not take long to react however, and soon levelled the tie. Just 7 minutes later, Benzema again linked up with Lucas Vázquez who was brought down in the box by Shuto. Cristiano Ronaldo took the penalty to make it 2-2
As extra-time followed, Ronaldo fired Real into the lead on 96 minutes after receiving a well-worked through-ball from Benzema and completed his hat-trick soon after, latching onto Toni Kroos' pass to convert from close range and secure the Spanish giants the title.
