Real Madrid vs. Kashima Antlers: 2016 FIFA Club World Cup Final Score & Reaction

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick propelled Real Madrid to glory at the expense of a gallant Kashima Antlers side in the FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday, as the European champions eventually edged a thrilling match 4-2 after extra time in Yokohama, Japan. 

A goal from Karim Benzema in the ninth minute gave Real the lead, but they failed to make their early dominance count, and Gaku Shibasaki stunned the La Liga side with an equaliser on the cusp of half-time.

The underdogs were in dreamland seven minutes after the restart, as Shibasaki put them 2-1 ahead, although Ronaldo quickly levelled up from the penalty spot. The Portuguese was then on hand again in extra time to put Madrid back in front before completing his treble of strikes.

Los Blancos are only the second team to have won this competition twice. They are now level with bitter rivals Barcelona and Brazilian side Corinthians in the overall stakes.

As the big favourites for this one, there was pressure on Madrid heading into the contest. But any lingering nerves the men in white felt were quickly banished, as they bossed the ball and took a ninth-minute lead.

Luka Modric's volley from the edge of the penalty area was too hot for Hitoshi Sogahata to handle in the Kashima goal, and Benzema was the first to react with a tap-in from close range. As noted by MisterChip, it was a landmark goal for the Frenchman:

After the early strike, Madrid eased into the match, controlling the tempo of the game and starving their opponents of possession.

Initially, they pushed for a second, too, with Benzema the most threatening of the forward players on display. Meanwhile, Ronaldo struggled to impose himself on the contest. ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan summed up his first half:

The malaise the game then fell into meant the hosts were able to gain a foothold as half-time approached, and roared on by their supporters, they started to feel confident. Then, remarkably, they grabbed an equaliser before the break.

Shoma Doi showed great determination to dig out a cross, and Shibasaki was fastest to react in the penalty area, controlling the ball and thrashing a shot past Keylor Navas. Suddenly, it was game on. Journalist Nick Dorrington praised the efforts of the underdogs at the interval:

After the break, it was the home side who continued to threaten, with Madrid looking a little nervy at the back. That edginess was compounded in the 52nd minute, as the Antlers took a surprise lead.

Sergio Ramos skewed a bizarre clearance toward his own penalty area, where Shibasaki picked up possession. From there, the Antlers man showed neat feet to move the ball onto his left foot, dart away from some white shirts and put his side ahead.

It was a goal that triggered a response from a previously ponderous Madrid, and before the hour mark, they were back on terms. Lucas Vazquez scampered into the penalty area, where he was flattened by Shuto Yamamoto and awarded a clear penalty.

Ronaldo stepped up confidently from 12 yards and struck the ball beyond the Antlers keeper to equalise. Per Squawka Football, the forward so often contributes on these big occasions:

With momentum in tow, Real began to apply pressure as the clock ticked down, although it was Kashima who felt hard done by in the latter stages. Ramos, already on a booking, was lucky to avoid a sending-off after a cynical foul, with the referee seemingly reaching for a card and then changing his mind.

Nevertheless, the match went to extra time, with Kashima's Endo missing a brilliant chance to win it with the last kick of the 90 minutes. Bleacher Report's Karl Matchett was far from impressed with how Madrid approached this one:

After some time to take a collective breath, the Spanish side were much-improved in extra time, and in the 97th minute, their main man made his mark for the second time.

Benzema was again involved, as he threaded a brilliant pass into Ronaldo's path. With time to pick his spot, the Madrid No. 7 made no mistake with an emphatic finish, and Madrid were back in front.

Kashima continued to impress, though, and were inches away from hitting straight back when Yuma Suzuki headed against the bar. It stirred the home crowd, but their hopes were extinguished by the recently crowned Ballon d'Or winner before the break.

It was another predatory finish from Ronaldo, too, as he controlled the ball well and maneuvered sharply in the penalty area before smashing past Sogahata. Per Bleacher Report UK, it completed the forward's 40th hat-trick for Real. Los Blancos man Gareth Bale enjoyed it:

Finally, Real looked to have this one won, with Ronaldo brought off in place of Alvaro Morata. In the second period of extra time, they were able to calmly see out the remaining minutes of an otherwise frantic final.

Madrid's uneven performances at this tournament have been indicative of their first year under Zinedine Zidane. At times it's been difficult to decipher a particular pattern of play, and going forward, they have looked fractured in spells. But they're determined, spirited and have players like Ronaldo who stand up in key matches.

The Club World Cup wouldn't have been top of the team's agenda this year, although it's another reminder of the fine job done by Zidane since he took over. After laying some sound foundations, Madridistas should be excited about what this group can accomplish in 2016, especially with the ever-imperious Ronaldo on their side.

Reaction

Afterward, FIFA's Twitter feed snapped the champions with their silverware and confirmed the individual award winners for the competition:

Ronaldo insisted this one was a title the team was desperate to win and commented on his own incredible year, per Corrigan: