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.
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.