It was the 13th final of the FIFA Club World Cup, a FIFA-organised tournament between the winners of the six continental confederations, as well as the host nation's league champions.

Real Madrid entered the competition in the semi-finals, facing Mexican side and CONCACAF Champions League winners América.

Cristiano Ronaldo secured the 2–0 victory and final spot for Los Blancos with a goal in second half stoppage time.

[8] Kashima Antlers started the tournament in the quarter-final play-off, facing New Zealand side Auckland City, winners of the OFC Champions League.

The review was initiated after Kassai received information from Dutchman Danny Makkelie about a missed incident in Atlético Nacional's penalty box.

Gaku Shibasaki equalised for Kashima Antlers shortly before the interval with a low left footed shot from six yards out to the right corner of the net.

In the sixtieth minute, Antlers defender Shuto Yamamoto fouled Real forward Lucas Vázquez in the box, resulting in a penalty awarded to Madrid.

[14] In the 98th minute, Ronaldo scored his second goal of the match to put Real Madrid ahead once again with a low left-footed shot from inside the penalty box which went under the goalkeeper, following a through ball by Benzema.

[15] In the final minute of the first half of extra time, Ronaldo completed his hat-trick for Real Madrid with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the roof of the net, following a pass from Toni Kroos.

[4] Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)[1] Assistant referees:[1] Marwa Range (Kenya) Jerson dos Santos (Angola) Fourth official: Viktor Kassai (Hungary) Fifth official: György Ring (Hungary) Video assistant referees: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands) Damir Skomina (Slovenia) Bakary Gassama (Gambia) Match rules[17]