As Asian champions, they earned the right to represent the AFC at the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, entering at the second round.

They faced some tough opponents on their road to the final, the highlight being their challengers in the semifinal — Al-Sadd of Qatar who lined up with Barcelona great Xavi in the midfield and former Atlético Madrid legend Gabi manning the defence.

They made consecutive appearances for Japanese clubs in the final, Urawa Red Diamonds winning 2–1 on aggregate against Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the previous edition.

Kashima worked their way back into the game but the away side's threat on the break was demonstrated when Hiroki Abe was booked for a cynical foul on Bashar Resan as the midfielder surged forward.

Kashima made the first chance of the second half when Abe instigated a move that ended with Serginho laying the ball back for Silva.

The midfield man played a neat one-two with Shoma on the edge of the Persepolis penalty area and cut inside before curling a low left-footed shot into the corner from 18 yards.

The ball broke to Kento Misao 20 yards out and he played a deft pass into the path of Serginho on the right and the Brazilian placed his shot into the far corner from the edge of the six-yard box.

Kwoun, for whom this was a third Asian crown following two with South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, was at the top of his game, keeping the Iranians, especially Ali Alipour and Bashar Resan at bay.

Seven minutes before half-time Resan muscled his way past two defenders close to the Kashima goal, but failed to beat Kwoun at his near post.

Persepolis coach Branko Ivankovic sent on Mohsen Rabiekhah and Ehsan Alvanzadeh in a desperate attempt to break the deadlock but to no avail.

After winning the home leg 2–0, the Japanese team held Persepolis to a goalless stalemate in Iran to clinch their first-ever title in the tournament.

[14][15] Man of the Match: Godwin Mensha (Persepolis)[2] Assistant referees:[2] Abu Bakar Al-Amri (Oman) Rashid Al-Ghaithi (Oman) Fourth official:[2] Ronnie Koh Min Kiat (Singapore) Additional assistant referees:[2] Muhammad Taqi (Singapore) Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan) Match rules[3]