The Portuguese was in fine form in front of goal as the UEFA Champions League winners avoided an upset at the International Stadium in Yokohama.

Real took the lead in the ninth minute through French striker Karim Benzema but the Kashima Antlers, the first Japanese team to ever reach the Club World Cup final, turned the contest on its head as Gaku Shibasaki scored either side of half-time to put them in front.

Ronaldo, recently crowned as the winner of the Ballon d’Or for the fourth time in his career, drew the La Liga outfit level as he converted a penalty on the hour mark.

Neither side were able to find a crucial goal before the end of the 90 minutes, but Real went ahead early in extra-time as Benzema turned provider for Ronaldo.

Just before the break, Ronaldo completed his hat-trick before the Spanish club saw out a win which stretches their record unbeaten run to 37 matches.

They have not lost since April, where they were beaten 2-0 by German outfit Wolfsburg in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Real were boosted by the return of Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, who missed the semi-final win against Club América through injury.

The match began at a frantic pace as the J-League champions started brightly, but it was Real who took the lead early on as Benzema followed up Luka Modric’s effort from distance.

The Japanese outfit continued to press forward in search of an equaliser but they had to wait until a minute before the break to level as Shibasaki beat Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas with a smart effort.

Clearly buoyed by levelling on the stroke of half-time, Kashima stunned their Spanish opponents by going in front shortly after the restart.

This goal was all Shibasaki’s doing as he received the ball, charged at the Real defence and unleashed an unstoppable drive which flew beyond Navas and into the net.

Unfortunately for the majority of the supporters inside the stadium, which hosted the World Cup final in 2002, their joy was short-lived as Lucas Vazquez was clipped by Shuto Yamamoto on the 60-minute mark, allowing Ronaldo to score from the spot.

The Portuguese, who had been anonymous for large periods of the match, then took the game by the scruff of the neck, first converting a pass from Benzema before he slotted home his third to wrap up victory for his side.

In the third-place play-off, Atletico Nacional beat Club América 4-3 on penalties after the match had ended in a 2-2 draw.

The Colombian side had gone 2-0 up inside 26 minutes through a Miguel Samudio own goal before Alejandro Guerra effort doubled the lead.

However, Michael Arroyo scored seven minutes before the break and an Oribe Peralta penalty in the 66th minute leveled proceedings.

But the Copa Libertadores champions eventually came out on top, with Miguel Borja scoring the decisive penalty.