Fifa Club World Cup: Real Madrid 2-0 Club America - Benzema and Ronaldo seal Club World Cup final place - 5 things we learned

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal

Real Madrid edged closer to a third trophy of 2016 as Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo saw off a determined but limited Club America of Mexico to book their place in the final of the Club World Cup against Kashima Antlers on Sunday.

Ronaldo had a day to forget in front of goal for the most part, but Real weren't made to pay for their star man's profligacy as America rarely threatened to trouble Keylor Navas in the Madrid goal.

The Portuguese headed against the post early on, but it took just one move of Real quality to make the difference as Toni Kroos's sublime through ball was swept into the top corner by Benzema.

The Frenchman and Ronaldo got their wires crossed midway through the second-half as Benzema ducked out of a cross at the last second to hand the Portuguese a seemingly open goal but Ronaldo mistimed his header and ended up making a clearance the America defence would've been proud of.

But Ronaldo did get his moment right at the death running on to a precise ball through before finishing with aplomb from a tight angle.

Here are 5 things we learned:

1. Ronaldo breaks CWC duck

Fresh from celebrating a fourth Ballon d'Or and with even a glint of gold in his latest hairstyle, Ronaldo's touch in front of goal was not so flashy as his quest for a Club World Cup goal for Madrid looked to set to go on.

He wasn't short of chances, but the more desperate he came, the more he snatched at them.

He headed against the post and forced a fine stop from Moises Munoz with a piledriver before the break.

However, much worse was to come as the former Man United man with his embarrassing miss after half-time that will give him nightmares on replay.

But with only seconds remaining CR7 finally got his goal, finished from a tight angle - a 500th of his career.

2. First-choice Madrid midfield clicks

For the first time in three months Kroos and Luka Modric started together in the Madrid midfield supported by Brazilian destroyer Casemiro.

Kroos in particular tends to be a player transformed with the extra insurance of Casemiro behind him and allows the German to do what he does best in providing the killer pass further up the field.

The opening goal was a perfect example as Modric and Kroos combined before the latter split the until then obdurate America defence with a lovely through ball for Benzema.

All three have had their injury problems this season, but keep Kroos, Modric and Casemiro fit come the new year and Real will go very close to the treble.

Real Madrid's Luka Modric in action with Club America's William

3. Madrid fail to take Japan by storm

Judging by the club's social media output it would seem Real have been swarmed by thousands of adoring fans everywhere they've gone since touching down in Japan on Monday.

Yet, that enthusiasm didn't result in a capacity crowd as large swaths of empty seats were visible at the 72,000 International Stadium in Yokohama that played host to the 2002 World Cup final.

4. Zidane's workhorses provide balance

The names Nacho, Casemiro and Lucas Vazquez may not conjure up the glitz and glamour expected of Real Madrid's Galacticos, but they are a huge part of the reason Real are on a club record 36-game unbeaten run.

Nacho's ability to play anywhere across the defence has made him the perfect utility player.

Vazquez width on the right to balance out Ronaldo's tendency to drift in from the other flank and a defensive hand to Dani Carvajal that Marcelo can only dream of from the Portuguese.

Casemiro's role can best be surmised by his habit of leaving his teammates to celebrate goals, whilst he has a tactical chinwag with coach Zinedine Zidane on the touchline.

5. CWC in need of reform

FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plans to extend the Club World Cup to 32 teams for 2019 has all the ingredients of classic FIFA greed to drain every last cent possible from their landmark club competition.

However, there is no doubt this tournament is in need of reform.

The European champions have now won 18 of their last 19 games at the Club World Cup over the past decade.

The exception to the rule being the Chelsea side of 2012 who used up all their miracles in winning the Champions League before falling to Brazil's Internacional.