Real Madrid cruised through to the final of the Club World Cup in Japan on Thursday morning thanks to a 2-0 win over Club America of Mexico.Los Blancos dominated most of the game, created the big chances and scored at the end of each half through Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo to take their place in the final against Kashima Antlers on Sunday, with the latter's strike being bizarrely delayed as the referee gave the goal, disallowed it and then backtracked after consultation with the video-replay team.Despite the two star forwards both finding the net, they must be causing disquiet for Zinedine Zidane on the touchline as they look increasingly disconnected in their games and bring forward a decision for the head coach on how to continue getting the best out of his No. 7, 2016Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo.Ronaldo's freedomCristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed a change of role recently, since the attacking injuries for Madrid forced Zidane into an altered lineup around the time of the derby against Atletico. Then he played as the lone centre-forward; in games since, he has been one of two in attack.The win over America saw a return to 4-3-3, at least on paper, but Ronaldo's role hasn't changed too much. He barely touched the left flank at all, instead having the licence to run around the second attacking line through the middle, link play, turn to run at the defence and play off both channels if he desired.He's not a striker, has never been a winger, and the spaces he took up in this game were very much those of a second forward: higher than a No. 10, without the playmaking instinct, but still looking to be involved in build-up play, get into the box, beyond the defence and get shots away. He did that to good effect: striking the woodwork, heading against the post, scoring late on in the match and seeing one second-half effort blocked by a combination of goalkeeper and defender when a goal looked a certainty.But it could, and should, have been more.And it was often Benzema who clouded the issue. More than once the Frenchman failed to return a pass where Ronaldo had started the move and was expecting it back, in space, while the No. 7 gave his team-mate daggers when he got in the way for a free header just a few yards out. Ronaldo should have scoredinstead, he cleared the cross for America.Where the fault truly lies for that moment of six-yard box nonsense is irrelevant. Ronaldo needs his team to play on his wavelength to shine, and when Ronaldo shines brightest, Real have the greatest chance of winning.Compare his lack of happiness with Benzema to his ongoing relationship with Lucas Vazquez: the right-winger isalways looking to feed the Portuguese forward, does plenty of work solely for the benefit of Ronaldo being on the ball in space, and picks him out in the box unerringly when other options are available.It was to Lucas that Ronaldo ran after his late goal, and the link play between the two continues to impress.Benzema's fallBenzema's own game, aside from any link with Ronaldo, has been well below par all year. He scored the opener in this game, true, and has nine in 19 all season, but he has still been significantly poorer than his best level, or even a sustainable level compared to what others in the team offer.The disappearance of his selfless penalty-box work this term is a major concern, and he misses plenty of opportunities to up his goal tally. Even before scoring on the brink of half-time, Benzema had passed up at least two presentable chances to put his side ahead. Alvaro Morata came on late in the match, and though the Spaniard is still searching for full sharpness after injury, he must be hoping for an opportunity of his own to start in the final.Benzema must be the player most at risk from Zidane's recent tactical changes.From a 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 perspective, Isco and Lucas have both alternately played well, while James Rodriguez has come back into the frame in the past three or four matches.Add in the midfield quartetCasemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacicall either being important to the side on a season-long basis or having been in excellent form recently, and there will have to be rotations over the coming months to allow game time to those who deserve it.Benzema is not one of those.Lucas VazquezBack to Lucas, he's a different matter entirely.He had to bide his time early in the campaign, sat on the bench with regularity, but the extent to which Zidane trusts him was apparent even then: defensive or offensive-minded with his changes, the boss would almost always turn to Lucas to help alter the flow of the match.In fact, Lucas is top of Real Madrid's entire squad this season by matches played, if not by minutes on the pitch.The Spanish winger has benefitted more recently from Gareth Bale's long-term injury. While not at Bale's level of power or goalscoring prowess, Lucas holds the width for the team, offers tactical balance in either system and is incredibly selfless with his driving runs and finding a good pass or cut-back cross at the end.He's a near-cert for the XI each week on account of his good link play, his defensive work rate and his pace, which too many of the other scheming attacking midfielders available to Zidane do not possess.Even once Bale returns in 2017, if Zidane can bear to part himself from a three-man central midfield, there's no reason why Lucas cannot continue playing a bigger part. And, as noted above, his relationship on the pitch with Ronaldo is a big positive in his favour.36 not outQuite aside from the main objective of reaching the final and winning the Club World Cup, Real Madrid are still going strong on their club-record unbeaten run, and the win over Club America made it 36 successive matches without defeat under Zidane.Other positives from the game included:Nacho's strong performance at centre-backToni Kroos with some excellent link play in the middleCasemiro's return to better, more determined, concentrated formCombined with America's own poor display, Real stood firm in shape in the second half to limit chances on their own goal and keep a clean sheet, important in the context of many missed opportunities in attack.Follow @karlmatchett
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