Lionel Messi netted in the latter stages of the first period to send the Spanish giants ahead, before Luis Suarez converted in the 49th minute to put the Champions League winners in a comfortable position.

Suarez then netted his second of the match and fifth in the competition as a whole in the 68th minute as Luis Enrique's team were crowned the best club team on the planet.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed in Yokohama.

Matias Kranevitter of Argentina's River Plates, during their Libertadores Cup first leg final, at the Universitario Stadium, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon State, Mexico, on July 29, 2015 © Getty Images

RIVER PLATE

Goal

Marcelo Barovero: Made a stunning save to deny Messi in the first period and in truth, was not given too much protection by his back four. Could not do too much with any of the three goals. (6/10)

Defence

Gabriel Mercado: Probably the player most involved all over the park. Dished out his fair share of late challenges and also took some as well. Certainly added to the entertainment value. (6/10)

Jonathan Maidana: Slightly fortunate not to concede a penalty for a late challenge on Neymar and like a number of his teammates, struggled to deal with Barcelona when the tempo was raised. (5/10)

Eder Alvarez Balanta: Football Manager gamers will have watched the Colombian closely, with the centre-back a legend on the game. Did quite well, but it was tough against Barcelona's attack. (6/10)

Leonel Vangioni: Did not do too much wrong in terms of any individual errors, but River's back four threatened to fall apart in the second period and the 28-year-old was not too comfortable. (5/10)

Midfield

Matias Kranevitter: Will now move to Atletico Madrid after playing his last game for River. Picked up an early booking for a feisty challenge on Messi. Looks to be a Diego Simeone player. (6/10)

Leonardo Ponzio: Picked up a first-half booking for having a nibble at Dani Alves. Struggled to get on the ball in the first period and was replaced by Luis Gonzalez at the half-time interval. (6/10)

Carlos Sanchez: Was one of River's brightest players in the early stages as he used the ball intelligently from a midfield position, but the Uruguay international faded out of the match. (6/10)

Tabare Viudez: Showed bits and pieces of his quality in the first period, but the 26-year-old, who is a new signing at River, was replaced in his team's third change shortly before the hour mark. (5/10)

Attack

Rodrigo Mora: Did not have much to feed upon during a difficult first period. There was no real service into the striker for long spells and he was also withdrawn by the Argentine side at the break. (6/10)

Lucas Alario: Had an outstanding chance to register late on, but his powerful header brought an excellent stop from Claudio Bravo. Could not repeat his heroics from the semi-final. (6/10)

Substitutes

Gonzalo Martinez: Replaced Ponzio at the break and the number 10 had some bright moments in the latter stages. Brought a fine stop from Bravo in the final 10 minutes of action in Japan. (6/10)

Lucho Gonzalez: Somewhat of a surprise that the 34-year-old was not selected from the start, but he was introduced at the interval and looked as classy as ever in possession of the ball. (6/10)

Sebastian Driussi: Thrown on for the final 35 minutes as River chased the match, but it was always going to be a big ask for the 19-year-old to make an impression at that stage of the contest. (6/10)

Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (L) celebrates a goal with Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar during the Spanish league 'Clasico' football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on November 21, 2015. © Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Did not have an awful lot to do for long spells, but made a wonderful save to deny Alario late on and was calm and confident between the sticks. Undoubtedly Barcelona's number one. (7/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Always willing to break forward and the Brazilian set up a couple of excellent chances with his delivery from the right. Did not put a foot wrong at the back either during a solid performance. (7/10)

Gerard Pique: River did cause problems with their pace and movement in the final third, but Pique used all of his experience and know-how to deal with a number of potentially dangerous situations. (8/10)

Javier Mascherano: Very much enjoyed the physical battle against a number of his countryman. This type of high-intensity encounter was right up his alley and the centre-back had a solid game. (7/10)

Jordi Alba: Was on the end of a number of late challenges and the left-back was also very physical himself. Perhaps a touch fortunate to remain on the field following a poor tackle on Sanchez. (6/10)

Midfield

Sergio Busquets: Delivered a wonderful pass into Suarez for Barcelona's second of the match and was an absolute monster in the middle of the park. Always willing to stand up to the physical battle. (8/10)

Ivan Rakitic: Put in an industrious performance in the middle of the park. Was not too involved in the final third, but kept things ticking over in the centre before being replaced for the final 25 minutes. (7/10)

Andres Iniesta: Not quite as impressive as he was in the semi-final, but the Spaniard still had a strong game in the centre of the park. Used the ball intelligently as Barcelona dominated the midfield. (7/10)

Attack

Neymar: Was on the end of some rough treatment, but the fit-again Brazilian had the last laugh. Did not score, but provided two assists and was class personified each time he had possession of the ball. (8/10)

Luis Suarez: Another sensational performance from the striker, who followed up his hat-trick in the semi with another two goals here. Caused River's back four absolute nightmares with his movement. (9/10)

Lionel Messi: Recovered from illness to start and opened the scoring with a fine finish in the first period. Really should have had at least two more, however, after some excellent chances. (8/10)

Substitutes

Sergi Roberto: Dropped out of the starting XI due to the return of both Messi and Neymar, but the in-form midfielder was given a taste of the final - replacing Rakitic for the final 25 minutes. (6/10)

Thomas Vermaelen: The first of two defensive changes late on, the Belgian slotted into central defence after replacing Mascherano in the 81st minute. Had a comfortable end to the match in Yokohama. (6/10)

Jeremy Mathieu: It came as no surprise when Neymar was protected for the closing minutes and it was Mathieu that entered the field in the 89th minute. Only touched the ball on a couple of occasions. (6/10)