Real Madrid beats Al Hilal 5-3 to win fifth Club World Cup title

It was a largely one-sided contest, with Real never looking likely to cede control despite allowing its opponent to score three times, with Luciano Vietto also netting twice.

Published : Feb 12, 2023 08:28 IST , RABAT

Karim Benzema lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy following as Real Madrid beats Al Hilal 5-3 in the final at Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on February 11, 2023. 
Karim Benzema lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy following as Real Madrid beats Al Hilal 5-3 in the final at Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on February 11, 2023.  | Photo Credit: Getty Images
infoIcon

Karim Benzema lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy following as Real Madrid beats Al Hilal 5-3 in the final at Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on February 11, 2023.  | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Real Madrid won the Club World Cup for a record extending fifth time after beating Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal 5-3 in the final on Saturday, with doubles from Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr and a goal by Karim Benzema.

It was a largely one-sided contest at the Prince Moulay Abdallah stadium, with Real never looking likely to cede control despite allowing its opponent to score three times, with Luciano Vietto also netting twice.

The Moroccan fans who created a noisy atmosphere enjoyed a flurry of goals that started early, with the European champion opening the scoring in the 13th minute.

Valverde linked up with Benzema, who put the ball on a plate for Vinicius ghosting in behind the defence to slot in from close range.

Valverde extended Real’s lead five minutes later on the rebound but Al Hilal hit back with a goal from Moussa Marega on the counter-attack.

Real controlled the tempo and had almost 70% possession, but it was exposed several times in defence, with Marega and Vietto creating trouble one-on-one against Antonio Rudiger and Eduardo Camavinga, who was once again playing as an improvised left back.

Vinicius took centre stage after the break, with the Brazilian showing off his skills against the beleaguered Al Hilal defence, with the crowd on their feet every time the jet-heeled Brazilian ran down the left channel.

He set up Benzema for Real’s third with a brilliant cross with the outside of his boot in the 54th minute, before Valverde extended their lead from close-range.

Vietto reduced the deficit for Al Hilal from another counter five minutes later but any hopes of a comeback were swiftly dashed as Vinicius added another for Real in the 69th with a tidy finish after playing the ball through a defender’s legs.

Vietto scored his second of the night 10 minutes later to round off a high-scoring encounter that delighted the Moroccan fans.

Also Read | Thomas Muller sets record, scores to keep Bayern Munich top in Bundesliga

Having also won three Intercontinental Cup trophies, a predecessor to the Club World Cup that pitched the European and South American champions against each other, Real have a combined total of eight global titles.

The next most successful sides are AC Milan and Bayern Munich with four titles each in the two competitions.

“We are very happy. For the eighth time Real Madrid is World Champion,” manager Carlo Ancelotti told Telecinco.

“We made a good game, with a lot of quality up front. Vinicius, Benzema, Valverde... they have done very well. They showed skills and quality. It was great.”

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment