Spanish giants Real Madrid have won the FIFA Club World Cup title for a record extending fifth time, beating Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal 5-3 in the final on Saturday, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Madrid had talisman Karim Benzema back in the starting lineup after recovering from injury, while Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde were supporting on the flanks. For Al Hilal, Moyssa Marega started ahead of Nigerian Odion Ighalo in attack, with Salem Al-Dawsari and Andre Carillo on the wings.
The European champions opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Vinicius Junior, before Valverde extended Real Madrid’s lead five minutes later to make the scores 2-0.
In the 26th minute, Marega put one back for Al Hilal with a brilliant counter-attacking goal to make the scores 2-1. Both sides created chances to score but the match remained 2-1 by halftime.
Madrid looked in control early in the second half as Vinicius Jr. set up Benzema in the 54th minute to score the third goal for the European champions.
It was 4-1 in the 58th minute as Valverde extended Real Madrid’s lead from close range, before Luciano Vietto scored for Al Hilal from another counter-attack in the 63rd minute to make the scores 4-2.
- Read more: Ighalo Close To Club World Cup Glory
Moments later, the in-form Vinicius Jr. made the scores 5-2 when he scored from a neat finish. Vietto then reduced the deficit for Al Hilal in the 79th minute, scoring an amazing goal to make the scores 5-3 to pull the curtains on a highly entertaining goal festival in Rabat.
All the exciting goals were to the delight of the Moroccan fans in the stadium, who made the atmosphere lively with their wild celebrations, traditional attires and costumes.
What a Final 🔥🔥🔥#ClubWC
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 11, 2023
“We are very happy. For the eighth time Real Madrid is World Champion,” Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said in an interview.
“We made a good game, with a lot of quality up front,” Ancelotti added. “Vinicius, Benzema, Valverde. they have done very well. They showed skills and quality. It was great.”
Real Madrid have now won five (5) FIFA Club World Cup titles, the most for any club football side in the history of the competition.
The moment Real Madrid C.F. became five-time #ClubWC Champions 🏆
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 11, 2023
