Real Madrid won the Club World Cup in Rabat for a record-extending sixth time behind two goals from Vinicius Junior and an assist from Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid has won the Club World Cup for an unprecedented sixth time after defeating Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia 5-3 in the championship match in Rabat, Morocco.
For the European champions in Saturday’s shootout-style final, Vinicius Junior scored twice and assisted Karim Benzema on a third, while Federico Valverde added two more goals. Al-Hilal never had the upper hand in the game, but it was clear that its upset of Flamengo of Brazil to advance to the decisive match in the capital of Morocco wasn’t a fluke.
For the Asian champions, Luciano Vietto scored twice and Moussa Marega once.
The last time Madrid won the Club World Cup was in 2018. In 2014, 2016, and 2017, they also raised the trophy.
Vinicius scored the game’s first goal in the 13th minute and the fifth and final goal for Madrid in the 69th.
Since the end of the previous season, both the team and Vinicius have developed. Vinicius has developed during this process, according to Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, since we have now won the Champions League and the world championship.
“We are ecstatic with what he is doing, especially because he keeps improving. He is now far more decisive and is the key to winning every game.
A day after Ancelotti admitted it was touch-and-go whether Benzema could play at all, his inclusion in Madrid’s starting lineup was a small surprise. The winner of the Ballon d’Or has been absent from Madrid’s previous two contests, including Wednesday’s semifinal victory over Al Ahly of Egypt (4-1).
After exchanging passes with Valverde, the France forward set up Vinicius for the opening goal. Abdullah Al-Mayouf got a leg on the shot, but it wasn’t enough to prevent it from going into the net. In the 18th minute, Valverde doubled the lead by smashing a shoddy clearance through the legs of a defender, who diverted it just enough to keep it from flying beyond Al-Mayouf.
Al-Hilal, though, rediscovered its rhythm as Marega caught Madrid’s backline while trying to break an offside trap in the 26th minute after struggling to even complete three passes in the opening period.
The Madrid goalkeeper’s backup, Andriy Lunin, took over for the injured Thibaut Courtois as the former Porto striker streaked away unperturbed, sized up Lunin, and shot past him.
Until Vinicius delivered a beautiful pass to set up a goal by Benzema, Al-Hilal had the advantage after the goal.
To avoid a defender and respond to Benzema’s darting move, the Brazil striker bent a short cross with the outside edge of his right boot. By launching it into the top of the net with one touch in the 54th minute, Benzema completed the task.
In the 58th, Valverde made a second addition. Vinicius’s second goal was followed by two goals from Vietto, who scored in the 63rd and 79th minutes while Madrid’s defense failed to keep tabs on the Argentine in the penalty area.
Al-Hilal was prevented from attempting a last-ditch equalizer by Marega’s late error.
