Real Madrid beat Al Hilal 5-3 in Morocco on Saturday to lift the Club World Cup for the fifth time. Vinicius Primary and Wedding ring Valverde struck twice each, while Karim Benzema He also scored on his return from injury in Madrid’s win over rivals in Saudi Arabia. Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who won the Champions League last season, were too attacking for opponents to deal with.
After winning the UEFA Super Cup in August, Madrid claimed their second trophy of the season with a sweeping victory at the Prince Moulay Abdullah Stadium in Rabat.
It also provides a welcome respite for their La Liga campaign, where they are eight points behind rivals Barcelona, who also beat them in the Spanish Super Cup final in January.
Madrid also won three Intercontinental Cups – competitions between European and South American champions – in 1960, 1998 and 2002, combined with the 2005 Club World Cup.
“We are very happy, Madrid are world champions for the eighth time and that is what we have to do,” Ancelotti told Telecinco.
“We’re happy, it was a good game. I think we have a good front with Vinicius, Karim, Valverde, they got two, and the mobility and quality of the team. very good.”
Ancelotti brought Benzema back into the starting XI after missing the semi-final win over Al Ahly with a thigh injury, while Rodrygo was on the bench.
The 35-year-old striker set up Vinicius’ opening goal with a short pass that put the Brazilian winger in the net.
After a frustrating spell in Spain amid racist abuse from the stands and attacks on him on the pitch, Vinicius was able to enjoy himself in Morocco, scoring in both games in Madrid. ball and be crowned the best player of the tournament.
Ancelotti told reporters: “We are happy with him because he is improving all the time, he is more efficient.”
“He has scored in almost every game and has made an impact in all of them.”
The same goes for the whole team, it’s a pleasure working with Harvey Hernandez led Barcelona to a world title.
“We are improving,” Ancelotti added. “We have to take into account that mistakes are made at the back and the team is coming back, like Kareem, (it does) Militao, (Thibault) Courtois.
“This trophy will give us momentum for the rest of the season.”
Valverde headed home the second through the legs of defender Ali Albulayhi, out of sight of goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayoof.
Former Porto striker Moussa Marega pulled one back for the 2021 AFC Champions League winner, firing past Andrea Lunin who should have done more to keep it out.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper, who replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois, is celebrating his birthday but has one more game to forget despite the victory.
In short order, Saudi Arabia looked like they were going to really test their more distinguished opponents, but Madrid picked up the pace in the second half to deliver an interesting win.
– open style –
Vinicius set up Benzema with a stunning cross from the outside of his boot early in the second half and the France striker made no mistakes from close range.
Uruguayan midfielder Ernesto Valverde scores his second goal after clever coordination with the defender Dani Carvajalfinding his form and goal again after his form dropped.
Al Hilal pulled one back through ex-Atletico Madrid striker Luciano Vieto, who hit Lunin with a shot.
Vinicius quickly counterattacked, but Vietto turned and made a clever save to close the distance to two goals again.
Marega delivered a brilliant chance with 10 minutes left to get Madrid off the hook as he could have forced a tight final.
An Asian League team has never won the tournament, and European teams have lifted the trophy every year since Brazil’s Corinthians won in 2012.
Earlier, Brazil’s Copa Libertadores champion Flamengo beat Egypt’s Al Ahli 4-2 to win the third place.
(This story was not edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from syndicated feeds.)
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