Los Blancos are aiming to secure a record extending fifth title, while Al-Hilal are the first Saudi Arabian club to reach the final of the tournament.
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Real Madrid and reigning AFC Champions League winners Al-Hilal are set to go head-to-head in the Club World Cup final at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco on Saturday night. Los Blancos are aiming to secure a record extending fifth title, while Al-Hilal are the first Saudi Arabian club to reach the final of the tournament. Real Madrid booked a place in the title decider courtesy of thrashing Egyptian outfit Al Ahly 4-1 on Wednesday, while the Blue Waves got the better of Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo 3-2, a day earlier. The La Liga outfit previously secured the world title in 2018, beating Al Ain 4-1 in the final in UAE.
⚽ ¡A POR LA FINAL!
⏰ 20:00 CET#ClubWC pic.twitter.com/KG8OV6ZobG— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 11, 2023
Real Madrid produced a fine attacking performance to thrash Al Ahly in the last-4 stage. Vinicius Junior broke the deadlock three minutes from the break, before Federico Valverde doubled the lead immediately after the restart. Although Al Ahly pulled one back through Al Maaloul from the penalty spot, injury-time efforts from Rodrygo and Sergio Arribas sealed the win for the reigning Champions League winners. Al-Hilal, on the other hand defeated Brazilian side Flamengo, through Salem Al-Dawsari’s brace from the penalty spot and Luciano Vietto’s 70th-minute effort. The 18-time Saudi Pro League champions have participated in the three previous World Cup’s but this will be their first ever appearances in the title-decider. Real Madrid have an abundance of world class talent at their disposal and it would be interesting to see how Al-Hilal will cope with that. Let’s have a look at some of the key players to watch out for who could make the difference on Saturday.
The Saudi Arabia forward was the hero of the match against Flamengo, having scored a brace. The 31-year-old attacker scored both his goals from the penalty spot and became the first player to score against the same opponents in two editions of the Club World Cup as he had also netted against Rubro-Negro in 2019. Meanwhile, the forward also provided the assist for Luciano Vietto to score the winner against the Brazilian outfit. Al-Dawsari usually operates on the left channel cutting inside onto his right foot and having a go at the goal. He also links up pretty well with fellow attackers Odion Ighalo and Vietto.Â
Although Luka Modric missed a penalty against Al Ahly, the Croatian playmaker was instrumental in controlling the game and played some key passes which led to the goals. The 37-year-old was on the scoresheet when Los Blancos lifted the trophy in UAE, more than four years ago. He is likely to operate in front of the midfield-duo of Toni Kroos and Edouardo Camavinga, and could occasionally drop deep to help build up.
Though Al-Dawsari scored a brace in the semi-final, Vietto was the unsung hero for Al-Hilal in the match against Flamengo. The Argentine attacker won the two penalties which were converted by Al-Dawsari before finishing off a fine counter-attack move twenty minutes from time to secure the win. The former Atletico Madrid-man operates behind the central striker Ighalo and often gets into pockets of space in the attacking third, creating problems for the opposition defenders.Â
The Uruguay attacker seemed to have lacked direction in the first half, but quickly got his acts together to get on the scoresheet a minute into the second half and then produced a high energy game on the right flank. The 24-year-old worked his socks off, won 80% of duals and read passing lanes very well.Â
Rodryo was the player of the match for Real Madrid in the last-4 encounter. The Brazilian was simply brilliant with his dribbling, struck the post once and played a key role in Valverde’s goal. Meanwhile the 22-year-old deservedly got on the scoresheet in the injury time, when he played a nice little one-two with substitute Dani Ceballos, before slotting home from inside the box. Rodrygo’s energy in pressing was infectious and he linked up pretty well with Vinicius.
