Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde scored a brace each, while Karim Benzema also found the back of the net on his return from injury in Los Blancos’ stunning victory in front of a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
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Real Madrid beat Al-Hila 5-3 to lift a record-extending fifth Club World Cup title in Morocco on Saturday. Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde scored a brace each, while Karim Benzema also found the back of the net on his return from injury in Los Blancos’ stunning victory in front of a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti equalled Pep Guardiola’s record of three world titles. Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian outfit, who were playing in their first World Cup final, gave a good account of themselves by scoring three times, courtesy of Moussa Marega’s first-half strike and Luciano Vietto’s second-half double.
🏆 #W8RLDCHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RdkO71WUFM
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 11, 2023
It took only thirteen minutes for Madrid to break the deadlock as Benzema played a nice little through ball for Vinicius to slot home past Al-Hilal goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf and into the back of the net. The reigning Champions League winners doubled the lead five minutes later, through Valverde’s fine first-time volley from inside the box. Just when it looked like Madrid were in control of the game, the Saudi Pro League side netted against the run of play. Mohamed Kanno played a perfectly weighted through ball to release Marega on goal and the former Porto forward made no mistake as he slid the ball past Madrid custodian Andriy Lunin, who could have done better to keep it out.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper, standing in for the injured Thibaut Courtois, didn’t have the best of outings. The goal certainly lifted the morale of the 2021 AFC champions League winners, but the La Liga giants had more than enough quality in their ranks to switch gear. Nine minutes into the second half, Vinicius set up Benzema to restore the two-goal lead, before Valverde combined with Dani Carvajal and fired home to complete his brace. Meanwhile Al-Hilal were not willing to give up without a fight and Vietto reduced the deficit with a delicate chip over Lunin and into the back of the net.
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Vinicius quickly hit back with a brilliant right-footed curler but Vietto pounced with a clever turn and finish to cut the distance to two goals again. The Spanish outfit held on to their two-goal lead and lifted the trophy for the first time since 2018. It was Madrid’s second trophy of the season, having secured the UEFA European Super Cup trophy at the start of the campaign. An Asian confederation side has never won the tournament, with European side’s clinching the trophy every year since Brazil’s Corinthians won in 2012. Earlier, Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo finished with a 4-2 win over Egyptian club AL Ahly.
Twitter was buzzing as the people were going crazy about Real Madrid beating Al-Hilal to lift the 2023 Club World Cup title. Lets see some tweets and memes from some fans from all over the world.
FT: 🇪🇸 Real Madrid 5️⃣-3️⃣ Al Hilal 🇸🇦
Al Hilal’s fairytale run comes to an end as the European champions Real Madrid are crowned the #ClubWC champions! pic.twitter.com/l7ciOrlBUK
— #ACL2022 (@TheAFCCL) February 11, 2023
#FIFAClubWorldCup #ClubWC #RealMadrid #AlHilal
🏆 Club World Cup Final ✅️
🇪🇸Real Madrid 3️⃣ 🆚️ 1️⃣ Al Hilal🇸🇦#Benzema 53′pic.twitter.com/cybAjAiPKM— GIO.GOL (@geovmauri) February 11, 2023
Goaaal by Fede Valverde 🔥🇺🇾
Real Madrid 2-0 Al Hilal
Federico Valverde saved Carlo Ancelotti’s career by scoring 10 Goals in this season ⚽🔥😁 pic.twitter.com/oCxtXHnDdY— 🇸🇴Freak (@Arrafo1) February 11, 2023
Congratulations 🎊.. Real Madrid beat Al Hilal 5-3 to win their fifth FIFA Club World Cup trophy.
2014🏆
2016🏆
2017🏆
2018🏆
2022🏆Hala Madrid 🤍🤍🤍#ChristianAtsu | Kamaldeen Sulemana | Hearts of Oak | Blue Ivy pic.twitter.com/HcpFHNjKTO
— Joe Okyere Dewryta Itaalia (@JoeOkyere8) February 11, 2023
