Real Madrid secured another prestigious title to their already decorated cabinet, defeating Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal 5-3 in an exhilarating FIFA Club World Cup final. The match, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, saw the Spanish giants showcase their attacking prowess while Al Hilal put up a spirited fight.
Fast Start From the European Champions
Carlo Ancelotti’s side started the match with high intensity, asserting their dominance early on. The breakthrough came in the 13th minute, when Vinícius Júnior latched onto a pass from Karim Benzema to open the scoring with a calm finish past the Al Hilal goalkeeper.
Just five minutes later, Federico Valverde doubled Madrid’s lead with a powerful strike that deflected slightly before hitting the net, giving the La Liga side a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
Al Hilal’s Brave Response
Despite going down early, Al Hilal didn’t back down. The AFC Champions League winners struck back in the 26th minute through Moussa Marega, who made a surging run and beat Madrid’s defense to slot the ball past Andriy Lunin.
The Saudi side continued to press forward, but were punished again shortly after the break. Karim Benzema, returning from injury, scored a trademark goal in the 54th minute after a sublime assist from Vinícius, restoring Madrid’s two-goal lead.
Goal Fest Continues
Valverde struck again just before the hour mark, making it 4-1 with his second goal of the night. Al Hilal’s Luciano Vietto responded with a well-placed finish to make it 4-2, but Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior wasn’t done yet. He curled in his second goal in the 69th minute, putting the match out of reach at 5-2.
Vietto would score again in the 79th minute to bring the scoreline to 5-3, but it was too little, too late for the spirited underdogs.
Real Madrid Lift Fifth Club World Cup
With this win, Real Madrid lifted their fifth FIFA Club World Cup title, extending their record and further asserting their global dominance. The match was a thrilling display of attacking football, with both sides contributing to a spectacle that thrilled the Moroccan crowd.
Vinícius Júnior was named Man of the Match, with 2 goals and 1 assist, continuing his rise as one of the brightest stars in world football.
Post-Match Reactions
Manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his side’s attacking depth:
“We played with intensity and creativity. This title means a lot. Every trophy matters when you play for Real Madrid.”
Al Hilal coach Ramón Díaz was proud despite the loss:
“We competed with honor. Scoring three goals against a club like Madrid shows the progress of Saudi football.”
Final Score: Real Madrid 5 – 3 Al Hilal
Scorers:
- Real Madrid: Vinícius Jr. (13′, 69′), Valverde (18′, 58′), Benzema (54′)
- Al Hilal: Marega (26′), Vietto (63′, 79′)