European giants Real Madrid have been crowned the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Champions after seeing off Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal 5-3 in the finals hosted in Morocco on Saturday night.
Madrid took a 13th-minute lead through Vinicius Jnr with Valverde doubling their lead five minutes later. Midway through the first half, Al-Hilal managed to pull one back, with Moussa Marega finishing off a fantastic assist from Mohammed Kanno but Benzema quickly restored Real Madrid’s two-goal advantage in the early stages of the second half, thanks to a pass from Vinicius.
HALA MADRID Y NADA MÁS! pic.twitter.com/roV4SDdMLT
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 11, 2023
Valverde then made it 4-1 at the hour mark and despite a 63rd-minute goal from Luciano Vietto, Al-Hilal’s hopes of a comeback were dashed by Dani Ceballos, who scored from close range to make it 5-2.
Although Vietto scored his second of the night in the 79th minute to bring the score to 5-3, Marega missed an open goal that could have brought the Saudi League club even closer.
It was the first trophy for the Carlo Ancelotti side this season but a record a record-extending fifth time for the Madrid side.
The reigning Champions League winners will face Liverpool in the Round of 16 of the Champions League later this month as they seek to defend their European title.
Also Read: False start for Simba in the Champions League
