Real Madrid are world champions for the eighth time in their history and for the 5th time with the current format. The Whites defeated Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat with Vinicius Jr, Fede Valverde and Karim Benzema on the scoresheet. This title completes a spectacular century of trophies for Los Blancos, the 100th trophy in their history in a record that includes 35 LaLiga Santanders, 19 Copa del Reys and 14 Champions Leagues. The Saudi club won the AFC Champions League in 2021 and beat Wydad Casablanca and Flamengo on their way to the final, but they were no match for the European champions.
Ancelotti's side dominated from start to finish and within 20 minutes were two goals ahead through Vini Jr. and Valverde. Marega reduced the deficit in the 26th minute, but after the break it was the Madridistas' turn, and in just four minutes they had the tie under control with goals from Benzema in the 54th minute and Valverde in the 58th. The attacking display did not end there. Vietto scored in the 64th minute to put his team back in it until Vini Jr. popped up again to complete his brace in the 69th minute. Ten minutes later, Vietto made it 5-3.
The Whites took an early lead; The move, on 13 minutes, was the definition of pinpoint accuracy. Benzema linked up with Valverde in the opposition half, who then gave it back to the Frenchman, who set up Vini Jr. The Brazilian made it 1-0 with only the keeper to beat. Five minutes later came the second. Carvajal crossed, the goalkeeper Almuaiouf cleared but Valverde picked up the clearance to shoot and score his tenth goal of the season.
Real Madrid were enjoying themselves out on the pitch and delighting the crowd, but Marega, following a quick breakaway from Al Hilal, reduced the deficit just before the half-hour mark. The goal spurred on the Saudi side, but Ancelotti's men recovered their grip on the game swiftly and went close to scoring more before the break. Valverde swung in a cross and Benzema's first-time shot with the outside of his right foot narrowly missed the target in the 41st minute. In first-half stoppage time, Modrić's powerful left-footed drive was parried away by Almuaiouf.
The Whites took control of the final after the re-start. They bossed the proceedings and struck two quick-fire goals in four minutes. For the third goal Vinicius Jr., with the outside of his right foot, elegantly boomeranged a low cross that swerved back towards Benzema arriving at the back post, who turned it into the net with his first touch. It was the 54th minute. For minutes later, in the 58th minute, the move for the second was pinpoint. Carvajal and Valverde linked up on the right wing and the full-back played in the Uruguayan, who fired past Almuaiouf into the far corner. 4-1, but it was not over yet.
Soon after, in the 64th minute Vietto pulled one back after finding Real’s defense department quite open. However, Vini Jr. popped up again to complete his brace in the 69th minute, curling the ball into the far corner, after a beautiful cut-back from Ceballos in the box. Ten minutes later, Vietto made it 5-3, as Michael skiped into the box on the left and squared for the Argentine to flick the ball into an empty net. Both teams had other few chances to score in the remaining minutes, but the score did not change and Real Madrid proceeded to be crowned world champions once again.
The award ceremony started with Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero bringing the FIFA Club World Cup trophy onto the pitch. With the assembled stage and the music in the background, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez made their way onto the field among the others. Firstly the trophies for the individual awards for the tournament were awarded with Vinicius, Valverde and Vietto winning Golden Ball, Silver Ball and Bronze Ball respectively.
Then it was awarded the FIFA Fair Play trophy. Benzema accepted the trophy as captain of the side that only received one yellow card in the two matches played in the tournament. At the end medals were given for both finalists as usual and the show was concluded with Madridistas lifting their trophy in the sky, led by the Frenchman Karim Benzema. For the oldest Madridistas this was the 5th Club World Cup trophy, but there is one of them who is ahead of his teammates: Toni Kroos, with 6 trophies…!
Hala Madrid!
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