UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid beat AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal 5-3 to win a record fifth FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday night in Rabat, Morocco.
Madrid, who were outright favourites to win the final didn’t take long to stamp their authority as they got the opener through Vinicius Junior in the 13th minute. Federico Valverde doubled their lead five minutes later, but Al Hilal were able to pull one back through Moussa Marega in the 26th minute.
In the second half, Carlo Ancelotti’s men came out buzzing to finish off job. Karim Benzema, who had been doubted to play in the final due to injury, scored less than 10 minutes after the restart before Valverde and Vini Jr completed their braces in the 58th and 69th minutes respectively.
But Al Hilal were not going to be humiliated! They scored twice in the second half through Luciano Vietto in the 63rd and 79th minutes to wrap up a thrilling encounter.
The win means Ancelotti has now equalled Pep Guardiola’s record of three Club World Cup triumphs, having won it with AC Milan in 2007 and twice as Real Madrid coach in 2014 and 2023.
