Madrid win eight-goal thriller against Al-Hilal to lift trophy

CLUB WORLD CUP Madrid win eight-goal thriller against Al-Hilal to lift trophy

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 22:05 - 11.02.2023

Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde both hit braces as Real Madrid ran out 5-3 winners over Al-Hilal to win the Club World Cup.

Vinícius Junior and Federico Valverde scored a brace each and Karim Benzema was also on the scoresheet as Real Madrid beat Al Hilal 5-3 to win the Club World Cup at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah. 

Moussa Marega and Luciano Vietto (2) scored the goals for Al Hilal in a high-scoring encounter in Rabat, Morocco. It is the fifth time Madrid have won the Club World Cup.

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How it happened

Madrid took control of the match in the early stages with Vinicius Junior netting the opener after 13 minutes and Valverde seeing a shot deflected home five minutes later.

Mali striker Moussa Marega raced through to pull a goal back in the 26th minute keeping the Saudi side in the game at half time.

Moussa Marega celebrates after scoring for Al-Hilal

Real came out in the second half purposefully to put the game away and Karim Benzema's goal slotting home Vinicius Junior's fantastic cross from the left flank was the perfect start to the second half. 

A neat finish from Valverde after a one-two with Dani Carvajal put the game beyond doubt before the hour mark.

Al-Hilal kept on fighting though and two classy finishes from Luciano Vietto made the score respectable either side of a second goal for Vinicius Junior.

Real Madrid made certain to extend their record in this competition to a fifth title. Yet, the bravery on display from this valiant Al-Hilal side, whilst unable to see them victorious, will no doubt be enough to inspire a nation, if not all of Asia – to future glory on the world stage.

Player of the match - Vinicius Junior

Two goals, one assist, endless dribbles and countless mazy runs, Vinicius lit up this final in a fashion that left the fans wanting more.

After what has been a tough few weeks for him, being on the receiving end of appalling racist behaviour from opposition fans, Vinicius reminded the world of his abundant talent. 

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