Real Madrid's Federico Valverde (right) scores a goal against Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup final on February 11, 2023 in Rabat, Morocco.
Rabat – The Real Madrid players beat the Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal 5:3 in the final of the Club World Cup and confirmed their position as the most successful team in the competition with their fifth triumph. In the duel played in the Moroccan capital of Rabat, the players of the Spanish club Vinícius Júnior and Federico Valverde shone with two goals, while Luciano Vietto scored twice on the other side. The third place was taken by the Brazilian Flamengo, which defeated the Egyptian team Al-Ahli 4:2.
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Real followed up on triumphs from 2014 and 2016 to 2018. Reigning Champions League champions Carlo Ancelotti dominated the tournament for the third time. In addition to the victory nine years ago, he also succeeded in 2007 on the AC Milan bench.
Favored Real already led by two goals in the 18th minute. As in the semi-final against Al-Ahli, Vinícius Júnior scored and Valverde's dotted volley. In the 26th minute, Marega scored from a break, but Al-Hilál could not equalize for the entire match. He did not achieve the first Asian triumph at the Club World Cup.
In the 54th minute, Vinícius Júnior found a “sneak peek” in front of the goal of gunner Benzema, who missed the last two competitive duels due to injury. Immediately afterwards, Valverde also made his mark for the second time, and the “White Ballet” already came close to winning this year's premier trophy, although he conceded twice more. Vietto scored in the 63rd and 79th minutes, following up on his semi-final strike against Flamengo. Between his two goals, Vinícius Júnior also scored for the second time.
The champions of the old continent won the Club World Cup for the tenth time in a row. The dominance of European teams was last disrupted by the Brazilian team Corinthians in 2012, which defeated London's Chelsea. The “Blues” just won the tournament a year ago.
The fight for third place also offered a goal shootout. Barbosa gave Flamengo the lead in the 11th minute from the penalty spot, but Abdelkader equalized before the break. The Egyptian midfielder added another goal after an hour of play, correcting the hesitation of teammate Maalúl, who missed a penalty kick.
The key moment of the wild game came in the 69th minute, when defender Abdullfatah was sent off. In the 75th minute, Pedro took advantage of the power play and completed the turnaround with another Barbosa penalty. In addition, Pedro added one more hit in the set-up and dominated the tournament's scorers' table with four hits.
Flamengo placed on the medal table for the second time after the second place in 2019. Al-Ahli failed to defend the bronze position from the previous two years.
Final:
Real Madrid – Al-Hilál 5:3 (2:1)
Goals: 13th and 69th Vinícius Júnior, 18th and 58th Valverde, 54th Benzema – 63rd and 79th Vietto, 26th Marega.
For 3rd place :
Flamengo – Al-Ahli 4:2 (1:1)
Goals: 11th and 85th both from pen. Barbosa, 77. and 90.+1 Pedro – 37. and 60. Abdelkader. ČK: 69. Abdullfatah (Al-Ahli).
