Real Madrid 5-3 Al-Hilal
by James Nalton

REAL MADRID were always favourites to win the 2022 Fifa Club World Cup, and there was to be no upset in the final as the European Champions defeated al-Hilal in a high-scoring game.

Karim Benzema was back in the lineup for Real and scored the third of his side’s five goals as Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde netted two apiece.

Hilal, the Saudi Arabian side who are reigning Asian Champions League champions, will have been pleased with their progress to this stage and especially with their victory against Flamengo in the semifinal.

The South American representative in this tournament is usually expected to be the side tasked with challenging the Europeans, but this tournament saw good displays from the Asian and African teams.

There was almost a repeat upset in the third-place game as one of two African representatives, Al Ahly of Egypt (the other being Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca) took the lead against Flamengo in the third-place match. The Brazilian side recovered, though, coming back from 2-1 down to win the game 4-2.

Though the final itself produced a fairly convincing win for Real Madrid, al-Hilal regularly threatened the opposition’s goal even if they didn’t really threaten to win the game.

Malian forward Moussa Marega did really well to control some of the long passes flung in his direction on the counterattack, and the former Porto man managed to get his name on the score sheet in the first half.

Luciano Vietto also impressed for Hilal, scoring twice in the final. His performances were acknowledged as he was named the tournament’s third-best player, winning the bronze ball.

Valverde took silver while the player of the tournament went to the Man of the Match in the final, Vinicius Junior.

The Brazilian winger is pacy, skilful, and direct, and deserved the individual honour for the entertainment he provided during Real’s two matches in Morocco.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side now turn their attention to the tournament that saw them qualify for the Club World Cup in the first place, as they face a struggling Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League, but not before they play two more league games in their packed schedule.

Flamengo, meanwhile, had to settle for third, leaving the club’s legions of fans, including a considerable number who had travelled to Moroccan host cities Tangier and Rabat, disappointed.

The tournament itself was not a disappointment, though, thanks in no small part to al-Hilal’s defeat of Flamengo, and the competitive displays from al Ahly.