World Club Championship 2022

Real Madrid add a new trophy to their cabinet after beating Al Hilal in Rabat with braces from Valverde and Vini Jr. and a goal from Benzema.

Real Madrid are world champions for the eighth time in their history. The Whites won yet another title by defeating Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat. 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. The madridistas bossed the proceedings and struck two quick-fire goals in four minutes. The first came from an elegant pass from Vini Jr. with the outside of his right foot for Benzema to finish with a first-time touch on 54'. 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. Vietto pulled one back soon after (64'), but Vini Jr. popped up again to complete his brace in the 69th minute after a beautiful cut-back from Ceballos in the box. Ten minutes later, Vietto made it 5-3, but Real Madrid hung on to be crowned world champions once again.