Real Madrid extends its dominance at the World Cup with victory over Al Hilal

After three years in which it passed through other hands, the Club World Cup belongs to Real Madrid again. The Spanish team reached the title of the 2022 edition of the tournament –delayed because of the World Cup at the end of last year– with a 5-3 victory over Al Hilal, at the Príncipe Moulay Abdellah stadium, in Rabat.

The Saudi formation, responsible for the elimination of Flamengo in the semifinals, was no match for the European champion. He even had good moments and reached the net with Marega and Vietto (2), but ended up succumbing to a powerful opponent, who triumphed with goals from Vinicius Junior (2), Valverde (2) and Benzema.

It was the fifth victory for the Spanish team in the last nine editions of the competition. No one has won so much the tournament organized by Fifa since 2000 – uninterruptedly, since 2005. Also counting the intercontinental glories, there are eight trophies that help explain why the association is widely considered the greatest in the world of football.

In Morocco, Real won the title with nine goals in two games. In the semifinals, with greater difficulties: he suffered pressure and only reached 4-1 over Al Ahly, from Egypt, scoring twice in stoppage time. In the decision, the superiority was very clear for most of the game, except for moments of defensive indifference.

The team led by the Italian Carlo Ancelotti – quoted to take over the Brazilian national team in the middle of the year – reached the World Cup after a period of difficulties in Europe. His last game before leaving for Africa was a 1-0 defeat by Mallorca, in the Spanish Championship, a result that encouraged the most optimistic Flamengo supporters.

But Flamengo was defeated in the semifinals and didn’t even have the chance to face the giant in the final, on Saturday night (11). It was up to Al Hilal to try to overthrow him. Something that, as Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool realized in the last Champions League, is a very difficult task.

It didn’t take long for the favorites to open the scoring, in the 13th minute, with the lethal combination Benzema/Vinicius Junior. After a table with Kroos, the Frenchman served the Brazilian, who left in front of the goal. At 18 minutes, after a Modric cross and a partial cut by goalkeeper Al-Mayouf, Valverde took advantage of the rebound.

In marking, there were difficulties. At 26, in a quick exit from the Asian champions, Marega found himself in front of the goal to reduce. Al Hilal got excited, especially in the final minutes of the first stage, but had their momentum cooled with the opponent’s production on the way back from the break.

At nine minutes, the Vinicius Junior/Benzema combination worked again. This time, the Brazilian was the waiter, in a beautiful pass of a trivela. Shortly after, at 13, Valverde paired with Carvajal and reached the net, drawing a rout, but the Saudis insisted on looking for the attack.

Vietto decreased, at 18, receiving a precise pass from Saud. Vinicius Junior scored again at 24 minutes, completing a play with Ceballos. Again, Al Hilal led the way. Michael took advantage of Camavinga’s error and left Vietto in a good position in the small area, at 34 minutes. The 5-3 would have turned 5-4 if Marega hadn’t failed next, with the goal almost open.

He failed, as several opponents have failed in the face of a rival with a powerful shirt. Real Madrid are world champions again.