After winning the European Super Cup in August, Madrid’s emphatic victory at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium secured their second piece of silverware of the season.
It was also a welcome distraction from their La Liga campaign, in which they are currently eight points behind rivals Barcelona, who also defeated them in the Spanish Super Cup final in January.
Madrid also won three Intercontinental Cups (a match between European and South American champions that merged with the Club World Cup in 2005). We are very happy, Madrid are world champions for the eighth time, it was what we had to do, Ancelotti told Telecinco.
We’re pleased; it was a good game. I thought we were strong up front, with Vinicius, Karim, and Valverde, who scored two goals, and the team had mobility and quality.
Benzema returned to the starting lineup after missing the semi-final win over Al Ahly due to a thigh injury, with Rodrygo dropping to the bench. The 35-year-old striker set up Vinicius’ first goal with a short pass that sent the Brazilian winger through on goal.
Vinicius was able to enjoy himself in Morocco after a frustrating spell in Spain due to racist abuse from the stands and opponents targeting him on the pitch. He scored in both of Madrid’s matches and was named player of the tournament.
We’re thrilled with him because he keeps improving and becoming more effective, Ancelotti told reporters. He scores in almost every game and makes the difference in every game.
The same could be said for the team as a whole, which was relieved to take a short break from their domestic battle with Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona to become world champions.
We’re getting better, Ancelotti added. We have to consider there were mistakes at the back, the team is coming back, like Karim, (Eder) Militao, (Thibaut) Courtois. This trophy will boost our confidence for the rest of the season.
Valverde scored the second goal through the legs of defender Ali Albulayhi, leaving goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayoof uncovered. Moussa Marega, a former Porto striker, equalised for the 2021 Asian Champions League winners, sliding a shot past Andriy Lunin, who should have done more to keep it out.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper was celebrating his birthday while filling in for the injured Courtois, but despite the win, he had a game to forget. For a brief moment, it appeared that the Saudi side would put their more illustrious rivals to the test, but Madrid stepped up a gear in the second half and secured an entertaining victory.
Turning on the style – Vinicius set up Benzema with a stunning cross using the outside of his boot early in the second half, and the French forward made no mistake from close range. After a slick combination with defender Dani Carvajal, Uruguayan midfielder Valverde netted his second goal, regaining his form and goals after a slump.
Al Hilal equalised through ex-Atletico Madrid striker Luciano Vietto, who dinked a shot past Lunin. Vinicius quickly responded with a clinical strike, but Vietto pounced with a clever turn and finish to close the gap to two goals once more.
Marega missed a good chance with 10 minutes remaining, letting Madrid off the hook when he could have forced a tense finish. Since Brazil’s Corinthians won the tournament in 2012, no Asian confederation team has won the tournament, with European teams lifting the trophy every year since.
Flamengo, the Brazilian Copa Libertadores champion, finished third after defeating Egypt’s Al Ahly 4-2.
