Real Madrid v Al Hilal Live Commentary & Result, 11/02/2023, FIFA Club World Cup

That concludes our commentary of the Club World Cup final between Real Madrid and Al-Hilal! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!

Real Madrid are back in action in LaLiga on Wednesday, when they host Elche. Al-Hilal feature against Al-Feiha on the same day in the Saudi League.

Real Madrid emerge from a goal-laden final with a record fifth Club World Cup title, overpowering Al-Hilal by a score of 5-3. Vinicius opened the scoring with a curled effort before Valverde’s lashed volley gave the European champions a two-goal advantage. As would be the case all night however, the Saudi Arabian side would not be denied, pulling one back through Marega to cut the deficit at half-time. Benzema sparked the second half into life with a goal just nine minutes after the restart but again Ramon Diaz’s side would not go down lightly as Vietto again made it a contest. Both Valverde and Vinicius would go on to score second goals - as would Vietto - but a gilt-edged miss by Marega 10 minutes from time was effectively the last chance they had to trouble Real Madrid. It was a spirited effort by Al-Hilal but they are ultimately denied the opportunity to be the first club from outside of Europe and South America to win the tournament - with Los Blancos putting distance between themselves and the second most decorated club - Barcelona.

90' + 7' FULL-TIME: REAL MADRID 5-3 AL-HILAL.

90' + 5' Al-Hilal have barely touched the ball in added time, with Real Madrid still dominating possession and moving it from front to back in an effort to thwart their opponents’ press. Ancelotti’s team has seen just over 65% of the ball in the contest, passing it with over 90 percent accuracy.

90' + 3' Real Madrid are keeping possession expertly, allowing the clock to wind down as they force their opponents to chase. It looks like it's job done for Real Madrid barring an astonishing late collapse, beating their previous Club World Cup final output of four goals.

90' + 1' The fourth official indicates seven minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

89' The last nine winners of the Club World Cup have come from Europe - since Corinthians beat Chelsea in 2012 thanks to a lone goal from Paolo Guerrero.

Abdullah Al Hamdan

L. Vietto

87' Vietto's name comes up on the fourth official's board and will not get a chance to complete his hat-trick, with Al Hamdan introduced.

O. Ighalo

M. Marega

86' Ighalo comes on for a four-minute cameo, replacing Marega.

86' Asensio has a hit from a long way out but the effort blazes over the crossbar.

85' Rodrygo unselfishly attempts to thread a pass through for Vinicius instead of having a shot for himself, giving the defence just enough time to scramble the ball away.

83' Ceballos takes an inswinging corner towards the head of Rudiger but the centre-back fails to get clean contact to the ball as it rolls out of the penalty area on the other side.

81' IT SHOULD BE 5-4! Again Michael causes havoc on the wing, cutting inside before sending a cross to the far post for Marega. With the defence all over the place and Lunin nowhere near the play, the forward can only prod his gilt-edged chance wide of the post!

Michael

Assist

79' Michael takes just four minutes to get his assist, finding Vietto with a square pass that evaded Lunin.

Vallejo

Dani Carvajal

79' Ancelotti makes another change in defence, with Vallejo on for Carvajal.

L. Vietto

Goal

79' NOT TO BE DENIED, VIETTO GETS HIS SECOND! 5-3! A lapse in concentration allows Cuellar to step forward and win back possession just outside Real Madrid’s penalty area. The newly introduced Michael takes the pass before driving towards goal and centring a pass for Vietto, who has the presence of mind to receive the ball with a spin before dispatching a shot into the empty net!

78' Valverde hits a low strike from 25 yards out looking to complete his hat-trick but the shot is deflected by Kanno, which takes the sting out of the effort for the goalkeeper.

77' Rodrygo looks to get in on the action with a dangerous shot from 20 yards out but Al Muaiouf leaps across his line to make the save.

Michael

A. Carrillo

75' Michael comes on for Carrillo as Al-Hilal continue to search for an answer.

Nasser Al Dawsari

Salem Al Dawsari

75' A change for Al-Hilal sees Nasser Al Dawsari replace Salem Al Dawsari on the left wing.

Marco Asensio

T. Kroos

74' An alteration in midfield sees Asensio brought on for Kroos.

Nacho

L. Modrić

74' Modric makes way to a round of applause with Nacho sent on in a defensive change for Madrid.

73' Real Madrid have scored eleven goals in their four Club World Cup finals prior to today, netting four in two of their last three appearances.

71' It looks as though Real Madrid have done enough to win their fifth Club World Cup, with Al-Hilal running out of steam. The side from Saudi Arabia have certainly shown fight and determination, but have been largely outclassed by the Champions League winners.

Dani Ceballos

Assist

69' Ceballos registers an assist just seven minutes after coming on, setting Vinicius up for Madrid's fifth goal.

Vinícius Júnior

Goal

69' IT’S TWO FOR VINICIUS! 5-2 REAL MADRID! The Brazil international takes on Abdulhamid, putting it between his legs on the edge of the penalty area. The full-back does just enough to whack it away whilst on the ground, putting it right into the path of Ceballos. The substitute beats a man inside the 18-yard box and almost unknowingly tees it up perfectly for Vinicius, who curls it past Al Muaiouf!

67' With just over 20 minutes remaining Real Madrid should feel comfortable with their lead, though the Al-Hilal counter-attacks have caused no end of trouble to the back line. The club from Saudi Arabia have done well to expose the lack of a natural left-back in Ancelotti's XI, though they are running out of time to mount a comeback.

65' Carvajal looks to get forward and threaten down the right wing but Modric misplaces the pass and sends it over the head of the full-back and out for a goal-kick.

Saud Abdulhamid

Assist

63' Abdulhamid is credited with the assist for Al-Hilal's second goal of the final.

L. Vietto

Goal

63' IT’S NOT OVER YET! 4-2! Abdulhamid strides forward down the right after interchanging with Marega and plays a perfect pass forward for Vietto, who just slips away from Rudiger. The striker gets on the ball and draws Lunin off his line before dispatching a perfectly placed shot into the far corner!

Dani Ceballos

A. Tchouaméni

62' Tchouameni also limps off, withdrawn after the injury. Ceballos is given a chance in his absence.

Rodrygo

K. Benzema

62' Real Madrid take the pause in play as an opportunity to make a substitution, with Rodrygo replacing Benzema.

60' Real Madrid are furiously demanding a yellow card after Kanno catches Tchouameni rather robustly. The midfielder is down requiring a bit of medical treatment holding his leg while his team-mates surround him.

Dani Carvajal

Assist

58' Carvajal's inch-perfect pass is the assist for Real Madrid's fourth goal of the game!

F. Valverde

Goal

58' TWO FOR VALVERDE AND FOUR FOR MADRID! 4-1! The Uruguay international plays a lovely give and go with Carvajal, with the full-back placing his final pass in towards the near post. Valverde meets the delivery and sends a scooped finish into the roof of the net!

56' Karim Benzema has now scored in two separate Club World Cup finals - once in 2017 in a 4-2 victory against Kashima Antlers and today against Al-Hilal.

Vinícius Júnior

Assist

54' Vinicius returns the favour, assisting Benzema's goal 41 minutes after the pair combined for the Brazil international's opener.

K. Benzema

Goal

54' REAL MADRID PULL TWO-GOALS CLEAR AGAIN! 3-1! Vinicius gets to the edge of the penalty area and plays an outrageous pass into the path of Benzema on the penalty spot. Meeting it in-stride, the forward latches onto it and sends a powerful hit that beats the goalkeeper easily!

53' Abdulhamid’s clever trickery gets him around Camavinga on the right flank but the full-back is unable to hold his nerve and pick out the right option in the penalty area, sending a low, scuffed shot into the leg of a defender.

51' Vietto plays an incisive pass through the lines for Marega, whose backheel pass does not come off - allowing Alaba to clear the ball away.

49' Again Marega is free to put a cross in towards the penalty spot from the right, this time finding his target in Vietto. The striker looks to play a backheel flick towards goal but he’s unable to get the ball out from under his feet allowing the defence to clear.

48' Abdulhamid finds Marega in the corner of the penalty area but his lashed cross is blocked at the near post by an alert Alaba.

46' Real Madrid get the match restarted from the kick-off!

Ighalo will definitely be introduced in the second half with Al-Hilal chasing a goal. He could work in tandem with Marega, though the imposing forward did look to be limping slightly towards the end of the half. Real Madrid will look to make changes and keep their side fresh while still maintaining the lead, with Nacho and Asensio likely entrants.

The first half comes to a close at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, with Real Madrid leading by two goals to one. Despite dominating possession and leading on the score line the European champions have been far from comfortable, with the threat of a counter-attack always looming. Vinicius’ coolly taken opener was added to just five minutes later by Valverde, whose blistering volley made it through two players before bulging the net. The Asian champions were not to be denied however, with Marega exploiting the space left by Camavinga before beating Lunin to halve the deficit. It’s been an entertaining game so far, with the result still hanging in the balance.

45' + 3' HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 2-1 AL-HILAL.

45' + 1' The fourth official indicates two minutes will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.

44' Al Bulayhi's sloppy pass seems to give Real Madrid possession in Al-Hilal's half but a foul from Benzema on the follow-through saves the defender's blushes and gives him a chance to clear his lines from a free-kick.

42' CHANCE! Valverde teases a lovely cross to the far post for the run of Benzema, who isn’t ready for the opportunity as he flicks an outside-the-boot shot wide of the target from close range!

40' Kroos teases in the free-kick but despite an initial flick-on, an assured Al Muaiouf rises highest to claim the loose ball.

38' Tchouameni wins a free-kick after going down under a challenge from Carrillo, who gives Real Madrid a chance to create havoc in the penalty area from 40 yards out.

36' A high pass is launched into the path of Marega, who takes it down exceptionally well before getting into the penalty area and firing a shot wide - largely due to the presence of a covering Rudiger.

34' Al-Hilal have only lost once in their last 10 matches - 1-0 to Al-Feiha in the Super Cup two weeks ago.

32' It looks as though Marega has gone out onto the right-hand side in the aftermath of the goal, with Vietto in the middle to fill the gap. Salem Al Dawsari continues to occupy the left flank while Carrillo has gone back into a more reserved midfield role.

30' Real Madrid are attacking with all 10 outfield players inside Al-Hilal’s half but are finding it difficult to find gaps inside the penalty area. They’ll have to work it quicker and rely on the time-tested brilliance of Modric and Kroos if they wish to create in a packed 18-yard box.

28' Al-Hilal have been largely ineffective in possession, working much more dangerously when they can win the ball in their own half and hit on the counter-attack. Salem Al Dawsari has already shown flashes of his pace down the left, while Marega is an easy outlet to find.

Mohammed Kanno

Assist

26' Kanno's presence is felt in his first match back from suspension, finding the assist for Marega's goal.

M. Marega

Goal

26' AL-HILAL PULL ONE BACK! 2-1! Kanno exposes the space on the right wing vacated by an out-of-position Camavinga to excellent effect, playing a lovely, shaped pass out to the flank for Marega. The striker gets onto the ball and dribbles into the penalty area before dispatching a shot that Lunin can only flail at on its way in!

25' Camavinga is nominally listed as a left-back in Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 formation, however he is occupying a high position to start with and often drifting into the middle in possession to help make a four-man midfield. It’s done well to stifle Al-Hilal both offensively and defensively, with the France international’s versatility opening space for Vinicius.

23' Abdulhamid reads the danger and steps across to intercept Modric’s powerful pass forward for Vinicius but the full-back fails to make the most of possession, putting a pass too far in front of Marega which allows the Madrid defence to regather.

21' Kanno finds Vietto on the edge of the penalty area, with the forward taking a touch before slipping Marega into the penalty area. The striker scuffs his shot but it doesn’t matter anyways as Rudiger is quick to put a sliding block on the effort.

F. Valverde

Goal

19' REAL MADRID DOUBLE THEIR ADVANTAGE! 2-0! Modric’s low cross into the six-yard box from the right wing isn’t cleared properly by Al Muaiouf, who can only palm it away before Jang heads it to the edge of the penalty area. Valverde waits on the spot and smashes a volley that somehow manages to trickle through both Al Bulayhi and the goalkeeper!

17' A pass back to Al Muaiouf puts him in immediate trouble, with Benzema and Vinicius closing down on the goal. Without options he’s forced to put it directly out for a throw-in, as Real Madrid are allowed to pile on the pressure.

15' AL-HILAL GO CLOSE! Kanno drives to the penalty area and squares a pass to Vietto, who has the time to take a touch before dragging a dangerous shot narrowly wide of the post with Lunin at full stretch!

K. Benzema

Assist

13' Benzema's intelligent assist is an inch-perfect first-time pass, splitting the defence for Vinicius to capitalise.

Vinícius Júnior

Goal

13' REAL MADRID TAKE THE LEAD! 1-0! Vinicius makes the clever run through the space left by the right-back and centre-back, latching onto Benzema’s slipped pass and curling a shot through the goalkeeper’s legs to the far corner!

11' Valverde plays a tight pass into the feet of Modric on the edge of the penalty area, with the Croatia international immediately chipping it over the top of the defence for the run of the winger. Al Bulayhi and Khalifah Aldawsari combine to shrink the space and after a bit of hesitation, both let it roll out for a goal-kick.

9' Al Muaiouf goes long with a deep kick for Marega, who knocks it down efficiently for Carrillo. The winger plays a leading pass forward for the overlapping Abdulhamid, who can’t catch up to the ball as it goes behind for a goal-kick.

7' Kroos and Vinicius combine high up the pitch to squeeze Cuellar out of possession but the referee - in a good position - blows the whistle immediately for a foul by the overzealous winger.

5' Kroos’ first corner of the match is headed away by Khalifah Aldawsari, right into the path of Salem Al Dawsari. The winger looks to stretch his legs but can’t beat the pace of Valverde after getting away from Modric.

3' Carrillo looks to put a cross into the penalty area but a persistent Camavinga is rewarded for his determination, closing down the space before eventually winning the ball back near his own penalty area.

1' Al-Hilal get the match underway from the kick-off!

Al-Hilal make just one alteration to the side that beat Flamengo 3-2 in the semi-finals, with Kanno starting in midfield, dropping former Manchester United forward Ighalo to the bench.

Real Madrid make two changes from the XI that beat Al-Ahly 4-1 on Wednesday, with Carvajal in for Nacho at right-back, and Benzema leading the line instead of Rodrygo.

AL-HILAL SUBS: Muath Muath, Abdullah Otayf, Nasser Al Dawsari, Michael ,Mohammed Al Khaibari, Abdullah Al Hamdan, Saleh Al Shehri, Mohammed Al Owais, Odion Ighalo, Habib Alwotayan, Musab Al Juwayr, Mohammed Jahfali.

AL-HILAL XI (4-2-3-1): Abdullah Al Muaiouf; Saud Abdulhamid, Hyun-Soo Jang, Ali Al Bulayhi, Khalifah Aldawsari; Mohamed Kanno, Gustavo Cuellar; Andre Carrillo, Luciano Vietto, Salem Al Dawsari; Moussa Marega.

REAL MADRID SUBS: Sergio Arribas, Mario Martin, Marco Asensio, Mariano, Jesus Vallejo, Dani Ceballos, Alvaro Odriozola, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Luis Lopez, Nacho, Lucas Canizares.

REAL MADRID XI (4-3-3): Andriy Lunin; Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal; Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni, Luka Modric; Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde.

With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with Real Madrid!

Al-Hilal make their first-ever Club World Cup final, after two fourth-place finishes in 2019 and 2021 to meet Real Madrid at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat, Morocco. The champions of Asia squeaked past African champions Wydad on penalties before powering past South America’s Flamengo 3-2 in the semi-finals.

Real Madrid are looking for their fifth Club World Cup victory after beating Al-Ahly in the semi-finals, with Los Blancos already leading the way with a record four titles; one ahead of Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti has already achieved this feat twice (in 2007 with Milan and 2014 with Real Madrid) and will level Pep Guardiola should his side succeed.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Club World Cup final between Real Madrid and Al-Hilal!

Real Madrid v Al Hilal Live Commentary, 11/02/2023

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