 |
| Madrid players celebrate after winning the Club World Cup | Photo: Reuters |
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is a fan of Al Hilal. Al Hilal became the first team from Saudi Arabia to reach the final of the Club World Cup. After Al Hilal reached the FIFA Club World Cup final, Saudi Prince announced to pay 2 crore 78 lakh taka (266 thousand 500 dollars) to each player. He also announced on social media that if they'll wins the final, he will get the same amount of prize money.
Not that the Al Hilal players didn't try. But the opposing team has never lost in a Club World Cup final before. Al Hilal could not have the last laugh despite scoring 3 goals against Real Madrid in the Rabat final. Had to return with a load of 5 goals.
Judging by the number of goals, attacks and counter-attacks, the final at the Prince Abdullah Stadium can be called a money-grabbing match for the audience. But it's not uncommon for Real fans to feel uneasy.
Real won their fifth Club World Cup title with a 5-3 win. No other club has won more than three times. But even in the midst of this festival, there is concern that man are staying in the defense. David Alaba-Anthony Rudigers in front of the box are troubled by the Al Hilal attack. Real's defense could not prevent any attack or through ball as desired.
But the attack paid off. Carlo Ancelotti's attack of Viney, Karim Benzema and Valverde could have scored more. Vinicius-Valverde both score 2 goal and Benzema has to be satisfied with 1 goals.
 |
| Vini and Valverde of Real scored a double goal | Photo: Reuters |
Al Hilal's two forwards, Musa Marega and Luciano Vietto, tried to play a dynamic attack, but Real suffered from discomfort in the counter attack. However, in the first 20 minutes, Real's attack was not prevent by Hilal's defense. Vinicius got a goal from Valverde and Benzema's understanding in the 13th minute. He broke through the defense and finished from the pass. After 5 minutes, Valverde's volley goal was not stopped by two Al Hilal players.
A great counter attack in the next minute would have seen Moussa Marega almost score, but for a shot that missed the target. In the 26th minute, Maregai got a pass from his teammate and evaded Real goalkeeper Andre Lunin to score. In the first half of the match, Al Hilal got only one goal from two attacks on Real's post. Real Madrid got 2 goals from 4 attacks.
Real went into the break 2-1 ahead and waited for Benzema to score. The French forward had got a good chance in the first half and wasted. But he made no more mistakes in the 54th minute. Scored from Vinicius' cross from the left side. Benzema scored 2 goals in the Club World Cup final. Kashima also scored against Antlers in 2017.
 |
| Luciano Vietto is score one for Al Hilal | Photo: Reuters |
Valverde scored his second goal 4 minutes after Benzema's score. This time with a perfect finish from Dani Carbahl's pass. Luciano Vietto tried to keep Al Hilal in the match from here (4-1). Scored a pair of goals in 63 and 79 minutes. But Vini's scored another goal in the 69th minute and Al Hilal did not return to the match.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti fielded two changes from the eleven of the semi-finals. Carbahal was replaced by Benzema and Nacho in place of Rodrigo. In the 62nd minute, Benzema was replaced by Rodrigo and Dani Ceballos came on for Chuameni. After 70 minutes, Ancelotti also picked up Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Nacho and Marco Asensio came on as substitutes. Real put 11 shots on Al Hilal's post in the match. The Saudi club has kept 3.
