RABAT – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said winning the Club World Cup for a record fifth time can be “a boost for the rest of the season”, after a pulsating 5-3 win over Al Hilal on Saturday in Morocco.
Vinicius Jr and Fede Valverde struck twice each, while Karim Benzema also scored on his return from injury in Real’s spectacular victory over their Saudi Arabian opponents.
Ancelotti’s side, who qualified as Champions League winners last season, had far too much attacking quality for their opponents to handle.
He said: “I think we’re getting better. There were some mistakes at the back that we could have avoided, but we were really good in attack.
“We’re now getting players back from injuries and I think this title can also be a boost for the rest of the season.
“We’re very confident for the rest of the season.
“I think we’ll fight to the end in every tournament.”
Real’s emphatic triumph at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium secured their second piece of silverware of the season, after winning the European Super Cup in August.
It also provided welcome respite from their La Liga campaign, where they sit eight points behind rivals Barcelona, who also beat them in the Spanish Super Cup final in January.
Ancelotti brought Benzema back into the starting line-up after he had missed the semi-final win over Al Ahly with a thigh injury, with Rodrygo dropping to the bench.
The 35-year-old striker created the opening goal for Vinicius on 13 minutes with a short pass to send the Brazilian winger through on goal.
Valverde extended Real’s lead five minutes later on the rebound, but Al Hilal hit back with a goal from Moussa Marega on the counter-attack.
Vinicius set up Benzema for Real’s third with a brilliant cross with the outside of his boot in the 54th minute, before Valverde extended their lead from close-range.
Luciano Vietto reduced the deficit for Al Hilal from another counter five minutes later.
But any hopes of a comeback were swiftly dashed as Vinicius added another for Real in the 69th with a tidy finish after playing the ball through a defender’s legs.
Vietto scored his second of the night 10 minutes later to round off a high-scoring encounter.
AFP, REUTERS
