Real Madrid beat Odion Ighalo’s Al-Hilal to win fifth consecutive FIFA World Club Cup

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Real Madrid won the FIFA Club World Cup for the fifth time in a row on Saturday in Morocco, defeating Al-Hilal.

After defeating Egypt’s Al Ahly 4-1 in the semi-finals, the European champions defeated Saudi Pro League champions 5-3 in the final.

The damage had already been done by the time Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo, who was supposed to be the club’s talisman, entered the game in the 86th minute.

In the championship game, Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior each scored twice. Karim Benzema also scored for Real Madrid, making the game more difficult for the Saudi Arabian side.

Al Hilal scored two goals, with Luciano Vietto and Moussa Marega assisting.

Toni Kroos played 74 minutes for Real Madrid and became the first player to win the Club World Cup six times.

Kroos played in each of Real Madrid’s five Club World Cup finals, including the previous three in 2014, 2016, and 2018. He won the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time with Bayern Munich in 2013.

Real Madrid regulars Karim Benzema, Nacho Fernandez, Luka Modric, and Daniel Carvajal won five Club World Cup finals on Saturday.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, on the other hand, won three Club World Cups in 2009, 2011, and 2013, matching Pep Guardiola’s record. The Italian tactician is the most successful manager in the competition after winning the 2022 edition.