Real Madrid have demonstrated that they can still find the back of the net even without their star player, Karim Benzema, in the lineup as they took on Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup final in Morocco on Saturday. Despite missing the semi-final due to a thigh injury, Benzema is expected to train with the team on Friday before the final.
Los Blancos, who are currently the reigning European and Spanish champions, are looking to win the competition for the fifth time and build up confidence following a rocky start to 2023. The team is already the record four-time winners of the tournament and are the heavy favorites to defeat Al-Hilal after their impressive 4-1 victory in the semi-final against Egyptian team Al Ahly.
Under the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti, who guided the team to victory in the Club World Cup in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Fede Valverde lined up in attack and each managed to score, along with Sergio Arribas from the bench. Despite not playing their best game, the forwards were able to capitalize and put the 10-time African Champions League winners to the sword in the later stages of the match.
Ancelotti has stated that Benzema’s injury is not serious, but the coach may choose to start with the Ballon d’Or holder on the bench, even if he is fit to play, after the team’s successful performance in the semi-final. Madrid has struggled in recent months, losing the Spanish Super Cup to Barcelona in January and falling eight points behind their rivals in the La Liga title race. Winning the Club World Cup, which would be their second trophy of the season following their European Super Cup win in August, would greatly boost morale in the Spanish capital.
Al-Hilal, who defeated Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo in the other semi-final, have former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo and former Atletico Madrid forward Luciano Vietto leading the line. The 2021 Asian Champions League winners are looking to win the Club World Cup for the first time, having previously finished in fourth place in 2019 and 2021.
Ancelotti acknowledges the strength of Al-Hilal, saying “We have to respect this team, they’ve got good players and play well collectively. They’ll be excited to play in the final and so will we.” He goes on to say, “Football’s changing because there are a lot of teams all over the world that can compete, fight and win too.”
Despite appearing to have secured their progress to the final with a two-goal lead against Al Ahly, their opponents managed to score a penalty and nearly equalized. After Luka Modric missed a penalty of his own, Rodrygo scored a brilliant goal to secure the victory and Arribas added the cherry on top with his fourth goal of the match.
Valverde, who scored his first goal for the club since November, has been struggling with a family issue and poor form after the World Cup, but Ancelotti was pleased with his performance, saying “I’m happy because he played a good game. He produced the goods, showed his quality and scored. Little by little he’s coming back.”
Vinicius was also able to shake off recent issues, including instances of racist abuse, as he opened the scoring for Madrid with a delicate chip. Although Madrid is undoubtedly more dangerous with Benzema leading the line, the forward has been held back by several niggling injuries this season. Several other key players for Madrid, including Thibaut Courtois, Ferland Mendy,
