Real Madrid’s Vinícius Junior scores his team’s first goal in the Cluves World Cup final against Al-Hilal el Rabat, Morocco, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — With a brace and an assist for Karim Benzema, Brazil’s Vinícius Junior leads Real Madrid to a 5-3 victory over Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup final to bring the club title record.

Federico Valverde added two more goals for the European champions in a final that turned into a shootout. Al-Hilal were never ahead on the scoreboard but it showed it was no coincidence that they beat Brazil’s Flamengo to reach the final in the Moroccan capital.

Vinícius has been the target of racist abuse in the Spanish league – and even had his effigy hanging from a bridge in Madrid – but he hasn’t let that have a negative impact on his performances.

The Brazilian striker, who scored the only goal in Madrid’s Champions League final win over Liverpool, leads the team in all competitions with 16 goals.

Vinícius opened the scoring after 13 minutes and ended Madrid’s tally with their second at 69.

Luciano Vietto netted a brace and Moussa Marega another for the Asian champions, who quickly fell behind and led 2-1 at half-time.

Madrid also won the Club World Cup after their triumphant Champions League victory in 2014 and between 2016 and 2018. They won other versions of the world title in 1960, 1998 and 2002.

Categorized in:

Breaking

Tagged in:

, , , , , ,