R
eal Madrid are strong favourites to add another Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet as they face Al-Hilal in Morocco.
No team has won this competition more than the Champions League holders, who came out on top in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 as part of a long run of European dominance.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side cruised past Al Ahly earlier this week,, and now come up against Al-Hilal who have made history in becoming the first team from Saudi Arabia to reach the final.
Every single Club World Cup has been one by a side from either Europe or South America – Al-Hilal will have to pull off a major upset if they’re to change that record.
After losing to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup last month, Real Madrid will be keen to get their hands on some silverware.
With a final blow of the whistle, Real Madrid are crowned the FIFA Club World Cup champions for a fifth time.
Carlo Ancelotti joins Pep Guardiola as the only manager to win the tournament on three separate occasions.
Not many would have predicted this final scoreline but credit to Al-Hilal for not giving in at various stages of the match.
They were down 2-0 relatively early on and managed to answer back.
In the second half when Real Madrid threatened to run away after going up 4-1, they once again responded with a goal of their own.
Ultimately though, the gulf in class between the sides came to the fore and Real Madrid will head home with yet another trophy in their glittering war chest
Seven minutes of stoppage time
With a goal-laden second half, it comes with no surprise that the fourth official has called for seven additional minutes of stoppage time.
Will that give Al-Hilal enough time to tie things up though?