Real Madrid vs Al Hilal live score, updates, highlights and lineups as Benzema returns for CWC final
Real Madrid are aiming for a fifth Club World Cup win when they take on Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal in Rabat.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are clear favorites going into the game against the 18-time Saudi champions.
Madrid beat Egyptian club Al Ahly 4-1 in the semifinals, while Al Hilal defeated reigning Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo 3-2.
Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema returned to start for Los Blancos after his recent injury layoff.
The Sporting News is following the game live with live scores updates and commentary below:
MORE: Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal: Club World Cup final kick-off time, TV channel, stream, betting odds
Live score between Real Madrid and Al Hilal
| 1H | 2H | final | |
| RMA | — | — | — |
| ALH | — | — | — |
Goals:
Real Madrid vs Al Hilal live updates, highlights from the Club World Cup final
20 minutes after kick-off: Madrid’s defense has to deal with an attack from Al-Hilal, who has Champions League pedigree. Luciano Vietto, formerly at Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, among others, shone in the win over Flamengo, while former Porto powerhouse Mousa Marega will lead the line.
30 minutes after kick-off: The return of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema is obviously huge for Real Madrid and gives the veteran striker a chance to garnish a previously frustrating season with his latest silverware. A tally of 13 goals in 21 appearances marks a solid return overall in all competitions, but Benzema has had to stand on the touchline four times through injury. These range from the slight punch that ruled him out of Madrid’s last LaLiga game against Real Mallorca to the hamstring injury that ended his World Cup dream with France.
50 minutes after kick-off: And this is the Al Hilal XI. Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has to settle for a spot on the bench.
1 hour after kick-off: Here is the Real Madrid line-up.
1 hour 20 minutes from kick-off: Flamengo have recovered from their shock defeat by Al Hilal in the semi-finals by defeating Al Ahly 4-2 in the third-place play-off.
1 hr 40 mins from kick-off: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti struggled with an injury-plagued squad and secured a place in the final with a relaxed 4-1 win over Al Ahly. Could the 2023 Club World Cup be the last honor Ancelotti will receive during his successful career in European club football? The veteran Italy manager has been linked with becoming Brazil coach at the end of this season but dismissed those rumors at his pre-match press conference. With Barcelona eight points clear at the top of LaLiga, winning this trophy would be a timely boost for the 14-time European champions.
2 hours after kick-off: Hello and welcome to Sporting News’ coverage of the Club World Cup final between Real Madrid and Al Hilal.
Real Madrid vs Al Hilal lineups
Los Blancos had a long injury list ahead of them. Thibaut Courtois, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard And Karim Benzema were among those who missed the semifinals.
Goalkeeper Courtois was absent again, defender Militao is on the bench and Ballon d’Or winner Benzema is back to lead the line against Al-Hilal.
Real Madrid line-up (4-3-3): Lunin (GK) – Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga – Kroos, Tchouameni, Modric – Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
Saudi Arabia left-back Yasser Al-Shahrani is staying away for Al-Hilal due to a broken jaw he sustained during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Peru’s winger Andre Carrillo was passed fit despite a suspected ligament injury in the semifinals of Al Hilal.
“Flamengo didn’t expect us to change our formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-1-1 with Luciano Vietto as attacking midfielder,” said Diaz.
“Vietto ghosted behind his defensive midfielders, who we found weren’t good at tackles. And he was brilliant, taking both penalties and scoring a great goal for us.”
Former Argentina youth international Vietto joined Al Hilal from Sporting Lisbon in 2020 and has worked for clubs including Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia and Fulham.
The 29-year-old starts behind former Porto striker Mousa Marega while Odion Ighalo has to settle for a place on the bench.
Estimated formation of Al-Hilal (4-4-1-1): Al-Mayouf (GK) – Saud, Al-Bulayhi, Jang, Khalifah – Cuellar, Kanno, Carrillo, Salem – Vietto – Marega
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Real Madrid vs Al Hilal Live stream, tv channel
Here’s how you can follow all the action of this game in some of the most important areas:
| TV channel | stream | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Fox Sports 2 | Fox Sports, Fifa+ |
| Canada | — | FIFA+ |
| United Kingdom | – | FIFA+ |
| Australia | – | SBS, FIFA+ |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 7 beIN Sports, Sky Sport 3 NZ | SKY Go, beIN Sports Connect, Fifa+ |
| India | – | FIFA+ |
| Hong Kong | – | FIFA+ |
| Malaysia | – | FIFA+ |
| Singapore | – | FIFA+ |
UNITED KINGDOM: Club World Cup matches can be streamed in the UK via Fifa+, where viewers around the world can also watch the action live.
UNITED STATES: Fox Sports will broadcast the final, which will also be available via the platform’s app, website and Spanish-language broadcaster Fox Deportes.
Canada: Canadian fans can tune in to FIFA+.
Australia: SBS and SBS On Demand will broadcast the final for Australian fans.
MORE: Real Madrid v Al Ahly final score, result: Los Blancos secure FIFA Club World Cup final spot