Real Madrid close out 2023 with the Club World Cup and the Copa del Rey
Our team end the year top of the league, having already added another two titles to their trophy cabinet.
Real Madrid bring 2023 to an end with another two trophies added to their already supreme collection: the Club World Cup and the Copa del Rey. The first was lifted at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat thanks to a win over Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal (5-3), while the second was sealed with victory over Osasuna at the Estadio La Cartuja (2-1). Ancelotti's team also finish the year sitting top of LaLiga and having qualified first in their Champions League group to clinch a Round of 16 tie with Leipzig.
Eighth Club World Cup
On 11 February, Real Madrid got their hands on an eighth Club World Cup title in Rabat. The trophy was added to the ones clinched in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, plus the three Intercontinental Cups of 1960, 1998 and 2002, to make up what is an unparalleled haul in the competition. They were crowned champions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which hosted the semi-final against Egypt's Al Ahly (1-4) and the final against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal (5-3). Vini Jr., Valverde, Rodrygo and Arribas were on the scoresheet in the first clash, while Vini Jr. (2), Valverde (2) and Benzema sealed the win in the finale. Vini Jr. clinched the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, with Valverde taking the Silver Ball.
20th Copa del Rey crown
On 6 May 2023, Real Madrid lifted their 20th Copa del Rey when they beat Osasuna in the showpiece at Seville's Estadio La Cartuja (2-1). Rodrygo struck both goals for our team and was named man of the match. The win brought an impressive campaign full circle, after the Brazilian had hit an absolute worldie in the opening game to knock out Cacereño in Cáceres (0-1).
In the Round of 16, we faced Villarreal on the road. Despite being 2-0 down at the break, Real Madrid turned the game on its head in the second half, with goals from Militão, Vini Jr. and Ceballos. The route to the final threw up more heavyweight clashes. The quarter-finals came against Atlético de Madrid, who took the lead at the Santiago Bernabéu, only for Madrid to come back again thanks to goals by Rodrygo, Benzema and Vini Jr. to make it 3-1. The semi-finals then saw a Clásico. The first leg was held at the Bernabéu, where Barcelona won 0-1. The return at the Camp Nou finished 0-4 on one of the madridistas' best nights of the season, with Vini Jr. opening the scoring before Benzema struck a sublime hat-trick.