Three takeaways from Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Al Jazira in the Club World Cup
By Ben Sundock
This match was not as close as the scoreline shows
If you didn’t watch this match in its entirety, you probably thought Real Madrid played terribly and were outworked by an inferior opponent. That is not the case at all.
I said to in The Real Champs writer group text, “this match should have been 4 or 5-1, but a win is a win.”
Here is why I say that:
- Real Madrid had two goals disallowed in the first half after VAR review.
- Karim Benzema hit the post twice.
- Real Madrid had 70% possession, 35 total shots (12 on target), and 19 corner kicks. Al Jazira, on the other hand, had 30% possession, 6 total shots (only one on target), and zero corner kicks.
Al Jazira were helped by an unreal performance by goalkeeper Ali Khaseif who was stopping anything and everything in the first half. Had it not been for a leg injury and his substitution in the 51st minute, there is a good chance Al Jazira could have hung on to win this match.
What Ali Khaseif looked like the first 10 minutes against Real Madird.... #ClubWC #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/HuSQ4GeYfP
— The Real Champs (@TheRealChampsFS) December 13, 2017
What a performance 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8B8abQGmqa
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 13, 2017
While many fans will be disappointed with the final score, Real Madrid players and coaches should be proud they managed to overcome several obstacles to find the winning goal in regulation time.
Next up for Los Blancos, a date with Brazilian side Gremio Saturday in the final. Real Madrid with a win can capture their third Club World Cup title in club history which would bring them level with FC Barcelona for most in the world.
Next: Al-Jazira 1 – 2 Real Madrid: Club World Cup quick recap