Berlin, 12 February 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Real Madrid continued their domination of the World Club Cup by beating Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 5-3 in Saturday's final in Rabat for a record-extending fifth triumph in the competition.

Having already tasted glory in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, the European champions snuffed out their Asian counterparts thanks to starring roles from Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior, who both scored braces in a thriller.

Al Hilal's Mali striker Moussa Marega made life difficult for the Real defence all night in the Moroccan capital and pulled one back for 2-1 on 26 minutes but the Spanish titleholders were then too strong.

Vinicius and Valverde had both scored in the 4-1 semi-final win over Al Ahly and they repeated the trick here.

Brazil winger Vinicius coolly slotted home on 13 minutes and Valverde flashed in a volley, via a couple of deflections, after the defence had failed to clear the box just five minutes later.

The bustling Marega charged forward on the half hour to halve the deficit having sprung the offside trap and had another chance soon after.

Karim Benzema then went close for Real just before the break and did get on the scoresheet early in the second half when he guided in a wonderful cross from Vinicius, who used the outside of his boot.

Valverde's close-range clipped finish made it 4-1 before Luciano Vietto and Vinicius traded goals.

Vietto netted again for 5-3 to set up a grandstand finish but Al Hilal's first final appearance ended in disappointment.

Real also won the erstwhile Intercontinental Cup, the precursor to the World Club Cup, in 1960, 1998 and 2002.

Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo, surprisingly beaten 3-2 by Al Hilal in the semi-finals, earlier defeated Egypt's Al Ahly 4-2 in Tangier to finish third.

The Club World Cup will be increased to 32 teams from the current seven from 2025.