FORMER Oxford United boss Ramon Diaz was involved in an eight-goal thriller as his Al-Hilal side were beaten by Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final.

Early goals from Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde put the Spanish giants 2-0 up, however former Porto striker Moussa Marega pulled a goal back before half an hour had been played.

Karim Benzema and Valverde made it 4-1 to Real in the second half, but Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal hit back again through former Atletico Madrid forward Luciano Vietto.

Vinicius Junior grabbed his second of the game, before Vietto did the same with just over 10 minutes to go.

Diaz’s Al-Hilal became the first Saudi team to reach the final after a victory on penalties against Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca, before a thrilling 3-2 win against Brazilian outfit Flamengo.

The Club World Cup sees the winners of continental club competitions face each other, alongside a representative from the home nation, which this year was Morocco.

European teams have now won the past ten Club World Cups, with Brazilian side Corinthians the last team to break that stronghold when they beat Chelsea 1-0 in the 2012 final.

Former Argentina striker Diaz led United between December 2004 and May 2005, and remains the last U’s boss to win a divisional manager of the month award, back in January 2005.

He quit the club when negotiations over a new contract broke down.