In a thrilling clash at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal during coach Xabi Alonso’s debut at the FIFA Club World Cup. With a vibrant crowd of 62,415 cheering every move, the match turned into a roller coaster of emotions! ⚽️
The Spanish side struck first when 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia capitalized on a well-timed pass from Rodrygo, igniting the stadium. However, the momentum shifted as Al-Hilal leveled the score with a penalty by Ruben Neves, awarded after a foul on Raul Asencio.
Coach Alonso shared his thoughts after the match, saying, "The first half wasn't as good as the second one. In the second half, we had better chances and control. For sure we have the principles to start building something, but we could have won."
The game also saw debuts from new signings such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, bringing fresh energy into the lineup, even as the side missed top scorer Kylian Mbappe due to illness. In a dramatic finish, Federico Valverde earned a stoppage-time penalty that was ultimately saved by Yassine Bounou.
While Manchester City celebrated an earlier win in the tournament, Real Madrid’s spirited performance promises more excitement ahead. Stay tuned for more Club World Cup action as the drama unfolds on the global stage! 🔥
Reference(s):
Real Madrid held by Al-Hilal after Man City grab win at Club World Cup
cgtn.com
