In a thrilling kickoff to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid and Al-Hilal battled to a 1-1 draw at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, marking the first competitive match for new managers Xabi Alonso and Simone Inzaghi. The match was a showcase of tactical adjustments, debut performances, and dramatic moments, including a late penalty save that kept the points shared between these two footballing powerhouses.
Real Madrid, the most decorated team in Club World Cup history with five titles, entered the tournament under Alonso’s fresh leadership following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal, led by Inzaghi after his recent move from Inter Milan, were eager to prove their mettle on the global stage, buoyed by significant investment in the Saudi Pro League.
The match began with Al-Hilal showing early promise, pressing high and crafting dangerous chances. Notably, Marcos Leonardo nearly put the Saudi side ahead early on, but his finish missed narrowly. Real Madrid’s defense, including debutants Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, faced intense pressure, especially in the first half, where Al-Hilal controlled much of the play.
Despite the initial dominance from Al-Hilal, it was Real Madrid who broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute. A swift and clinical counterattack, initiated by Alexander-Arnold, found its way through midfielders Federico Valverde and Vinícius Júnior, before Rodrygo delivered a precise through ball to 21-year-old academy product Gonzalo García. García, given a rare start in place of the ill Kylian Mbappé, coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, marking a memorable moment for the young striker. Reflecting on his performance, García said, “I'm quite happy that he gives me the opportunity. It's something I've been looking for, as have a lot of players from the youth system. Today it worked well and I'm quite happy.”
However, the joy was short-lived for Real Madrid as, just six minutes later, Raul Asencio conceded a penalty by pulling back Marcos Leonardo in the box. Rúben Neves stepped up confidently and sent goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois the wrong way to level the score at 1-1. Neves was also one of the standout performers for Al-Hilal, earning a 7.5 rating for his composed penalty and midfield control.
The first half also featured some controversial moments, including a disallowed goal for Al-Hilal’s Renan Lodi due to offside and an early yellow card for Vinícius Júnior for simulation. The intense Miami heat, reaching 90°F (32°C) with a RealFeel of 101°F (38°C), necessitated a cooling break at the 30-minute mark, with both teams visibly affected by the conditions. Gonzalo García commented on the challenging environment, stating, “Not to make excuses, but it was very hot, the match was at an hour that we are not used to playing at. That also applies to our opponents, so it's no excuse. It would have been better to play at a different time.”
In the second half, Real Madrid increased their tempo, responding to the slow start that goalkeeper Courtois later described as “too slow” in possession and out of possession during the first 45 minutes. The Los Blancos created several promising chances, with García hitting the crossbar and Valverde firing a shot that was comfortably saved by Al-Hilal’s Yassine Bounou, affectionately known as Bono. Bono was the hero of the match, making crucial saves throughout, including a dramatic stop in stoppage time when he denied Valverde’s penalty attempt low to his right. Bono humbly attributed his penalty save to “intuition and fortune,” saying, “Today, I got to save it. Other days, no. It is like that.”
The penalty was awarded after VAR confirmed a foul by Al-Hilal defender Mohammed Al-Qahtani, who struck Fran García in the face inside the penalty area late in the game. Despite the opportunity to snatch a late winner, Valverde’s tame penalty was easily saved by Bono, preserving the draw.
Real Madrid’s debutants, Alexander-Arnold and Huijsen, had mixed performances. Alexander-Arnold, making his highly anticipated debut, showed flashes of his trademark crossing ability and attacking intent but was substituted in the 65th minute for Lucas Vázquez. Huijsen, the club’s newest signing, partnered Raúl Asencio in central defense and held his own amid Al-Hilal’s pressure. Courtois praised their efforts, noting, “This was their first game together, and it’s not easy, obviously. I think they did well. And if there is something to correct, we will do it with the videos. They had good debuts and can keep going now.”
Statistically, Real Madrid held a slight edge with 53% possession and 17 shots to Al-Hilal’s 13, including seven shots on target compared to two for the Saudis. Both teams were disciplined, with Real Madrid receiving one yellow card and Al-Hilal three. The match featured seven minutes of added time in the second half and five in the first, reflecting the intensity and stoppages due to injuries and VAR checks.
Al-Hilal’s defensive resilience and tactical discipline were evident, with key contributions from players like João Cancelo, Hassan Al Tambakti, and Kalidou Koulibaly. Their midfield, marshaled by Neves and Sergej Milinković-Savić, frustrated Madrid’s attempts to dominate possession fully. Inzaghi’s side showed they could compete with the European giants, ending Real Madrid’s 11-match winning streak in Club World Cup fixtures and handing the Spanish side their first failure to win in the tournament since 2000.
Real Madrid’s coach Xabi Alonso was visibly concerned throughout the match, frequently wiping sweat and urging his players to increase their tempo. Post-match, Courtois reflected on the game’s lessons: “The first half we played too slowly, we were not able to find the rhythm of the game. They were much more dangerous. Then we scored, but gave away a pretty silly penalty and they could equalise. In the second half, we were able to fix a bit what we had to fix. We played much more quickly, much more agile. And we created danger, but it was not to be. It was pity that we missed the penalty, but if we can keep playing like in the second half it will help us in the next games.”
For Al-Hilal, the draw was a significant achievement and a testament to their growing stature in world football. Bono summarized their performance: “In these competitions, like World Cups, it is important to be very intelligent. Today the team did great tactical work. We knew when to press and when not, when to sit deeper. The physical side cost us, Madrid too I believe, with the climate. But on a technical level, our kids matched what was needed. We are going with a draw, an important start to the competition.”
Looking ahead, both teams will analyze this hard-fought encounter as they prepare for the next stages of the Club World Cup. Real Madrid, with a revamped squad and fresh managerial approach, will aim to sharpen their attacking edge and defensive solidity. Al-Hilal, buoyed by their performance and the heroics of Bono, will look to build on this positive result and continue challenging the world’s elite.
In the sweltering Miami heat, the match delivered drama, skill, and a glimpse into the evolving landscape of international club football. The 1-1 draw leaves the Group H standings wide open, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.
