Al-Hilal hold Real Madrid to a Thrilling draw
Drama in Miami as Real Madrid Held by Al-Hilal in Club World Cup Opener
Real Madrid were denied a dramatic late victory in their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup as Federico Valverde’s stoppage-time penalty was saved, capping off a tense 1–1 draw with Saudi champions Al-Hilal in Miami.
The high-stakes clash marked Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut for Los Blancos, but the England international’s first appearance ended without the win Real had hoped for.
The decisive moment came in the dying seconds after a VAR review awarded Madrid a penalty, ruling that Al-Hilal’s Mohammed Al-Qahtani had caught full-back Fran Garcia with a reckless flailing arm inside the box.
Valverde stepped up to take it, only to see his effort brilliantly saved by Moroccan international Yassine Bounou, who guessed right and parried the shot away to preserve the draw.
Earlier, Gonzalo Garcia had given Real Madrid a 1–0 lead just after the half-hour mark, finishing off a rapid counterattack with a fortunate lob over Bounou.
But despite the goal, Real had been second-best for much of the first half, with Al-Hilal controlling possession, applying pressure, and carving out multiple opportunities.
Making their first appearance under new manager Simone Inzaghi, who joined after leaving Inter Milan, the Saudi Pro League giants looked sharp and well-organized.
Their efforts were rewarded just before half-time when Ruben Neves calmly converted a penalty, after Real centre-back Raul Asencio tugged back Marcos Leonardo in the box.
Madrid improved after the break, with substitute Arda Güler nearly restoring the lead with a thunderous strike that rattled the crossbar.
Gonzalo Garcia also came close to doubling his tally, only to be denied by another stunning save from Bounou.
Newly-appointed Real manager Xabi Alonso, taking charge of his first competitive game since succeeding Carlo Ancelotti, was without star signing Kylian Mbappé, whose absence was sorely felt in the final third.
Despite fielding a fresh defensive line that included Alexander-Arnold and £50 million signing Dean Huijsen, Madrid still looked shaky at the back.
Marcos Leonardo, who was a constant threat, squandered two excellent chances in the second half that could have handed Al-Hilal a famous upset win.
In the end, the night belonged to Yassine Bounou, whose last-gasp heroics ensured Al-Hilal claimed a well-earned point — while Real Madrid were left to rue missed chances and defensive lapses in a frustrating start to their Club World Cup campaign.
Al-Hilal hold Real Madrid to a Thrilling draw