Real Madrid held to draw by Al Hilal in Xabi Alonso’s debut

Real Madrid began their new era under Xabi Alonso with a draw against Al Hilal in the opening match of Group H at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.

The match marked a historic debut — both for Alonso as Madrid’s coach and Simone Inzaghi who recently joined the Saudi Arabian club. These young coaches previously faced each other in last season’s Champions League, when Alonso’s Leverkusen defeated Inzaghi’s Inter Milan.

Real Madrid, fielding two new signings — Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen — faced pressure from Al Hilal’s quick gameplay. Last season’s Saudi League finalists immediately threatened through Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s long-range shot saved by Thibaut Courtois, followed by Ruben Neves’s powerful strike that sailed over the crossbar.