Real Madrid’s opening to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup proved more sizzle than substance as the European giants were held to a 1-1 draw by a tenacious Al Hilal side at a sweltering Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday evening. The match, marking Xabi Alonso’s official managerial debut for the 15-time European champions, saw flashes of promise dulled by Miami’s punishing heat and a resolute opponent determined to upset the script.
With new marquee signing Kylian Mbappé sidelined due to illness, it was 21-year-old Gonzalo García who carried Madrid’s attacking hopes—and he didn’t disappoint. The youngster opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a composed finish, lifting the ball over Moroccan keeper Yassine Bounou after a slick buildup involving Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.
Yet Madrid’s early lead did not last. Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal, full of energy and intent from the opening whistle, found a deserved equalizer just before halftime. Rúben Neves converted calmly from the penalty spot in the 41st minute after Raul Asencio clumsily hauled down Marcos Leonardo inside the box.
Before that, the Saudi side had already shown they wouldn’t be cowed by their decorated opponents. Salem Al-Dawsari came closest in the first half with a slaloming run that nearly ended in a moment of magic, only to be foiled by a last-ditch challenge from Aurélien Tchouaméni. Al Hilal even had the ball in the back of the net earlier in the half, but an offside flag curtailed their celebrations.
The 1-1 scoreline held after a tense, hard-fought second half where Madrid pushed for a winner. Arda Güler rattled the crossbar just after the hour mark, and García saw a close-range shot brilliantly saved by Bounou in the 72nd minute.
But it was the final act that provided the match’s defining moment. In the second minute of stoppage time, VAR alerted the referee to a foul by Mohammed Alqahtani on Fran García inside the area. After a long review at the pitchside monitor, Madrid were awarded a last-gasp penalty. Federico Valverde stepped up under immense pressure, but his low shot was saved superbly by Bounou, diving to his right to preserve the draw and spark wild Al Hilal celebrations.
It was a deflating end for Madrid, who had dominated possession but too often lacked sharpness and rhythm in the final third. Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his first competitive start for the club, looked out of sync, and Alonso’s tactical setup showed signs of strain as legs tired in the Florida humidity.
Despite the conditions—and steep ticket prices, with the cheapest seats starting at $160 and premium ones topping $950—a crowd of nearly 60,000 filled the stadium, maintaining a vibrant atmosphere throughout the 90 minutes.
The result leaves Group H finely balanced. RB Salzburg and Mexican champions Pachuca are set to face off later Wednesday, with all four teams eyeing a spot in the knockout stage.
Madrid return to action on Sunday against Pachuca, needing a win to secure qualification. Al Hilal, meanwhile, will face Salzburg in what could be a winner-takes-all clash.
For Alonso, the night was a mixed bag—promising in parts but ultimately frustrating. For Al Hilal and Bounou, it was a statement performance that underscored their pedigree and intent to go deep in this expanded Club World Cup.
