Real Madrid laboured to a 1-1 draw against a spirited Al Hilal in the Club World Cup on Wednesday as Xabi Alonso’s managerial debut for the 15-time European champions delivered only flashes of promise in searing Miami heat at a nearly sold-out Hard Rock Stadium.
A last-gasp penalty from Federico Valverde, saved by Al Hilal‘s Yassine Bounou, summed up a day when Madrid’s legs, and ideas, wilted in the heat and humidity.
Gonzalo García, stepping in for the fever-stricken Kylian Mbappé, gave Madrid an early lead with a composed finish, but Rúben Neves levelled from the spot before halftime as Simone Inzaghi’s men showed defensive grit and enough attacking intent to rattle their illustrious opponents.
Madrid was handed their chance at victory when VAR spotted a foul by Al Hilal’s Mohammed Alqahtani on Fran Garcia in the box and the referee awarded the spot kick after checking the pitchside monitor.
Valverde stepped up to take the penalty two minutes into added time, but his low effort into the bottom corner was saved by Bounou, sparking wild celebrations from his teammates.
RB Salzburg and Pachuca meet in the other Group H fixture later on Wednesday. Madrid will next face the Mexican side on Sunday, while Al Hilal will take on Salzburg in what could prove a decisive clash for qualification to the knockout stage.
