Xabi Alonso‘s Real Madrid Faces Club world Cup Challenge After Al Hilal Draw

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Xabi Alonso’s tenure as Real Madrid’s coach began with a challenging 1-1 draw against Al Hilal in the Club World Cup. The match, held Wednesday, exposed the work needed to rejuvenate the Spanish giants, who are participating in the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States [3].

Al Hilal Secures Draw Against Real Madrid

Al Hilal, a Saudi Arabian powerhouse, proved a formidable opponent, holding Real Madrid to a draw. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s heroic penalty save in stoppage time was crucial in securing the point. Gonzalo García, stepping in for an unwell Kylian Mbappé, scored for Real Madrid in the first half. Though, Raúl Asencio conceded a penalty shortly after, allowing Ruben Neves to equalize. Federico Valverde‘s penalty attempt was later saved by Bounou, sealing the 1-1 result.

Did You Know? Al Hilal spent $550 million on players like joão cancelo and Kalidou Koulibaly in the past two years to bolster their squad.

Xabi Alonso’s Vision for Real Madrid

Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti, aims to transform Real Madrid into a more cohesive unit. He expressed “tremendous excitement” about the project, emphasizing the need for a “compact” team where “everyone [is] involved in every phase.” His first training session was held on June 9, marking the begining of his efforts to instill this vision.

Match Highlights and key Moments

The first half saw Al Hilal arguably outplay Real Madrid, with Sergej milinkovic-Savic testing Thibaut Courtois early on. Real Madrid took the led in the 34th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold, a new signing, initiated a counterattack, leading to García’s goal. however,Al Hilal quickly responded with a penalty,highlighting the sloppiness that plagued Real Madrid last season.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on new signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold, who can considerably impact Real Madrid’s attacking transitions.

Looking Ahead for Real Madrid

Real Madrid now returns to the training ground to address the issues exposed in the match. The team anticipates the return of Mbappé, who missed the game due to illness, for the later stages of the group stage. Despite the underwhelming start, Real Madrid remains a strong contender for the Club World Cup title, aiming to add to their record of dominance on the global stage [2].

Club World Cup 2025: Key Details

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will feature an expanded format with 32 teams competing in the United States. real Madrid qualified as the 2021-2022 UEFA Champions League winners [3]. The tournament will follow a World Cup-style format with group and knockout stages.

What are your predictions for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup? Will Xabi Alonso lead them to victory?

Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!