Al Hilal holds Madrid as coaches make debuts at the Club World Cup
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP): Xabi Alonso got off to a disappointing start at Real Madrid as the Spanish giant was held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the Club World Cup.
In his first game as coach of the 15-time European champion, Alonso was denied victory when Federico Valverde's stoppage-time penalty was saved.
The VAR-awarded spot kick looked like it would hand Madrid - and Alonso - a late reprieve after being pushed at Hard Rock Stadium by Al Hilal under new coach Simone Inzaghi.
But the Group H game ended tied, with Gonzalo Garcia scoring for Madrid in the 34th minute and Ruben Neves equalizing for Al Hilal from the penalty spot seven minutes later.
Madrid was given a chance at victory when VAR spotted a foul by Mohammed Alqahtani on Fran Garcia in the box.
Valverde stepped up to take the penalty two minutes into added time, but he dropped to his knees after his low effort was saved by Yassine Bounou, sparking wild celebrations from the Al Hilal goalkeeper's teammates.
While it was an underwhelming start for Alonso, Inzaghi's Al Hilal made an early statement of its potential by holding its own against Madrid.
It might have been even better for Saudi Arabia's most successful team, which was without injured star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, if Marcos Leonardo had taken one of three chances in front of goal.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Kuwait Times
Messi fit to face Porto: Inter Miami's Mascherano
ATLANTA: Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said Lionel Messi would be fit to face Porto at the Club World Cup on Thursday, despite showing signs of discomfort in training. A video emerged of Messi touching his left leg during the session on Wednesday, but Mascherano confirmed the veteran forward was ready for Miami's second Group A match in Atlanta. 'On the trip from Miami to Atlanta I saw that came out in some places, but Leo is fit, he trained, he completed the whole session,' Mascherano told reporters. 'He was touching his leg, sometimes people touch themselves, but there's no problem, he's fit and obviously he will play tomorrow.' The coach said Messi's former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba was available after missing the opening 0-0 draw against Al Ahly due to injury. 'We'll evaluate what's best for us, if he starts or not,' said the coach. 'Actually, I already know but I won't tell you.' Mascherano meanwhile said retaining possession would be the key against Portugal's Porto, regular Champions League participants who are likely to provide the MLS team with a stern test. 'We have players who feel much more comfortable when they're in possession, dominating, and having control of the game through the ball,' said the Argentine. 'Of course, we're facing a team that also is used to doing that, who are a high level side. 'But on the pitch we're 11 against 11, we'll try to shut down their strengths, expose their weaknesses and try to have a great game to get a good result.' Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets, a member of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning side and one of Messi's former Barcelona team-mates, admitted his team would be up against it at the Mercedes-Benz stadium. 'They have very good players, they have reinforced and we know that it will be very difficult,' Busquets told reporters. 'They are a team that compete every year for their league, against other great teams like Sporting and Benfica. 'We will try to be as solid as possible, stick close together and try to do the best we can as a team. 'If we get chances, we have the individuals (who can finish them), but above all we have to be solid and keep a clean sheet.' — AFP
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Al Hilal holds Madrid as coaches make debuts at the Club World Cup
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP): Xabi Alonso got off to a disappointing start at Real Madrid as the Spanish giant was held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the Club World Cup. In his first game as coach of the 15-time European champion, Alonso was denied victory when Federico Valverde's stoppage-time penalty was saved. The VAR-awarded spot kick looked like it would hand Madrid - and Alonso - a late reprieve after being pushed at Hard Rock Stadium by Al Hilal under new coach Simone Inzaghi. But the Group H game ended tied, with Gonzalo Garcia scoring for Madrid in the 34th minute and Ruben Neves equalizing for Al Hilal from the penalty spot seven minutes later. Madrid was given a chance at victory when VAR spotted a foul by Mohammed Alqahtani on Fran Garcia in the box. Valverde stepped up to take the penalty two minutes into added time, but he dropped to his knees after his low effort was saved by Yassine Bounou, sparking wild celebrations from the Al Hilal goalkeeper's teammates. While it was an underwhelming start for Alonso, Inzaghi's Al Hilal made an early statement of its potential by holding its own against Madrid. It might have been even better for Saudi Arabia's most successful team, which was without injured star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, if Marcos Leonardo had taken one of three chances in front of goal.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Al-Qurain to face Kuwait Club in Handball Cup quarterfinals
KUWAIT CITY, June 19: The first round of the quarterfinals in the 57th Kuwait Handball Association Cup will take place tomorrow at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex. Reigning champion Kuwait Club, which has held the title for 11 consecutive years, will face Al-Qurain at 5:00 pm. The second match of the day sees Yarmouk square off against Salmiya at 6:30 pm. Al-Qurain secured its spot in the quarterfinals after defeating Al-Sahel 36-31 in the preliminary round. Yarmouk advanced in a hard-fought match, narrowly edging past Al-Tadamon 27-26. Al-Samiya also qualified by beating Al-Nasr with a score of 36-31. In transfer news, Al-Qadsiya is on the verge of signing Tunisian international and Shabab Al-Ahli (UAE) standout Rayan Zariat. He is expected to replace Montenegrin player Vladan, who is reportedly close to joining Kuwait Club. Kuwait Club is expected to rely on their foreign trio: Frankis Marzo, Vladan, and a yet-to-be-confirmed European midfielder. In a separate development, Al-Nasr handball players Jaber Al-Azmi and Sayer Al-Enezi have announced their retirement from the sport following their team's Cup Championship exit. Al-Azmi is expected to take on the role of assistant goalkeeper coach, while Al-Enezi may pursue a coaching position within the club.
