How Real Madrid were held by Al-Hilal as Bounou saved late Valverde penalty in Club World Cup 2025 match
Real Madrid have settled for a draw in their opening match of the Club World Cup against Saudi side Al-Hilal Getty Images
29 Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
No surprise that the Saudi side look unbothered by the heat in Miami.
Real Madrid look fit but uncomfortable in the midday sun at Hard Rock Stadium.
28' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
Another opportunity for Al-Hilal and another one that Courtois is only too happy to watch drift wide of his post.
It was another dangerous corner delivery, this time from Neves, and Hassan Al Tambakti rose highest to meet it. He was always going to struggle to trouble Courtois with the ball moving away from goal, though.
The contact was decent, but it landed a yard or two wide of the target. Getty Images
26' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
All of Real Madrid's upcoming opponents are taking notes today.
Alexander-Arnold and Rodrygo will be targeted often if Alonso keeps that right-side pairing intact this season.
25' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
This will not have made pleasant viewing for Xabi Alonso so far.
His side have been outplayed for almost the entirety of the opening 25 minutes here and should probably be behind. The chances keep coming for Al-Hilal but, fortunately for Real Madrid, the quality of finishing has been pretty poor so far.
The right-hand duo of Alexander-Arnold and Rodrygo looks particularly weak when the Spaniards are out of possession. Getty Images
23' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
A referee correctly booking a player for diving always makes me clap the television. It's such a strange habit…
…but that really was good refereeing. Spotting that at full speed, in real time, and calling that Vini Jr incident perfectly.
Had he not and had it resulted in a DOGSO red card, it would have been very difficult to overturn, too. Getty Images
21' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
The officials got that one correct too, the pass was just too late and Renan Lodi had run offside.
The ex-Atletico Madrid left-back is a flier, and had got well in behind Alexander-Arnold, who was struggling to get catch him running back.
20' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal think they have made the breakthrough! But the assistant referee's flag immediately denies him.
It was a really nice finish from the marauding Renan Lodi inside the penalty area, but he had gone far too early before being picked out in the advanced position.
You could sense that he knew he was offside as soon as he finished into Courtois' bottom corner and his fears were soon realised. Getty Images
18' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
Real Madrid have been very critical of Spanish referees, and RMTV pundits have pointed out that no La Liga officials made the cut for this CWC.
Their views on Argentine ref Facundo Tello are likely not great at the moment — but that was an excellent spot for the Vinicius Jr yellow.
17' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
Argentine referee Facundo Tello not fooled by Vini Jr's blatant dive. Tello refereed a recent CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Paraguay and booked the Brazilian in that match, as well.
16' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
Vinicius Jr is such a good footballer, but his tendency to dive often lets him down.
The Real Madrid winger had the chance to race through on goal but, as Kalidou Koulibaly made a desperate attempt to make a sliding intervention, he threw himself to the ground in typically dramatic fashion.
An immediate decision made by the referee to show Vinicius Jr the yellow card for simulation. Getty Images
14' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
How many times have we seen Trent Alexander-Arnold nail a cross-field pass to his left winger in the last few years? Think Sadio Mane or Luis Diaz at Liverpool.
This time, though, with Vinicius Jr waiting for the ball, the England right-back got his radar wrong and sent it a yard or two over the head of the Brazilian.
The right idea from Alexander-Arnold, but wrong execution.
10' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
Real Madrid are really struggling to cope with Al-Hilal in these opening stages.
The latest chance was the Saudi Arabians' best of the game and should have brought the opening goal.
Salem Al-Dawsari miscued a volley into the path of Marcus Leonardo just in front of the penalty spot. He managed to get decent contact on the ball, despite pressure from the Madrid defence, but could only prod his effort wide of the far post. Getty Images
6' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
Madrid pressing right up the pitch for the Al-Hilal kick-out — but they played right through and Courtois was forced into making a decent save from Milinkovic-Savic.
There's the first sign of the work Alonso will need to do to get the team organised into the shape and tactical approach he wants.
5' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal very clearly want to make a statement in this game and they have come flying out of the blocks.
The resulting Milinkovic-Savic free kick was really disappointing, hitting the wall halfway up. The ball then dropped for Ruben Neves, no stranger to the spectacular, but his effort was high and not so handsome.
3' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
An early chance for Al-Hilal after some nice interplay on the right-hand side. The space opened up for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to let fly on his left foot and it was a good strike, but Thibaut Courtois was able to easily parry.
Real Madrid were unable to clear the danger fully, though, and Al-Hilal have a free kick in a very dangerous position on the edge of the penalty area... Getty Images
1' Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal
A few minutes later than planned, the ball is rolling at Hard Rock Stadium for the third time in this tournament.
Al-Hilal got us started, and they will be desperate to cause a shock here.
Arsene Wenger takes his seat. No trouble taking off his blazer in 92 degree heat. Getty Images
Fans in Barca shirts have been shown on the big screen. They were booed. Joao Cancelo, ex-Barcelona, also booed as he walked out in the one-by-ones.
This is taking ages — you feel for the first player out.
Here we go then!
This stood out as one of the big group-stage matches when the draw was made, given the eye-watering investment into this Al-Hilal team.
As you will have seen by now, each player is being introduced on their own, starting with Jude Bellingham.
The Real Madrid players, like everyone before them, look particularly sheepish making the long walk onto the Hard Rock Stadium pitch.
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