Latest news with #HardRockStadium
The National
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Al Hilal show 'power and potential of Saudi football' in Real Madrid draw
On the eve of Wednesday's Fifa Club World Cup tie between Al Hilal and Real Madrid, amid the Art Deco diners that line Miami's South Beach reminiscent of something out of Back to the Future, two men sat debating football in front of a baby blue Cadillac. Both dressed in Al Hilal shirts, both having arrived from Riyadh the previous evening, the pair couldn't agree on their side's hopes of toppling the European behemoth that is Real Madrid. One gave his side a 'less than zero' chance of victory, while the other clung to the idea that 'nothing is impossible'. Yet they agreed on one thing: The result was immaterial, they were here for a week of fun. And they were not alone. Al Hilal took over South Beach ahead of the match, which proved an enjoyable 1-1 draw as the perceived impossible was almost realised by an impressive Saudi side that at times completely dominated their illustrious Spanish opponents in the blistering 32°C heat. Hookah cafes, Hilal tops, and an expansive fan fest that proved so popular prizes ran dry. So too did the nearby sportswear store, which stuck a sign up in its window: 'Al Hilal Sold Out Sorry :)'. Yet inside the Hard Rock Stadium, it was a different story. Fifa is well aware of the biggest draw of its new 32-team Club World Cup. During the opening ceremony earlier this week, its camera lingered uncomfortably on only one club crest: That of the 15-time European champions. And, despite the local organising committee's army of volunteers clad in Hilal-style blue, the stadium was a white hot sea of Madrid shirts. Unsurprising given the temperature, regrettable 3pm kick-off time, and lack of a flux capacitor, there was to be no throwback to the 2022 Club World Cup final when Madrid beat Hilal 5-3. Yet at times this was as much a Madrid performance as we have grown to expect in recent years – riding their luck for large periods, before finding a goal against the run of play. In the end, perhaps the only surprise was they failed to capitalise on a penalty to snare all three points. With new Madrid coach Xabi Alonso handing debuts to both Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right-side of defence, the new-look back-line had appeared shaky. Hilal, also marking their first match under a new coach in Simone Inzaghi, came close to scoring early on through Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Marcos Leonardo, before left-back Renan Lodi slid the ball past Thibaut Courtois only to see it ruled offside. 'We got to see the true level of our team today,' Lodi said. 'We were playing against a club that has dominated Europe, won Champions Leagues, but we held our own. For this, I am very happy. Soon, I'll have been at Hilal for two years and I think everyone is seeing now that we too can play great football. Madrid is a team of the highest level, but we showed the power and potential of Saudi Arabian football.' Watched on by Grammy Award-winning Palestinian-American record producer DJ Khaled, Hilal indeed looked perfectly at home, dominating possession for large spells. Yet the old habits of Madrid are not yet ready to fade like a family photograph, and it was the Spanish side who typically took the lead against the run of play. Rodrygo picked out Gonzalo Garcia, whose first-time finish struck his own planted foot and floated over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Hard luck in the Hard Rock for the ever-popular 'Bono'. Unperturbed, Hilal continued to plug away. Captain Salem Al Dawsari proving a constant threat on the left. The 2021 AFC Asian League winners levelled the tie just before half time when Raul Asencio was judged to manhandle Leonardo in the box and Ruben Neves made no mistake from the spot. They could have added a second soon after too through Al Dawsari, but his well-worked shot took a deflection and curled wide. Madrid grew into the game, with Vinicius Jr exploiting the space behind Joao Cancelo before Inzaghi made a switch – though not before substitute Arda Guler and Gonzalo Garcia both tested Bono. 'There are some positives to take from the match, especially in the second half,' said Alexander-Arnold. 'The coach told us at half time we needed to dominate the ball more. In these games, especially in this heat, you need to dominate the ball otherwise you are chasing shadows.' Hilal managed only two shots in the second half but they were well deserving of a point. It appeared a cruel twist then when Argentine referee Facundo Tello, after an on-field review, awarded a penalty for Mohammed Al Qahtani's clumsy arm connecting with the mouth of Fran Garcia. Bono came to the rescue, throwing himself down to save both Federico Valverde's penalty and what could be a crucial point in the quest to progress to the knock-out stages. 'This was a great test for us,' said Joao Cancelo. 'We were able to compete against one of the best teams in the world, but it's very difficult. To play against Rodrygo, [Jude] Bellingham, [Luka] Modric, Valverde … We competed well and can be proud.'
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
FIFA Club World Cup Set to Implement Three Unique 'Americanized' Rules
FIFA Club World Cup Set to Implement Three Unique 'Americanized' Rules originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The FIFA Club World Cup begins today when Inter Miami and Al Ahly play the opening game of the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium. Advertisement The tournament will last until July 13, but for the group stages, the soccer stars will get used to the unique rules used for American sports. The Club World Cup, held in the United States, will reportedly regulate three new rules that many stars who play in Europe are not accustomed to. They will reportedly be practiced in tonight's Inter Miami vs Al Ahly match. It will involve the pre-match, during halftime, and during the match itself. One of the rules will give the audience a unique experience. Another may cause issues among players and coaches from teams not used to this new environment during a matchday. Lastly, one will provide a unique experience for the audience at the stadium and fans watching on their screens. NBA-Style Intros According to reports from ESPN Argentina and Esporte, the FIFA Club World Cup will introduce NBA-style team entrances for the players starting the match at the stadium. Advertisement Like the NBA, the team entrances will include having one player at a time be introduced by an announcer onto the pitch. The captain will enter the pitch last for each team; that would mean Lionel Messi will be lastly introduced for the Inter Miami entrance vs Al Ahly tonight. These special introductions for players will likely only be done for each team's first game of the tournament. Introductions for soccer players are normally a stadium announcer naming the players individually. This unique NBA-style introduction will add a new way for fans to support their players pre-match. Referee Body Cameras A few soccer games have showcased referee cameras in the past, but now the whole Club World Cup tournament will reportedly include them during broadcasts of the matches. Advertisement Something similar was used in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in December 2024. FIFA announced that cameras would return for this summer's Club World Cup. Reports from Tiempo de Juego suggest that at the stadium, fans will be able to watch the referee's reviews live on the VAR. Halftime Interviews A feature that may cause unpopularity among the stars is the halftime interviews. These interviews are normally used in the NBA and the NFL. It has also been in soccer, but in the United States. The MLS and during games for the US Men's National team have featured halftime interviews with players or managers. The FIFA Club World Cup will reportedly make these interviews mandatory for players and managers. This could lead to tense interviews with angry managers or players, but full entertainment for fans. Advertisement Related: FIFA Makes Deal with Miami Students to Fill Messi's Club World Cup Opener Related: Lionel Messi's Perfect Tournament Record at Risk Ahead of FIFA Club World Cup Related: Club World Cup Faces Ticket Trouble — Only Two Teams Sell Out Early Games This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid's Club World Cup Streak Ends Under Xabi Alonso vs Al Hilal
Real Madrid's Club World Cup Streak Ends Under Xabi Alonso vs Al Hilal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Real Madrid's debut in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup did not end as expected. They drew 1-1 against Al Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium. Both teams ended with one point after the first matchday of the group. Advertisement Real Madrid were the favorites ahead of the game and are among the top picks to win the Club World Cup this season. Despite taking the lead in the first half, Al Hilal remained competitive against Los Blancos and found an equalizer. The Club World Cup has already produced shocking results, and this one is arguably one of the most surprising. This was Xabi Alonso's first match as head coach of Real Madrid, and the result ended a streak in this competition that the club has held since 2000. Al Hilal end Real Madrid CWC Winning Streak Since 2000, Real Madrid has had a winning streak that has lasted until today. The Spanish giants won five Club World Cups and the Intercontinental Cup in 2002 and last year. Advertisement Real Madrid's International Trophies since 2000 2002 Intercontinental Cup 2014 FIFA Club World Cup 2016 FIFA Club World Cup 2017 FIFA Club World Cup 2018 FIFA Club World Cup 2022 FIFA Club World Cup 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup Real Madrid took the lead in the 34th minute due to a lethal counter-attack started by Gonzalo Garcia. The 21-year-old scored in the box after receiving a great pass from Rodrygo on the right. Al Hilal drew the game in the 41st minute thanks to a penalty converted by Ruben Neves. Raul Asencio caused the penalty after bringing down Al Hilal striker Marcos Leonardo. Real Madrid had the chance to win the game due to a penalty given near the 90th minute. Federico Valverde's penalty was saved by Yassine Bounou. Xabi Alonso Post-Match Interview After his first game as coach for Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso explained what went wrong during the game. The coach spoke about the positives of the game despite the result. Xabi Alonso: "I didn't like the first half. We were better in the second half, with more quality, more balance and faster. We improved in the second half. We were able to play in their half for much longer, had better chances, and controlled the game better. Of course, the principle will be to start building something." Advertisement The Spaniard manager spoke about the short time he has spent with the team, but he shows optimism for what is to come. Xabi Alonso: "I haven't spent much time with this team. In every game, we have to take advantage and learn from what we can improve on, and certainly every game will give us lessons to improve on." An interesting take came from Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who explained that the team has yet to fully develop under the new instructions of Xabi Alonso. He mentioned the team is still playing the same way they did under their former manager Carlo Ancelotti, but expects to see the team change soon. Thibaut Courtois: "We still have Ancelotti's automatism, and that cannot be changed in four days. We needed to have more possession and not run so much after the ball. In the second half, we were better." Xabi Alonso's Worrying Update on Kylian Mbappe Kylian Mbappe was not part of the squad for Real Madrid's game today after not training yesterday due to a fever. The French star was expected to play today as he trained ahead of the game. Advertisement With him missing out today, many wonder if he will be back for Real Madrid's next game on Sunday against Pachuca. Xabi Alonso gives a worrying update on the striker. Xabi Alonso: "I don't know if Mbappe will be back for the next game. We'll see, he wasn't doing well in the last 2 days, he's sick." Related: Why Kylian Mbappe May Not Play in Real Madrid's Club World Cup Debut Related: Lionel Messi's Perfect Tournament Record at Risk Ahead of FIFA Club World Cup This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
A change in formation for Real Madrid
Real Madrid have settled for a draw in their opening match of the Club World Cup against Saudi side Al-Hilal Getty Images Getty Images 50' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal As expected, the half-time introduction of Guler has seen Real Madrid move into a back three, the favoured system of Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. Aurelien Tchouameni has dropped into the backline alongside Dean Huijsen and Fran Garcia with Alexander-Arnold moving into a right-wing back position and Vinicius Jr staying close to the touchline on the other wing. That means Rodrygo and goalscorer Gonzalo Garcia are in a two-man attack. 47' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal What a start to the second half! Real Madrid could — and maybe should — have scored within 60 seconds of the restart. First, substitute Guler rattled the crossbar with a contested volley from the edge of the box. And Madrid recycled the ball — although were later flagged for offside — and Vinicius Jr lifted a delicate cross into Garcia in the six-yard box whose header was well kept out by Bounou. Almost the perfect start to the second half for Alonso's men. 46' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal After that quick — and much-needed — break for half-time refreshments, the ball is rolling again at Hard Rock Stadium. Not before Real Madrid make a substitution, though, with Asencio taken off for midfielder Arda Guler. The Spaniards perhaps moving to a back three with that very attacking change. Getty Images Raul Asencio has now conceded three penalties in 2025. Only one defender on a La Liga team, Getafe's Omar Alderete, has conceded more (4) this year. Getty Images HT Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Xabi Alonso's first starting XI with Real Madrid has an average age of 24 years and 300 days, which is the club's youngest in their first game with a new manager in all competitions since at least the 2009-10 season. Five of Madrid's last eight managers won their first game in all competitions with the club (D2 L1), with Zinedine Zidane achieving the biggest win of those eight with a 5-0 victory over Deportivo de La Coruna in La Liga in January 2016. HT Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal Still trying to get my head around the fact that this tournament is on at the same time as the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Among the stranger club-vs-country battles in evidence here: Saudi Arabia are in the Gold Cup — not weird at all, stop looking at me like that — and play the US tomorrow, yet their best player is currently on duty for Al Hilal in Miami. Funny old world. Getty Images When Real Madrid finally started playing on their front foot late in the first half, it was Rodrygo who ensured his side would have something to show for it. The Brazilian nearly did the job himself with a curling strike that went just over the crossbar, but then completed a terrific Madrid build-up with a perfect curling pass to give Garcia his first shining moment for the club. Getty Images Few clubs outside of Europe in this competition have as many European level-caliber players as Al-Hilal, and they showed that throughout the first half. Portugal international Ruben Neves, formerly of Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers, finally provided the Al-Hilal breakthrough with his equalizing penalty kick. Getty Images With his goal in the first half, Gonzalo Garcia (21 years, 86 days) became the fourth-youngest player Real Madrid player to score in his first start for the club since 2009-2010. The three players to have done it at a younger age? Jude Bellingham – 20 years, 44 days – 20 years, 44 days Marco Asensio – 20 years, 201 days – 20 years, 201 days Dani Ceballos – 21 years, 47 days Getty Images HT Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Put yourselves in the shoes of 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia for a second. You're a Madrid native who's devoted his entire life to rising through the academy of your hometown club, which also happens to be one of the biggest in the world. You're suddenly picked to start on a global stage because the first-choice man, who also happens to be one of the most recognizable faces in world football, is sick. Then, you not only make some stellar runs when your team looks to push, but you score the first goal. What a moment! Getty Images HT Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Well, there hasn't been much difference between Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti's, which shows that this new project is only a few days old. The defensive system failed, with Al-Hilal generating more danger and once again there was a lack of clarity in the build-up play and in the final metres. HT Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal There goes the half-time whistle at Hard Rock Stadium. That was not the first half that many of us were expecting. Al-Hilal have been much the better team while Real Madrid have been really underwhelming. The Spaniards took the lead against the run of play but were pegged back after some lazy Asencio defending. Simone Inzaghi will be particularly impressed with what he has seen from the players. Alonso, not so much. Getty Images 45+4' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Real Madrid are a structural mess. Their high press has been ineffective and they've been exposed defensively in transition and when Al Hilal slow the game down and progress through possession. 45+2' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Oh, that was nearly a brilliant Al-Hilal goal. Al-Dawsari has been a real threat on the left wing and he exchanged a lovely one-two with Milinkovic-Savic inside the Madrid penalty area. His shot at the end of it was bending towards the top corner, but Asencio did well to get in front of it and deflect it beyond Courtois' far post. It's not quite making amends for his concession of the penalty, but that was a crucial block. Getty Images 45' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal As a result of the penalty, goals and cooling break, there will be five more minutes of this first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Getty Images 44' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal No real surprise to see Neves score from the penalty spot — he scored all eight that he took for Wolves in the Premier League. Getty Images 43' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Asencio had made several very good interventions, but this penalty underlines that he continues to make mistakes that penalise the team. Undoubtedly something he needs to improve, although he does have plenty of time at the age of just 22. 42' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Madrid's issues with refs continue — and not the first time in his short Madrid career that Raul Asencio has given away a needless penalty. The 22-year-old seemed to lose a sense of where the ball and his opponent was, and although the contact was slight, the referee was within his rights to point to the spot. 41' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Al-Hilal have the equalising goal their first-half play has deserved! Neves is a very accomplished penalty taker and he smashes it into the back of the net as Courtois dives the other way. We're all square again on the stroke of half-time.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘I love Barcelona' – Al-Hilal star reveals Blaugrana affection after Real Madrid draw
Former Barcelona star João Cancelo was quick to reiterate his undying love for the Blaugrana, late on Wednesday night. This came after the Portuguese international played his part in Al-Hilal's meeting with Barca's arch rivals, Real Madrid. Advertisement Xabi Alonso's Real kicked their campaign at the Club World Cup into gear yesterday evening, in a group stage meeting with Saudi outfit Al-Hilal. When all was said and done, the spoils were shared between the sides, owing to a hard-fought 1-1 draw. The aforementioned Cancelo, meanwhile, featured from the off at the Hard Rock Stadium, from his customary berth at right-back. Speaking to the media post-match, the subject of his Barcelona past, in turn, was inevitably put to the 31-year-old. And Cancelo made use of the opportunity to make crystal clear his ongoing 'love' for the Spanish champions: 'I am just another Barça fan. I love them. I loved the time I spent at Barcelona. I love the Barça squad.' Conor Laird – GSFN
