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Ammon
a day ago
- Sport
- Ammon
Real Madrid wilt in Miami heat as Al-Hilal spoil Alonso's debut
Ammon News - Real Madrid laboured to a 1-1 Club World Cup draw against a spirited Al-Hilal in searing heat on Wednesday as Xabi Alonso's managerial debut for the 15-time European champions delivered flashes of promise but ultimately felt like an exhibition match. Gonzalo Garcia, stepping in for the fever-stricken Kylian Mbappe, gave Real an early lead with a composed finish, but Ruben Neves levelled from the spot before halftime as Simone Inzaghi's men showed defensive grit and enough attacking intent to rattle their illustrious opponents. A last-gasp missed penalty from Federico Valverde summed up a day when Real's legs, and ideas, wilted in the heat and humidity at a nearly sold-out Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. RB Salzburg and Pachuca meet in the other Group H fixture later on Wednesday. Real 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. With Mbappe ruled out, it was the 21-year-old Garcia who led the line for Real and he did not disappoint, while new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold was nowhere near the level that persuaded the Spanish club to lure him from Liverpool. It was Al-Hilal, however, who burst out of the blocks, swarming around the Real penalty area with early intent — though their finishing let them down at crucial moments. In the 29th minute, Salem Al-Dawsari nearly produced a moment of magic, weaving his way into the box before Aurelien Tchouameni slid in with a crucial interception to steer the ball behind. The Saudi side thought they had taken the lead shortly after, only for their celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag. Despite the heat - and with the cheapest tickets in the stadium selling for over $160 while premium seats soared beyond $950 - a vibrant crowd kept the energy high. A much-needed 30th-minute cooling break gave Real a chance to regroup, with players draping towels over their shoulders and gulping down rehydrating drinks in the sweltering heat. The short pause worked wonders. Police officer George Lyngeridis was killed by a flare during clashes between rival sport clubs outside a volleyball match in Athens in 2023. Four minutes later, Real struck. A slick team move carved open the Al-Hilal defence, and Garcia showed composure beyond his years, delicately lifting the ball over Yassine Bounou after being teed up by Rodrygo. But Al-Hilal refused to wilt. They drew level four minutes before halftime when Ruben Neves calmly slotted home a penalty after Raul Asencio pulled back Marcos Leonardo in the area. On the stroke of halftime, Al-Dawsari went close again, firing narrowly wide after latching onto a clever pass from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to cap another flowing Al-Hilal attack. Real stepped up a gear after the restart with substitute Arda Guler's shot crashing against the bar before Bounou made a stunning reaction save to deny Garcia. A second cooling break in the 68th minute did not refresh Real and although they continued to dominate, the Al-Hilal defence held firm.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Trent Alexander-Arnold makes debut as Real Madrid settle for Club World Cup draw with Al-Hilal
Gonzalo Garcia, stepping in for the fever-stricken Kylian Mbappe, gave Real an early lead with a composed finish, but Ruben Neves levelled from the spot before halftime as Simone Inzaghi's men showed defensive grit and enough attacking intent to rattle their illustrious opponents. A last-gasp missed penalty from Federico Valverde summed up a day when Real's legs, and ideas, wilted in the heat and humidity at a nearly sold-out Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. RB Salzburg and Pachuca meet in the other Group H fixture later on Wednesday. Real 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. With Mbappe ruled out, it was the 21-year-old Garcia who led the line for Real and he did not disappoint, while new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold was nowhere near the level that persuaded the Spanish club to lure him from Liverpool. It was Al-Hilal, however, who burst out of the blocks, swarming around the Real penalty area with early intent � though their finishing let them down at crucial moments. In the 29th minute, Salem Al-Dawsari nearly produced a moment of magic, weaving his way into the box before Aurelien Tchouameni slid in with a crucial interception to steer the ball behind. The Saudi side thought they had taken the lead shortly after, only for their celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag. Despite the heat - and with the cheapest tickets in the stadium selling for over $160 while premium seats soared beyond $950 - a vibrant crowd kept the energy high. A much-needed 30th-minute cooling break gave Real a chance to regroup, with players draping towels over their shoulders and gulping down rehydrating drinks in the sweltering heat. The short pause worked wonders. Four minutes later, Real struck. A slick team move carved open the Al-Hilal defence, and Garcia showed composure beyond his years, delicately lifting the ball over Yassine Bounou after being teed up by Rodrygo. But Al-Hilal refused to wilt. They drew level four minutes before halftime when Ruben Neves calmly slotted home a penalty after Raul Asencio pulled back Marcos Leonardo in the area. On the stroke of halftime, Al-Dawsari went close again, firing narrowly wide after latching onto a clever pass from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to cap another flowing Al-Hilal attack. Real stepped up a gear after the restart with substitute Arda Guler's shot crashing against the bar before Bounou made a stunning reaction save to deny Garcia. A second cooling break in the 68th minute did not refresh Real and although they continued to dominate, the Al-Hilal defence held firm.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Real held by Al-Hilal, City too hot for Wydad in Club World Cup opener
PHILADELPHIA, June 19 — Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in new coach Xabi Alonso's debut at the Club World Cup yesterday, after Manchester City got off to a winning start earlier. Federico Valverde had a stoppage-time penalty saved as Real were forced to settle for a point in the Group H match in Miami having earlier taken the lead. It was a disappointing outcome for the large contingent of fans of the Spanish side in the impressive crowd of 62,415 at the Hard Rock Stadium. 'The first half wasn't as good as the second one. In the second half we had better chances, better control. For sure we have the principles to start building something but we could have won,' Alonso told broadcaster DAZN. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach gave debuts to new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen in defence but Real were missing top scorer Kylian Mbappe for the game. Gonzalo Garcia was brought into their attack as a result and the 21-year-old seized his chance as he opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark from a Rodrygo assist. However, Al-Hilal hit back in their new coach Simone Inzaghi's first game on the bench with Ruben Neves levelling before the break from the penalty spot following a Raul Asencio foul. Al-Hilal then held out for a point but Real had the chance to claim the victory in stoppage time after Mohammed Al Qahtani was ruled to have put his hand in the face of Fran Garcia in the box. However, Valverde's spot-kick was saved by Yassine Bounou to give the Saudi team a draw after a hugely creditable performance. Guilherme Ferreira of Wydad AC is challenged by Erling Haaland of Manchester City during their Fifa Club World Cup 2025 Group G match in Philadelphia June 18, 2025. — AFP pic Foden stars, Guardiola satisfied In Philadelphia, Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku scored first-half goals as Pep Guardiola's City eased to a 2-0 win against Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in Group G. City gave debuts to new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki while it was Foden who opened the scoring inside two minutes, sweeping home inside the box after goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid patted a Savinho centre into his path. Doku converted the second goal from a Foden corner shortly before the interval in a game played in sweaty early afternoon conditions in front of 37,446 fans at Lincoln Financial Field. The afternoon was slightly marred for City as Rico Lewis was sent off for a dangerous tackle late on, but Guardiola was satisfied with the winning start as his side look to turn the page following a difficult last season. 'It is so hot. The humidity is not easy. We had good moments, many new players. The first game in this group stage is always really, really important. I saw many, many good things,' said Guardiola, who suggested he will make sweeping changes for the next match against Al Ain in Atlanta on Sunday. 'The first step is done, it is really important. Now we have recovery, we are going to train well in the next few days and then fresh legs for the next game to try to improve things,' Guardiola added. 'We have a lot of new players, injured players back, and step by step we will get to the right tempo.' The action continues later on Wednesday as City's Group G rivals Al Ain and Juventus meet in Washington. Before that, Mexican outfit Pachuca take on Red Bull Salzburg of Austria in Group H in Cincinnati. The second round of group games begins today, with matches including Lionel Messi's Inter Miami against Porto and European champions Paris Saint-Germain facing Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo. — AFP
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Trent Alexander-Arnold already showing signs of old class in Real Madrid shirt even if he's put a new name on the back
Steve Brenner, Exclusives Reporter Published: Invalid Date, T RENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD was caught up in a Club World Cup clash far more dramatic than anyone could have predicted as he made his Real Madrid debut. The ex- Liverpool right-back played the first 64 minutes of a 1-1 draw against Saudi big spenders Al-Hilal. And the England ace had an eventful evening at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. He saw Gonzalo Garcia slot a brilliant team goal to launch Xabi Alonso 's reign as Real boss in majestic style. But former Wolves anchorman Ruben Neves soon levelled with a 41st-minute penalty after Raul Asencio pulled Marcos Leonardo's short. Al-Hilal were furious with a spot-kick award against Mohammed Al Qahtani when his arm went across Fran Garcia's face on the corner of the box in the 90th minute. But ex- Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou guessed correctly from Federico Valverde's penalty - plunging to his right to keep it out and ensure a deserved point in the Group H opener. Meanwhile, TAA was not just in a new top, he had a new moniker on the back - simply "Trent". So was his first Real game just as straightforward? Here's our man STEVE BRENNER 's verdict on the 26-year-old's performance. 11 11 11 An attacking threat? With the searing afternoon temperatures in Miami edging closer to a sweltering 33 degrees, the tempo of the game was a long way off the standard intensity. Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals he's been 'waiting a long time' to join Real Madrid For most of the first half, Alexander-Arnold, along with his new pals, tried to conserve energy when possible. But it was his initial pass deep in his own half that started the move which ended with Gonzalo Garcia's 34th-minute opener. The England international pumped his fists into the air when the ball hit the back of the net. Early in the second half, he found himself on the edge of the box with the ball at his feet, but the killer pass just eluded him. He also appeared to operate slightly more centrally after the break as Real searched for a winner. Defensively sound? The former Liverpool man was operating in an inverted wing-back role, which saw him largely tuck inside closer to the centre-back pairing of fellow new boy Dean Huijsen — making his Real debut following his move from Bournemouth — and Asencio. When the Spanish giants were in possession, TAA drifted into midfield and was on hand to try and penetrate a robust Al-Hilal backline. He made a couple of key interceptions as the first half wore on — including one which helped set up the opener — and looked defensively solid. 11 11 Has he settled in already? Certainly looked that way. Having fellow England international Jude Bellingham — who was very quiet here — must help, as will his already noticeable Spanish skills, which will only improve as he fully integrates himself into the Madrid way of life. With Alonso also starting afresh in the Spanish capital, everyone, including Trent, is beginning with a clean slate. Any surprises/anything new? Just having 'TRENT' on the back of his shirt was a new look for the 26-year-old. At Liverpool, and for England, the Scouser was the main man for free-kicks. But when one was given on 57 minutes, it was Turkish ace Arda Güler who stepped up—and subsequently failed to deliver. His race was run after 64 minutes, with Alonso keen to bring on fresh legs, but the sparks from his debut were promising enough. What did he say about it? "It's an incredible day for me to make my Real Madrid debut. It's something almost every player dreams of so to be able to achieve it is huge for me. "Of course, there's some disappointment in there because we haven't won the game. It's the mentality you need to have as a Real Madrid player is to want and expect to win every game that you play in. "It's disappointing not to win. But there were a lot of positives, especially in the second half." On the support... "Incredible. I felt the support from the moment I signed for the club. It's absolutely sensational. The fanbase that is truly global all over the world. You feel it every single day, the fans at the training ground and the hotel and on social media. "It's a huge thank you for that. We dominated the stands today, which was incredible. The support was truly amazing." On the game... "I think in the second half we kept the ball really well - that is what we lacked in the first half. "In this heat, it is important to keep hold of the ball as best as you can. We were in and around their box a lot. "We put in crosses, got shots off but it just wasn't meant to be. We also had the penalty late on. These things do happen in football. "Nobody is to blame and we take the positives, and we have things we can work on. I am sure we will do that going into the next game." And on how long he's been learning Spanish... "Not too long. A couple of months. It was something important that I had to do. I want to adapt and give myself the best start possible going to a new country, new city and new team. "It is important to show the intent that I want to embrace the culture, immerse myself in it and try to adapt as best as possible." 11 11 11
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Jude Bellingham is AGAIN caught in x-rated rant at an official - just days after Thomas Tuchel admitted his own mother is REPULSED by Real Madrid star's on-pitch behaviour
Jude Bellingham rudely barked and swore at an official yet again in Real Madrid 's Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal. The 21-year-old shouted an offensive term at the linesman amid increased focus on his sometimes brash behaviour after England boss Thomas Tuchel admitted his mother finds his on-field demeanour 'repulsive'. The midfielder berated the linesman after Joao Cancelo kicked the ball against him and out for a throw for the Saudi Pro League side. But the England star was adamant that it took another nick off the former Manchester City defender, leading him to shout 'our ball, our ball, f*** off' at the linesman. Bellingham admonished the offical during a hard-fought draw with Ai-Hilal in Madrid's Club World Cup match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Real have won the Club World Cup on six occasions, mostly recently in 2022, and Gonzalo Garcia struck first after 34 minutes to give the Spanish giants the lead. 🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Jude Bellingham to the linesman: 'Our ball, our ball! F*CK OFF!' — The Touchline | Football Coverage (@TouchlineX) June 18, 2025 But Los Blancos, who won the competition three years in a row from 2016 to 2018, were pegged back when former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves struck in an equalising penalty late in the second half. Federico Valverde then missed a stoppage time penalty, given after a VAR review, to prevent Madrid claiming a win on Trent Alexander-Arnold's debut and Xabi Alonso's first game in charge. Bellingham grew into the contest as it went on but he was unable to make the difference. His outburst at the linesman came just eight days after he was panned for kicking a water cooler in rage following the Three Lions' defeat by Senegal. He chased down the fourth official and booted a water cooler on full-time at the City Ground after his late goal was disallowed. In an extraordinary interview, Tuchel then revealed that his behaviour can intimidate team-mates because of his over-aggressive manner and have a negative impact on the team. Bellingham's attitude towards team-mates was also questioned at last summer's Euros. He was also handed a two-match suspension for swearing at a referee in a 1-1 La Liga draw with Osasuna in February. He was dismissed by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero for foul and abusive language but the Englishman was adamant that he had not been abusive towards the referee, who accused the midfielder of telling him: 'F*** you'. Bellingham's account was that he had said: 'f*** off', but that these words were aimed at himself in frustration, rather than at the match official. The former Borussia Dortmund player was also caught swearing at the referee during Madrid's 3-1 defeat by AC Milan in the Champions League in November. Meanwhile, Real Madrid take on Mexican side Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg in theier next group fixtures in the US.
