Latest news with #ViniciusJr
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.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Trent Alexander-Arnold is 2/1 to have a shot on target tonight - as he makes his debut for Real Madrid at the FIFA Club World Cup
Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to make his debut for Real Madrid tonight - as the LaLiga heavyweights go head-to-head with Al Hilal in a FIFA Club World Cup showdown. For those anticipating Alexander-Arnold to make an impact in his first start for Real Madrid - there is a Featured Price Boost on offer that involves the supremely talented 26-year-old. The Featured Price Boost requires Alexander-Arnold to have one or more shots on target. The odds for that particular bet have been enhanced from 5/4 to 2/1 according to Sky Bet. Alexander-Arnold had more shots than any other defender in the Premier League last season with 45. Meanwhile, there are a further three Price Boosts on offer for tonight's match-up - of which include there to be 10+ match shots on target at 1/1, Vinicius Jr. and Aleksandar Mitrovic both to score at 13/2, and Kylian Mbappe to score a hat-trick at 9/1. Vinicius and Mitrovic combined to score 49 goals across all competitions this season, while Mbappe netted 31 goals in 34 goals in the Spanish top-flight this campaign. Sky Bet Featured Price Boost for Real Madrid vs Al Hilal: Trent Alexander-Arnold to have a shot on target WAS 5/4 NOW 2/1 Sky Bet Price Boosts for Real Madrid vs Al Hilal: 10+ match shots on target WAS 8/11 NOW 1/1 Vinicius Jr. and Aleksandar Mitrovic both to score WAS 5/1 NOW 13/2 Kylian Mbappe to score a hat-trick WAS 15/2 NOW 9/1
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Trent Alexander-Arnold opens up on life at Real Madrid - as former Liverpool star pinpoints 'difference' in training ahead of Club World Cup
Trent Alexander-Arnold has opened up on his new life as a Real Madrid player as Los Blancos prepare to get their Club World Cup campaign underway. Alexander-Arnold, 26, was unveiled at Real last Thursday after joining the club upon the expiry of his Liverpool contract, although the Spanish giants paid £10million to secure his services a month early. The right back's future was a major talking point throughout the 2024-25 campaign, before he announced his decision to depart Anfield at the start of last month in a move that attracted significant anger from the Reds' fanbase. Alexander-Arnold has been training with Real at their base in Florida since last week ahead of their Club World Cup opener against Saudi giants Al-Hilal on Wednesday evening. And on Monday, the 26-year-old spoke for the first time about how he is adapting to life as a Galactico and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr. 'Hot to start with but a good session with some good things,' he told the club's website. '[It was] good to get a feel of the ball and a feel of the heat training in this climate so it was a good session. '[It was] high quality. The ball moves very fast. Obviously it's a lot different to what I'm used to in terms of the players and the style of play but it's good and I'm enjoying the change and I'm enjoying being a part of it. It feels really good and I'm happy to be here to be honest.' Prior to his unveiling as a Real player at the Bernabeu last week, Alexander-Arnold embarked on a tour of the club's facilities, where he was even shown some of the club's recent Champions League trophies. During his presentation, the defender then left onlookers impressed as he spoke in Spanish and on Monday he admitted he appreciated the effort his new team-mates are making in terms of communicating on the pitch. 'I can't say enough about the lads and how they made me feel welcome and at home,' he added. 'They've all put in a lot of effort, spoken to me, made me feel comfortable and made sure any questions I had - especially with the translations and things - they've helped me a lot with everything. 'I can't thank them enough and now we're excited for the game to start.' Alexander-Arnold, who will be simply known as 'Trent' with the Spanish giants, has taken the No 12 shirt after signing a six-year deal. But Alexander-Arnold also admitted training with Real was a 'lot different' to what he is used to After their opening clash against Al-Hilal, Real also face group games against Mexican side Pachuca and RB Salzburg. Meanwhile, speaking at his unveiling last week, Alexander-Arnold had said: 'Thank you Florentino Perez and the club for this opportunity. This doesn't happen every day. 'It's a dream come true. I'm very happy and proud to be here. I want to show Real Madrid fans how I play. 'I do realise I'm signing for Real Madrid and the demands are high but I am going to give my all for the team and Real Madrid fans. 'I want to show those fans how I play. I want to win many titles. I want to be a winner here and enjoy playing alongside the best players in the world at Madrid.'
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Four people handed suspended jail sentences over Vinicius Jr effigy
Brazil's forward Vinicius Jr. Photo: MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL / AFP Four people have been given suspended jail sentences by a Madrid Court after being found guilty of a hate crime related to an effigy of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, Spain's LaLiga said on Monday. They were all involved in hanging a banner reading "Madrid hates Real" and an inflatable black effigy in a replica of the Brazilian's No. 20 shirt on a bridge before a Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid in January 2023. According to the ruling, one defendant was sentenced to 15 months in prison for a hate crime and an additional seven months for making threats, having distributed images of the act online. The other three were sentenced to seven months in prison for hate crimes and seven months for threats. They will not serve prison time, however, after all four signed a letter of apology to Vinicius, Real Madrid, LaLiga and the Spanish football federation. "The defendant who posted the video online received a special disqualification from working in education, sports, or recreational youth settings for four years and three months, while the others received three years and seven months," LaLiga said in a statement. The first defendant was fined 1,084 euros (NZ$2,066) and the other three 720 euros, with additional punishments including a 1,000m restraining order from Vinicius, his home and workplace, and a ban on approaching football stadiums during LaLiga or RFEF matches. They will all be required to participate in an educational programme on equal treatment and non-discrimination in order for the prison sentences imposed to be suspended. Real Madrid said 14 individuals have now been criminally convicted for racist attacks against their players and that they will continue working to eradicate racism from the sport. "This criminal conviction adds to several others handed down in recent months for the racist abuse directed at Real Madrid players at the Zorrilla (Valladolid), Mestalla (Valencia), Son Moix (Palma de Mallorca), and Vallecas (Madrid) stadiums, as well as on online platforms," Real said in a statement. The 24-year-old Vinicius has been subjected to racial abuse on several occasions in Spain. He said last year, after finishing second in the voting for the Ballon d'Or, that he would keep on fighting racism even if his activism is what led to him not winning the prestigious individual award. -Reuters
India Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Madrid court jails 4 radical fans for racially abusing Vinicius Jr
Four individuals have received suspended prison sentences from a Madrid court after being found guilty of a hate crime involving a racist display against Vinicius Jr. Real Madrid announced the news via a lengthy statement on Monday, June case stems from an incident in January 2023, when a banner reading 'Madrid hates Real' and an inflatable black effigy wearing a replica of Vinicius' No.20 jersey were hung from a bridge ahead of a Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid and Atletico to the court ruling, one of the defendants received a 15-month sentence for committing a hate crime, along with an additional seven months for making threats after posting images of the act online. The remaining three individuals were each sentenced to seven months for hate crimes and another seven months for threats. Despite the convictions, none of the four will serve time in prison after signing a formal letter of apology addressed to Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid, LaLiga, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).LaLiga stated that the individual who distributed the video online has also been barred from working in education, sports, or youth-related activities for four years and three months. The other three received bans of three years and seven months from similar addition, the first defendant was fined 1,084 ($1,250), while the other three were fined 720 each. All four are subject to a restraining order requiring them to stay at least 1,000 meters away from Vinicius Jr., his residence, and his workplace. They are also banned from attending football stadiums during matches organized by LaLiga or the maintain the suspension of their prison terms, all four must complete an educational program focused on equality and revealed that the defendants have acknowledged their actions, expressed remorse, and publicly apologised. Each has been found guilty of a hate crime and another of threatening Vinicius criminal sentence adds to the several already handed down in recent months for racist insults received by Real Madrid CF players at the Zorrilla (Valladolid), Mestalla (Valencia), Son Moix (Palma de Mallorca), and Vallecas (Madrid) stadiums, including on digital forums. In total, fourteen people have now been criminally convicted for racist attacks against Real Madrid players.
