Real Madrid and Al-Hilal Lock Horns in Dramatic Club World Cup Opener
Real Madrid’s Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal ended in a thrilling 1-1 tie, featuring a missed penalty in the dying moments. This intense clash showcased Al-Hilal’s remarkable performance under coach Simone Inzaghi.
Gonzalo Garcia, Madrid’s promising young forward, broke the deadlock in the first half following a slick passing sequence. This came shortly after new coach Xabi Alonso imparted strategic advice during a cooling break.
Ruben Neves equalized for Al-Hilal from the penalty spot just before halftime, capitalizing on a foul by Madrid’s Raul Asencio. In the 92nd minute, Al-Hilal’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou crucially saved a weak penalty from Federico Valverde, diving low to his right.
Our writers dissect the game, exploring factors like Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut and Salem Al-Dawsari’s standout performance.
Inzaghi’s Immediate Impact Surprises Critics
Inzaghi’s decision to coach Al-Hilal was met with skepticism in Italy, particularly after comments from the club’s CEO suggested Inzaghi committed to the team before Inter’s Champions League final against PSG. Yet, this didn’t seem to hinder Al-Hilal’s readiness against the 15-time European champions.
Al-Hilal held their own against Real Madrid, a testament to the strategic investment over recent years, forming a cohesive team rather than just a group of stars. Inzaghi’s familiarity with players like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and others with Serie A experience, such as Joao Cancelo and Kalidou Koulibaly, proved beneficial.
The match reminded audiences of Inzaghi’s coaching skills, despite a 5-0 defeat with Inter at Munich. Al-Hilal’s strong performance against Madrid showed that the loss to PSG was not reflective of Inzaghi’s capabilities.
Bounou’s Heroics Shine in Penalty Drama
Al-Hilal’s solid performance was nearly undone by a late controversial penalty, but Bounou’s heroics ensured they left with a point. Mohammed Al-Qahtani unintentionally fouled Fran Garcia, leading to a lengthy VAR review and the eventual penalty call.
Bounou saved Valverde’s penalty, aimed poorly towards the bottom-left corner, and quickly reacted to block the rebound, making the defense proud, especially given his history with Atletico Madrid.
Alonso’s Madrid: A Work in Progress
Alonso’s influence was subtly evident as Madrid attempted to apply high pressures from the start but struggled, with Thibaut Courtois needing to intervene within the first minute.
Carlo Ancelotti’s struggles with a lack of team cohesion and defensive depth persisted. Still, Alonso’s tactical adjustments allowed for moments of promise, particularly when Gonzalo Garcia linked play for Madrid’s opening goal.
Alonso’s halftime tweak, bringing on Arda Guler for the struggling Asencio, transformed Madrid’s fluidity in the second half. With limited time with his new squad, Alonso has much groundwork to lay.
Alexander-Arnold’s Challenging Debut with Real Madrid
In a disjointed defensive line, Alexander-Arnold faced difficulties during his debut. Tasked with shifting between full-back and center-back roles, he struggled to find his usual rhythm.
Al-Hilal targeted Alexander-Arnold’s side, capitalizing on unfamiliarity with Madrid’s rotating defenses. The former Liverpool star’s attempts at his trademark long passes often went astray, indicating a period of adaptation will be necessary.
Salem Al-Dawsari: Man of the Match
Amidst Al-Hilal’s global recruits, Salem Al-Dawsari stood out, bringing creativity and skill to the pitch. Remembered for his World Cup highlights, he aimed to shine on this club stage.
His standout moment was a well-coordinated play just before halftime. Although he occasionally overreached, his ambition was understandable. Al-Dawsari’s display overshadowed Real’s star players and proved he belongs on the global stage.
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