Alonso's Madrid Debut Fizzles: Draw and Missed Penalty Against Al-Hilal

Xabi Alonso's promise of a high-energy, "rock'n'roll" Real Madrid debut at the Club World Cup fell flat as they stumbled to a 1-1 draw against a resilient Al-Hilal side in Miami. The match, played in oppressive heat, showcased moments of promise but ultimately lacked the spark Alonso had envisioned.

The pre-match atmosphere was a sea of white, with Madrid fans filling the Hard Rock Stadium despite the questionable scheduling of a 3 PM kickoff in the sweltering Miami summer. The game itself, however, failed to live up to the hype, highlighting the challenges of integrating new players and implementing a new tactical approach.

Madrid unveiled a fresh-looking lineup, featuring debuts for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, along with Gonzalo García leading the attack in Kylian Mbappé's absence. However, it was Al-Hilal who started brighter, creating several early chances and testing Thibaut Courtois in the Madrid goal.

After a hydration break, Madrid found the breakthrough. Alexander-Arnold initiated a counter-attack, the ball found its way to Rodrygo who delivered a perfect cross for García to score, the finish was clumsy but effective, giving Alonso's era its first goal.

The lead was short-lived. A needless penalty conceded by Raul Asencio allowed Rúben Neves to equalize for Al-Hilal. The Saudi Arabian side continued to threaten, almost taking the lead before halftime.

Arda Guler's introduction at halftime injected some energy into the Madrid attack, and he almost scored immediately, hitting the bar. Garcia then forced a great save from the Al-Hilal goalkeeper.

As the game wore on, the oppressive heat took its toll, leading to frequent breaks and a slower tempo. Alexander-Arnold's debut was a mixed bag, showing glimpses of his quality but also struggling at times before being substituted.

In the closing stages, Madrid were awarded a penalty after a VAR review. However, Federico Valverde's spot-kick was saved, denying Madrid a late victory and leaving Alonso with much to ponder after a disappointing start to their Club World Cup campaign.