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Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal LIVE: Trent Alexander-Arnold hooked on debut as Real held to draw in Club World Cup
Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal: Alexander-Arnold’s debut for Real Madrid ended after 65 minutes
Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw in their Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen made their debuts for the club.
Los Blancos took the lead in the first half through a lightning counter attack finished off by Gonzalo Garcia, but were pegged back before the break as Ruben Neves fired home from the spot.
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Al-Hilal were good value for the scoreline and looked on course for a deserved draw, only for Real to be awarded a 90th-minute penalty after Fran Garcia was caught in the face by a flailing arm.
However, Federico Valverde blew the chance to snatch a winner as his spot-kick was saved by Bono, denying Xabi Alonso a winning start as Real Madrid boss and ensuring a statement result for the Saudi club.
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Here come the players...
The players are making their way back out onto the Hard Rock Stadium pitch ahead of the second half.
We’re back underway, next.
HALF-TIME! Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal
HALF-TIME! Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal
Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn’t had the most straightforward Real Madrid debut so far...
HALF-TIME! Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal
There goes the ref’s whistle to end an intriguing first half in Miami.
It’s level at the break, with Ruben Neves’ spot-kick cancelling out Gonzalo Garcia’s opener.
Al-Hilal are fully deserving of this scoreline and could easily be in front.
Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal
45+1 mins: CLOSE! So nearly a second for Al-Hilal!
Really nice give and go from Salem and Neves before the former tries bending it into the far corner.
For the life of us, it looks like it’s headed into the net, but a slight deflection forces it wide.
Salem Al-Dawsari is a real live wire.
Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal
43 mins: Al-Hilal have their tails up and Salem tries to drive at Trent looking for a second, but the ex-Liverpool man stands up to the pressure and gets his body in the way of a shot.
Best bit of defensive work so far from the debutant.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal (Neves, 41')
Ruben Neves steps up... and sends Thibaut Courtois the wrong way to equalise!
On the balance of the first half, it’s the least Al-Hilal deserve.
PENALTY! Real Madrid 1-0 Al-Hilal
40 mins: PENALTY! It’s a nightmare at the back as Asencio fails to control the ball pulls Leonardo down, giving Al-Hilal the chance to equalise!
Real Madrid 1-0 Al-Hilal
37 mins: SAVE! Real are in control now and looking for more - and it could have been a second for Gonzalo after being slipped through by Bellingham.
However, he goes wide and tightens the angle, allowing Bono to smother and save.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Al-Hilal (Gonzalo, 34')
Real Madrid’s first goal under Xabi Alonso comes from young striker Gonzalo Garcia!
It’s a lightning counter-attack as Vini Jr, Valverde and Rodrygo combine before slipping it through to Gonzalo, who fires it over Bono to break the deadlock.
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