Izuchukwu OkosiReal Madrid played out a thrilling 1-1 draw against Saudi Pro League top side Al Hilal Wednesday night in both sides’ first Group H game of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA.
Youngster Gonzalo Garcia opened the scoring for Real after the hour mark.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe 21-year-old striker who started in the absence of the injured Kylian Mbappe dinked the ball delicately beyond the reach of Yacine Bonou in goal for Al Hilal.
Despite going a goal down, Simone Inzaghi’s new team dominated proceedings and looked the likely to score next.
Their attempts paid off in the 41st minute as former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves calmly slotted the ball into the net from the penalty spot, sending Thibaut Courtois the wrong way.
Centre back Raul Asencio had pulled back Marcod Leonardo inside the penalty area leaving the referee with no option.
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Second half substitute Arda Guler saw his swift effort canon off the post while Garcia saw a desperate header saved on the line by Bonou almost immediately following a good cross for both actions by Vinicius Jnr.
The game was a debut for former Liverpool wingback Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Xabi Alonso introduced Luka Modric in the second half but the Croatian maestro could not conjure any magic from midfield.
Real were afforded the chance to score a winning goal via a penalty as the match off coal spotted a handball inside Al Hilal’s box.
Federico Valverde however produced a poor kick which was initially saved by Bonou in addition to a rebound.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
