Adventurer Alonso embarks on genuine expeditions, accompanied by a royally clumsy companion
Article:
Alonso Kicks Off Real Tenure With Draw, Missed Penalty in Club World Cup Opener
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride with Xabi Alonso at the helm of Real Madrid! The Basque coach had a less-than-ideal debut in the Club World Cup against Al-Hilal, ending in a 1-1 draw on June 18, 2025.
Federico Valverde missed a late penalty, saved by the impressive Yassine Bonou, on what should have been a victory for Real Madrid. Alonso introduced two new signings, Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, into the Real defense. They almost conceded in the early minutes, but Marcus Leonardo's shot sailed just wide (10').
Real Madrid's white-clad supporters filled the Hard Rock Stadium, witnessing Gonzalo Garcia put the Royals ahead with a counterattack (34'). But Al-Hilal equalized with a penalty from Portuguese Ruben Neves (41') and proved to be the better team for much of the game.
Substitute Arda Güler hit the bar in the second half, but Real Madrid put up a better fight after the break. Alonso's men were missing key players like Kylian Mbappé and were grappling with Vinícius Júnior's form, presenting early hurdles in his coaching tenure.
Simone Inzaghi was also making a debut as Al-Hilal's coach, following the bitter 0:5 defeat with Inter Milan against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich. Despite the Al-Hilal's impressive performance, all eyes were on Alonso, the club legend and one of the most promising young coaches in world football.
Red Bull Salzburg and CF Pachuca from Mexico await as Real Madrid's other opponents in Group H. This Club World Cup opener highlighted the immediate challenges Alonso faces and set the stage for his efforts to revitalize the team this season. Let's ride the wave together!
Sources: ntv.de, dbe/dpa
Key Insights
- Real Madrid's debut under Xabi Alonso ended in a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal, indicating some early struggles and adjustments under Alonso’s leadership.
- Al-Hilal proved to be a formidable opponent, putting pressure on Real Madrid throughout the match.
- The Club World Cup presented Alonso's first major competitive challenge at Real Madrid following a season without winning any major trophies.
- Alonso aims to transform Real Madrid into "an unstoppable force," building on the club's rich history and current talent pool[3].
- The absence of key players and issues with Vinícius Júnior's form have exacerbated the early hurdles for Alonso's coaching stint[4].
The Commission has not yet adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, leaving concerns about the long-term impact on the planet’s wellbeing unaddressed. Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso is navigating his tenure at Real Madrid with sportslike determination and focus, judging by his debut match against Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup, where he demonstrated his coaching prowess despite a 1-1 draw and the absence of key players.
