Real Madrid Held to 1-1 Draw by Al Hilal in Club World Cup Opener

Real Madrid started their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup journey with a surprising 1-1 draw against Al Hilal. The match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami left both teams sharing points in a tense Group H match.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Gonzalo Garcia put Real Madrid ahead in the first half after a quick counter-attack. Al Hilal hit back just before halftime with a penalty, calmly slotted in by Neves. Both teams created opportunities throughout the game.

Real Madrid almost won in the final minutes. However, Fede Valverde’s late penalty was saved by Al Hilal’s goalkeeper Bounou. This ensured the game ended in a draw, giving Al Hilal a valuable point in their opening match.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

This draw leaves Group H wide open. Real Madrid, tournament favorites, face a setback, putting pressure on them to win their remaining group matches against RB Salzburg and Pachuca.

Al Hilal showed resilience and discipline, proving they can compete with top teams on a big stage. With one point each, both teams must focus on securing wins to progress further.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE TEAMS?

Real Madrid will aim to recover with a win against RB Salzburg to boost their chances of reaching the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, Al Hilal will take confidence from this performance as they prepare for their match against Pachuca.

All four teams in Group H are level on points, eyeing their first win. The group stage is finely poised, and Real Madrid can’t afford more surprises as they aim for another global title.