Valverde PK missed out! Real Madrid draw 11 with Al Hilal...Alonso's debut with mixed feelings → In-Jae
Jun 19, 2025
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The power of 'Oil Money' was frightening. Spanish giants Real Madrid have lost face to `Asian football.' Real Madrid drew with Al Hilal in the first Group H match of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on the 19th (Korea time).
Real Madrid was expected to win, but Al Hilal's competitiveness was at the level of Europe. There were only three people from Saudi Arabia in the best 11.
For Real Madri, Kylian Mbappe was excluded from the entry, but Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham started. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who moved from Liverpool to Real Madrid, also started and made his debut.
The first half was a one-up battle. Al Hilal shook the net first in the 19th minute of the first half. Brazil's Henan Roddy opened the goal. However, he was declared offside and was not recognized as a goal.
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Al Hilal had a chance to turn the tables immediately in the 39th minute. Marco Asensio fouled Marcus Leonardu for a ball in the penalty box with a nervous reaction. The referee declared a penalty kick. Hoobeng Neves, who was a penalty kicker in the 41st minute of the first half, neatly scored a goal. The first half ended 1-1.
Real Madrid took the lead in the second half with Asensio, who dedicated the penalty, replaced at half-time. At the start of the second half, Arda Güller connected Vinicius' cross with a shot, but it hit the crossbar. Garcia, the main character of the first goal, responded with a header again, but was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper.
Luka Modric, who will say goodbye to Real Madrid after the Club World Cup, was substituted in the 39th minute of the second half with tremendous cheers. Al Hilal's Mohamed Alcatani, who was replaced in the 41st minute of the second half, had a major accident. Elbowing Fran Garcia in the penalty box.
The referee declared a penalty after an on-field review of VAR. But there was no jubilation. Federico Valverde's penalty kick in the 45th minute of the second half was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper. In the end, joy and sorrow were not mixed.
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Al Hilal defeated K-League's Gwangju FC 7-0 in the quarterfinals at the Asian Champions League Elite in the 2024-2025 season, but lost to Al Ahliier 1-3 in the semifinals, failing to advance to the finals. Al Ahli lifted the trophy.
Inzaghi emerged as an Italian general manager by leading Lazio's Copa Italy victory (2019). After taking the helm of Inter Milan in July 2021, he ran on a path to success. He presented six trophies with one Serie A, two Copa Italy and three Supercopa wins. He was also named the third FIFA Coach of the Year in 2023 and Serie A Coach of the Year in 2024. The winning rate reached 64.98% (141 wins, 41 draws and 35 losses).
However, the period was disappointing. In Serie A, they lost the championship to Napoli by one point. In Lee Kang-in's European Champions League (UCL) final against Paris Saint-Germain, he also had to be satisfied with the runner-up by losing 0-5.
Inzaghi broke up with Inter Milan on the 4th. He signed a contract with an Al Hilal official in Paris, France. Inzaghi was once again recognized for his competitive edge in Al Hilal's debut.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
