Wow, what a way to kick off the FIFA Club World Cup 2025! Real Madrid CF faced off against Al-Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and let me tell you, this match had everything—drama, goals, and a nail-biting finish. As a football fan, I was glued to my screen, streaming it live on DAZN, and it did not disappoint. Here’s my take on the epic clash between Real Madrid and Al-Hilal, complete with the lineups, key moments, and why this game had us all on the edge of our seats.
The Build-Up: RMA vs. Al-Hilal
This wasn’t just another match; it was the start of a new era for both teams. Real Madrid, under the fresh leadership of Xabi Alonso, were looking to bounce back from a rocky 2024-25 season. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal, coached by Simone Inzaghi, came in with big ambitions to make a statement for Saudi football on the global stage. The stakes were high, and with both teams fielding star-studded lineups, we knew we were in for a treat.
The game was streamed live on DAZN, which made it super easy to catch every moment for free. If you haven’t checked out DAZN for the Club World Cup, you’re missing out—it’s been a game-changer for watching these matches without breaking the bank.
Confirmed Lineups
Let’s dive into the lineups, because both teams brought some serious firepower.
Real Madrid CF Starting XI (4-3-3):
Thibaut Courtois (GK); Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes, Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius Jr.
Al-Hilal Starting XI (3-5-2):
Yassine Bounou (Bono) (GK); Hassan Al Tambakti, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Al-Bulayhi; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Renan Lodi, Salem Al-Dawsari; Malcom, Marcos Leonardo.
Real Madrid handed debuts to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, which had fans buzzing with excitement. On the other side, Al-Hilal’s lineup was stacked with familiar names like Rúben Neves, who’s been a midfield maestro, and Kalidou Koulibaly, holding it down at the back. Sadly, Al-Hilal were without their star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic due to injury, which was a big blow.
The Match: A Rollercoaster from Start to Finish
From the first whistle, Al-Hilal came out swinging, showing they weren’t intimidated by the European giants. They controlled possession early on, with posts on X noting they had 55% of the ball and a higher xG (1.54) compared to Madrid’s 0.85 in the first half. Neves and Milinkovic-Savic were running the show in midfield, and it felt like Al-Hilal were playing with something to prove.
But Real Madrid? They’ve got that counter-attacking magic, and it showed in the 34th minute when Gonzalo Garcia opened the scoring. It was a thing of beauty—Vinicius Jr. drove through the heart of Al-Hilal’s defense, fed Valverde, who poked it to Rodrygo, and he slid it across for Garcia to dink it over Bono. 1-0 to RMA, and the Madrid fans were roaring.
Al-Hilal didn’t back down, though. Just five minutes later, they won a penalty after Raul Asencio’s foul on Marcos Leonardo. Up stepped Rúben Neves, cool as you like, sending Courtois the wrong way to make it 1-1. The Hard Rock Stadium was electric, and you could feel the intensity through the DAZN stream.
The second half was a battle. Al-Hilal’s defense, led by Koulibaly, held firm, while Madrid kept pushing for a winner. Arda Güler, who came on as a sub, hit the post, and Gonzalo Garcia had a header saved by Bono. Then, in the dying minutes, drama struck. A VAR review gave Real Madrid a penalty after Mohammed Al Qahtani’s elbow caught Fran Garcia in the face. Federico Valverde stepped up, but Bono pulled off a stunning save, diving low to keep it 1-1. Al-Hilal’s bench erupted, and Inzaghi was pacing like a man possessed.
The game ended 1-1, with both teams walking away with a point. Al-Hilal’s fans were thrilled with the result, while Madrid supporters, like @Dally_FC on X, felt their team was outplayed, pointing out Al-Hilal’s edge in shots (11-5) and possession.
Standout Performers
- Rúben Neves (Al-Hilal): The former Wolves captain was everywhere, dictating play and calmly slotting home the penalty. He got a yellow for dissent later, but his performance was top-class.
- Gonzalo Garcia (Real Madrid): The young striker scored the opener and nearly grabbed a winner with a late header. A bright spot for RMA.
- Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal): Bono’s penalty save was the moment of the match. He kept Al-Hilal in it when Madrid were piling on the pressure.
What’s Next for Real Madrid and Al-Hilal?
This draw sets up an intriguing Group H, with RB Salzburg and Pachuca still to come. Real Madrid will need to sharpen up, especially with their injury-hit defense, but Alonso’s counter-attacking style is already showing promise. Al-Hilal, meanwhile, proved they can hang with the best, and Inzaghi’s tactical tweak to a 3-5-2 worked wonders. If they can get Mitrovic back, they’ll be a real threat.
Final Thoughts
Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal was the kind of match that reminds you why you love football. It had passion, quality, and a bit of controversy—everything you want from a Club World Cup opener. If you missed it, catch the highlights on DAZN or Channel 5’s website. This tournament is just getting started, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for these two teams.
What did you think of the match? Did Al-Hilal deserve more than a point, or should Madrid have nicked it? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s keep the football fever going!
