Xabi Alonso coached with commitment, but had to settle for a draw. © APA / DAN MULLAN

Xabi Alonso's Real debut goes wrong

Xabi Alonso had little fun in his debut on the Real Madrid coaching bench.

June 18, 2025

From: dpa/det

One month after leaving Bayer Leverkusen, the 43-year-old and Spain's record champions had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia in their first match at the Club World Cup in Miami. Real Madrid captain Fede Valverde was denied a penalty in stoppage time by a strong goalkeeper Bono.

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal's new coach, Simone Inzaghi, had reason to celebrate: Just days after leaving Inter, the Saudi club's new coach celebrated a perfect debut. A draw against world-class club Real Madrid can be considered a major success.

Filippo Inzaghi celebrated his debut at Al-Hilal. © APA / MEGAN BRIGGS

In front of 62.415 spectators at the Hard Rock Stadium, most of them in Real Madrid white, youngster Gonzalo Garcia, who was called up to replace the ill star striker Kylian Mbappé, gave the Royals the lead after a counterattack (34th minute).

The strong Al-Hilal, featuring former Bayern Munich player João Cancelo, more than deservedly equalized with a penalty from Portuguese striker Ruben Neves (41'). Al-Hilal were the better side for much of the game. After the break, Real Madrid at least picked up some momentum. Substitute Arda Güler hit the crossbar (46').

Inzaghi's premiere at Al-Hilal

In 33 degrees Celsius in the shade, Al-Hilal also made its debut on the coaching bench. 18 days after Inter's bitter 0-5 defeat in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich, the team from Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, played for the first time under the guidance of Simone Inzaghi.

The focus, however, was on Alonso, who is expected to lead Real Madrid back to silverware as Carlo Ancelotti's successor. The Basque coached enthusiastically from the sidelines, but hasn't yet seen much positive from his team, with international Antonio Rüdiger still unable to return to action following knee surgery. Real's other opponents in Group H are Red Bull Salzburg and CF Pachuca of Mexico.