Real Madrid relives its ghosts in the Club World Cup

Real Madrid's debut in the Club World Cup brought with it many of the team's ills in 2024/25: doubts in the center of defense, little clarity in the build-up, and a predictable attack. Result: a flat team, unable to overcome a rival of much lower hierarchy like Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia (1-1).

In Xabi Alonso's official debut, the 'merengues' showed a bit more intensity to cover spaces and contest the ball, with the exception of Vinicius and Rodrygo. However, the team had a very bad time at times in the first half, surpassed in midfield by the good work with and without the ball by Simone Inzaghi's men.

Xabi Alonso has much to correct, especially in Madrid's midfield

And despite the presence of Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni, the Whites still can't find a midfielder who brings order and clarity to their build-up. In addition, the English international also can't find his place on the field, unable to connect with an offensive trident that, in Miami, had academy player Gonzalo García as a '9'.

The Spaniard took the place of Kylian Mbappé (out due to a fever) and scored the only Madrid goal (the partial 1-0 in the 34th minute). Rodrygo provided the assist for the goal, but he didn't have a standout afternoon either. Much less Vinicius, who was booked before halftime and very imprecise on the left.

The coach from Tolosa was forced into a 4-3-3 in his debut, due to the lack of several players, and the plan didn't go well at all. The center-backs weren't secure, and on the flanks, Trent Alexander-Arnold contributed very little in attack. Fran García showed his usual technical deficiencies, while Raúl Asencio gave away a penalty.

Dean Huijsen, the other debutant, almost gave away a goal in the second half and barely showed off his long pass, one of his best weapons. In the second half, Arda Güler sent a ball to the crossbar and provided some more depth to the midfield. Even with a dubious penalty at the end (missed by Valverde), Madrid couldn't win in their World Cup debut.

Xabi Alonso, self-critical (and resigned) after his debut with Madrid

After the match, Xabi Alonso admitted his team's shortcomings against Al Hilal. While he valued the reaction in the second half, he assured that "we lacked many things in the first half. In the second half we had more control of the game... but this is all a process that takes time."

In that sense, he lamented the draw, but dismissed feeling frustrated by the team's performance. "We have to keep doing things wrong to correct them and insist on them, however in the second half I saw a reaction. Everything takes its time and repetition to sink in a little more."

Madrid will return to action on Sunday the 22nd (21:00 CEST) against Pachuca. The Mexicans are obliged to win to avoid their elimination, after falling against RB Salzburg (1-2).

• 👉 You can follow the coverage of the 2025 Club World Cup in detail at FCBN