Real Madrid and Al Hilal begin their FIFA Club World Cup campaigns on June 18 in Miami.
Xabi Alonso and Simone Inzaghi take charge of their respective new teams for the first time in this Group H fixture, in which new Madrid signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen make their debuts.
Los Blancos are among the favourites to win the tournament, but Al Hilal are one of the strongest sides in the lucrative Saudi Pro League and should have enough to trouble the La Liga giants, especially with the high temperatures at Hard Rock Stadium likely to make the play a little slow.
The Sporting News is providing live score updates and player ratings from the match
Goals and highlights | Player ratings
Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal score
| 2nd Half | Goal-scorers | |
| Real Madrid | 1 | G. Garcia 34′ |
| Al Hilal | 1 | Neves (p), 41′ |
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Fl.
Referee: Facundo Tello (Argentina)
Starting lineups:
Real Madrid (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Thibaut Courtois (GK) — 12. Trent Alexander-Arnold (17. Lucas Vazquez), 35. Raul Asencio (15. Arda Guler), 24. Dean Huijsen, 20. Fran Garcia — 8. Federico Valverde, 14. Aurelien Tchouameni, 5. Jude Bellingham — 11. Rodrygo (21. Brahim Diaz), 30. Gonzalo Garcia, 7. Vinicius Junior
Al Hilal (4-2-3-1, right to left): 37. Yassine Bono (GK) — 20. Joao Cancelo (88. Hamad Al Yami), 87. Hassan Altambakti, 3. Kalidou Koulibaly, 6. Renan Lodi (24. Moteb Al Harbi) — 8. Ruben Neves, 16. Nasser Al Dawsari (28. Mohamed Kano) — 77. Malcom (15. Mohammed Al Qahtani), 22. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, 29. Salem Aldawsari — 11. Marcos Leonardo (18. Musab Fahd Aljuwayr)
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Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal player ratings
Here is how the Real Madrid players rated in the first half.
Real Madrid starters
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois — 7
Made a good early save from Milinkovic-Savic. Went the wrong way for the penalty. Practically untroubled in the second half despite Al Hilal looking a threat.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold — 6
Defended well one-versus-one when Salem Aldawsari threatened but had to thank Asencio for covering when he was out of position. Little creativity on the ball in the first half but was much more proactive in the second before being substituted. Solid enough for a debut.
Centre-back: Raul Asencio — 4
Lost the ball to Marcos Leonardo before grappling him from behind to concede the penalty. Taken off at halftime for Arda Guler as Alonso moved Tchouameni to centre-back.
Centre-back: Dean Huijsen — 5
Didn’t do too much wrong in the first half, but the Madrid defence was generally all over the place. The backline was more comfortable in the second, although Huijsen gifted Marcos Leonardo a chance with a casual pass.
Left-back: Fran Garcia — 7
Dealt okay with the threat of Joao Cancelo and Malcom, both of whom came off after the hour mark. The best of Madrid’s defenders on the day.
Midfielder: Federico Valverde — 5
Conceded a free-kick right on the edge of the box in the opening two minutes. Mostly ineffective with the ball. Fired a low shot from a good position straight at Bono.
Midfielder: Aurelien Tchouameni — 6
In there to screen the defence in the first half but didn’t do a great job. Moved to centre-back for the second and was more comfortable.
Midfielder: Jude Bellingham — 5
A passenger throughout the first half. Showed a bit more fight in the second, but he looked laboured on the ball.
Right winger: Rodrygo — 6
Little attacking thrust until he played a perfectly weighted pass to set up the opening goal. Replaced by Brahim Diaz after minimal impact after the break.
Striker: Gonzalo Garcia — 7
Mishit his finish but deserved the goal for the timing of his run into the box. More good movement led to another chance that was smothered by the keeper. Should have done better with a point-blank header early in the second.
Left winger: Vinicius Junior — 4
In Cancelo’s pocket for much of the first hour. Booked for diving early on and allowed his frustrations to get the better of him from then on. Despite having very little joy down the left, he should have had an assist for the cross to set up Garcia’s header.
Real Madrid substitutes
Midfielder: Arda Guler — 6
On at halftime for Asencio as Alonso sought more ingenuity in midfield. The Turkey star looked bright enough without really influencing play.
Defender: Lucas Vazquez — 5
Replaced Alexander-Arnold after an hour. Careless play on the ball could easily have led to a second Al Hilal goal had Marcos Leonardo remembered his shooting boots.
Right forward: Brahim Diaz — 6
Came on for Rodrygo but failed to offer an upgrade on the Brazilian’s efforts, although he was probably the busiest of Madrid’s attacking players.
Left forward: Victor Munoz — 6
Got a 10-minute run-out in place of Vinicius.
Midfielder: Luka Modric — 6
On for Bellingham for the closing stages and got a rapturous reception from the fans in Miami.
Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal highlights: Goals, key events
41 mins: GOAL! RUBEN NEVES MAKES NO MISTAKE WITH THE PENALTY! The man who scored in the shootout of the recent UEFA Nations League final sends Courtois the wrong way.
Watch:
40′ ⚽ GOAL! Ruben Neves buries it from the penalty spot and @Alhilal_EN are level!
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAHIL pic.twitter.com/0Q9VxvvFNS
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 18, 2025
34 mins: GOAL! MADRID TAKE THE LEAD! A swift counter sees Rodrygo play a precise low ball across the box to Gonzalo Garcia. His finish is less exact — in fact, he kicked the ball off his standing foot — but it confuses Yassine Bono and ends up in the net.
Watch:
33′ ⚽ GOAL! @realmadrid stuns in a collective play and Gonzalo García is there to get Los Blancos in the lead! 🔥
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAHIL pic.twitter.com/IhadLtTEfy
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 18, 2025
17 mins: Al Hilal score first but the goal is disallowed for offside against Renan Lodi. The Saudi side have been by far the more dangerous team in the early stages.
Watch:
18′ @Alhilal_EN scores first, but the goal is disallowed as Renan Lodi was offside ❌
Watch the @fifacwc | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAHIL pic.twitter.com/mWs9x0ific
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 18, 2025
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