FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Madrid Stumble as Juventus Rampage in Historic Opening Matches

After replacing the injured Kylian Mbappé, Gonzalo García gave Real Madrid the lead in the 34th minute. Rúben Neves’ penalty in the 41st minute gave Al Hilal the equalizer. Yassine Bounou, the goalie for Al Hilal, saved Federico Valverde’s failed penalty in stoppage time, setting up the dramatic moment. After Rodrygo’s accurate cutback.

The 21-year-old Spaniard—who was filling in for the feverish Kylian Mbappé—coolly chipped goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Neves’ Ice-Cold Penalty (41′) brought the score equal after Raúl Asencio pulled down Marcos Leonardo. Thibaut Courtois was sent the wrong way by Rúben Neves.

Valverde’s Agony (90+2′) gave Madrid a lifeline when Fran García’s face contact with Mohammed Alqahtani resulted in a VAR-awarded penalty. Al Hilal’s point was maintained after Bounou’s dive stopped Federico Valverde’s low strike.

Under new manager Simone Inzaghi, the Saudis disrupted Madrid’s buildup, forcing 12 turnovers in midfield. Salem Al-Dawsari tormented Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his Madrid debut.

With temperatures hitting 32°C (90°F), two cooling breaks sapped Madrid’s momentum. “It was a really demanding environment,” admitted manager Xabi Alonso.  Al Hilal’s 15 shots highlighted Aleksandar Mitrović’s absence. Had the injured striker played, the result might have flipped.

The game, which took place at Hard Rock Stadium in intense heat, marked Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid management debut.

For Juventus vs Al Ain, the Italian team dominated with a 5-0 victory in Washington. Randal Kolo Muani scored twice (11th and 45+4th minutes), Francisco Conceição also netted twice (21st and 58th minutes), and Kenan Yildiz scored in the 31st minute, This was Juventus’s debut in the tournament.

Juventus buried the game early with four first-half goals from  Randal Kolo Muani’s thunderous header off Matías Soulé’s cross, 21 Francisco Conceição’s deflected strike after dribbling past two defenders.

31th minuet  Kenan Yildiz’s near-post rocket, justifying his iconic No. 10 shirt, 45+4’: Kolo Muani’s delicate chip for his brace, 58 Conceição sealed his double with another deflected effort.

 Khephren Thuram (son of Lilian) and Manuel Locatelli overran Al Ain’s 5-3-2, creating 85% possession.  Al Ain conceded 13 headed goals domestically Kolo Muani’s opener exposed this.

“We played with hunger. This tournament is our chance for glory.”