Xabi Alonso’s Actual Madrid tenure bought off to a disappointing begin as his membership was held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal within the Membership World Cup on Wednesday.
In his first recreation as coach of 15-time European champion, Alonso was denied victory when Federico Valverde’s stoppage-time penalty was saved by Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Defeat would have been laborious on Al Hilal beneath new coach Simone Inzaghi. Saudi Arabia’s most profitable crew had its personal probabilities to win at Arduous Rock Stadium earlier than a VAR name noticed Madrid awarded the late spot kick.
Gonzalo Garcia scored for Madrid within the thirty fourth minute, however Al Hilal equalized from the penalty spot seven minutes later when Ruben Neves stepped up and despatched keeper Thibaut Courtois the unsuitable manner.
Madrid was handed an opportunity at victory when VAR noticed a foul by Mohammed Alqahtani on Fran Garcia within the field.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first match with Actual Madrid since his transfer from Liverpool ended with a draw. (Photograph by Dan Mullan/Getty Pictures)
Valverde stepped as much as take the penalty two minutes into added time, however his low effort into the underside nook was saved by Bounou, sparking wild celebrations from his teammates.
Whereas it was an underwhelming begin for Alonso, Inzaghi’s Al Hilal made an early assertion of its potential by holding its personal towards the Spanish energy.
It might need been even higher. Leonardo had three probabilities in entrance of purpose and didn’t hit the goal. Had star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic been match and out there, Al Hilal may have been celebrating a win.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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