Xabi Alonso's tenure as Real Madrid's head coach began with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Al Hilal in their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, held at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. The result has prompted a reality check for the Spanish giants, highlighting the challenges that Alonso faces as he steps into the managerial role.

Real Madrid, who qualified for the tournament as UEFA Champions League winners two seasons ago, were expected to dominate against Al Hilal, the Saudi Arabian side who earned their spot by winning the 2021 AFC Champions League. However, Al Hilal proved to be a formidable opponent, mirroring their performance in the 2023 Club World Cup final where Real Madrid narrowly defeated them 5-3.

The match began with Gonzalo Garcia, making his first-team debut in place of the absent Kylian Mbappe, giving Real Madrid the lead in the 34th minute. Garcia finished a lovely pass from Rodrygo. However, Al Hilal responded strongly, with Ruben Neves equalizing from the penalty spot before halftime after Raul Asencio was ruled to have pulled down Marcos Leonardo.

The second half saw both teams creating chances, with Real Madrid ultimately being awarded a penalty in the 90th minute after Mohammed Al-Qahtani was deemed to have fouled Garcia. However, Federico Valverde's penalty was saved by Al Hilal's goalkeeper Bono, denying Real Madrid a late victory.

Alonso acknowledged his team's shortcomings in the first half, stating, "The first half was not as good as the second one, we improved in the second half and were able to play in their half much longer – better chances, better control." He emphasized the need to learn from the game and improve in future matches.

Despite the draw, Alonso praised Vinicius Jr., who was seen with a bandaged ankle, clarifying that he only suffered cramps due to the heat and demanding nature of the game. The Miami heat, reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), added an extra layer of difficulty for both teams.

Al Hilal's coach, Simone Inzaghi, making his debut for the Saudi Arabian club, expressed his admiration for Real Madrid, calling them "possibly the best team in the world." He also complimented Xabi Alonso, recognizing his ability to quickly transmit his footballing ideas to his team.

The result has raised questions about Real Madrid's readiness for the Club World Cup and the impact of Alonso's appointment. While it is just the first game, the performance highlighted areas that need improvement if Real Madrid are to achieve their goals in the tournament. The absence of key players like Kylian Mbappe also played a role, with Garcia stepping in but unable to replicate Mbappe's impact.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid will need to regroup and address their weaknesses before their next match against CF Pachuca. Al Hilal, on the other hand, will face RB Salzburg in a crucial match that could determine their chances of advancing to the knockout stage. Alonso and his team will need to quickly find solutions and demonstrate the hunger to win.