- Gonzalo Garcia and Ruben Neves scored in an action-packed first half
- Bono saved a 90th-minute penalty from Federico Valverde
- Real Madrid struck the woodwork twice and missed multiple late chances
Key Takeaways:
Real Madrid and Al-Hilal finished 1:1 in a match from the group stage of the Club World Cup. In just the second minute, the Saudi Arabian side could have opened the scoring, but Thibaut Courtois shone with a brilliant save. Shortly after, Raul Asensio tried a shot from distance, but Bono was alert and held the ball.
In the 10th minute, Leonardo found himself in a clear position and had to score, but his finishing shot was off target and went wide. About ten minutes later, Renan Lodi was released with a brilliant pass and did not miss when one-on-one with the keeper, but the goal was disallowed due to offside.
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— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 18, 2025
In the 34th minute, Real Madrid organised a superb counterattack, with Rodrygo receiving on the right flank and delivering a perfect pass to Gonzalo Garcia, who finished from close range with one touch – 1:0 to Real Madrid.
Just five minutes later, Raul Asensio committed a serious mistake and then fouled an opponent in his own penalty area, leading the referee to point to the spot. Ruben Neves took responsibility and fooled Courtois with his shot, sending the ball into the net – 1:1.
In the second minute of first-half added time, Milinkovic-Savic and Al-Dawsari exchanged a one-two, with the latter aiming for the far corner, but the ball went centimetres wide of the left post of Madrid’s goal.
In the 46th minute, Arda Guler, who had come on at halftime, could have scored but hit the crossbar. Immediately after, Gonzalo Garcia rose high to meet a cross and headed from close range, but Bono made an incredible save.
In the 53rd minute, Hausen made a serious error and handed the ball to Marcos Leonardo, who failed to hit the target from close range. In the 62nd minute, Gonzalo Garcia wasted another great chance after receiving a precise high cross in the box and shooting toward the right corner, but the shot lacked power and Bono saved. Five minutes later, Arda Guler rushed onto a good pass and tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his shot flew well over the bar.
In the 90th minute, Fran Garcia went down in the opponent’s box after an Al-Hilal player, while trying to protect the ball, struck him with a hand. The referee reviewed the incident on the VAR monitor and awarded a penalty. Federico Valverde stepped up, but his shot was straight at Bono, who guessed the corner and saved.
In the sixth minute of added time, Gonzalo Garcia was found in the box and the striker headed at goal, but Al-Hilal’s goalkeeper was ready and made the save.