Alexander-Arnold feels heat on Real Madrid debut as Al-Hilal make Club World Cup point

• Gp H: Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal (G García 34; Neves 41pen)

• Federico Valverde’s 92nd-minute penalty saved

Xabi Alonso said in the buildup he was going to “ignite” his players at this Club World Cup, that Real Madrid were ready to rock’n’roll. In the event this was something more downbeat in Miami, 90 minutes of pub-rock, at times even a meandering shoe-gaze as a well-drilled Al-Hilal kept the new-era Madrid at arm’s length.

Madrid had a chance to win it at the death, but Federico Valverde missed a dubiously awarded 92nd-minute penalty. A 1-1 draw felt fair at the end of a Group H opener that flickered but never caught fire.

Continue reading…