Real Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal in their opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, played under intense heat at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. With Kylian Mbappé sidelined due to illness, the Spanish giants lacked their usual firepower and paid the price for their lack of finishing.

Valverde Confirms Mbappé’s Absence: “We’ll Need Him Later On”

Just before kick-off, Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde confirmed the worst-kept secret: Mbappé would not be available due to a strong cold. “He couldn’t even leave his room,” Valverde revealed, adding a hopeful message: “Speedy recovery—we’ll need him later on.”

The French striker’s absence was clearly felt on the pitch. Not only did it leave a gap in the attack, but Mbappé now has one less opportunity to fight for the top scorer title in the tournament—a goal that now seems further away.

Gonzalo Steps Up, but It’s Not Enough

Youngster Gonzalo García, a Real Madrid academy product and last-minute replacement for Mbappé, opened the scoring in the 34th minute after finishing a swift counterattack with composure. But shortly after, a penalty committed by Raúl Asencio was converted by Rúben Neves in the 41st minute to level the match.

Despite continued efforts from Xabi Alonso’s side in the second half, the score remained unchanged. The clearest chance came in added time, when Valverde had a shot to win it from the penalty spot—but Bono, Al Hilal’s goalkeeper, guessed correctly and kept the score even.

A Tough International Debut for Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso’s first international match as manager of Real Madrid didn’t go as planned. The Basque coach tried to impose his philosophy on the squad despite limited preparation time, but the lack of cutting edge—and the absence of his top star—made the difference.

While the draw doesn’t severely hurt the team’s chances in Group H, it made it clear that without Mbappé, Real Madrid lacks its usual spark. The goal now is to get the Frenchman fit as soon as possible to boost their title hopes.

Their next match will be crucial to secure a spot in the next round and prove that, with or without their marquee player, Real Madrid remains a top contender for the trophy.