Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Al Hilal: No magic by Madrid, held up by Saudi Giants 2025

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Al Hilal, Real Madrid’s FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign began with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium on June 18, 2025, marking an underwhelming start for new manager Xabi Alonso. The Real Madrid player ratings vs Al Hilal reflect a mixed performance, with debutant Trent Alexander-Arnold struggling, Rodrygo delivering a standout display, and Federico Valverde squandering a stoppage-time penalty. Despite chances to secure victory, Los Blancos were held by a resilient Saudi side led by Simone Inzaghi.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Al Hilal: Trent’s Tough Debut, Rodrygo Shines, Valverde Misses Crucial Penalty

The Real Madrid player ratings vs Al-Hilal reveal a team that failed to capitalize on opportunities in a humid Miami showdown. Al-Hilal dominated early, exploiting Real’s right flank where Alexander-Arnold struggled on his debut. Renan Lodi nearly scored after a mistake by the ex-Liverpool star, but the goal was ruled offside (Goal.com). Real took the lead against the run of play in the 34th minute, with Gonzalo Garcia scoring off a precise Rodrygo pass (BBC Sport).

Al-Hilal equalized before halftime when Raul Asencio conceded a penalty, converted by Ruben Neves (DAZN Football). The second half saw Real push forward, with Arda Guler hitting the crossbar, but a late VAR-awarded penalty—controversial for Mohammed Al-Qahtani’s flailing arm on Fran Garcia—was saved by Yassine Bounou from Valverde’s tame effort (The Independent). The Real Madrid player ratings vs Al-Hilal underscore missed chances and defensive lapses that cost Alonso a winning start.

Attendance: Over 60,000 fans filled Hard Rock Stadium, per The Athletic.
Key Stats: Al-Hilal had 52% possession, 19 shots (7 on target) vs. Real’s 13 (2 on target) (SofascoreINT).
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida.

Goalkeeper & Defense: Mixed Fortunes

The Real Madrid player ratings vs Al Hilal for the defensive unit highlight both promise and pitfalls.

Thibaut Courtois (6.5/10): Made a crucial early save on a Salem Al-Dawsari shot but was sent the wrong way on Neves’ penalty. His distribution was solid, though he faced limited direct threats (Managing Madrid).
Trent Alexander-Arnold (5/10): A debut to forget. Exposed defensively by Al-Dawsari and Lodi, his loose passing sparked a disallowed Al-Hilal goal. Despite kickstarting the counter for Real’s goal, he was subbed off after 65 minutes for Lucas Vázquez (The Guardian). X posts criticized his positioning, with @TaintlessRed calling it “embarrassing” (@TaintlessRed), though @Forgottenlegs noted his 85% pass accuracy (@Forgottenlegs).
Raul Asencio (5/10): Costly error conceding a penalty by pulling Marcos Leonardo. Early tackles showed promise, but his rash defending hurt Real (Sports Illustrated).
Dean Huijsen (8/10): A standout debut. The £50m center-back was composed, winning 80% of duels and delivering incisive passes. His ball-playing impressed Alonso (OneFootball).
Fran Garcia (6.5/10): Struggled against João Cancelo but made attacking runs, winning the late penalty. His passing was inconsistent (Yahoo Sports).

Midfield: Energy Without Precision

The Real Madrid player ratings vs Al Hilal for the midfield reflect effort but a lack of control against Al-Hilal’s dynamic trio of Neves, Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Al-Dawsari.

Aurelien Tchouameni (7.5/10): Real’s best performer. Shielded the backline effectively, especially after shifting to center-back in the second half. His 92% pass completion and three tackles were vital (Managing Madrid).
Jude Bellingham (6/10): Covered ground but lacked his usual flair. His influence grew late, but he was quiet on the ball, with only 38 touches (BBC Sport).
Federico Valverde (5/10): Ran tirelessly, covering the most distance (11.8 km), but his influence waned. A low shot was saved easily, and his stoppage-time penalty miss—too close to Bounou—sealed Real’s fate (Sporting News).

Attack: Rodrygo’s Spark, Others Fade

The Real Madrid player ratings vs Al Hilal for the forwards show Rodrygo as the bright spot in Kylian Mbappé’s absence due to illness.

Rodrygo (8/10): Justified transfer interest with a sublime assist for Garcia’s goal, showing pace and precision. His 7.1 rating and 27/27 passes were top-notch, though he faded after halftime (@MadridMuse).
Gonzalo Garcia (7.5/10): The 21-year-old Castilla product scored a scruffy but crucial opener, exploiting space with clever runs. Missed a point-blank header but was a persistent threat (Sportsdunia).
Vinicius Jr (6/10): Booked for diving early, he sparked briefly with a cutback for Guler’s volley but was inconsistent. Subbed off with cramps after 80 minutes (The Independent).

Substitutes and Manager: Limited Impact

The Real Madrid player ratings vs Al Hilal for substitutes reflect minimal game-changing contributions.

Arda Guler (6.5/10): Replaced Asencio at halftime, hitting the crossbar with a stunning volley. His creativity added spark (OneFootball).
Lucas Vázquez (6/10): Solid after replacing Alexander-Arnold but gave the ball away once, nearly costing a goal (The Guardian).
Victor Muñoz (6/10): Late cameo for Vinicius, offering little threat (Sporting News).
Luka Modrić (6.5/10): Subbed on for Bellingham in the 84th minute, making two key interceptions to rapturous applause (BBC Sport).
Xabi Alonso (6/10): His first game showed tactical promise but lacked cohesion. The absence of Mbappé hurt, and defensive frailties exposed his work ahead (Goal.com). Alonso remained calm, saying, “We don’t expect perfection on day one” (The Guardian).

Al-Hilal’s Standouts

The Real Madrid player ratings vs Al Hilal narrative wouldn’t be complete without noting Al-Hilal’s key performers. Yassine Bounou’s penalty save earned him Man of the Match, while Neves’ composure and Al-Dawsari’s wing play troubled Real’s defense (SofascoreINT). Simone Inzaghi’s 4-4-2, a shift from his Inter Milan 3-5-2, frustrated Alonso’s side (Sportsdunia).

What’s Next for Real Madrid?

The Real Madrid player ratings vs Al Hilal set the stage for a critical Group H clash against Pachuca on June 22 in Charlotte (BBC Sport). A win is essential to boost qualification hopes, with RB Salzburg awaiting Al-Hilal the same day. Alonso must address defensive vulnerabilities, especially Alexander-Arnold’s positioning, while hoping Mbappé returns (The Athletic).

Social media reactions were mixed. @SofascoreINT praised Al-Hilal’s “statement result,” while @MailSport noted Alexander-Arnold’s “stagefright” (@SofascoreINT, @MailSport). Fans on X debated Rodrygo’s form, with @MadridMuse highlighting his assist (@MadridMuse).

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Alonso’s Real Madrid

The Real Madrid player ratings vs Al Hilal paint a picture of a team with potential but clear flaws. Rodrygo and Huijsen shone, but Alexander-Arnold’s shaky debut and Valverde’s penalty miss cost valuable points. As Alonso begins his tenure, this draw serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead in a competitive Club World Cup. With Pachuca looming, Real must regroup to reclaim their European dominance.

What are your thoughts on the Real Madrid player ratings vs Al Hilal? Share your views below!

Goal ✅
Player of the Match ✅ pic.twitter.com/Z2RTPS9guU

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 18, 2025

FAQs: Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal Player Ratings

Why did Real Madrid draw with Al-Hilal?
Missed chances, including Federico Valverde’s stoppage-time penalty, and defensive errors like Raul Asencio’s penalty concession led to the 1-1 result.
How did Trent Alexander-Arnold perform on his Real Madrid debut?
He struggled defensively, exposed by Al-Hilal’s wingers, and was subbed off after 65 minutes, earning a 5/10 rating (Goal.com).
Who was Real Madrid’s best player against Al-Hilal?
Dean Huijsen (8/10) impressed with composure, while Rodrygo (8/10) provided a key assist (OneFootball).
Why did Federico Valverde miss the penalty?
His shot was well-struck but too close to Yassine Bounou, who saved it in stoppage time (DAZN Football).
What’s Real Madrid’s next match in the Club World Cup?
They face Pachuca on June 22, 2025, in Charlotte, needing a win to boost Group H standings (BBC Sport).