It turned out to be an equally momentous day for Trent Alexander-Arnold, as he made his debut for the squad. The friendly match, played on Thursday at the National Stadium of Singapore, finished 1-1 with both teams likely to feel a sense of disappointment. Celebrating Alexander-Arnold’s first-ever appearance, we take a look at some tough moments he had on the pitch, especially against Al Hilal’s flamethrower Salem Al-Dawsari.
The match opened with Real Madrid going up 1-0 just 12 minutes into the game. The opening score came from Gonzalo Garcia, converting on a quick counter-attack, tapping in from a Rodrygo cross. This goal was especially important as it was the first one scored in the first half all season, demonstrating the attacking prowess this team has on display. Still, Real Madrid’s spark fell completely off air as they lost the initiative and couldn’t hold possession for long periods against a resolute Al Hilal team.
Alexander-Arnold’s challenges were perhaps best personified in the first half as he made it tough to keep up with Al-Dawsari. The experienced player caused numerous problems for Alexander-Arnold, putting pressure on the new signing as he adjusted to his role in the team.
A New Era with Xabi Alonso
This game represented the start of Xabi Alonso’s time as Real Madrid head coach. He had a mixed first game in charge against Al Hilal. Most excitingly though, he handed Dean Huijsen, a January arrival from Bournemouth, his first-team chance. Alonso’s strategic choices, including Garcia’s inclusion in place of the unwell Kylian Mbappe, were integral to Real Madrid’s initial success.
“Even Alonso admitted their performance left much to be desired. “I would say the first half was not as good as the second one,” he stated. Recognition of his own resourcefulness during changes in line-up. His self-assessment forced the team to adjust and perform as they advance deeper into the tournament.
In the second half, Real Madrid would dominate all aspects of the game. From Jude Bellingham to Vinicius Jr., everyone was pressing for a second, revealing their offensive menace and threat on the attack as they pursued a clinical victory. Federico Valverde converted a late penalty for Real Madrid, but Al Hilal keeper Bounou saved it brilliantly. This extreme moment raised the stakes of the match even further.
Reflections from Alexander-Arnold and Alonso
Post-match reactions showed clearly that they were establishing those relationships and teammates. There were mixed emotions, though, as Alexander-Arnold looked back on his debut experience with pride, regretting that it had not been a winning one.
This really is the most amazing day,” he crowed on Channel 5. As he stated, “It’s something you know, you say every player dreams of. Naturally, there is some sadness at having not emerged victorious from the match. When you’re a Real Madrid player, the only thing acceptable is the winning mentality. As always, shoot for the stars and expect to win every game! That was in the extreme minority, as there were some excellent things, especially as the game progressed into the second half.
Alonso was on the same page, reiterating the need to learn from each game. It’s a good place to be, every game we have to build positives and learn on what we can do better. Each match will be a learning opportunity to help continue to develop our style.”
Also on the pitch that night was the experienced Luka Modric who came off the bench late in the match. Modric is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of this tournament, adding an emotional layer to his participation in this match.
Looking Ahead
Real Madrid can’t wait for their next challenge! They will play Mexico’s Pachuca in the final, on Sunday at 8 PM UK and Ireland time. It’s now about the team continuing from their second-half performance through to a decisive victory to make sure they progress out of their group in the next match.
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