⚽ Match Preview: Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal
📍 Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
📅 Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
🕗 Kickoff: TBC (local time)
⚪ Real Madrid – A New Era Under Xabi Alonso
Following a frustrating 2024–25 season that yielded only the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, Real Madrid usher in a new era with Xabi Alonso at the helm. With Carlo Ancelotti departing to manage Brazil, Alonso returns as head coach to a club where he once orchestrated the midfield.
His appointment comes with optimism after his transformative work at Bayer Leverkusen, and early signs are promising thanks to the arrivals of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and future prospect Franco Mastantuono.
This clash against Al-Hilal offers Alonso a chance to win silverware before his first La Liga match, while Madrid chase their record-extending sixth Club World Cup title.
🔵 Al-Hilal – Simone Inzaghi’s Debut Test
Having endured a humbling 5-0 Champions League final defeat to PSG with Inter, Simone Inzaghi now leads a new challenge in Saudi Arabia. He inherits an Al-Hilal side brimming with attacking flair – 95 goals last season – and with recent pedigree at this tournament, having pushed Real Madrid in a thrilling 5-3 loss in the 2022 final.
Though they finished 2nd domestically, Inzaghi’s side remains the most successful club in Saudi Arabia, and his experience in cup competitions could make them tricky opponents.
📋 Team News
🏳️ Real Madrid:
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Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen are available and could debut.
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Franco Mastantuono arrives post-tournament.
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Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo are expected to lead the attack.
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Some rotation is possible with Pachuca and Salzburg still to come.
🔵 Al-Hilal:
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Likely to feature stars such as Sergej Milinković-Savić, Malcom, and Aleksandar Mitrović.
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Inzaghi’s tactical imprint may not yet be fully realized, but a compact 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 setup is expected.
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No major injury concerns reported ahead of the tie.
📊 Key Stats
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Real Madrid: 5 Club World Cup titles (most in history).
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Al-Hilal: Saudi Pro League top scorers (95 goals in 34 games last season).
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Last meeting: Real Madrid 5-3 Al-Hilal (2022 Club World Cup final).
🔮 Prediction
Real Madrid should control the tempo and possess far greater individual quality across the pitch. Al-Hilal's firepower means they could grab a goal – especially with Mitrović and Malcom in attack – but Madrid’s midfield and attacking transitions are likely to be overwhelming.
✅ Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Al-Hilal
Goals from Bellingham, Vinicius, and Rodrygo; Mitrović with a consolation.
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