Real Madrid held as Man City, Juventus win in Club World Cup openers

Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Club World Cup in new coach Xabi Alonso’s first game in charge on Wednesday, after Manchester City got off to a winning start.

In the late game, Juventus thrashed Al Ain 5-0 in Washington after visiting United States President Donald Trump at the White House.

Federico Valverde had a stoppage-time penalty saved as Real were forced to settle for a point in the Group H match in Miami having taken the lead.

It was a disappointing outcome for the large contingent of fans of the Spanish side in the crowd of 62,415 at Hard Rock Stadium.

Alonso gave debuts to new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen in defence but Real were missing Kylian Mbappe through illness.

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In Philadelphia, Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku scored first-half goals as Pep Guardiola’s City eased to a 2-0 win against Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in Group G.

City also gave debuts to new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.

Juventus, who sent a delegation to the White House earlier in the day to present Trump with a club shirt, surged to the top of Group G with a crushing triumph over UAE team Al Ain at Audi Field.

The second round of group games begins on Thursday, with matches including Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami against Porto and European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) facing Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo.

The Star