Trent Alexander-Arnold endures forgettable debut as Al-Hilal hold Real Madrid | OneFootball

Trent Alexander-Arnold made a shaky start with Real Madrid following his acrimonious Liverpool exit.

Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Hilal in their Club World Cup opener, and the 26-year-old showed his usual defensive frailties.

Madrid struggled to cope with the movement of the Middle Eastern giants under new boss Simone Inzaghi.

Alexander-Arnold won only one of his four ground duels and lost his only aerial challenge.

There was one particularly worrisome sequence in the 21st minute where Al-Hilal ran rings around the Englishman.

Renan Lodi got in behind Alexander-Arnold to score, but the officials chalked it off for offside.

Alexander-Arnold played one key pass and completed three of five long balls attempted.

He lost possession 12 times, the most of any Madrid player, and connected only one of his five attempted crosses. Alexander-Arnold was substituted after 64 minutes.

Madrid had previously won all their previous 11 games in the Club World Cup.

Al-Hilal were dominant in the early exchanges upon their return to the competition after a 25-year absence and took the game to Xabi Alonso’s side.

However, Madrid took the lead through talented Castilla striker Gonzalo Garcia.

Al-Hilal giants equalised via Ruben Neves from the penalty spot following a foul by Raul Asencio.

Madrid had an opportunity to seal the win late in the game after VAR awarded them a penalty. Yassine Bounou kept out Federico Valverde’s effort.

Madrid face Pachuca on Sunday, before a final group-stage clash with Red Bull Salzburg.