Trent Alexander-Arnold hails ‘incredible' Real Madrid debut despite stalemate
Asked about the experience afterwards, Alexander-Arnold told DAZN: 'An incredible day. To have made a debut for Real Madrid is something, I think, almost every player dreams of, so to be able to achieve it is huge for me.
'Of course, there's some disappointment in there to have not won the game. It's the mentality you need to have as a Real Madrid player, to want and expect to win every game that you playing, so disappointed not to do that.
'But there were a lot of positives, especially in the second half.'
The England international was warmly received by the Madrid fans as he played the opening 65 minutes, and thanked them for their support.
He added: 'Incredible. I felt the support from the moment I signed with the club, to be honest. Absolutely sensational. Our fanbase is global, truly global, all over the world and you feel it every single day, the fans at training grounds and the hotel, all over social media as well.
'The support is incredible, so a huge thank you for that. Of course, we dominated the stands today as well, which was incredible. The support is truly amazing.'
If Alexander-Arnold's debut was one of the talking points before the game, it was goalkeeper Bono who was Al Hilal's hero as he saved a late penalty to deny the Spaniards victory.
The 34-year-old Morocco international kept out Federico Valverde's stoppage-time spot-kick to ensure it finished all square in the Group H opener in what was a first game in charge for both Madrid boss Xabi Alonso and opposite number Simone Inzaghi.
Ruben Neves converted a 41st-minute penalty to cancel out Gonzalo Garcia's opener, but his efforts would have counted for little had it not been for Bono's heroics.
Al-Hilal's Bono saved Federico Valverde's late penalty to earn a point (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)
Rico Lewis was controversially sent off as Manchester City launched their Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable victory over Wydad Casablanca.
Goals from Phil Foden – his first since January – and Jeremy Doku at each end of the first half proved enough for City to see off the Moroccan side 2-0 in Philadelphia.
But the Group G encounter ended on a sour note for the Premier League outfit as Lewis was shown a straight red card for catching Samuel Obeng in the face following a challenge two minutes from time.
Lincoln Financial Field, home of the reigning Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles, was at nowhere near its 67,594 capacity, but the atmosphere generated – mainly the Wydad Casablanca supporters – by the 37,446 present was still lively.
12 goals to close out the first round of the #FIFACWC group stage. ⚽️
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 19, 2025
City were soon knocked off the top of Group G as Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao both scored twice in Juventus' 5-0 win over Al Ain.
Karim Onisiwo grabbed the winner as Red Bull Salzburg beat Pachuca 2-1.
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