Despite some promising moments in Xabi Alonso’s coaching debut for the 15-time European champions, Real Madrid’s 1-1 Club World Cup stalemate against a determined Al-Hilal on Wednesday felt more like an exhibition game.

After replacing the feverish Kylian Mbappe, Gonzalo Garcia handed Real Madrid an early lead with a calm finish.

However, Simone Inzaghi’s team had enough forward purpose and defensive tenacity to shiver its legendary rivals, and Ruben Neves equalised from the penalty spot just before halftime.

Federico Valverde’s last-minute missed penalty summed up a day at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, which was almost completely sold out, when Real Madrid’s legs and ideas withered in the heat and humidity.

Later on Wednesday, RB Salzburg will play Pachuca in the other Group H match.

Al-Hilal will play Salzburg in what could be a pivotal match to advance to the knockout stage, while Real will next play the Mexican team on Sunday.