voltage and errors
Amid a packed calendar, Real Madrid faced a demanding turn in the Club World Cup, a tournament that could add a fresh trophy to the cabinet while offering a chance to shake off recent frustrations after a stumble in the Super Cup against Barcelona and a disappointing stretch in La Liga, where points slipped away. Even so, victories in this event weren’t a guaranteed cure for Madrid’s recent wobbliness; progress would depend on sharper play, not tempo alone, and a constructive performance against strong opponents was needed to turn a rough spell into momentum.
Relating to
In a moment of identity crisis and with several injuries mounting, Real Madrid arrived at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium intent on a serious push toward the crown after Flamengo’s surprising upset by Al-Hilal. Yet the scale of the challenge remained; a disciplined Al-Ahly side, inspired by an Africa-wide mindset and carrying the aura of a club that has faced Madrid before, offered stern resistance. Madrid looked a little different—Lunin in goal, Nacho and Camavinga lining the flanks, Rodrygo deployed as a false nine—and the lineup felt like a bold experiment. The squad still carried fatigue from the season’s grind, with Tchouaméni returning to action after a period away and Modric showing signs of weariness.
final phase and errors
After a bright opening spell, Madrid pressed but created few clear chances. Within a quarter of an hour, the ball mostly circulated in midfield as Al-Ahly pressed with energy. The opening goals came in a frantic minute: Vinicius and Rodrygo found the net, revealing a recurring vulnerability in front of goal this campaign. Lunin also had moments of misfortune, producing a rebound that required adjustment after a save, underscoring that the defense and the goalkeeper were gathering pressure from a sharp opponent. Al-Ahly did not concede easily and showed a willingness to gamble at the back, leaving Madrid with an uneasy sense that every loose ball could invite trouble. A miscue by a central defender allowed Vinicius to ghost through and chip the goalkeeper, a strike that offered a glimmer of relief to a squad searching for coherence rather than a single spark.
As the game wore on, Madrid faced a test of patience and rhythm. Ancelotti trusted familiar faces, but the balance often looked fragile, and moments of individual misjudgment multiplied. Camavinga’s exploratory runs and the forward line’s shifting shapes told a story of ambition, even if the execution occasionally fell short. The contest carried the feel of a tight, high-stakes duel rather than an outright display of dominance, with Madrid sometimes overcomplicating simple sequences and paying the price in a match that stayed tense until the final whistle.
Valverde’s late second-half rebound and Rodrygo’s late effort showed Madrid could still puncture a stubborn defense, but the match suggested there was more work to do to translate pressure into a comfortable win. In the closing stages, Madrid’s clear chances dwindled, and lapses at the back reminded everyone that the defense needed sharpening alongside the midfield’s creativity. The final sequence, highlighted by a goalkeeper’s daring save and a last-minute stoppage-time finish, left Madrid just short of the authoritative late flourish they had hoped for, tasting a narrow victory that felt earned but not decisive.
Real Madrid will face Al Hilal in the showdown. End of chapter for now in the Club World Cup, a tournament that continues to test a club chasing a holistic revival rather than a single triumph.
It seemed a decision loomed just after the restart when a quick counterattack teased a potential equalizer, only for the shot to miss the mark and leave the scoreline as it stood. In the end, Madrid pressed on, displaying signs of resilience but still seeking a completed plan that harmonizes attack and defense. The final moments brought a flurry of activity, with missed chances and a few clever holds by the defense, a reminder that results in this tournament hinge as much on concentration as on creativity.
Lunin’s several important interventions helped prevent a collapse, while the team’s growing frustration suggested the need for steadier, calmer play in the most crucial moments. A final tally showed a Madrid that showed flashes of brilliance but also enough vulnerability to leave fans hoping for a sharper, more unified display in future games.
Tab: Al-Ahly 1- Real Madrid 4
Al Ahli: Shanawy; Hany, Metwally, Abdelmonem, Maaloul; Dieng (Fati 61′), El-Solia, Afsha; Abdelkader (Karaba 88′), Al-Shahat (Taher 74′), Sherif (Persi 61′).
Real Madrid: Lunin; Nacho, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Modric (Odriozola 93′), Tchouaméni, Kroos (Ceballos 77′); Fede Valverde, Rodrygo (Mariano 93′) and Vinicius (96′ over).
Goals: 0-1, Vinicius (41′), 0-2, Valverde (46′), 1-2, Maaloul, p. (61′), 1-3, Rodrygo (93′), 1-4 Arribas (94′)
Judge: Andrés Matonte warned Uruguay Abdelmonem and Tchouameni.
Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah. 45,308 spectators.