Real Madrid dramatically had a stoppage-time penalty saved as Trent Alexander-Arnold's debut for the club ended in a hard-fought draw with Al-Hilal in their opening Fifa Club World Cup match in Miami.

Federico Valverde's spot-kick, which was awarded after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, was superbly pushed out by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou after Mohammed Al-Qahtani was penalised when his flaying arm caught Real left-back Fran Garcia

Gonzalo Garcia had opened the scoring for the 15-time European champions shortly after the half-hour mark, with the 21-year-old fortuitously lifting the ball over Bounou at the end of a sweeping counter-attack.

However, at that stage it was completely against the run of play with the Saudi Pro League side creating a flurry of openings early, dominating possession and looking the more assertive.

In Simone Inzaghi's first game as Al-Hilal boss following his departure from Champions League runners-up Inter Milan, his side deservedly levelled four minutes before the break.

Former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves calmly converted from the penalty spot after Real defender Raul Asencio pulled back Marcos Leonardo in the area.

Substitute Arda Guler cannoned a shot against the crossbar and Gonzalo Garcia had a header brilliantly saved by Bounou as Real stepped things up after the break - against the side they defeated 5-3 in the final of this competition three years ago.

Xabi Alonso, also taking charge of his first game as Real manager since replacing Carlo Ancelotti, was without Kylian Mbappe and his attack missed the Frenchman.

Prior to Valverde's late aberration, Real repeatedly looked vulnerable at the back despite first starts for right-back Alexander-Arnold, who played 65 minutes before being taken off, and £50m Spain centre-back Dean Huijsen.

Had Brazilian forward Leonardo not spurned two excellent second-half chances, the Saudi club could even have been celebrating a famous win.

Prior to the contest all eyes were on Alexander-Arnold and Huijsen, both high-profile additions to Real's backline this summer.

There was also plenty of scrutiny on the technical areas with Alonso taking charge of the Spanish side he represented with such distinction as a midfielder.

Yet Inzaghi will likely be the more satisfied, with his unfancied Al-Hilal side impressing and threatening to deliver a remarkable result even without a prolific marksman of their own, given Aleksandar Mitrovic was ruled out through injury.

The Italian boss has had to shrug off criticism over the controversial manner of his departure from Inter just two weeks ago.

But his players delivered an encouraging display that suggests they have been receptive to his way of working in such limited time.

Alexander-Arnold performed steadily on his first appearance since his move from Liverpool, before being withdrawn midway through the second half.

England international Jude Bellingham's influence also grew as the contest wore on, although Real's main source of danger came from Rodrygo on the right and the willing running of Madrid-born striker Gonzalo Garcia.

However, for long periods Neves, former Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Salem Al-Dawsari impressed to lay a positive platform for Al-Hilal against their illustrious opponents.

Real Madrid next take on Mexican side Pachuca in Group H on Sunday (20:00 BST) in Charlotte, while Al-Hilal face RB Salzburg later the same day (23:00 BST) in Washington DC.