Real Madrid failed to give Cristiano Ronaldo a winning home debut as they drew with Al-Ittihad in the Peace Cup.

It was a low-key performance by Madrid in what was only their second match of pre-season following their 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers.

And Manuel Pellegrini's side were somewhat lucky to avoid defeat as their Saudi Arabian opponents created a number of decent opportunities.

As it was both sides had to settle for the draw, with Raul putting Madrid ahead just after half-time before the impressive Hicham Aboucherouane levelled for Al-Ittihad soon after.

An estimated crowd of around 30,000 - considerably less than the 80,000 that turned up for Ronaldo's presentation - were in attendance for the late-evening kick-off at the Bernabeu, and they had little to get excited about as Al-Ittihad ensured there was no dream home debut for Madrid's new faces.

Ronaldo's first few touches were greeted with cheers from the crowd and the Portugal international, along with Wesley Sneijder, looked Madrid's biggest threat in the opening 45 minutes.

However, it was Al-Ittihad, who lost their opening Peace Cup match 3-1 to Liga de Quito, who enjoyed the better of the first half and it was not Ronaldo who caused his opposing defenders the most problems, but Aboucherouane.

He twice tested Jerzy Dudek at his near post and also set up a great chance for Sultan Alnumare after skinning Royston Drenthe, but his team-mate wasted the chance as he blazed over from 15 yards out.

That miss was not as bad as Naif Hazazi's in the 32nd minute though, when the Al-Ittihad number nine headed wide of an open goal after Dudek had missed Aboucherouane's deep cross.

Madrid were not without their chances either, and Raul brought a superb finger-tip save out of Mabrouk Zaid in the 25th minute before Ronaldo almost got his name on the scoresheet just before the break.

The £80million man combined brilliantly with fellow new boy Karim Benzema before firing in a low left-footed shot from the edge of the box that Zaid did well to turn behind for a corner.

Madrid may consider themselves fortunate not to have been behind at the break, but it took them just 10 minutes of the second half to get their noses in front thanks to Raul.

The veteran Madrid captain picked up a pass from Benzema inside the area, held off his marker before spinning and sending a right-footed effort past Zaid.

Madrid were ahead for less than 10 minutes before Aboucherouane drew Al-Ittihad level.

Saleh Alsaqri floated a free-kick into the area and Aboucherouane sent a glancing header past Dudek into the near top corner of the net.

Soon after that goal Pellegrini opted to make a treble substitution, which saw Ronaldo, Benzema and Fernando Gago replaced by Arjen Robben, Gonzalo Higuain and Guti.

Pellegrini then handed a debut to Esteban Granero, who re-joined the club earlier this week after two seasons at Getafe, and the Madrid youth team product almost enjoyed the perfect start as he smashed a 30-yard shot against the crossbar.

Both sides had chances to win the game in the closing stages, but it will be Al-Ittihad who will feel the most frustrated as both Aboucherouane and Manaf Aboshgair fired wide with only Dudek to beat, spurning the chance to claim a famous scalp for their side.