Real Madrid vs Juventus ended with a narrow 1-0 win for the Spanish champions at the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16.
Gonzalo Garcia’s 54th-minute header secured the win at Hard Rock Stadium, sending Madrid through to the tournament quarterfinals.
The goal marked Garcia’s third in four games during the tournament, underlining his importance in Real Madrid’s current form.
Juventus, despite a bright first-half showing, failed to convert early chances and paid the price against a clinical Madrid side.
Xabi Alonso’s men now await the winner between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey for their quarterfinal matchup later this week.
Mbappe Makes Tournament Return
The clash also saw the return of Kylian Mbappe, who had missed previous games due to illness, delighting the crowd in Miami.
Mbappe replaced Federico Valverde in the 68th minute to rapturous applause from the 62,149 fans inside Hard Rock Stadium.
Though not on the scoresheet, his movement and pace added fresh energy to Madrid’s attack and helped see out the win.
His return boosts Real’s hopes of lifting another international trophy, especially as they face stronger opposition next round.
Mbappe’s sharp runs opened space for teammates and ensured Juventus stayed cautious in the game’s closing stages.
His presence showed Madrid’s depth, even when facing a capable Juventus squad packed with talent like Kolo Muani and Yildiz.
Juventus Start Strong
Juventus, under coach Igor Tudor, started the match confidently and created early chances that could have changed the game.
Kenan Yildiz set up Randal Kolo Muani early on, but his chipped effort narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
Moments later, Yildiz surged through midfield and saw his shot deflect off Aurelien Tchouameni and fly just wide.
Juventus moved the ball with composure, rebounding from their heavy 5-2 defeat against Manchester City in their previous group game.
However, as the first half wore on, Real Madrid began to assert control with quick passing and pressure in advanced areas.
Jude Bellingham forced a close-range save from Di Gregorio, while Valverde and Alexander-Arnold both tested the keeper soon after.
Madrid Control Second Half
Real Madrid began the second half with purpose, controlling possession and forcing Juventus to retreat into their own half.
Bellingham laid off a chance to Valverde, whose long-range effort missed narrowly, and then forced another save moments later.
Dean Huijsen fired a powerful shot that Di Gregorio managed to parry, showing the pressure Juventus were under.
The breakthrough finally came when Alexander-Arnold delivered a pinpoint cross that Garcia met with a clinical header.
Real Madrid continued their pressure with Valverde attempting an overhead kick that again drew a save from Di Gregorio.
Mbappe’s arrival further tilted the momentum in Madrid’s favour, giving Juventus little room to push for a late equaliser.
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Juventus Push but Fall Short
Despite falling behind, Juventus still managed a few late efforts to find an equaliser against a composed Madrid defence.
Francisco Conceicao drew a sharp low save from Thibaut Courtois with a quick shot from the right side of the box.
Nicolas Gonzalez came close with a fierce 25-yard drive that missed the post by inches, showing Juventus hadn’t given up.
Real Madrid’s Arda Guler nearly doubled the lead with a crisp shot saved by Di Gregorio’s outstretched boot.
Madrid kept their shape in defence, calmly seeing out the final minutes without allowing Juventus any clear-cut chances.
Juventus will now regroup, reflecting on missed opportunities and a strong but ultimately unsuccessful performance.
Quarterfinal Awaits Real Madrid
With this result, Real Madrid vs Juventus ended in favour of the Spanish giants, who now shift focus to the quarterfinal.
Madrid’s next opponent will be decided by the outcome of Borussia Dortmund versus Monterrey in the other Round of 16 match.
Key highlights from Madrid’s performance include:
- Gonzalo Garcia scored his third goal in four games
- Mbappe returned from illness with a 22-minute cameo
- Courtois produced vital saves throughout the match to secure a clean sheet for Real Madrid.
- Alexander-Arnold recorded his second assist of the tournament
Real Madrid’s mix of young talent and experienced stars continues to deliver results under the calm leadership of Xabi Alonso.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is still wide open, but Madrid have shown they are serious contenders with depth and tactical strength.
As fans await the next fixture, Madrid’s performance against Juventus has already raised expectations for a thrilling quarterfinal.
