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Real Madrid advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Juventus at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Tuesday night.
A 54th-minute header from Gonzalo Garcia proved decisive for the Spanish giants, who will now face the winner of the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Mexico’s Monterrey in the last eight.
Real manager Xabi Alonso named an unchanged starting XI from Madrid’s group-stage win over RB Salzburg, and his side produced another composed and dominant display, made even more encouraging by the return of Kylian Mbappe, who featured as a 68th-minute substitute after recovering from illness.
The first half was closely contested. Juventus started with intensity, with Randal Kolo Muani spurning an early chance after being put through by Kenan Yildiz, only to chip the ball harmlessly over Thibaut Courtois. Yildiz later tested the Madrid defence with a surging run and shot that deflected narrowly wide.
Madrid gradually gained control, with Jude Bellingham drawing a strong save from Michele Di Gregorio before Federico Valverde and Trent Alexander-Arnold both came close to breaking the deadlock before the interval.
Alexander-Arnold delivered a pinpoint cross that Gonzalo Garcia rose to meet with a firm header, his third goal in four tournament games, to give Los Blancos the lead.
The 62,000-strong crowd roared as Kylian Mbappe returned to action, giving Real an extra lift in the final stages. Despite Juventus’ late push, Madrid held firm to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Anthony Nlebem
Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.
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