Published on Jul 01, 2025
Real Madrid have officially booked their place in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals after a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Juventus in Miami on July 1, 2025. A second-half header from rising star Gonzalo García was enough to seal the win for the Spanish giants, who continue their unbeaten run in the expanded global tournament.
In a game dominated by tactical discipline and brutal heat, 21-year-old striker Gonzalo García proved decisive once again. His towering header in the 54th minute from a perfectly placed cross by Trent Alexander-Arnold marked his third goal of the competition and secured Madrid’s progress to the last eight.
Kylian Mbappé, recovering from a recent stomach virus, made his long-awaited Club World Cup debut, though it was Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde who anchored Madrid’s midfield. The duo dictated tempo, broke down Juventus’ press, and helped Madrid control long stretches of the game.
Juventus were forced to make multiple substitutions due to heat exhaustion, with reports confirming that up to ten players requested to be taken off. Temperatures hovered above 30°C with high humidity at the Hard Rock Stadium, making conditions almost unbearable. Despite their defensive resilience and goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio making over 10 saves, Juventus failed to find an equalizer.
“He’s showing maturity beyond his years. These are the moments that define careers.”
This victory cements Real Madrid’s status as one of the tournament favorites. They’ve shown tactical flexibility, attacking depth, and resilience key traits needed in a Club World Cup that’s increasingly competitive due to its new 32-team format. For Juventus, it’s another early exit in a major tournament, though young talents like Kenan Yildiz showed promise.
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