Witnessing the Real Madrid goalscoring sensation put Juventus to the sword

Real Madrid remain on course for glory in the FIFA Club World Cup after overcoming Juventus 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals.

It was a deserved success for Xabi Alonso’s men, whose class was rewarded in the second half when Gonzalo Garcia’s bullet header broke the deadlock in a game live on DAZN.

His 54th-minute strike proved enough to take Los Blancos into the last eight of the competition, where they will face Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey.

Here, DAZN News assesses the key talking points of Madrid’s narrow victory at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, watched by a bumper crowd of 62,149.

Read | Relive Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Juventus

Real Madrid overcome sluggish start

Xabi Alonso’s side were not at their expansive best during the opening 45 minutes.

In very hot and humid conditions, with water breaks required midway through both halves, that was perhaps understandable.

At times, it felt like a tactical battle of wills as both sides probed intricately to try and break the deadlock.

Juventus showed far greater resolve against Los Blancos than in their previous outing, when they were thumped 5-2 by Manchester City in their final group game.

But Alonso’s team gradually made their class pay and were largely dominant during the second half.

An early missed chance from French striker Randal Kolo Muani proved costly for Juventus, who faded as an attacking force after a bright start.

 

Three is the magic number for Garcia

A touch of class and a natural finisher – so often the difference between success and failure.

Trent Alexander-Arnold provided the former, and Gonzalo Garcia once again proved he is the latter with a superb winning goal for Real Madrid.

When Alexander-Arnold was afforded the time and space to deliver a trademark cross from the right flank, the predatory Garcia was there to plant a firm header into Juventus’ net.

It was the striker’s third goal of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and another reminder of his quality.

Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio made a number of fine saves, but Garcia was not to be denied.

It was a special moment for Alexander-Arnold, too, as he claimed his first assist since joining Madrid from boyhood club Liverpool before the Club World Cup kicked off.

Kylian Mbappé is back

The Real Madrid forward made his Club World Cup debut against Juventus in the round of 16 after coming off the bench.

He replaced goalscorer Garcia in the 68th minute, having missed the first three games of the tournament with an illness.

Mbappé had a gastrointestinal illness before Madrid’s opening Club World Cup match and was treated at a hospital.

He sat out all three group matches as Madrid won two and drew the other, so the sight of him finally amongst the action was heartening for Alonso.

Mbappé showed some neat touches and was in the thick of things during the final quarter of the match. A welcome return, indeed, with the quarter-finals looming.

 

Bellingham brothers' meeting denied

Dortmund’s win over Monterrey sets up a quarter-final against Real Madrid in a match that would have featured the Bellingham brothers going head-to-head.

But with Jobe receiving his second yellow card of the tournament, he’ll have to watch from the sidelines instead.

 

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