Real Madrid booked their spot in the Club World Cup quarter-finals after a 1-0 victory over Juventus on Tuesday at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The win sets up a showdown against Borussia Dortmund, who edged past Monterrey 2-1 in the last-16.
Gonzalo Garcia scored his third goal of the tournament with a header in the 54th minute, securing the win for Madrid. The match was fiercely competitive, with Juventus initially starting strongly under coach Igor Tudor. However, Madrid finished the first half on top and held their lead through the second.
Under new coach Xabi Alonso, Madrid’s unbeaten streak continues, bolstered by the return of star striker Kylian Mbappe, who came on as a substitute. Alonso praised his team’s resilience, highlighting their patience and grit in the later stages.
“We had a lot of chances in the second half, but their goalkeeper was really good,” said goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Alonso also expressed optimism about Mbappe’s role moving forward, suggesting the French star could be even more impactful in the next match.
Garcia, whom Alonso compared to club legend Raul, impressed with his performance, and the coach indicated he’s confident Mbappe will be even better in the upcoming game. “We will keep watching him… I think he will be much better for the quarters,” Alonso said.
Juventus coach Tudor acknowledged his team’s fatigue, citing the heat, humidity, and a demanding season as factors. “There was incredible tiredness, and many asked to be substituted, which isn’t possible,” he explained.
Alonso was happy with his team’s patience and resilience, while Tudor highlighted the physical toll the game took on his players.
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