Real Madrid advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 after a narrow 1-0 victory against Juventus. The decisive goal came from Gonzalo Garcia, whose header in the 54th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides.
The match, held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, saw Garcia continue his impressive form in the tournament. The 21-year-old has now scored in every match Real Madrid has played in the Club World Cup, also contributing an assist against Pachuca in the group stage. Garcia has been starting games due to a gastrointestinal illness sidelining star striker Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe, who missed Real Madrid's three group stage matches due to the illness, made his Club World Cup debut when he replaced Garcia in the 68th minute.
The first half was evenly contested, with both teams creating chances. Juventus had an early opportunity in the seventh minute when Kenan Yildiz flicked the ball through to Randal Kolo Muani, but his attempted chip over Thibaut Courtois landed on the roof of the net. Federico Valverde had a shot tipped around the post by Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio just before halftime.
Real Madrid upped the pressure in the second half, forcing Di Gregorio into a series of saves. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is settling into life as a 'Galactico', delivered a floated cross from the right, finding Garcia who headed home from close range. It was Alexander-Arnold’s first assist for Madrid. Juventus hunted for an equaliser, with Francisco Conceicao's curler being kept out by Courtois. However, Real Madrid looked more likely to score again, with Valverde's overhead kick clawed away by Di Gregorio and Arda Guler's drive blocked. Di Gregorio made 10 saves in the match.
Real Madrid will now face the winner of the match between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey in the quarter-finals. Potential semi-final opponents include Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is the first edition of the expanded tournament, featuring 32 teams. The tournament is being held in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025. The teams are divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. The final will be held on July 13 at MetLife Stadium. The FIFA Club World Cup has been held since 2000, with Real Madrid holding the record for most titles with five. They won in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
