Mbappe Makes Triumphant Return as Real Madrid Crushes Juventus in Club World Cup Showdown
Real Madrid clinched their third straight win under Xabi Alonso's guidance, earning their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal stage.
In a replay of the 2017 Champions League final showdown, Real Madrid faced Juventus at Hard Rock Stadium during the Club World Cup's round of 16. Similar to their past encounters, both European powerhouses challenged each other extensively in the opening half and appeared evenly matched across the field in Miami.
The decisive moment arrived in the 54th minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a precise cross to Gonzalo García, who nodded the ball home to give Real Madrid a 1–0 advantage. The Spanish club controlled the match following the goal, though they couldn't secure a second due to Michele Di Gregorio's outstanding goalkeeping display.
While an additional goal would have eased the pressure on Real Madrid, García's header proved sufficient to advance the La Liga second-place finishers to the quarterfinal round. With Juventus set to depart the United States, Alonso's squad now prepares for their next challenge against either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey.
Here are three key observations from Real Madrid's 1–0 triumph over Juventus.
Gonzalo García Is a Star in the Making
No player has gained more from Alonso's appointment than García. The 21-year-old transformed from making brief substitute appearances in match endings to spearheading Real Madrid's offensive line within just a few months.
With Kylian Mbappé battling illness, García earned starting roles in four straight matches in the United States and contributed a goal or assist in every game. The forward extended his impressive tournament run with the decisive strike against Juventus, propelling Real Madrid into the Club World Cup quarterfinals.
Beyond García's goal-scoring ability, the Spaniard's tireless movement without the ball and his intelligent positioning in the penalty box distinguish him from Endrick and even Rodrygo. The Real Madrid Castilla graduate is a genuine No. 9 in all aspects, providing Los Blancos with a crucial additional attacking option alongside Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
García's development spares Real Madrid from seeking transfer market solutions for a backup striker; they possess a reliable, academy-developed talent who has thoroughly earned Alonso's confidence.
Juventus Expose Weaknesses in Xabi Alonso's Back Three
For the second match running, Alonso deployed a three-man defense in the Club World Cup. Previously, this formation functioned flawlessly, shutting out RB Salzburg while allowing Alexander-Arnold and Fran García complete attacking liberty on both flanks.
However, alarm signals emerged for Real Madrid against Juventus. Repeatedly, Igor Tudor's team caught Alexander-Arnold or Fran García positioned too high up the field and attempted to exploit Los Blancos on the counterattack.
The ex-Liverpool defender particularly struggled to match the pace of Andrea Cambiaso and Kenan Yıldız. Both Juventus attackers alternately outpaced Alexander-Arnold and were only halted in the attacking third through the joint defensive work of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antonio Rüdiger.
While Real Madrid maintained a clean sheet, the final score doesn't capture the defensive vulnerabilities evident at Hard Rock Stadium. Should Real Madrid face Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich, such defensive lapses in their own territory will prove costly.
Kylian Mbappé Makes His First Appearance under Xabi Alonso
Following his absence from Real Madrid's initial three Club World Cup fixtures, Mbappé finally recovered from his illness. The French star entered as a substitute in the 68th minute and contributed to Los Blancos' 1–0 success.
Though Mbappé didn't find the net during his 22-minute appearance, he still generated two significant scoring opportunities for Real Madrid that nearly resulted in another goal. He also completed 16 of his 17 attempted passes.
This second-half cameo represents positive news for Real Madrid's tournament progression. Los Blancos require their strongest possible team to capture the Club World Cup, and their optimal chance for trophy success involves the French superstar leading their attack.
It remains to be seen how Mbappé will integrate into Alonso's tactical approach if he's healthy enough to start in the quarterfinal match.