Real Madrid Edge Juventus 1-0 to Enter Club World Cup Quarter-Finals

Real Madrid booked their place in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter-finals with a narrow but deserved 1-0 win over Juventus at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The victory was sealed by a 54th-minute header from Gonzalo Garcia—his third goal of the tournament.

Garcia, who has now contributed to a goal in each of Madrid’s matches so far, met a pinpoint cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold to finally beat Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, who had kept the Spanish giants at bay with a string of spectacular saves.

The Italian shot-stopper denied Jude Bellingham twice and produced a sensational dive to tip Federico Valverde’s curling effort away in first-half stoppage time. However, the pressure eventually told.

Despite early threats from Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceição, Juventus faded under Madrid’s sustained dominance. Valverde was named Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match for his relentless energy and attacking drive.

Speaking after the match, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said, “I’m really delighted with the result, going through, and with the performance as well. I think after the first 15 minutes we started getting good control… we were professional and did really well.”

Match-winner Gonzalo Garcia echoed that sentiment: “I’m very happy for the goal, but even more for the win, for how the team worked, and for making it through to the quarterfinals.”

Valverde added, “It was a huge effort against a very strong opponent. We had quite a few chances, and that’s a credit to us for the work we put into both defense and attack.”

From the Juventus camp, Andrea Cambiaso reflected on the match with a tinge of regret. “It’s a pity because we played a solid match… We paid the price for the fatigue of a long and exhausting season.”

Manuel Locatelli added: “Individually, Real Madrid are stronger than Juventus, but with teamwork you can achieve more and make up for the gap that way.”

Madrid have now won 19 of their last 21 competitive games against Italian sides and have scored in 14 consecutive matches in all competitions. With Kylian Mbappé making his first appearance of the tournament, Madrid look poised for a deep run.