Match Overview
Real Madrid edged out Juventus 1–0 in a tight Round of 16 clash at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, booking their quarter-final spot in the Club World Cup. They dominated possession, broke Juventus’s resistance early in the second half, and saw off a resilient Italian side to progress.
Key Moment
- 54th minute: Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a perfect cross from the right flank. Academy graduate Gonzalo García rose unmarked to head home the tournament’s third goal of his campaign and the match-winner.
Man of the Match
| Player | Role | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Federico Valverde | Central Midfield | Controlled transitions, long-range threat, and relentless pressing |
Federico Valverde was named Player of the Match after driving Madrid’s tempo, creating overloads in midfield, and testing Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio with a spectacular volley that earned a top-drawer save.
Tactical Analysis
Real Madrid (Xabi Alonso)
- Formation: 3-4-3 transitioning to 5-4-1 when out of possession.
- Possession share: 58%.
- Shot volume: 21 total, 11 on target; expected goals (xG): 2.1 vs Juventus’s 0.6.
- Key features:
- High press forcing turnovers in midfield.
- Overloads down the right via Alexander-Arnold and Valverde.
- Compact defensive block when Juventus countered.
Juventus (Igor Tudor)
- Formation: 4-4-2 with two banks of four.
- Defensive focus: Frustrated Madrid’s early build-up and relied on swift counters.
- Limited creativity: Mustafaded under constant pressing; managed only 42% possession and fewer clear openings.
Manager Quotes
- Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid):
“Kylian is back in good spirits. It’s a big possibility he’ll feature today… we talk every single day, and he’s looking sharp in training.” - Igor Tudor (Juventus):
“We knew it would be a battle of attrition. Madrid’s pressing is relentless, but we wanted to match their intensity and hit them on the break.”
Player Performances
- Gonzalo García (Real Madrid):
Third goal of the tournament; held up play well and terrorized Juve defenders in aerial duels. - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid):
Intelligent positioning on the right, his pinpoint assist laid on the winner. - Michele Di Gregorio (Juventus):
Kept Juve in the game with multiple stunning saves, notably denying Bellingham and Valverde from close range. - Kenan Yıldız (Juventus):
Looked the most creative Juve player; linked well with Randal Kolo Muani early on
What’s Next?
Real Madrid will face either Borussia Dortmund or C.F. Monterrey in the quarter-finals, aiming to build momentum under Alonso’s tactical regime. Juventus head home having shown defensive grit but in need of greater invention to challenge Europe’s elite
