Club World Cup | Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus: Heroic Di Gregorio not enough | OneFootball

Juventus capitulated to Real Madrid in the Club World Cup Round of 16, as Gonzalo Garcia broke through despite Michele Di Gregorio heroics.

The Bianconeri lost Nicolò Savona to a badly sprained ankle during the 5-2 defeat to Manchester City and Federico Gatti had flu symptoms, so Daniele Rugani made his return to Juventus after a year at Ajax. Kylian Mbappé hadn’t featured in the Club World Cup yet due to gastroenteritis and was on the bench for the first time, so with David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Endrick, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao injured, Xabi Alonso used the same XI that beat RB Salzburg, including ex-Juventus defender Dean Huijsen.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 01: Randal Kolo Muani #20 of Juventus FC takes a shot against Thibaut Courtois #1 and Antonio Ruediger #22 of Real Madrid C.F. during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Real Madrid CF and Juventus FC at Hard Rock Stadium on July 01, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Randal Kolo Muani should’ve put Juve in front after seven minutes when sent clear by Kenan Yildiz, but his lob was over-hit and landed on the roof of an empty net.

Kenan Yildiz also saw his curler deflected inches past the far top corner, while Michele Di Gregorio needed a desperate reaction save from point-blank range on Jude Bellingham, allowing Rugani to hoof it clear.

Di Gregorio also needed one strong hand to push a Federico Valverde scorcher round the near post from well outside the box in first half stoppages.

Valverde volleyed wide again, then Kolo Muani almost made the most of a mix-up between Antonio Rudiger and Thibaut Courtois.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 01: Michele Di Gregorio #29 of Juventus FC makes a save from a shot by Jude Bellingham #5 of Real Madrid C.F. during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Real Madrid CF and Juventus FC at Hard Rock Stadium on July 01, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Manuel Locatelli sprinted back and threw himself in the path of a Vinicius Jr counter-attack, Di Gregorio parried a Bellingham piledriver from the edge of the area, then pushed a swerving Huijsen volley round the post.

Real Madrid finally had the breakthrough when Gonzalo Garcia was left unmarked for a free header from six yards on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s dinked cross after a period of consistent pressure.

Francisco Conceicao responded immediately by testing Courtois with a low drive, but Lloyd Kelly limped off with a flexor issue.

Di Gregorio’s heroics continued with quick reactions to an acrobatic Valverde overhead kick and using his legs on the Arda Guler first-time screamer, while Nico Gonzalez drilled just wide.

The Di Gregorio show continued, getting down to fingertip an Aurelien Tchaoumeni daisy-cutter round the upright to keep it open until the final whistle, but Real Madrid will go on to face either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the quarter-final of the Club World Cup.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 01: Khephren Thuram #19 of Juventus FC is challenged by Antonio Ruediger #22 of Real Madrid C.F. during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Real Madrid CF and Juventus FC at Hard Rock Stadium on July 01, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus

Gonzalo Garcia 54 (RM)

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