Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus: García strike edges Los Blancos into quarterfinals | OneFootball

Real Madrid booked their place in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup after beating Juventus at Miami Gardens on Tuesday night.

The first half was action-packed, with both sides coming close to opening the scoring, but neither were able to capitalise on their chances as the game remained level at the break.

Xabi Alonso’s side finally broke the deadlock just 10 minutes into the second half, as Gonzalo García powered a bullet header past Michele Di Gregorio.

The Italian side looked for a way back into the game, but a resilient Madrid defence held firm to see it out.

As it happened

Juventus started brightly and created a few early chances to open the scoring. Randal Kolo Muani was played through on goal by Kenan Yildiz and looked destined to score, but Thibaut Courtois did just enough to put him off, with the striker lifting his effort onto the roof of the net.

Real Madrid grew into the game and created chances after weathering the early pressure.

The Spanish side wanted to repeat their success from the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, the last time the two teams met, when Real Madrid came out on top.

Alonso’s side came closest in the first half just before the 30th minute, when Jude Bellingham was picked out in the six-yard box.

The midfielder got his shot away, but Di Gregorio got a hand to it before Daniele Rugani cleared the danger, keeping the score level.

Real Madrid continued to push for the opener, with Federico Valverde striking from distance, but Di Gregorio produced a brilliant save to deny the midfielder and send the game into the interval goalless.

Juventus started on the back foot again in the second half but continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack.

However, Madrid dominated possession and created several opportunities, but a series of outstanding saves from Di Gregorio kept the score level.

They finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, when Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a pinpoint ball into the six-yard box for García to arrive and slot home, giving Madrid a well-deserved lead.

Igor Tudor’s side looked to respond quickly and created two chances, but failed to test Courtois as they searched for an equaliser.

As the game wore on, both sides pushed for openings and created chances, but fatigue began to show in the Madrid ranks while Juventus pressed for a late equaliser.

Juventus struggled to truly test Courtois, as Alonso’s side managed the closing stages well to see out the win over the Italian outfit.

Following their victory, Los Blancos will meet either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the quarterfinal on 5 July.

The lineups

RMA: Courtois, Rüdiger, Tchouameni, Huijsen, Alexander-Arnold, Bellingham, Valverde, Güler, Fran Garcia, Gonzalo García, Vinicius Jr

JUV: Di Gregorio, Kalulu, Rugani, Kelly, Alberto Costa, Locatelli, Thuram-Ulien, Cambiaso, Francisco Conceicao, Yildiz, Kolo Muani