Juve put four past Wydad AC | OneFootball

The Philadelphia heat didn't stop Juve who, after a strong performance in the first group stage encounter, delivered another good result as they beat Moroccan side Wydad AC by four goals to one, led by a superb performance from Kenan Yildiz, scorer of a brilliant hat-trick (even if officially it will go down as a brace). It was a significant victory as it means that Juve, who take this competition very seriously, have already qualified for the Round of 16 ahead of their final group stage match against Manchester City.

THE MATCH REPORT

From the opening whistle it was Juventus who immediately controlled the tempo of the game. After just 6 minutes, Igor Tudor's team opened the scoring: Khephren Thuram did well down the left before finding Yildiz, who struck a left-footed effort from the edge of the box. A deflection off Abdelmounaim Boutouil wrong-footed the goalkeeper and made it 1-0 (and in hindsight would deny Yildiz his hatrick).

The Bianconeri persisted and in the 11th minute they went close to doubling their lead through Alberto Costa, who arrived at the back post after well worked move ended with a missed acrobatic attempt from Randal Kolo Muani. The Portuguese defender’s header went just wide.

Juve went 2-0 up in the 16th minute: Yildiz was again at the centre of proceedings, this time with a powerful and precise right-footed strike from outside the box, having been picked out by Andrea Cambiaso, which slotted into the top corner. A great goal from the Turkish talent, who continued to put in an excellent performance.

Wydad fought back in the 25th minute: Juventus lost possession from a throw-in, Nordin Amrabat recovered the ball and found Thembinkosi Lorch, who chipped it past Michele Di Gregorio to make it 2-1. It was hot, and inevitably the pace of the game suffered: Juve, however, upped the tempo in the final minutes of the half, and just before the half-time whistle one last chance fell to Alberto Costa who was unable to convert.

STRONG AGAIN IN THE SECOND HALF

Juve got off to a strong start again in the second half: just over 10 minutes had passed before Cambiaso came close to scoring, hitting the post with a left-footed shot following a corner kick. The Bianconeri continued to press and in the 17th minute Kolo Muani had a great chance following a low cross from Lloyd Kelly, but missed the target from close range.

Juve scored their third on the 69th minute: Kolo Muani did well to pick out Yildiz, who controlled and, after a delightful feint, placed his right-footed shot inside the far post. Wydad tried to react but struggled, with Juve in total control. In the closing stages, Di Gregorio was called into action, brilliantly denying Selemani Mwalimu and Mohamed Moufid in the space of a few seconds.

However, there was still time for one more goal. Dusan Vlahovic was brought down in the Wydad penalty area, and then stepped up to convert the penalty he had earned himself, and in terms of eventual goal difference it could prove to be an important strike.

With a place in the Round of 16 confirmed, now we play Manchester City to decide who will top the group.

Gallery | FIFA Club World Cup | Juventus-Wydad AC

JUVENTUS 4-1 WYDAD AC

Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday 22 June, 2025 at 18:00 (CEST) FIFA Club World Cup – Group Stage - Matchday Two

Goals: 6’ Boutouil (Own Goal) (J), 16’ Yildiz (J), 25’ Lorch (W), 69’ Yildiz (J), 90+4’ Vlahovic (Pen.) (J)

Juventus: Di Gregorio, Kalulu, Savona, Kelly, Alberto Costa (73’ Nico Gonzalez), McKennie (46’ Koopmeiners), Thuram, Cambiaso, Conceicao (73’ Locatelli), Kolo Muani (73’ Vlahovic), Yildiz (85’ Gatti). Unused Substitutes: Adzic, Kostic, Weah, Pinsoglio, Rugani, Douglas Luiz, Daffara, Rouhi, Mbangula, Garofani. Coach: Igor Tudor.

Wydad AC: Benabid, Moufi (87’ Aziz Ki), Ferreira, Boutouil (78’ Harkass), Meijers (46’ Mwalimu), Moufid, Ambrabat, Zemraoui (78’ Mailula), El Moubarik, Lorch, Obeng (46’ Al Somah). Unused Substitutes: El Motie, Moutaraji, Malsa, Rayhi, Fathi, Boucheta, Benktib, Pedrinho, Aqzdaou, Mahtou. Coach: Amine Benhachem.

Referee: Hector Martinez (Honduras) Assistants: Walter Enrique Lopez Ramos, Christian Jesus Ramirez Soto Fourth Official: Ning Ma

Bookings: 23’ Meijers (W), 51’ Ferreira (W), 77’ Thuram (J)

Next Match:

Juventus-Manchester City FIFA Club World Cup – Group Stage - Matchday Three Thursday, 26 June, 2025 at 21:00 (CEST) Camping World Stadium

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