With their FIFA Club World Cup berth on the line, Real Madrid secured a 1–0 victory over Juventus to advance to the quarterfinals.
After finishing atop of Group H, Real Madrid clashed with Group G runners-up Juventus for the first time in seven years. The Spanish giants came into the Club World Cup round of 16 fixture unbeaten under new boss Xabi Alonso while the Old Lady was fresh off a 5–2 defeat to Manchester City.
Juventus and Real Madrid traded blows in the opening 45 minutes at Hard Rock Stadium. Kenan Yıldız and Vinícius Júnior both created solid opportunities at either end of the pitch, but the end product was missing for both young talents. Jude Bellingham also had a golden opportunity to put Real Madrid up 1–0, but the England international saw his effort saved on the goal line.
After a goalless first half, Real Madrid came out of the tunnel with their sights set on goal. The Spanish outfit suffocated Juventus until Gonzalo García buried the game's opener. Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a sublime cross that the 21-year-old Real Madrid Castilla product headed home.
The assist was the former Liverpool star's first goal contribution in a white shirt while García has now scored three goals in four Club World Cup appearances. The 54th minute goal was enough to guarantee the win for Real Madrid in Miami.
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Los Blancos are now headed to the Club World Cup quarterfinals, where they will face either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey.
Check out the player ratings from the match below.
Real Madrid Player Ratings vs. Juventus (3-4-3)
Juventus Player Ratings vs. Real Madrid (3-4-2-1)
Player of the Match: Fede Valverde (Real Madrid)
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Real Madrid 1–0 Juventus: Player Ratings As Trent Alexander-Arnolds Creates Magical Moment for Madrid.