Alexander-Arnold’s first Madrid assist sinks Juventus as Real advance in Miami thriller

Five-time Club World Cup champions Real Madrid secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 edition with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Italian giants Juventus at the Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday, 1 July.

Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Los Blancos survived an early scare before Gonzalo García’s second-half header sealed their progression in front of a lively crowd in Miami.

A tense first half

Alonso stuck with his 5-3-2 formation, but Madrid looked shaky at the back early on. Juventus should have taken the lead when Randal Kolo Muani raced through on goal, only to blaze his effort over the bar.

Moments later, Turkish wonderkid Kenan Yıldız forced a deflection with a fierce long-range strike.

At the other end, Jude Bellingham was denied from a tight angle by Juve’s standout keeper Michele Di Gregorio, who later pulled off a stunning one-handed save to keep out Federico Valverde.

Alexander-Arnold’s moment of magic

The breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold, making just his fourth appearance since joining from Liverpool, delivered a pinpoint cross for García to nod past Di Gregorio.

The €10 million summer signing had been quiet in the first half but provided the decisive moment to justify Alonso’s faith in him.

What’s next?

Madrid will now face the winners of Borussia Dortmund vs Monterrey in the quarter-finals this weekend.

With Alonso’s tactical tweaks starting to take shape, Los Blancos remain on course for a record-extending sixth Club World Cup title.