Garcia scores as Real beat Juve to reach CWC last eight

Qatar Tribune

3 days ago

PA Media/dpa
London
Real Madrid reached the last eight of the Club World Cup as Gonzalo Garcia maintained his splendid scoring form in a 1-0 victory over Juventus.
Garcia headed home his third goal of the tournament after 54 minutes from an intelligent Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.
It was the Englishman's first assist for Real following his summer move from Liverpool.
This was Real's third successive win in the competition and Xabi Alonso's side will now play either Borussia Dortmund or Mexican side Monterrey in the quarter-final.
Kylian Mbappe was kept in reserve for Real, despite the France forward having recovered from illness to take his place in the matchday squad for the first time at the Club World Cup.
Mbappe would eventually come on for the final quarter in Miami after his bout of gastroenteritis, showing a couple of promising flashes.
Juventus had a golden opportunity to take the lead inside seven minutes after Alexander-Arnold was caught in possession.
They countered at breakneck speed with Randal Kolo Muani backheeling the ball into the path of Kenan Yildiz and racing on to the return.
Kolo Muani steadied himself as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois advanced to meet him, but the France striker lifted the ball on to the roof of the Real net.
Another fine piece of skill allowed Yildiz to drive at the Real defence, who were grateful Aurelien Tchouameni got in the way of his goalbound attempt.
Francisco Conceicao headed straight at Courtois before Real eventually warmed to their task.
Michele Di Gregorio was twice called upon to make smart saves in the Juventus goal, swatting away Tchouameni's deflected drive and then doing just enough to deny Jude Bellingham.
Tchouameni failed to make contact from Arda Guler's brilliant centre, and Di Gregorio was at full stretch to keep out Federico Valverde from 25 yards as Real finished the half on top.
It was the same story after the restart as Valverde and Alexander-Arnold fired wide and Di Gregorio excelled again to frustrate Bellingham and Dean Huijsen from range.
Real's pressure eventually told when Alexander-Arnold found space down the right and set up Garcia.
Conceicao and Nicolas Gonzalez sent dangerous shots across Real's bow from outside the box, but those efforts were very much against the run of play.
Juventus were grateful for the outstanding Di Gregorio, who showed more agility to stop Guler and Tchouameni from extending the lead.
Kolo Muani went to ground in the final moments as Antonio Rudiger closed him out, with Polish referee Szymon Marciniak waving away hopeful Juventus penalty claims.