Latest news with #GonzaloGarcia
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WATCH: Real Madrid lead in Club World Cup opener as Gonzalo Garcia scores
Xabi Alonso is hoping to mark his Real Madrid debut with a victory, and so far, he is on course to do so as his side lead against Al Hilal in their opening match of the 2025 Club World Cup. Real Madrid have been poor in the opening exchanges in Miami, and they were fortunate to remain level after Al Hilal scored through former Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi – but he was offside in the build-up. And it matters little now as Los Blancos are leading, with the goal coming courtesy of Gonzalo Garcia, who started ahead of the absent Kylian Mbappe. It is an excellent counter-attacking goal from Real Madrid, which ended with Rodrygo Goes slipping in Gonzalo to score his second first team goal. It has not been easy for Real Madrid, but as things stand, they are on course to start their Club World Cup campaign with a victory. However, there is plenty of action still to be played.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid forward's market value sees 8x increase after Club World Cup heroics
Gonzalo Garcia has been the biggest surprise for Real Madrid at the FIFA Club World Cup. The young striker scored a goal in the opening match against Al-Hilal, where he earned his spot in the starting XI after Kylian Mbappe's illness. He then played a key role against Pachuca, being involved in the first two goals, showing smart movement, and working hard to press the opposition. Advertisement In the latest match against Salzburg, he found the net again, bringing his total to two goals and one assist in just three games at the tournament. New manager Xabi Alonso has shown faith in Garcia, giving him a chance he earned with his excellent performances throughout the season. Playing for Castilla, Garcia scored an impressive 25 goals in 36 games in the Primera RFEF. He also made a difference for the first team, scoring a dramatic injury-time winner against Leganés that secured Real Madrid's place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Garcia's market value soars Gonzalo Garcia has scored two goals at Club World Cup. (Photo by) Advertisement At only 21 years old, Garcia has exploded onto the scene. His market value reflects his rapid rise: in June 2024, according to Transfermarkt, he was worth just €1 million. In the latest update, published yesterday, his value has already jumped to €8 million, an incredible increase that shows how important he has become. If he continues to perform and Alonso keeps giving him opportunities with the first team, his value could go even higher. Right now, Garcia is the most valuable player in Real Madrid Castilla. The next highest are Víctor Munoz and Jacobo Ramon, both valued at €1 million each. Meanwhile, as reported before, Garcia's performances may also solve a key issue for Real Madrid's squad planning. The club had been looking for a classic centre-forward, someone with a profile like Joselu's. But Garcia's emergence shows he can fill that role perfectly, possibly saving the club from needing to make a new signing.
The Independent
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
‘He reminds me of Raul': Xabi Alonso lauds young Real Madrid striker after Club World Cup win
Real Madrid beat RB Salzburg 3-0 in Philadelphia to secure top spot in Group H and earn their sport in the knockout rounds of the Club World Cup. Goals by Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde and Gonzalo Garcia secured a comfortable success and it was Garcia who came in for special praise from manager Xabi Alonso after the game. 'I'm not just happy with his goal and assist,' Alonso revealed after the game. 'But also with how he came back to help in defence and his effort in pressing. 'He had freedom in attack and worked well with Gonzalo. Many players left the pitch feeling good. I'm really happy for him and the whole team, but we know the journey is still long.' 'What he's doing doesn't surprise me at all,' added the coach. 'He's shown it many times with Castilla. He's a classic number nine who waits for the right moment and moves smartly. 'He reminds me of Raul with his movements. I'm very happy for him. But there are no decisions yet about next season.' 21-year-old Garcia, a former Spain U19 international, top scored for Castilla last season with 25 goals and had already hit the target in the Club World Cup, scoring in the 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal last week. Alonso also had praise for Vinicius Jr, who made an assist in addition to his goal, saying: 'He had freedom in attack and worked well with Gonzalo. Many players left the pitch feeling good. I'm really happy for him and the whole team, but we know the journey is still long.' Kylian Mbappe is possible for Tuesday's round of 16 clash with Juventus, Alonso describing his chances of lining up as 'optimistic', while he also reported that Antonio Rudiger had cramp post-match and his condition was nothing more sinister than that. Of his midfield players, the Real manager has been impressed by both Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham and said: 'With Jude between the lines, we can create superiority. Arda plays deeper, controls well, and links nicely with the defenders.' However, Alonso would not be drawn on the return of Brazilian forward Endrick, who is missing the Club World Cup due to a hamstring injury. The manager confirmed he is joining the squad for training while they are in the United States.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alonso talks Vinicius, Garcia, Mbappe, Rudiger, Bellingham, Endrick after RB Salzburg 0-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso shared his joy after his team beat RB Salzburg, a victory that secured their place as group winners in the Club World Cup round of 16. Up next, they willl face Juventus in what promises to be an exciting clash. Speaking after the match, Alonso highlighted Vinicius Jr.'s outstanding performance. Advertisement 'I'm not just happy with his goal and assist,' he said, 'but also with how he came back to help in defence and his effort in pressing. 'He had freedom in attack and worked well with Gonzalo. Many players left the pitch feeling good. I'm really happy for him and the whole team, but we know the journey is still long.' On Gonzalo Garcia Alonso has nothing but praise for Gonzalo Garcia. (Photo by) When asked about young striker Gonzalo Garcia, Alonso made it clear he always believed in him. 'What he's doing doesn't surprise me at all. He's shown it many times with Castilla. He's a classic number nine who waits for the right moment and moves smartly. 'He reminds me of Raúl with his movements. I'm very happy for him. But there are no decisions yet about next season.' Integrating Vini, Mbappe, and Garcia Alonso is confident about getting the best out of his attacking stars. 'Of course, they can play together. It's not about each one doing their own thing, but about building a strong unit,' he explained. Advertisement On Kylian Mbappe's chances of returning for the round of 16 against Juventus, Alonso said, 'We want him back in top shape. I can't confirm if he'll play, but we're optimistic for Tuesday.' He also addressed Antonio Rudiger's condition after the game, saying, 'He just had cramps, nothing serious. He's comfortable playing with three centre-backs, like at Chelsea. He gives us strength and helps us stay flexible.' On Guler, Bellingham and Endrick Alonso explained integration of Guler and Bellingham. (Photo by) Discussing his midfield options, Alonso praised Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham. 'With Jude between the lines, we can create superiority. Arda plays deeper, controls well, and links nicely with the defenders.' Advertisement He also provided an update on Endrick, the young Brazilian star, stating, 'He's still recovering, but we want him back soon. He'll join us in the US for training, and I'm counting on him for the future.' Lastly, when asked if any injured Real Madrid star will return in the round of 16, he said, 'Well, let's wait and see. I don't want to get ahead of myself. We thought Mbappe would make it to this one, but that wasn't the case. 'There are four days of preparation left, and I want to be optimistic, but also cautious. We'll see,' he concluded. Source: AS
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIFA Club World Cup: Real Madrid beats Salzburg 3-0 to set up round of 16 clash against Juventus
Vinicius Jr. scored one and set up another as Real Madrid secured a 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg on Thursday to seal top spot in Group H and advance to the Club World Cup round of 16. The Spaniards finished with seven points, two clear of Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, which defeated Pachuca 2-0 in the day's other group fixture. Austria's Salzburg, with four points, and Mexican side Pachuca, which failed to register a point, was eliminated. Real Madrid will next face Group G runner-up Juventus on Tuesday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, while Al-Hilal takes on Manchester City in Orlando on Monday. Under steady rain in Philadelphia, Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid dominated proceedings against a lacklustre Salzburg, which created few clear-cut chances. Salzburg's 18-year-old goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky was sharp from the outset and denied Vinicius an early opener with a point-blank save. The Brazilian forward squandered further opportunities while Gonzalo Garcia also missed a golden chance from a Vinicius cross near the half-hour mark. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 40th minute with Jude Bellingham threading a perfectly timed pass through to Vinicius, who danced past two defenders and unleashed from the edge of the box to leave Zawieschitzky with no chance. Vinicius played a pivotal role in Real's second during first-half added time, picking up a loose ball in the box and delivering an audacious back-heeled pass to Federico Valverde, who fired home from close range. Real Madrid maintained control in the second half but continued to waste chances in front of goal and it was not until the 84th minute that Gonzalo Garcia wrapped up the win, lobbing over the Salzburg goalkeeper in a quick counter.
