Gonzalo García Goal Sends Madrid to Quarterfinals \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Gonzalo García netted his third goal of the Club World Cup, leading Real Madrid to a 1-0 victory over Juventus and into the quarterfinals. The 21-year-old capitalized on Kylian Mbappé’s absence, scoring in all four tournament matches. Mbappé made his debut late in the match, returning from illness to a thunderous reception.
Quick Looks
- Gonzalo García scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute with a powerful header.
- Mbappé returned from illness in the 68th minute, marking his Club World Cup debut.
- Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio impressed with 10 saves in a losing effort.
- Madrid dominated the second half, outshooting Juventus 11–2 on target.
- Quarterfinal berth secured, Real Madrid awaits winner of Dortmund vs Monterrey.
Deep Look
Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign surged forward on Tuesday afternoon as rising star Gonzalo García once again delivered on the big stage. The 21-year-old forward scored his third goal of the tournament, propelling Los Blancos to a 1-0 victory over Juventus in the round of 16 and sealing a place in the quarterfinals.
The match-winning moment came in the 54th minute. With the game still deadlocked and Juventus clinging to defensive resilience, García leapt into the air to meet a well-placed cross and headed the ball past Italian goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. The precision and power of the finish left no chance for Di Gregorio, who had already made a series of world-class saves to keep the game scoreless. García’s strike not only broke the tension but continued his record of producing a goal contribution in every match of the tournament so far.
Starting all four of Real Madrid’s matches due to Kylian Mbappé’s illness, García has emerged as the tournament’s breakout star. His composure, work rate, and nose for goal have turned him from a backup into a genuine attacking threat. Each performance has shown increasing maturity, and Tuesday’s decisive contribution on such a big stage has only further validated his importance to Madrid’s current success.
Mbappé, sidelined by a gastrointestinal illness that led to a brief hospital stay, returned to action in the 68th minute, replacing García. His entrance sparked a loud, emotional response from the 62,149 fans packed into Hard Rock Stadium, many of whom were wearing his jersey. Although his minutes were limited, Mbappé’s presence on the pitch visibly elevated Madrid’s tempo. Juventus’ defenders suddenly had more to think about, and Madrid began pressing harder in the final third.
The first half had been a cagey affair, a tactical battle between two of Europe’s most storied clubs. It marked the first time in the tournament that either Real Madrid or Juventus had failed to score in the opening 45 minutes. Juventus came closest early on when Randal Kolo Muani narrowly missed the target with a shot over the bar just seven minutes in. Real Madrid’s best chance before halftime came from Federico Valverde, whose powerful effort was denied by Di Gregorio with a diving save.
Real Madrid turned up the pressure significantly in the second half, overwhelming Juventus with wave after wave of attacks. They finished the match with 11 shots on target to Juventus’ 2. Di Gregorio’s performance between the posts was the standout for the Italian side. His 10 total saves kept the scoreline from spiraling and kept Juventus in the game until the final whistle.
Despite the pressure, Juventus never managed to fully recover from García’s goal. Their attempts to push forward late in the game were largely neutralized by Real Madrid’s organized defense and midfield control, led by veterans Luka Modrić and Eduardo Camavinga.
Following the match, García expressed gratitude and perspective on his sudden rise: “I know this is an incredible opportunity in my life, so I’m doing what I can to be able to take advantage of that.” His humility echoed a grounded understanding of the spotlight he now commands.
Juventus head coach Igor Tudor, through an interpreter, highlighted the difference Mbappé makes to Madrid’s already dangerous attack. “What changes when Mbappé gets on the pitch? Well, it’s like when you drive a car. Real Madrid drives at 200 kilometers, but with Mbappé, they speed up even more.”
Real Madrid now shifts its focus to Saturday’s quarterfinal at MetLife Stadium, where they will meet the winner of the Borussia Dortmund vs Monterrey clash. With Mbappé regaining fitness and García in sensational form, Madrid looks to be building dangerous momentum as the tournament progresses. The combination of youth and experience in their squad has turned them into serious title contenders.
The narrative continues to evolve for Madrid at this Club World Cup—not just about global superstardom in Mbappé, but about the emergence of a new name: Gonzalo García, who’s making his case one goal at a time.
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