Club World Cup: Real Madrid outlast Juventus to book quarterfinal spot
Juventus had early chances but gradually faded under the relentless pressing of Xabi Alonso's side and had goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio to thank for sparing them a heavier defeat.
When all is said and done, Kylian Mbappe's return from injury was the highlight for Real Madrid Tuesday night, but nonetheless they will be delighted to once again show their big tournament pedigree at the Club World Cup in the USA.
Madrid finally hit their stride and looked more like themselves, edging Juventus 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals thanks to a second-half strike from academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia as Mbappe made his tournament debut.
Newbie Garcia, deputizing for Mbappe after the French forward missed the group stage due to gastroenteritis, found the back of the net early in the second half to set up a meeting with either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the last eight.
Mbappe made his much-anticipated appearance as a second-half substitute, delighting the partisan crowd who packed Hard Rock Stadium to near capacity in a demonstration of the Spanish giants’ considerable global appeal.
Juventus had early chances but gradually faded under the relentless pressing of Xabi Alonso's side and had goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio to thank for sparing them a heavier defeat.
After a lacklustre group phase, Real, playing in Alonso's favoured 3-4-3, showed glimpses of what they could be capable of under their new coach.
Twice early in the second half Di Gregorio denied Bellingham and Dean Huijsen, but he was helpless when Garcia headed home from Trent Alexander Arnold's pin-point cross in the 54th minute for his third goal in the tournament.
The Italian keeper sustained some hope for Juventus, his reaction save preventing Valverde from scoring with a bicycle kick.
'Mbappe, Mbappe!' the crowd chanted as the France forward, after warming up, ran towards the bench to get ready to replace Garcia midway through the second half.
The 26-year-old was often in a good position but he was not properly served by his team mates and his start in the 32-team tournament eventually looked like a glorified workout. His presence though, will be a massive boost as they aim to salvage a so far trophyless campaign with a significant victory at the Club World Cup.
