Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid booked their place in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1-0 victory over Juventus on Tuesday, thanks to a decisive header from youngster Gonzalo Garcia. The win, sealed at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, set up a tantalizing last-eight clash with Borussia Dortmund.
Garcia’s goal—his third of the tournament—proved enough for Madrid to progress, extending their unbeaten run under new head coach Xabi Alonso. The team was also lifted by the return of star forward Kylian Mbappé, who came off the bench after recovering from illness.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Mexico’s Monterrey in Atlanta, with Serhou Guirassy netting twice. The German side’s win dashed hopes of a reunion between Real Madrid and former captain Sergio Ramos, who now plays for Monterrey.
The quarter-final line-up is now complete, with four high-stakes matchups set to light up the weekend:
Friday (20:00 Nigeria Time) – Orlando
Fluminense (Brazil) vs Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Saturday (02:00 Nigeria Time) – Philadelphia
Palmeiras (Brazil) vs Chelsea (England)
Saturday (17:00 Nigeria Time) – Atlanta
Paris Saint-Germain (France) vs Bayern Munich (Germany)
Saturday (21:00 Nigeria Time) – East Rutherford
Real Madrid (Spain) vs Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
The stage is now set for a thrilling quarter-final round as Europe’s top clubs and South America’s finest battle for global supremacy.
