Trent Alexander-Arnold registered his first assist as a Real Madrid player, helping Xabi Alonso’s side secure a 1–0 victory over Juventus and a place in the Club World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.
This marked Alexander‑Arnold’s first assist since joining Madrid, delivering a world-class cross to set up Garcia’s strike.
Alexander-Arnold an England international, making his fourth consecutive start in the tournament, had a subdued first half at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium but produced a moment of trademark brilliance nine minutes into the restart.
His accurate cross was met by Gonzalo Garcia, who powered a header past Michele Di Gregorio to seal the win in the 54th minute.
Madrid lined up in Alonso’s preferred 5-3-2 formation, but looked shaky defensively in the early stages and were fortunate not to concede.
Juventus started strong with early chances but couldn’t convert, while Madrid grew into the match, controlling the midfield through Valverde, Bellingham, and Güle.
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Juventus forward Randal Kolo Muani squandered a gilt-edged chance after being played through by Kenan Yildiz, while the latter saw a fierce long-range effort deflected just wide.
Jude Bellingham had Madrid’s best first-half chance, denied from a tight angle by Di Gregorio, who was also on hand to keep out a Federico Valverde strike with a superb one-handed stop.
The Juventus keeper continued his fantastic performance into the second half, saving from Bellingham and Dean Huijsen, but could do nothing to prevent Garcia’s thunderous header from Alexander-Arnold’s whipped delivery of his third goal of the tournament.
Madrid will now face either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the quarter-finals on Saturday at the MetLife Stadium, New York.
