Two of Europe’s most storied clubs go head-to-head on Tuesday, as Real Madrid face Juventus in a high-stakes last-16 clash at the Club World Cup. Both sides are vying for a coveted place in the quarter-finals of the prestigious global tournament.
Journey to the Knockouts
Real Madrid topped Group H with seven points from three matches. After a frustrating 1-1 opener against Al-Hilal, they bounced back with back-to-back wins over Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg. Their 3-0 dismantling of Salzburg — with goals from Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, and rising star Gonzalo Garcia — underlined their intent.
Juventus, meanwhile, secured second place in Group G with six points. The Italian side began brightly, thrashing Al Ain 5-0 and sweeping aside Wydad AC 4-1. But a heavy 5-2 defeat to Manchester City in their final group fixture denied them the top spot.
A Fresh Start for Madrid
Real Madrid have turned the page following a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. Under new boss Xabi Alonso, the team is entering a new era, blending experience with youth. The arrivals of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen signal their ambitions, with more signings expected before the transfer window closes.
Juventus Aim to Reclaim Glory
For Juventus, this match is more than just progression — it’s about redemption. The club hasn’t lifted the Serie A trophy since 2020, and another underwhelming domestic season underlined their decline. Manager Igor Tudor will hope to engineer a statement win, though facing Real Madrid this early presents a formidable challenge.
Previous Meetings
This will be the first meeting between the clubs since the 2017-18 Champions League quarter-finals. Juventus famously won 3-1 in Madrid but were eliminated 4-3 on aggregate after a late penalty. Historically, the rivalry has been tight: Real Madrid have won 10 of their 21 encounters, Juventus nine, with two draws.
Team Updates
Real Madrid
Antonio Rüdiger is fit to start.
Kylian Mbappé has resumed training after illness and may feature off the bench.
Éder Militão is close to a return.
Dani Carvajal, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Endrick, and Ferland Mendy remain sidelined.
Alonso is expected to stick with a 3-5-2 setup, with Gonzalo Garcia partnering Vinicius Junio in attack.
Juventus
Tudor is likely to shuffle his squad after the Manchester City defeat.
Khephren Thuram should return to midfield.
Kenan Yıldız, Francisco Conceição, and Randal Kolo Muani are in contention to start up front.
Andrea Cambiaso is expected to feature at left wing-back.
What’s on the Line
The winner will move on to face either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the quarter-finals. For Real Madrid, it’s a chance to build confidence in the Xabi Alonso era. For Juventus, it’s an opportunity to remind the world of their pedigree.
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