Trent Alexander-Arnold recorded his first assist as a Real Madrid player, helping Xabi Alonso’s side claim a 1-0 victory over Juventus and book a place in the Club World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.
The 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.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that his pinpoint cross was met by Gonzalo Garcia, who powered a header past Michele Di Gregorio to seal the win in the 54th minute of play.
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 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—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.
