Garcia strikes again as Real Madrid sinks Juventus
Gonzalo Garcia's breakout tournament continued as his header guided Real Madrid to a 1-0 win over Juventus in the last 16 of the Club World Cup in Miami.
Having also netted against Al-Hilal and Red Bull Salzburg in the group stage, the 21 year-old got between Daniele Rugani and Pierre Kalulu to nod Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross home in the 54th minute.
That represented Alexander-Arnold's first assist for Madrid, and Juventus was unable to respond with its clearest chance coming in the first half.
Juventus's best opportunity arrived in the seventh minute as Kenan Yildiz's flick sent Randal Kolo Muani clean through on goal, only for his attempted dink over Thibaut Courtois to land on the roof of the net.
Yildiz also saw a spectacular effort deflect just wide, while Federico Valverde had a 25-yard blockbuster tipped around the post by Michele Di Gregorio on the stroke of half-time.
Alexander-Arnold rifled over the crossbar from the right corner of the box early in the second half, but soon afterwards, the former Liverpool man delivered a floated cross from a similar position, allowing Garcia to head past Di Gregorio from close range.
Francisco Conceicao's curler was kept out by Courtois as Juventus hunted an immediate equaliser, but Madrid looked the more likely scorers of a second goal.
Valverde's audacious overhead kick was clawed away by Di Gregorio, who also had to stay alert to block Arda Guler's drive with his legs, leaving Madrid to settle for a one-goal win.
Los Blancos will face the victor of the later game, between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey, in the last eight, with Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich potentially awaiting them in the semi-finals.
