Real Madrid, Juventus lock horns in the last-16 stage

European heavyweights Real Madrid and Juventus will lock horns in the last-16 stage of the Club World Cup on Tuesday, with a spot in the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition on offer.

Real Madrid finished top of Group H, picking up seven points from their three matches, while Juventus were second in Group G, claiming six points from their three games in the group stage of the tournament.

Real Madrid struggled in their opening group-stage fixture against Al-Hilal, being held to a 1-1 draw, but they managed to win their next two games against Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg to secure a spot in the round of 16.

The team’s best performance in the tournament came against Salzburg last time out, with Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde and Gonzalo Garcia on the scoresheet in a three-goal success.

Real Madrid have entered a new era under the management of Xabi Alonso, and the Spaniard will be tasked with leading the team back to the top of Spanish and European football next season after an underwhelming 2024-25.

Los Blancos have already boosted their squad this summer with the signings of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but more players are set to arrive before the end of the transfer window.

This will be the first match between Real Madrid and Juventus since the quarter-finals of the 2017-18 Champions League, with the Old Lady winning their last encounter 3-1 in Spain, but Los Blancos still advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate success.

Real Madrid are expected to have Antonio Rudiger available for selection, as the centre-back was only suffering from cramp when he was replaced in the second half of the clash with Salzburg.

Kylian Mbappe is yet to feature at the Club World Cup due to illness, but the France international is now back in training and is expected to be on the bench for the clash with the Old Lady.

This is such a difficult match to call, and it would not be a surprise to see it go all the way to penalties; Real Madrid were excellent against Salzburg last time out, though, and we are expecting Los Blancos to navigate their way into the quarter-finals of the tournament courtesy of a narrow success.

Credit: bbc.com

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