Real Madrid vs Juventus - Club World Cup: Live score, team news and updates as young striker filling in for struggling Kylian Mbappe nets AGAIN to send Spaniards into quarter-finals

Right then, it's time to close this blog down.

Compared to the drama of last night's Club World Cup action, this was a rather tame evening in Miami.

It wasn't quite the mega clash that we hyped it up to be, but Xabi Alonso and his Real Madrid side will not give two hoots about that.

Los Blancos have done their job, and they are in the quarter-finals; that's all that will matter to them.

But how did they get there?

Well, one young man up top stole the show again, and that man is Gonzalo Garcia. Who needs Kylian Mbappe when you have this little fella?

He leapt like a Salmon in the second half to nod home Trent Alexander-Arnold's perfect cross, and that got the job done.

Now they wait to see whether they will face Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the next round.

Anyway, I need to dash, but thank you for joining me for another night of footie.

Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid boss, speaking post-match:

On Arda Guler controlling the game:

On Federico Valverde's display:

A quick word on Arda Guler.

Federico Valverde is getting a lot of the plaudits tonight, which is fair, but I thought Arda Guler put in one hell of a shift.

He was everywhere tonight, the engine of the Real Madrid midfield, leading the press, winning the ball high up the pitch, and creating space for others to exploit.

Some display from the young Turk.

I loved Gonzalo Garcia's celebration.

Just look at it in these pictures; he didn't hold back. Arms outstretched, huge leap into the air, a massive roar.

Another huge moment for the young lad and celebrated accordingly.

Michael Brown, former Premier League midfielder, on DAZN:

OK, OK... that sub-heading is dramatic.

It's just hard not to get ahead of yourself when you see a talent such as Gonzalo Garcia bursting onto the scene.

The kid is a natural goalscorer.

Could I tell you what Garcia did for 64 of the 65 minutes he was on the pitch? Nope, not in the slightest. He barely touched the ball.

But that one other minute is all that mattered. Once again, he showed his goalscoring instincts and buried his header when it came his way.

This boy will go far.

Michael Brown, former Premier League midfielder, on DAZN:

Ok, now I feel bad for what I said about Federico Valverde.

I may not think he was the best player on the pitch today, like a lot of people, but still, this is a great vid.

Social media teams don't do this enough.

We know nearly all of our quarter-finalists.

We only have one game to go as Real Madrid wait to see who they will be playing. Will it be Borussia Dortmund or Fluminense?

Here's the quarter-finals as things stand:

Erm... this is surprising.

Don't get me wrong, Federico Valverde played very well, but there is no way that he was the best player on the pitch.

I'd argue that Michele Di Gregorio deserved it, even though he wasn't on the winning side.

Am I being harsh on Valverde, or like me, do you think it was just the amount of pot shots that he had, which is why he got the award?

I think I am bang on, but of course I would.

Welcome to the party, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

We have been waiting for the full-back to strut his stuff in a Real Madrid shirt, and now he is finally showing what he is about.

Defensively, he was solid, but it's how well he played going forward that is what stood out.

What a shock, eh?

His cross for the goal from Gonzalo Garcia was perfect; he plopped it on a sixpence for the young lad. That's how he made his name as a young lad at Liverpool.

Trent has arrived.

Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid boss, speaking on DAZN:

On Gonzalo Garcia:

Edgar Davids, former Real Madrid and Juventus midfielder, on DAZN:

Want to see the winner?

If you are currently wearing a red shirt with a Real Madrid badge on it, then I imagine you do.

Gonzalo Garcia was having quite a quiet game up uintil the 54th minute, he was anonymous.

Then he did this...

Real Madrid mean business this tournament.

Bar the opening 15 or so minutes, they controlled that game throughout and never really looked like losing.

It was pure dominance in the second half, and I'm surprised that they only ended with the one goal next to their name.

Xabi Alonso's philosophy looks like it is slowly being understood by the players, and they are thriving.

Madrid will go far in this tournament.

The five-time champions are through.

Gonzalo Garcia's goal is enough to send Real Madrid into the last eight, and it was thoroughly deserved.

If not for Michele Di Gregorio, it could have been a hatful for Los Blancos - the scoreline flatters Juventus.

Xabi Alonso won't care, though. His boys have done the job.

Get up.

Randal Kolo Muani is screaming for a penalty as he dives to the floor under very little pressure.

It's just a shoulder-to-shoulder with Antonio Rudiger, never a penalty. Desperation.

That could be that now.

It's almost like Juventus don't realise that they are minutes from being knocked out here.

Where is the urgency?

Real Madrid are in cruise control; they are coasting toward the quarter-finals here.

Juventus are running out of time.

They have five minutes to try and find an equaliser and force extra time.

Do they look like doing that? Nope.

The Hard Rock Stadium rises to applaud Federico Valverde.

He took about a gazillion long shots and ran his socks off, but now he is replaced by Dani Ceballos.

A change that runs down the clock.

We have our first yellow card of the game... in the 86th minute.

Jude Bellingham is the man who has the honour of being the first player to be booked, as he goes in late on Nixco Gonzalez.

No arguments there.

How many blocks have Juventus put in today? It feels like thousands.

Once again, they put their bodies on the line as Vinicius Jnr sees a bending effort blocked.

Then the ball comes out to Aurelian Tchouameni 25 yards out and he drills the ball towards the bottom corner - another long shot, I know.

Once again, Di Gregorio saves.

Guys, I have been rubbish at my job again.

I thought I had done a post explaining that Luka Modric had come on, but just realised I obviously did that in my head.

Well, anyway, Modric has replaced Arda Guler. I'm only out by four minutes, not the worst...

Does Nico Gonzalez realise he has team-mates.

I'm not kidding, he spends a solid minute running from left to right, avoiding Real Madrid players and going nowhere.

Good feet, I guess, but it's pretty pointless when you don't go anywhere.

Drinks break time.

Next to me is a pint full of water with lots of ice, so I am sorted this time compared to the last.

I reckon it feels just as humid here in London as it does in Miami, honest.

Guess what?

Yep, another long shot. They just keep on coming, and this time Arda Guler is the culprit.

The Turk really gets hold of the ball on the volley and has Di Gregorio in a panic as it hurtles toward him.

But the keeper still manages to do enough to beat the ball away.

Kenan Yildiz is not a happy bunny...

The Juventus forward sees his number on the fourth official's board and pulls a 'you what?' kind of face.

He leaves the pitch eventually as Teun Koopmeiners replaces him.

It's the day of the long shot.

Honestly, both teams just seem to want to have a dig from miles out, rather than fashioning a better chance.

Nico Gonzalez is the latest to have a pop from outside the box, and in fairness, it's a good effort.

But still, the ball is drilled wide.

Federico Valverde has another shot.

Yep, you guessed it, it doesn't go in. The Uruguayan could keep shooting for another hour, and he wouldn't score.

This time his effort from range ends up in the gloves of Di Gregorio.

Guess who is back?

There is a mammoth roar from the stands as they notice that Kylian Mbappe is in his full kit and ambling to the touchline.

The noise levels then go up even more when the board goes up and Mbappe comes on to replace goalscorer Gonzalo Garcia.

This is the player they all wanted to see.

It's blocks galore for Juventus.

They have their backs to the wall and are throwing bodies on the line just to stay in this game.

First, Jude Bellingham has an effort blocked, then Arda Guler's sizzling strike doesn't make it to the goal.

They are hanging on.

The goal has rattled Juventus.

They are struggling to string more than three or four passes together before just giving it away.

They are all over the place, while Real Madrid are all over them.

Oh, hello...

The showboating is out, I see. A bit early, Real Madrid, no?

Rather than just volleying the ball normally, Federico Valverde opts for an overhead kick as the ball drops to him.

In fairness, it's one hell of an effort, but Di Gregorio is more than equal to the challenge.

Had Valverde shot normally, he may have scored.

Igor Tudor turns to the bench.

Lloyd Kelly has picked up a knock, and there is no way that he can continue, with Nico Gonzalez replacing him.

Filip Kostic is also on, and I can't believe I am writing this, but it's Francisco Conceicao who is making way.

Why has Tudor hooked him off, of all players?

Nearly an instant response!

Boy, do we have a game on our hands now. This knockout tie has come to life.

Francisco Conceicao nearly nets an equaliser just 90 seconds after seeing his team concede as he drills the ball toward the bottom corner.

But Thibaut Courtois manages to get low and deny him. Wow.

I said it was coming!

Who needs Kylian Mbappe when you have Gonzalo Garcia? The boy wonder is at it again.

Trent Alexander-Arnold shows his value by whipping a lovely dinked cross into the box, and Garcia is there to head it into the roof of the net.

It had been coming.

Wow.

Dean Huijsen, I was not familiar with your game. Who knew he could strike a ball like that?

The Spaniard hammers a volley toward the bottom corner from 25 yards out.

But Di Gregorio denies him with one hell of a stop.

Real Madrid have come to life.

You can't call this game anymore, and that's because Los Blancos have decided to have a dig here.

Jude Bellingham is the latest to pull the trigger from the edge of the box, and Di Gregorio has to palm the ball away at full stretch.

Great effort.

International Space Station, watch out.

The ball is currently hurtling toward the atmosphere courtesy of Trent Alexander-Arnold's boot.

He sees his name in lights, the ball rolls invitingly his way outside the box, but he leans back, and nearly sends it out of the ground.

Terrible effort.

Erm... what has just happened?

The ever-reliable Toni Rudiger and Thibaut Courtois have a major mix-up as they both go to clear the ball at the same time.

They end up hitting each other, but somehow manage to avoid disaster.

Moments later Dean Huijsen then has a brain fart as he fails to clear a cross. What's going on?

Ohhh, that's so close!

Federico Valverde is getting closer and closer to finding the back of the net, but the ball just won't go in.

Jude Bellingham flicks the ball to his fellow midfielder, but it's behind him as he pulls the trigger to volley.

It's still a good hit and it bends just past the far post at some pace.

What a start to the second half that would have been.

Well, they have taken their time.

The players don't come back out onto the pitch after the 15 minutes they are meant to.

Real Madrid take their time coming back out of the dressing room, but they do eventually remember there is a game to play.

Off we go again.

This picture says it all.

Real Madrid will be very annoyed with how they have played going into the break, Juventus have really frustrated them.

Yes, they had a little flurry right at the end of the half, but other than that, they did diddly squat.

Can they improve for the second?

Edgar Davids, former Real Madrid and Juventus midfielder, on DAZN:

It's been a game of little chances, I have to be honest.

The best of the lot came right at the start of the game, and it would have been some goal.

When Randal Kolo Muani raced away, I was getting flashbacks to the World Cup final in Qatar.

And just like that day, he couldn't finish his dinner.

Well, this hasn't lived up to the hype.

I'm kind of happy to hear the whistle because this has not been an entertaining gam, whatsoever.

For lovers of tactics, it may be a fascinating battle watching these to try and outwit each other.

But for the average Joe, it's been boring.

Real Madrid are building up a head of steam now.

Trent Alexander-Arnold finally shows what he is about going forward and fizzes a ferocious low cross into the area.

It's screaming to be finished off, but nobody can get a toe to it...

Amongst that mad passage of play, it was revealed that there will be four minutes of added time.

We've had two of them already - sorry for being slow.

Stop that Arda Guler...

That is filthy from the Turk as he flicks the ball over the head of Andrea Cambiaso. Cheeky.

His low cross that follows leads to a corner, which ends up at the feet of Federico Valverde on the edge of the box. You know what happens next.

The midfielder fires one hell of an effort toward the top corner, but Di Gregorio makes one hell of a stop at full stretch to deny him.

What a passage of play.

It's all Real Madrid now.

They have Juventus pinned back in their box and are just knocking it about, waiting for an opening.

That opening doesn't look like it's coming, though. All passing. No potency. No problems.

What a chance that is.

How has Aurelien Tchouameni messed that up? I honestly have no idea.

A peach of a cross is whipped into his area, and he just has to get his header on target.

Somehow, he misses the ball completely. Really poor.

Anotinio Rudgier moaning? Never...

The centre-back loves having a pop at referees, and he is doing that right now.

Why? I haven't a clue.

Despite his argumentative mood, the referee doesn't give him a yellow.

Time for a drinks break.

Honestly, I feel like I need one with the amount I am sweating due to the UK heat.

I am still melting like a Dairy Milk in a microwave.

How has that not gone in?

My word, I thought that was in, I really did. So did Jude Bellingham, hecabn't believe it.

The midfielder has been so quiet but pops up when Madrid need him in the box, and slides the ball past Di Gregorio.

But just as the ball looks like it's heading in, Daniel Rugani gets to the ball in the nick of time.

So close.

Kenan Yildiz should be renamed Happy Feet.

The lad is just dancing past Real Madrid players at will; this is brilliant stuff.

He feeds Andrea Cambiaso down the left, but the end product ends up coming to nothing.

The feet from Yildiz, though, wow.

Close your legs, Trent...

I bet Liverpool fans love that, their former full-back has just been sent to the cleaners by Francisco Conceicao.

Alexander-Arnold tries to close the winger down following a poor cross from Dean Huijsen, but Conceicao just pops the ball through his legs.

He does then lose the ball, but still...

Pierre Kalulu to the rescue.

The Juventus defender vitally intercepts Arda Guler's outside-of-the-boot pass to stop Vinicius Jnr racing away.

It was a brilliant idea from Guler, he almost pulled it off as well as Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.

Juventus race up the other end, though, and the ball ends up on the head of Francisco Conceicao.

But he heads straight at Thibaut Courtois.

Yep, this dame has definitely lost its edge.

If I wasn't reporting on it, it would be one of those games where you just go on your phone and check for Wimbledon updates.

Very little is going on.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has gotten off to one hell of a start in his first-round match on Centre Court.

OK, the game has calmed down a little.

I don't want it too, though; it was entertaining. We don't want a borefest, we want carnage like last night.

There's a long way to go, mind...

Pierre Kalulu looks in some discomfort.

It looks like he got a bash to the leg and it's taking him some time to get up.

I reckon it's just a dead leg, though, and he will be up and moving soon enough.

And just as I type that, he's up.

Phoar...

Kenan Yildiz is ripping this Real Madrid defence apart, he is having the time of his life out there.

The Turk produces a brilliant turn nd he bears down on the edge of the area, before letting fly of a dipping and swerving effort.

For a second, it looks destined for the top corner, but eventually it veers just past the post.

Some hit, that.

That's not too far away.

We all know that Federico Valverde can hit them - boy, can he hit them - and he gets hold of the ball from distance here.

The midfielder has a crack from 25 yards and the ball whistles just past the post like a bullet.

Close, but no cigar.

Oh, my... what a goal that would have been.

That is one hell of a move from Juventus,a nd I'm not quite sure how it hasn't ended up in a goal.

Andre Cambiaso and Randal Kolo Muani combine with some lovely flicks in the middle of the park before the former then slides the latter through on goal.

Kolo Muani is away, he can cap off a stunning move... but no, he lobs the ball onto the roof of the net.

That would have been goal of the tournament.

Have these lads forgotten how to shoot?

It's clear that both sides want to go forward with intent in these early stages, but my word have their shots been rubbish.

Vinicius Jnr somehow produces an even tamer effort than Kenan Yildiz as he pea rolls the ball into Di Gregorio's gloves from 30 yards out.

You're better than that, Vini...

Ohh, Kenan Yildiz...

That's a chance for Juventus, a real chance, and it's wasted.

Randal Kolo Muani takes the ball forward, flicks it to Kenan Yildiz on the edge of the box, and he has space to shoot.

And well, the less said about the effort, the better. Pants.

Right then, it's time.

One last huddle and then both sets of players take their positions as the countdown starts.

And off we go, to a half-decent cheer from a semi-full crowd.

DAZN, take a bow.

The broadcaster must have clocked on how much the majority of us dislike the naff player-by-player introductions.

Rather than showing all of them like normal, they have cut to Sami Khedira talking about his thoughts on the game.

Annoyingly, the stadium announcer is so loud that he is practically drowning him out, but still, that's better than me having to watch every single player get introduced.

You know how ridiculous I think it is.

Watch Every Club World Cup Match Live on DAZN. Sign Up Now

I'm guessing you guys have been wanting to know this since the start of the blog.

Sorry, I am forgetful sometimes, but better late than never, though.

I think it's a good time to look at both of Real Madrid and Juventus' route to the knockouts, don't you?

Real Madrid:

Juventus:

You can never separate these two.

Jude Bellingham nd Trent Alexander-Arnold are a package deal these days, besties some would say.

It must be class playing with your best friend, like the days when you were kicking the ball about at grassroots level.

Not that they look too happy to be by each other in this pic...

Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid boss, speaking on DAZN:

On whether Kylian Mbappe will play:

On having to be switched on:

Watch Every Club World Cup Match Live on DAZN. Sign Up Now

Sami Khedira, ex-Real Madrid and Juventus midfielder, on DAZN:

Watch Every Club World Cup Match Live on DAZN. Sign Up Now

Arse we all excited?

Well, you should be. The players are in the midst of their warm-ups, which means kick-off is not far away.

I'm not sure how Jude Bellingham is in a jumper there; it's so humid over in Miami.

Meanwhile, over in the UK, I am struggling in a t-shirt with this heat.

There is only one place you will want to watch the game tonight.

Our good pals at DAZN are covering all the action in this tournament, it's quite crazy (in a good way).

I'm not there tonight, so that is where I will be watching it.

Want to know the best part? You can sign up and watch the game for free; you don't even need to pay.

You can do that here.

Real Madrid haven't actually played that well at this tournament.

That may sound crazy, but just read this next stat.

Real Madrid remain undefeated in the tournament, having drawn one and won two of their three group games, outscoring their opponents 7-2 despite having 11 fewer shots (39-50).

They have two fewer shots on target than their opponents (14-16) over those three games vs Al-Hilal, Pachuca, and Salzburg.

But they have been clinical, and that's all that matters.

These photos just scream 'Hala Madrid'.

No, I do not know what they are saying for sure, but come on, they just definitely are singing that.

That's not me poking fun, by the way.

The Real Madrid fans look well up for tonight, and I would love to see the atmosphere pop off so I'm all for it.

Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid boss, on Gonzalo Garcia:

Guys, keep your eyes on Gonzalo Garcia tonight.

The striker is what you call a wonderkid. At 21, he has finally managed to break free of the youth team shackles and is impressing at the top level.

Real Madrid have not missed Kylian Mbappe one bit because of this bloke, I'm not kidding.

With two goals and one assist, the kid is flying. Well, if you can still call him a kid.

Can he add to that tally tonight?

I've got some good news.

While the skies are still grey, it appears that the rain has stopped lashing down at the Hard Rock Stadium.

I really hope it stays this way. I don't want any interruptions this evening, just good vibes.

I have my fingers and toes crossed.

This fixture has a lot of history, and I mean a lot.

I remember being a kid and seeing Real Madrid take on Juventus at the Champions League final in 2017 at the Millennium Stadium. What a game that was.

And yes, I did say kid... I was 16. Feel old yet?

This will be the 22nd competitive meeting between Real Madrid and Juventus, but the first in a tournament other than the European Cup/ Champions League.

It's a fixture that has produced one of the greatest acrobatic goals fo all time. Yep, you know the one. That image of Cristiano Ronaldo flying through the air will be ingrained in my mind forever.

I hope we get something crazy like that to happen today - it would be fun.

Erm... since when did Lloyd Kelly play for Real Madrid?

Honestly, I had to double-take when I saw this picture. Juventus have exactly the same kit as Real Madrid, literally identical apart from the badge.

Adidas could be a bit more original, don't you think? Especially when it's two of the biggest clubs in the world.

Where is the creativity?

Oh, I'm so shocked... not.

Igor Tudor has ripped apart the team that were hammered by Manchester City the other day, making six changes.

The big names to return are Randal Kolo Muani, Kenan Yildiz, and, of course, Francisco Conceicao.

That should fire up the front line, shouldn't it?

Any chance of a smile, guys?

Real Madrid have arrived, and the players look like they mean business. Just look at them, fully focused.

I've included the Kylian Mbappe picture again just because he looks quite cool. That's literally the only reason.

Great sunnies.

We have our answer.

Kylian Mbappe is included in the Real Madrid squad, but has to make do with a spot on the bench for now.

The starting line-up is unchanged from the 11 that beat Salzburg convincingly in the group stages.

Not a bad side, eh?

And we all thought his tournament was over...

Kylian Mbappe was hospitalised at the beginning of the Club World Cup as he was suffering with acute gastroenteritis, which is really not nice.

However, he has since been discharged and is training with the Real Madrid squad again, which is good news. His stomach is back on the mend.

He is in such good condition that Xabi Alonso even suggested that he could feature against Juventus this evening.

What a boost that would be for Madrid.

Yikes...

Now, that is a lot of rain. After what we witnessed in Chelsea's win over Benfica, this has me slightly worried. I don't want to be sitting here for hours and hours because of a storm.

It seems like it's just rain for now, which is a good sign.

I just wish we could have some rain in the UK because I am melting in this heatwave. Honestly, I feel like the Wicked Witch of the West.

Igor Tudor, Juventus boss, speaking on Monday:

I bet Juventus are itching to get back on the pitch.

Why is that?

Well, the last memory we all have of them playing football is them being absolutely battered by a free-flowing Manchester City side. The same City team that have just been humiliated by Al-Hilal.

So yeah, that's why. I bet that 5-2 defeat, in which the scoreline was quite kind to them, has been playing on the players' minds ever since they left the pitch in Orlando.

Tonight, as they return to Florida, they have the chance to put things right.

It's fair to say they are the underdogs once more, and that may just suit Igor Tudor's side. The pressure is off again.

Or is it?

I'm pretty sure the Juve stars will be putting pressure on themselves to put in a big performance tonight. They need to show what they are made of.

Can they bounce back?

Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid boss, speaking on Monday:

I'm looking forward to this, on a personal level.

Tonight is the first time that I am covering Real Madrid since Xabi Alonso has become their head coach. Of course, I have watched them, but not with the meticulous detail that comes with being a journalist.

Los Blancos are still adapting to Alonso's differing methods. I mean, the system is extremely different to that of Carlo Ancelotti's, and will take some getting used to.

But still, they are yet to lose at this Club World Cup and have their eyes set on winning some silverware, something they didn't manage in the season just passed.

They have been handed the toughest draw of the lot, but if they are on their game, Juventus shouldn't be able to get near them. That's a big 'if', mind.

Can they deliver on the big stage once again?

Where do I start?

This competition has been criticised by a lot of people this summer, including me, but yesterday it finally conjured up some real drama.

We all thought Manchester City were back, didn't we?

Well, I think we may have all gotten ahead of ourselves after their win over Juventus in thinking Pep Guardiola's side had already banished the ghosts of last season.

Yesterday, or technically this morning, the world was left stunned as Saudi side Al-Hilal produced a spectacular display to edge a seven-goal thriller against City. Nobody saw it coming.

Meanwhile, we also witnessed another huge shock earlier in the day as Champions League finalists Inter Milan were dumped out in the last 16. I know, mental.

Who was responsible for their demise? No other than Brazilian side Fluminese, led by former Chelsea and AC Milan star Thiago Silva, who is 40 years of age!

Wild, just wild.

More football? Oh, go on then.

I have only just recovered from reporting on what was a mental night of football at the Club World Cup, which saw me go to bed at 5.30am. Worth it.

I feel fully revived after getting a coffee, some scran, and another quick nap, and am ready to go again.

Tonight, it's the battle of the big boys.

The knockouts so far have been a story of monsters versus minnows, with many of the matches not playing out how we expected, and that's putting it lightly. Well, now it's monster against monster.

Five-time winners Real Madrid take on a Juventus side who are desperate to recover from the humiliation they received at the hands of Manchester City.

Last night would have eased some of that pain, but not all of it. The Italian side still have a job to do.

So, without further ado, let's get crackalacking.