Gonzalo does it again! Madrid now leads 1-0

The Round of 16 showdown between Real Madrid and Juventus at the 2025 Club World Cup will take place on Tuesday, July 1 at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak will officiate the match.

Real Madrid preview

Los Blancos come into this stage as the top team from Group H, showing steady improvement throughout the group phase. They opened with a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal, followed by a 3-1 win over Pachuca, and closed with a dominant 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg. Xabi Alonso’s side is peaking at just the right time for the knockout rounds.

With Vinícius Júnior in top form and the ongoing question of whether Kylian Mbappé will finally make his tournament debut, Madrid’s attack is full of promise. The coaching staff is optimistic that the Frenchman will be ready, and his presence would be a major boost—both for the team and as a psychological edge.

Juventus preview

The Italian side advanced as runners-up in Group G after a mixed group stage. They thrashed Al Ain 5-0, followed by a convincing 4-1 win over Wydad Casablanca, but suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat to Manchester City in their final match—though they fielded a lineup with many substitutes.

Despite the loss, Igor Tudor’s team has weapons. The standout is Kenan Yildiz, the team’s top scorer and one of the tournament’s breakout stars. If Juventus can stay compact defensively and strike on the counter, they could give Madrid a real headache.

Key storylines

All eyes will be on Madrid’s attacking firepower: Will Mbappé play? Can Vinícius stay hot? On the other side, Juve will rely on a more physical and pragmatic style, with Yildiz as their biggest threat.

Midfield battles and clinical finishing will be key. There’s no room for mistakes. Knockout games like these come down to fine margins… and star power.