TRENT Alexander-Arnold registered his first assist as a Real Madrid player as Xabi Alonso’s side beat Juventus to reach the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold, making his fourth successive start at the tournament, endured a quiet first half at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami but delivered a delicious cross from which Gonzalo Garcia nodded Madrid ahead nine minutes into the second half.
Alonso once again deployed a 5-3-2 system against the record Serie A champions, but his side looked vulnerable defensively in the first half and were fortunate not to fall behind in the early stages.
Randal Kolo Muani spurned a golden opportunity to give Juventus the lead when he sent a looping effort over the crossbar after he was sent racing clear by Kenan Yildiz, who had a powerful long-range drive deflected wide moments later.
Madrid’s best chance of the first half fell to Jude Bellingham, who was denied from a tight angle by the impressive Michele di Gregorio, while Federico Valverde was also thwarted by a magnificent one-handed stop by the 27-year-old.
The Juventus goalkeeper did brilliantly to deny Bellingham and Dean Huijsen early in the second half, but Garcia’s thumping header was too powerful to keep out.
Alonso’s team will face the winners of the last-16 tie between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey in the quarter-finals this weekend.
Madrid fans will hope Alexander-Arnold’s assist is the first of many.
The full-back set up 92 goals in 354 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions during his time at Anfield – more than any other Premier League defender in that time – and his first goal involvement for the Spanish giants was certainly one to remember.
His whipped delivery for Garcia’s winner was a peach, allowing the 21-year-old to use the power of the cross to direct a firm header beyond Di Gregorio for his third goal at the Club World Cup.
Along with Turkey international Arda Guler, Madrid-born striker Garcia is one of the shining lights in Alonso’s new-look side, who head to the quarter-finals with the wind in their sails after recording their third straight win under their new coach.
Garcia’s second-half goal was just reward for another mature performance by the youngster.
The frontman has scored or assisted in every game he has appeared in at the Club World Cup so far, drawing favourable comparisons with former Madrid and Spain international Raul Gonzalez.
Juventus keeper Di Gregorio also impressed, making several outstanding saves either side of half-time to keep Madrid at bay – although he was powerless to prevent Garcia’s header from flying into the roof of the net.
France international Kolo Muani will be bitterly disappointed not to have given Igor Tudor’s team an early lead in Miami. The former Frankfurt man perhaps had too much time to pick his spot after running on to Yildiz’s pass, scooping the ball over the onrushing Thibaut Courtois and on to the roof of the net.