Gonzalo Heads Real Madrid Past Juventus, Into Club World Cup Quarter-Finals

Gonzalo Garcia’s 54th-minute header was enough to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Juventus at Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday and book their place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.

The Spanish giants will face the winner of Tuesday’s other game between Borussia Dortmund and Mexico’s Monterrey in the last eight.

It was an impressive display from Xabi Alonso’s Madrid side, and adding to a positive day, Kylian Mbappe made his return from illness, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for his first appearance of the tournament.

The first half was a finely-balanced contest with Igor Tudor’s Juventus starting brightly before Real ended it on top.

READ ALSO: Saudi’s Al Hilal Knock Man City Out Of Club World Cup In Huge Shock

Real Madrid’s French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe greets teammate Spanish forward #30 Gonzalo Garcia as he enters the pitch during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 football match between Spain’s Real Madrid and Italy’s Juventus at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 1, 2025. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

There was an early chance for Juve’s Randal Kolo Muani after clever work from Kenan Yildiz to put him through on goal, but the French forward opted for an attempted chip of Thibaut Courtois, and his shot floated over the bar.

The impressive Yildiz then burst through the middle and unleashed a fierce effort which deflected off Aurelien Tchouameni and flew wide.

The Turin team, beaten 5-2 by Manchester City in their final group game, were moving the ball around with confidence, but Real grew into the contest, and they went close when Jude Bellingham forced a save out of Michele Di Gregorio from close range.

Federico Valverde then tested the Juve goalkeeper from long range, and Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped a low ball across the face of the goal as Madrid finished the half strongly.

The interval did nothing to alter the momentum of the game with Real creating several chances — Bellingham laid off to Valverde, whose sweetly-struck shot was just wide, and then Bellingham himself brought another good save out of Di Gregorio with a shot from the edge of the box.

Dean Huijsen’s rocketing drive was parried out by the busy goalkeeper as Real laid siege to the Juventus goal, and it was no surprise when the breakthrough finally arrived.

Alexander-Arnold floated in a cross from the right, which Gonzalo met with a perfectly-timed header for his third goal in four games in the tournament.

Juve responded with Portuguese winger Francisco Conceicao bringing Courtois into action from a low shot, the Belgian shot-stopper did well to get down to.

But Real wanted to finish the contest off, and Valverde tested Di Gregorio’s reactions with an overhead kick before Alonso decided to introduce Mbappe to the delight of the 62,149 crowd.

Juve’s belief remained, however, and Nicolas Gonzalez flashed a 25-yard drive just wide.

At the other end, Real’s Turkish midfielder Arda Guler saw his crisp shot kept out by the feet of Di Gregorio, but the one goal was enough.

Second Seed Coco Gauff Knocked Out Of Wimbledon

American second seed Coco Gauff suffered a stunning Wimbledon defeat as the French Open champion was beaten 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 by Ukranian world number 42 Dayana Yastremska on Tuesday.

Gauff was expected to make a strong run at the All England Club after her triumph at Roland Garros in June.

But instead of building on her success on the Paris clay, the 21-year-old endured her earliest Grand Slam exit since another first-round loss at Wimbledon in 2023.

READ ALSO: Top Seed Sinner Eases Into Wimbledon Open Second Round

US player Coco Gauff reacts as she plays against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska during their women’s singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 1, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

Yastremska powered to victory in 78 minutes on Court One, with Gauff joining third seed Jessica Pegula and fifth seed Zheng Qinwen as high-profile departures from the tournament on Tuesday.

Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion, has failed to get past the fourth round in each of her six visits to Wimbledon.

She paid the price for an unusually error-strewn display featuring nine double-faults, 29 unforced errors and just six winners.

Yastremska has previously claimed she has an allergy to grass, but the 25-year-old’s shock success against Gauff extended an impressive recent run on the surface.

Known as one of the more glamourous players on the women’s tour for her high-profile Instagram modelling, Yastremska made the Nottingham final and the Eastbourne quarter-finals in June.

“It was a great match today. I was really on fire, even my nails have fire on them,” Yastremska said.

“Playing Coco is special. These courts are made for the greatest players so I’m very grateful to play here.

“It’s really unexpected. I love playing on grass. I feel this year we are kind of friends. I hope the road can continue for me. ”

Super Eagles Will Secure World Cup Ticket — Osayi-Samuel

Super Eagles and Fenerbahçe defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite facing tough hurdles in the qualifying rounds

The defender remains confident that a turnaround is possible.

Osayi-Samuel said this on Tuesday while fielding questions from Sports Journalists at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, Edo State.

READ ALSO: I’m Totally Against A Foreigner Coaching Super Eagles, Says Oliseh

“In terms of Super Eagles Qualifiers, I believe we will qualify for the World Cup. The aim is just to win every single game.

“Of course, it will be difficult, but for us and the team, I think we have a good chance,” he said.

He described Coach Eric Chelle as fantastic, saying that the Super Eagles in an international friendly curtailed the Russian National Team, who he said have not lost their last six to seven games.

READ ALSO: Top Seed Sinner Eases Into Wimbledon Open Second Round

“For me, the coach is fantastic. The way he wants us to press and run; I think everyone in the team has aligned with his ideas,” the Super Eagles defender said.

“In our last game against Russia, we contained a team that hadn’t lost in six or seven matches. If we keep working together, we have a good chance,” the defender said.

READ ALSO: Home-Based Players Have Quality, I Want To Give Them Chance – Eric Chelle

The three-time African champions, Super Eagles, currently find themselves in a precarious position in their qualifying group, sitting in fourth place and trailing leaders South Africa by six points.

‘Hunger To Win’: Arsenal Sign Goalkeeper Arrizabalaga Kepa From Chelsea

Arsenal bolstered their goalkeeping options on Tuesday with the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for a reported £5 million ($7 million) fee.

The 30-year-old Spaniard remains the most expensive goalkeeper in history after his £71 million move to Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.

However, Kepa failed to deliver on that price tag as he fell down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge before spending the past two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth.

He is expected to act as back-up to established Arsenal number one David Raya.

The Gunners reportedly exercised a £5 million buyout clause in a Chelsea contract Kepa signed last year.

READ ALSO: Saudi’s Al Hilal Knock Man City Out Of Club World Cup In Huge Shock

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League for the past three seasons but have not won a major trophy since 2020.

“I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it,” Kepa said in an Arsenal statement.

The Spanish international becomes Arsenal’s first signing of the close season.

Martin Zubimendi is also on the verge of arriving at the Emirates from Real Sociedad, while talks are at an advanced stage for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.

“We are really happy to have Kepa joining us,” said Arteta.

“He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win.

“Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his teammates, and we are really excited about his future with us. ”

Top Seed Sinner Eases Into Wimbledon Open Second Round

Top seed Jannik Sinner eased into the Wimbledon second round on Tuesday, brushing aside fellow Italian Luca Nardi in straight sets.

Unfazed by the searing heat, Sinner barely broke sweat in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 victory lasting just one hour and 48 minutes on Court One.

“I’m very happy to come back here to such a special place for me,” Sinner said.

“Playing an Italian is very unfortunate but one has to go through and luckily it was me. ”

Sinner last week insisted his surprise decision to part with two of his coaching staff on the eve of Wimbledon would not affect his bid to win the tournament for the first time.

He opted to move on from Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, his trainer and physiotherapist, as he looks for a new direction following his painful French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz.

The pair had been employed by Sinner since September 2024, helping him retain the Australian Open crown in January and reach the Roland Garros showpiece in June.

Asked if the decision might jeopardise his Wimbledon challenge over the next fortnight, Sinner was adamant it would be beneficial, with coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill still on his staff.

READ ALSO: Alcaraz Survives, Sabalenka Cruises On Wimbledon’s Hottest Opening Day

Italy’s Jannik Sinner plays a forehand return to Italy’s Luca Nardi during their men’s singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 1, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

On the evidence of his dominant display against Nardi the world number one, who returned from a three-month doping ban in May, will be just fine regardless of the coaching shake-up.

“We worked a lot after Halle (grass-court tournament) on the serve and in important moments I felt I was serving very well,” Sinner said.

“First matches are never easy, so I’m very happy with the performance. It’s a new tournament, new challenges.

“If you don’t enjoy to play on these courts, I don’t know where you will enjoy. I will try to keep going. ”

Sinner has won three of the past six Grand Slams, but the 23-year-old blew a two-set lead and wasted three match points as Alcaraz staged a comeback for the ages to win the French Open final.

Sinner has failed to reach the Wimbledon final in his four visits, with a last-four appearance in 2023 ranking as his best effort.

The Italian’s Wimbledon preparations were also dented by a shock last-16 defeat against Alexander Bublik at Halle.

Playing world number 95 Nardi for the first time, Sinner had little trouble dispatching the 21-year-old in his first Grand Slam match since that bitter defeat at Roland Garros.

Sinner recently released a duet titled Polvere e Gloria, which means Dust and Glory, with renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli.

The Italian will hope he continues hitting all the right notes in his Wimbledon title bid.

Saudi’s Al Hilal Knock Man City Out Of Club World Cup In Huge Shock

Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal sent English giants Manchester City crashing out of the Club World Cup on Monday, snatching a shock 4-3 victory in extra time in the biggest upset of the tournament so far.

The match finished 2-2 at full-time but at the end of an eventful extra-time Marcos Leonardo grabbed the winner and pulled off one of the greatest wins in Middle Eastern football history.

The Saudi club advance to the quarter-finals where they will face Brazilian club Fluminense, ensuring a non-European team will reach the last four.

City had taken the lead in the ninth minute in controversial fashion, Bernardo Silva finishing after Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross.

READ ALSO: PSG Rout Messi’s Inter Miami To Reach Club World Cup Quarters

Al Hilal players protested Ait-Nouri had controlled with his arm in the build-up but the goal stood.

Manchester City’s Algerian defender #21 Rayan Ait-Nouri and Al Hilal’s Brazilian midfielder #27 Kaio Cesar fight for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 football match between England’s Manchester City and Saudi’s Al-Hilal at the Camping World stadium in Orlando on June 30, 2025. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)

City had plenty of opportunities to extend their lead before the break but a combination of poor finishing and inspired goalkeeping from Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou kept the lead at a single goal.

Al Hilal offered several reminders of their threat on the break but City even more chances with Jeremy Doku volleying straight at Bounou who moments later reacted superbly again to keep out a Bernardo effort.

City punished

The question as to whether City would live to regret not converting those chances was answered within a minute of the resumption.

Former City full-back Joao Cancelo’s low cross was parried out by Ederson, Malcolm pounced but saw his shot blocked by Ruben Dias only for the ball to loop to Marcos Leonardo to head home the equaliser.

Six minutes later and the City’s high defensive line was exposed by a long ball from Cancelo which Brazilian Malcolm raced on to and he showed power and pace as he broke away before coolly slotting past Ederson.

Al Hilal’s Brazilian midfielder #27 Kaio Cesar and Manchester City’s Algerian defender #21 Rayan Ait-Nouri fight for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 football match between England’s Manchester City and Saudi’s Al-Hilal at the Camping World stadium in Orlando on June 30, 2025. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

The Saudi fans in the crowd went wild while Pep Guardiola responded immediately with a triple substitution with midfielder Rodri and defenders Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji introduced.

That brought some much needed stability to a shaky back line but City needed improvement at the other end too and it came, albeit in it scruffy circumstances.

The Al Hilal defence were unable to deal with a Bernardo corner and Erling Haaland pounced to steer home the lose ball and make it 2-2.

City piled on the pressure as they looked for the winner but yet again Bounou proved their nemesis as he denied Akanji and Ruben Dias and even when he was beaten by Haaland, substitute Ali Lajami produced a magnificent goal-line clearance.

Guardiola took off Haaland and introduced Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush as the game went into extra-time.

But for all City’s depth, Al Hilal had a deep well of spirit to draw upon and just four minutes into the opening period Al Hilal regained the lead when Kalidou Koulibaly rose superbly to meet a Ruben Neves corner with a brilliantly angled header.

City responded with a goal of real quality when Rayan Cherki’s brilliantly floated ball towards the back post was poked home masterfully by Phil Foden, at full stretch and from the tightest of angles.

Al Hilal’s Serbian midfielder #22 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic assist Al Hilal’s Brazilian forward #11 Marcos Leonardo for their team’s winning goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 football match between England’s Manchester City and Saudi’s Al-Hilal at the Camping World stadium in Orlando on June 30, 2025. (Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP)

But incredibly Al Hilal responded again to restore their lead — Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s header was saved by Ederson but Marcos Leonardo followed in to bundle the ball over the line.

As the celebrating Al Hilal fans poured out of the stadium, the Brazilian striker let his emotions pour out.

“I’ve had a difficult time in the last two months. My mother spent 70 days in the ICU,” he said.

“Today she’s fine, thank God. When I scored those two goals, I thought of her. She was able to watch the match”.

City skipper Bernardo Silva said his team had paid the price for being unable to deal with Al Hilal’s counter-attacking.

“We scored three and could’ve scored five, six. It was all about controlling when we lost the ball, controlling the transitions, don’t let them run, and they ran way too many times,” he said.

“With one, two passes there was always a feeling of danger coming from them. When we allow teams to run like this we always suffer a lot, and today was the case,” he said.