(BBC) – 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.
What was the main talking point?

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 Türkiye 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.