Philadelphia, USA – June 22, 2025

Juventus delivered a commanding statement in the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday night, dismantling Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca 4–1 in their second Group G match.

A dazzling performance from 20-year-old forward Kenan Yıldız, who scored twice, ensured the Italian giants maintained their perfect start to the tournament and all but booked a place in the Round of 16.

The match burst into life in the opening minutes when Khephren Thuram’s sharp move ended with a low shot that deflected off Wydad defender Soufiane Boutouil and into his own net, gifting Juventus a 1–0 lead just six minutes in.

Only ten minutes later, Yıldız stunned fans and pundits alike with a thunderbolt from distance that soared into the top-right corner — a strike already being tipped as one of the tournament’s best goals.

To their credit, Wydad responded with a moment of brilliance in the 25th minute. South African forward Thembinkosi Lorch, played in by Ayoub El Amloud, chipped Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio with composure to make it 2–1, briefly raising hopes of a comeback.

But Juventus never lost control. The second half saw them dominate possession and dictate tempo. In the 69th minute, Randal Kolo Muani threaded a perfect pass through the Wydad backline, and Yıldız made no mistake — calmly slotting home for his second of the night and third of the tournament.

The match was capped in stoppage time when Serbian striker Dušan Vlahović converted a penalty after being brought down inside the box, making it 4–1 and sealing a comprehensive win for the Bianconeri.

Yıldız Steals the Show

All eyes were on Kenan Yıldız, whose brace and all-round performance earned him Man of the Match honours. Head coach Igor Tudor was full of praise post-match, calling him “a golden boy” and emphasizing his growing importance to the team.

“Kenan plays with the maturity of a veteran. He’s special — and he’s showing the world exactly why we believe in him,” Tudor said.

Group G Outlook

The win puts Juventus at the top of Group G with six points, ahead of their final group game against Manchester City on June 26 in Orlando. Wydad, meanwhile, remain bottom with zero points and must beat Al Ain and hope results elsewhere go in their favour to stand any chance of progressing.

Match Summary:

Juventus Goals: Boutouil (OG, 6’) Yıldız (16’, 69’) Vlahović (90+4’, pen)

Wydad Goal: Lorch (25’)

Possession: Juventus 63% – Wydad 37%

Shots on Target: Juventus 8 – Wydad 3

Man of the Match: Kenan Yıldız

Next Fixtures – June 26:

Juventus vs Manchester City (Orlando) Wydad Casablanca vs Al Ain

With Yıldız firing on all cylinders and confidence soaring, Juventus now look ahead to a heavyweight showdown with City — and possibly a deep run in the tournament.

Cincinnati, June 21, 2025 – Borussia Dortmund edged Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 in a thrilling FIFA Club World Cup Group F encounter at TQL Stadium, overcoming brutal heat and a late South African comeback to go top of the group.

The match exploded into life early, with Sundowns striking first through Lucas Ribeiro Costa in the 11th minute. Dortmund replied quickly via Felix Nmecha before adding two more goals through Serhou Guirassy and debutant Jobe Bellingham to go 3-1 up by halftime.

An own goal from Khuliso Mudau in the 59th minute looked to seal the win for the Germans, but Sundowns refused to fold. Iqraam Rayners and substitute Lebo Mothiba found the net in the second half, narrowing the gap to just one goal and setting up a nervy finale.

Despite the Sundowns resurgence, Dortmund held firm, albeit with worrying signs in defence. On a scorching day with temperatures above 30°C (86°F), BVB resorted to cooling strategies including umbrellas and ice tubs to combat the conditions.

Key Performers:

• Jobe Bellingham: Scored on his full debut and earned Man of the Match.
• Felix Nmecha: Controlled midfield and netted Dortmund’s first.
• Sundowns’ attack: Showed quality and resilience with goals from Ribeiro, Rayners, and Mothiba.

Group F Outlook:

Dortmund now lead the group with four points, while Sundowns, on three, still have a chance to qualify when they face Fluminense in their final group game.

Seattle, June 21, 2025 – Inter Milan needed every bit of grit, class, and patience to grind out a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in a dramatic FIFA Club World Cup encounter at Lumen Field.

The Serie A giants were stunned early by Urawa’s disciplined defensive setup and quick transitions, with Ryoma Watanabe giving the Japanese side a shock lead in the 11th minute. His close-range finish—Urawa’s first-ever goal against European opposition in the tournament—sent waves through the crowd and forced Inter to chase the game.

Despite dominating possession (peaking at over 85% in the first half), Inter struggled to crack Urawa’s compact low block. Lautaro Martínez hit the crossbar in the 22nd minute and had a goal ruled out for offside just after halftime.

But the pressure finally paid off in the 78th minute when Martínez made amends with a stunning overhead volley from a Nicolò Barella corner. That equaliser opened the floodgates, and Inter pushed forward with even greater urgency.

In stoppage time, 19-year-old Valentin Carboni delivered the winning blow, reacting quickly to a rebounded shot and slotting home from inside the box. The goal capped off Inter’s determined comeback and secured their first win of the tournament.

Tactical Analysis

Inter bossed the midfield through Barella and Calhanoglu but were often too static in the final third until Martínez and Carboni added a more direct threat. Barella, who assisted the equaliser and completed over 90% of his passes, was named Man of the Match for his playmaking and relentless energy.

Urawa, for their part, executed their game plan nearly to perfection—defending deep, countering quickly, and remaining compact. However, fatigue and Inter’s quality proved too much in the final minutes.

Group Implications

The result puts Inter on four points in Group E, setting up a pivotal clash with River Plate in their final group-stage game. Urawa Red Diamonds, now eliminated after back-to-back losses, will exit the tournament with pride, having made history with their first-ever goal against a European side at the Club World Cup.

Final Thoughts

It wasn’t pretty, but Inter Milan showed resilience and depth. With their sights now set on a top-of-the-table decider, Simone Inzaghi’s men will know that such late escapes might not come easy against stronger foes.

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