In Kylian Mbappé’s return to the field after gastroenteritis, the protagonist was another: Gonzalo García, Real Madrid’s homegrown striker, scored the only goal of the match against Juventus (1-0) in the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The goal came in the 53rd minute, thanks to a great cross by Trent Alexander-Arnold from the right and a precise header by Gonzalo, who beat Michele Di Gregorio in the air. It was the young striker’s third goal of the tournament, establishing himself as a revelation for the team coached by Xabi Alonso.
From promise to reality: the new ‘9’.
Gonzalo had already shown signs of his offensive capacity:
He scored in the 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal, assisted against Pachuca and scored against Salzburg.
Three starts, three direct contributions to the scoreboard, and a profile reminiscent of the classic finishing striker that Real Madrid missed after the departure of Joselu.
Trained in Álvaro Arbeloa’s Juvenil A team and with 25 goals for Real Madrid Castilla under Raúl González, Gonzalo is known for his excellent aerial play, his ability to read space and his physical power.
Although he is neither a pure ‘9’ nor the tallest (1.82 m), he stands out for his opportunism in the area.
I know Gonzalo very well, I'm not surprised. He reminds me of Raul
The brightness of Valverde
Kylian Mbappé came on in the 67th minute, reappearing after his absence due to gastroenteritis.
He is expected to form an attacking duo with Vinícius Jr. in the two-forward system that Xabi Alonso has been working with at Real Madrid.
Despite Gonzalo’s goal, the best player of the match award went to Fede Valverde, thanks to his physical display, ball recovery and ability to generate chances.
The Uruguayan midfielder came close to scoring on several occasions and was key to the team’s balance.
What’s next…
With this result, Real Madrid advances to the quarterfinals, where it will face Borussia Dortmund, who eliminated Monterrey.
Gonzalo García is one of the tournament’s top scorers, in a battle that could catapult him into the first team or secure a high-profile transfer.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.