Gonzalo sets off the World Cup, knocks out Juventus and puts Madrid in the quarterfinals

Real Madrid 's plane will fly to New York this week, not the Spanish capital . The Whites scorched Juventus in the second half of the World Cup round of 16 and reached the quarterfinals thanks to a superb header from Gonzalo García , who is no longer a youth player but a fixture in Xabi Alonso 's first team.

The coach cemented his idea of ​​using three central defenders on the Miami pitch. For the second match of this tournament, he opted for a defense featuring Trent, Rüdiger, Tchouaméni, Huijsen, and Fran García , repeating the defense he tried out in Matchday 3 against Salzburg. While waiting to see how the training of Militao and Carvajal, who were already included in the squad against Juventus, develops, it seems that the Tolosa native has decided on his style, the same one that triumphed at Leverkusen .

And that was something that Madrid struggled to achieve at the Hard Rock. Igor Tudor 's Juventus, superior to Salzburg, had a clear objective in the match: Alexander-Arnold 's back and the space between the center backs and Real Madrid's two central midfielders, Valverde and Güler . That's where Alonso's team suffered, taking a while to adjust their positions.

Turkish striker Yildiz surprised everyone in the opening minutes, appearing between the lines and causing Madrid's biggest scares. Güler 's compatriot misfired on one occasion and slipped a pass into space for Kolo Muani , the clearest chance of the first 45 minutes. The Frenchman beat Rüdiger and faced Courtois, but his chip shot went high.

It wasn't Juve's only chance, as they continued to take advantage of Madrid's hesitations in their pressing. Vinicius, Gonzalo, and Bellingham provided the first line of intensity, but the Italians found the gaps behind them well to build on. Yildiz, once again, had a chance to score in the tenth minute, but Tchouaméni deflected his shot.

A break due to an injury for the Italian gave Xabi the opportunity to adjust his plan. The Whites gained more possession and Güler emerged, struggling in defense but providing the driving force in attack, freeing up Valverde . In the 29th minute, the Uruguayan found Bellingham inside the area and the Englishman fired a shot past Di Gregorio, but the Spanish side reacted from there.

Another break, this time for hydration due to the Miami humidity, gave Madrid another boost, taking advantage of Juve's physical decline. Tchouaméni missed a cross from Güler, Valverde blasted the goalkeeper from distance, and Gonzalo missed a cross from Trent. Madrid came close to scoring, but the break ended with some doubts.

However, after the break, Madrid changed. They evolved. Xabi's talk helped, and the Whites stepped up their game, pressing harder and being more direct in their attack, repeatedly reaching the Juventus penalty area, which felt the strain.

Valverde, Arnold, Bellingham, and Huijsen tried their luck, finding Di Gregorio , until Gonzalo, a giant, rose in the box to head home a perfect cross from Trent. He resembled Santillana, closing the gap on Cristiano Ronaldo, and soared over Miami to put Madrid ahead. His third goal of the tournament.

The match broke down and Alonso's men had a chance to put the game to bed, but Di Gregorio came flying again to save a Valverde bicycle kick and a Güler volley. Madrid were scorching Juve, on the canvas after the break. Xabi saw it, having brought on Mbappé for a tired Gonzalo , and wanted to manipulate the duel with the ball to look for the second. He didn't do it, but he shone again, confirmed his progress, and is in the World Cup quarterfinals.