Juventus FLASH Past Wydad AC In 4-1 Victory | FIFA Club World Cup Highlights
Juventus vs Wydad AC
Kenan Yildiz scored twice and played a key role in an own goal as Juventus secured a 4-1 win over Morocco's Wydad Casablanca in the Club World Cup on Sunday, a result that propelled the Italian giants to the cusp of qualifying for the round-of-16. The match, played in the vibrant atmosphere of a packed stadium, showcased Juventus’s attacking prowess and resilience, even as they faced a spirited challenge from a Wydad side desperate to keep their tournament hopes alive. Yildiz, the 20-year-old Turkish forward, emerged as the standout performer, his blend of technical brilliance and clinical finishing proving too much for the Moroccan champions. The victory solidified Juventus’s position at the top of Group G, with six points from two matches, giving them a three-point lead over Manchester City, who were set to face UAE’s Al Ain later that day. The result not only highlighted Juventus’s growing cohesion under coach Igor Tudor but also underscored their ability to navigate high-pressure situations, a trait that will be crucial as they prepare for their decisive group-stage clash against Manchester City. For Wydad, the defeat was a crushing blow, leaving them pointless and teetering on the brink of elimination, their dreams of advancing in the tournament all but extinguished.
The Italian side top Group G with six points after two matches, three clear of Manchester City, who play UAE's Al Ain later on Sunday, a match that could determine the final shape of the group standings. Juventus’s commanding performance against Wydad was a testament to their tactical discipline and attacking depth, qualities that have been honed under Tudor’s stewardship. The former Verona coach, who has instilled a sense of balance and dynamism in the team, has guided Juventus to an unbeaten run stretching back two months, a streak that has seen them blend defensive solidity with moments of attacking flair. The win over Wydad was a microcosm of this approach, with Juventus absorbing early pressure before capitalizing on their opportunities with ruthless efficiency. Yildiz’s contributions were central to this success, his two goals and role in the own goal demonstrating his growing importance to the team. Juventus will secure their place in the knockout stages if Al Ain fail to defeat Manchester City, a scenario that would confirm their status as group leaders. However, even if Manchester City win, Juventus’s final group match against the Premier League giants will be a chance to assert their dominance and claim the top spot, potentially avoiding a daunting last-16 tie against Real Madrid. For now, Juventus’s focus will be on maintaining their momentum and ensuring that their attacking stars, led by Yildiz, continue to fire.
Juve will reach the knockouts if Al Ain fail to beat the Premier League club, who can also book their round-of-16 berth with victory, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to Group G. Both Al Ain and Wydad remain without points and on the brink of elimination, their hopes of advancing now hanging by the thinnest of threads. For Wydad, the loss to Juventus was particularly galling, as they showed flashes of quality but lacked the composure and cutting edge needed to compete with a team of Juventus’s caliber. The Moroccan side’s elimination is all but certain, a disappointing outcome for a team with a proud history in African football. Al Ain, meanwhile, face a daunting task against Manchester City, a side brimming with talent and managed by the tactically astute Pep Guardiola. The UAE champions will need a monumental effort to avoid a similar fate to Wydad, but their lack of points after two matches suggests that their campaign is nearing its end. For Juventus, the path forward is clear: a win or draw against Manchester City in their final group match will secure their place in the last 16, and potentially as group winners, a position that would afford them a more favorable matchup in the knockout stages. The stakes could not be higher, and Juventus’s ability to handle the pressure of this high-stakes encounter will be a true test of their credentials as tournament contenders.
Juventus made the breakthrough in the sixth minute with a well-worked team move that ended with Wydad defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil scoring an own goal, a moment that set the tone for the Italian side’s dominance. The goal was the result of a cleverly orchestrated move, initiated by Khephren Thuram’s incisive through ball that split Wydad’s defense. Yildiz, receiving the ball on the right, darted towards goal with purpose, his angled shot catching Boutouil off-guard and deflecting off the defender into the net, wrong-footing goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid. The early strike silenced the passionate Moroccan crowd and gave Juventus a platform to build upon, allowing them to dictate the tempo of the game. Thuram’s vision and Yildiz’s dynamism were emblematic of Juventus’s attacking intent, with the pair combining to exploit gaps in Wydad’s backline. The own goal, while unfortunate for Boutouil, exposed the vulnerabilities in Wydad’s defensive setup, particularly their susceptibility to quick, incisive passing. For Juventus, the early lead was a psychological boost, enabling them to settle into their rhythm and assert control over a match that could have been fraught with danger given Wydad’s reputation for physicality and home support.
The 20-year-old Turkey forward doubled Juventus’s lead in the 16th minute with a sublime strike from the edge of the box, a goal that showcased his burgeoning talent and cemented his status as the match’s defining figure. Receiving the ball in space after a well-timed run, Yildiz took a touch to set himself before unleashing a ferocious effort into the top-right corner, leaving Benabid rooted to the spot. The strike was a moment of pure quality, the kind of goal that separates good players from great ones, and it sent a clear message to both Wydad and Juventus’s upcoming opponents: Yildiz is a force to be reckoned with. The goal also highlighted Juventus’s ability to strike from distance, a weapon that adds another dimension to their attack. Benabid, despite his best efforts, had no chance against the precision and power of Yildiz’s shot, which curled just beyond his outstretched gloves. The Moroccan fans, momentarily stunned, soon rallied behind their team, but the two-goal deficit was a mountain to climb against a Juventus side growing in confidence with every passing minute.
Wydad pulled one back in the 25th minute following a defensive lapse from Juve, a moment that briefly reignited the Moroccan side’s hopes and sent their supporters into a frenzy. Nordin Amrabat, ever alert, pounced on a misplaced clearance from the Juventus defense, threading a precise ball to Thembinkosi Lorch, who calmly lobbed Juve keeper Michele Di Gregorio with a deft finish. The goal was a reminder of Wydad’s attacking capabilities, with Amrabat’s vision and Lorch’s composure exposing a rare moment of vulnerability in Juventus’s backline. The Moroccan fans, already vocal, erupted into a cacophony of noise, their flares creating a cloud of red and black smoke that enveloped the stands and halted play for several minutes. The interruption, while disruptive, added to the electric atmosphere, with the haze lending an almost surreal quality to the proceedings. For Wydad, the goal was a lifeline, a chance to claw their way back into a match that had threatened to slip away. However, their inability to build on this moment underscored the gap in quality between the two sides, as Juventus quickly regained their composure and reasserted their dominance.
Needing at least a draw to keep alive any realistic hope of reaching the last 16 after a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in their opener, Wydad pressed high and unsettled Juventus, but their efforts were ultimately in vain. The Moroccan side’s high-pressing game caused moments of discomfort for Juventus, particularly in the first half, but their lack of precision in the final third proved costly. The introduction of Teun Koopmeiners for Weston McKennie at halftime was a masterstroke by Tudor, as the Dutch midfielder brought a calming influence to Juventus’s midfield, allowing them to regain control. Andrea Cambiasso nearly restored Juve’s two-goal cushion in the 55th minute, striking the post with a close-range volley from a corner, a moment that highlighted the Italian side’s threat from set pieces. The decisive third goal came in the 69th minute, with Yildiz once again the protagonist, receiving a neat pass from Randal Kolo Muani before cutting inside and slotting home with composure. The goal effectively killed off Wydad’s hopes, and Dusan Vlahovic’s penalty in added time, after being fouled by Guilherme Ferreira, sealed a comprehensive victory. As Juventus prepare for their showdown with Manchester City, their unbeaten run and attacking firepower make them a formidable force, while Wydad and Al Ain face the harsh reality of an early exit from the tournament.
