Juventus began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a sparkling, assured victory, putting five unanswered goals past Emirati side Al Ain. For Turkish supporters the match had additional significance: one of the goals was scored by their compatriot, Turkey international Kenan Yıldız, who thus opened his account at this prestigious global forum.
In the first-round match of the 2025 international club championship the Turin giants faced United Arab Emirates representatives Al Ain at the capital’s Audi Field stadium. Led by Croatian coach Igor Tudor, renowned for cultivating aggressive pressing, the Bianconeri delivered a convincing 5–0 triumph, leaving their opponents no chance and effectively settling the outcome by the 60-minute mark.
Yıldız started in the XI and, on 31 minutes, produced a spectacular long-range strike into the top corner to make it 3–0. After an energy-sapping shift down the left flank he was replaced on 62 minutes by Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, giving the coach fresh legs in midfield while maintaining the tempo.
Besides the Turkish star’s goal, French forward Randal Kolo Muani notched a first-half brace, while Portuguese winger Francisco Conceição added another, sending the teams into the break with Juventus 4–0 up. After the interval La Vecchia Signora calmly controlled proceedings; in the 58th minute Conceição finished a counter-attack to set the final score at 5–0 and complete his own brace.
This emphatic victory not only earned Juventus the opening three points but also gave them a healthy +5 goal difference, which could prove decisive in the group standings. The Turin side showed the seriousness of their ambitions, and the supporters left the stadium in high spirits.
Upcoming Matches
In the group’s other fixture English powerhouse Manchester City defeated Moroccan side Wydad AC 2–0 to claim three points as well. Thus both European favourites started the tournament flawlessly and are neck and neck.
- In the second round Igor Tudor’s men will face Wydad AC.
- The group stage will conclude with a heavyweight clash against Manchester City, where the Bianconeri and the Citizens are likely to battle for direct passage to the next phase.
