Day 9 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup lit up the U.S. venues with dominant performances by European titans, sensational individual displays, and game-defining moments that altered the course of the group stages.
Juventus 4–1 Wydad Casablanca
Group H
In Philadelphia, Juventus overpowered Wydad Casablanca with pace and precision, led by a breakout performance from Kenan Yildiz.
Top Moments:
Yildiz broke the deadlock with a stunning top-corner strike in the 16th minute and added a second just after the half-hour mark following a fast counter-attack. Federico Chiesa's assist for the third goal, scored by Arkadiusz Milik, was a moment of flair that left fans cheering. Wydad’s only goal came via a deflection off Juventus’ Bremer, briefly sparking hope. However, Juve sealed the game with a late header from Danilo, ensuring a comfortable victory and likely qualification.
Real Madrid 3–1 Pachuca
Group H
Despite playing with 10 men for most of the match, Real Madrid displayed their championship mettle to defeat Pachuca in a gritty contest.
Top Moments:
Raúl Asencio was sent off after just 12 minutes for a last-man foul, leaving Madrid with a numerical disadvantage early. Nevertheless, Federico Valverde lifted the team with a powerful strike from outside the box, followed minutes later by Jude Bellingham’s elegant lob after intercepting a loose ball. Thibaut Courtois produced a game-saving double stop late in the first half. Rodrygo added Madrid’s third on the counter before Pachuca grabbed a late consolation through a close-range header.
Salzburg 0–0 Al Hilal
Group H
In Washington, a goalless draw between Salzburg and Al Hilal kept both sides in contention but frustrated their fans with missed chances and near-misses.
Top Moments:
Al Hilal came closest in the 26th minute when Aleksandar Mitrović's powerful header struck the post. Salzburg responded with a counter led by Oscar Gloukh, whose shot was expertly parried by Al Hilal’s keeper Bono. The match turned tense in the second half, with VAR disallowing a potential Hilal goal for offside and Salzburg’s late penalty appeal denied after a lengthy review. Despite the 0–0 result, the tactical chess match left everything to play for in Group H’s final round.
Manchester City 6–0 Al Ain
Group G
Manchester City put on a clinic in Atlanta, dismantling Al Ain with ruthless attacking football.
Top Moments:
Ilkay Gündoğan opened the floodgates with a curling free-kick in the 9th minute and added a second with a clever one-two in the box. Claudio Echeverri scored his first Club World Cup goal with a sharp finish after a solo run. Rayan Cherki dazzled with his dribbling to net City's fourth, while Oscar Bobb calmly finished from the edge of the area. Erling Haaland rounded off the demolition with a penalty in the final minutes. City's ball dominance and precision passing left Al Ain chasing shadows.
With the end of the second round of the group stage, 7 teams were officially eliminated from the tournament. They are Al Ain, Wydad, Auckland City, Pachuca, Ulsan, LAFC, and Urawa Red Diamonds.
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