Kylian Mbappe makes Club World Cup debut as Real Madrid beats Juventus, 1-0

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A day after a pair of European giants were slain by underdog teams in the Club World Cup Round of 16, it was time for another pair to face off at Hard Rock Stadium: Real Madrid and Juventus. The atmosphere in South Florida crackled with anticipation, not just for the clash of two footballing titans, but for the highly anticipated competitive debut of Kylian Mbappe in the famed white kit of Real Madrid. After weeks of speculation and training, the French superstar finally graced the pitch, and his presence alone elevated the stakes of this high-profile encounter.

From the opening whistle, it was clear both sides understood the gravity of the occasion and the potential pitfalls demonstrated by the previous day's upsets. Real Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti, sought to assert their characteristic dominance, with Mbappe featuring prominently on the left flank, constantly probing the Juventus defense with his blistering pace and elusive dribbling. Juventus, meanwhile, deployed a disciplined defensive shape, aiming to stifle Real Madrid's creative flow and hit on the counter-attack. The first half was a tense affair, marked by tactical battles in midfield and a few half-chances for both teams, but neither side could find the breakthrough. Mbappe, despite his visible effort and several dazzling runs, was well marshaled by the experienced Bianconeri backline.