Juventus continued their flawless run in the Club World Cup, securing another victory thanks to a dazzling performance from their young Turkish sensation, Kenan Yıldız. The 20-year-old international was the undeniable star of the show, mesmerizing fans in Philadelphia with two brilliant goals that underscored his burgeoning talent.
Yıldız’s exceptional display at Lincoln Financial Field included a stunning first-half strike and a winding, clinical finish in the second. He came agonizingly close to a hat-trick, but Juventus’ opening goal was ultimately credited as an own goal despite being a direct result of Yıldız’s mesmerizing dribbling and powerful near-post shot.
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The match, however, was not without its moments of intense atmosphere. Morocco’s Wydad provided a vibrant backdrop, as their passionate supporters erupted when Thembinkosi Lorch pulled a goal back, marking their first score of the tournament. The celebration was accompanied by flares thrown onto the pitch, momentarily engulfing much of the playing area in smoke – a testament to the fervent energy of the Wydad faithful, who booed the half-time whistle with their team in the ascendance.
Yıldız’s second goal, coming with approximately 20 minutes remaining, further solidified Juventus’ lead, before Dušan Vlahović sealed the victory with a penalty in added time. The young forward, who only celebrated his 20th birthday last month, has already developed a reputation for scoring extraordinary goals.
His opening strike against Wydad exemplified this, as he executed a technically challenging shot with the outside of his right boot, delivering a powerful, precise, and swerving effort that left goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid helpless. This memorable goal echoed his superb first senior strike against Frosinone in December 2023 and his stunning opener in the revamped Champions League league phase against PSV in September. His second goal against Wydad, reminiscent of his Frosinone effort, completed a “spiritual hat-trick,” despite the official scoring decision.
With this victory, Juventus now boasts a perfect six points in the tournament. Manchester City can match this tally by defeating Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates in Atlanta tonight (early Monday UK time), setting the stage for a crucial Group G showdown between Juventus and City on Thursday.
Beyond the emerging stars like Yıldız, this Club World Cup has also delivered a nostalgic experience for football enthusiasts, featuring numerous high-profile players from the past enjoying another turn in the spotlight. From Sergio Ramos finding the net for Mexican side Monterrey to Edinson Cavani rekindling old flames for Argentina’s Boca Juniors, and former Premier League heroes lining up for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, the tournament is a blend of eras.
Sunday’s match in Philadelphia also saw a reunion of two less-heralded Premier League figures. Nordin Amrabat, who recently joined Wydad from Hull City, faced off against Lloyd Kelly, who moved to Juventus from Newcastle earlier this year. The two had previously met in a 2017-18 Carabao Cup tie between Watford and Bristol City, a match witnessed by just over 9,000 fans. In their latest encounter, Amrabat was notably effective, providing the assist for Wydad’s goal and delivering several dangerous crosses throughout the game.
The vibrant support from the Wydad, Flamengo, and Espérance de Tunis fans has left a lasting positive impression on Philadelphia, showcasing the global appeal and passionate atmosphere of this unique Club World Cup format.
