Juventus 4-1 Wydad Casablanca: Yıldız’s masterclass ensures qualification for round of 16 | OneFootball

Kenan Yıldız’s contribution in Juventus’ 4-1 victory against Wydad Casablanca secured his side qualification for the round of 16 in the Club World Cup on Sunday.

Juventus’ victory comes before their contest against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on 26 June, but Igor Tudor’s squad would have wanted to secure qualification before the clash.

Sunday’s result means back-to-back defeats for Wydad as they are still without a point in the competition, and are now unlikely to qualify without a significant win against Al Ain next week.

As it happened

Juventus were confident that keeping their starting lineup, which beat Al Ain 5-0 on Thursday, would be effective against Wydad Casablanca at the Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

Randal Kolo Muani was still preferred over Dušan Vlahović, who is the side’s top scorer in both the Serie A and UEFA Champions League this season.

Wydad made one change to their front line, with Cassius Mailula making way for Samuel Obeng, who was subject to a Rico Lewis red card in their previous 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday.

Juventus took an early lead in the sixth minute after Khéphren Thuram played Kenan Yıldız through on goal, who converted at the near post with a left-footed strike. The opener was later given as an own goal for Abdelmounaim Boutouil.

A sensational strike by Yıldız from outside the penalty area, into the top right corner, saw the Italian side double their advantage after the quarter-hour mark, as the 20-year-old Turkish winger managed to grab his goal.

Their Moroccan opponents were able to respond ten minutes later, with Thembinkosi Lorch converting a perfectly weighted through ball from Nordin Amrabat, chipping the ball over Italian goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.

Juventus were determined to qualify for the round of 16 today before their contest against Manchester City on 26 June, but as the second half progressed, Wydad gained confidence.

The scoreline remained 2-1 as the first half came to an end, with Yıldız’s goal contributions the only separation between the two sides.

Expectations were high heading into the second half, after an enthralling first half, with both teams finding their feet.

Juventus squandered two vital opportunities when Andrea Cambiaso escaped Selemani Mwalimu at the back post in the 57th minute and met a cross from Francisco Conceição, but the effort hit the post. Kolo Mauni missed another opportunity in front of goal five minutes later after attempting to flick a cross from Lloyd Kelly into the back of the net, but the effort trickled past the post.

Despite their squandered opportunities, Juventus managed to extend their advantage, with Yıldız finding the back of the net again, after cutting inside the penalty area, rolling his shot into the bottom right corner. He could have had a hat-trick if his inaugural effort hadn’t been deemed an own-goal.

Captain Manuel Locatelli returned from injury midway through the second half, making his first contribution to the competition after being benched against Al Ain.

Di Gregorio stretched to produce a couple of late saves, keeping the deficit in favour of Juventus, but a late penalty ensured there was no way back for Wydad.

Vlahovic was taken down by Guilherme Ferreira in injury time, and the Serbian striker converted from the spot, as Juventus are victorious again in the Club World Cup.

JUV: Di Gregorio, Kalulu, Savona, Kelly, Alberto Costa, McKennie, Thuram, Cambiaso, Conceição, Yıldız, Kolo Muani

WAC: Benabid, Moufi, Guilherme Ferreira, Boutouil, Meijers, Moufid, Amrabat, Zemraoui, El Moubarik, Lorch, Obeng