Juventus impresses and dominates in their Club World Cup debut against Al Ain

Wednesday night marked the start of the FIFA Club World Cup journeys for both Juventus and Al Ain. After an intense rainstorm in the afternoon threatened to put a damper on the proceedings, it gave way to a nice evening of clear skies, as more than 18,161 fans gathered at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. to witness the match. 

Randal Kolo-Muani scored the first goal of the match. Photo Credit: Juventus FC

One of the biggest names in the crowd in attendance was FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who, along with several dignitaries, was in the building to witness the first of three matches that are taking place in the Nation’s Capital. 

 Juventus looked dominant in their debut in the tournament as they steamrolled past Al Ain in their Group G debut with a final score of 5-0. 

“It’s a beautiful competition that has been waiting for a long time,” Juventus head coach Igor Tudor said during a news conference on Tuesday before the match. “There is a great desire to start, great enthusiasm in the group.”

Juve fans came out to support

The majority of the 18,161 fans that attended the game were a huge majority of the fans in attendance who came to support Juventus, though Al Ain had a strong contingent of supporters from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

This was the first time that Juventus was participating in the FIFA Club World Cup. One of the most successful teams in Europe, having won 36 Serie A titles and two Champions League trophies, there were plenty of fans in the stands wearing the traditional Black and White kits emblematic of the club, and to see La Vecchia Signora, or “The Old Lady” translated in English, play. 

“I was really surprised, honestly. DC had a good show out.”  Said Juventus and United States national team forward Tim Weah, “It was a wonderful crowd tonight.” 

Juve midfielder and Turkish International Kenan Yıldız had to say about the strong support they had at Audi Field: “We are everywhere, I can say, and we are happy to see our fans every time.”

Juve's visit to the White House

Before the game on Wednesday night, Juventus went to the White House earlier in the day, where players, staff, and club executives visited President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. 

“Honestly, it was a surprise to me,” Weah said after the match. “They just told us that we have to go, and I had no choice but to go.” 

When Weah was asked about his experience going to the White House, he said, “Being in the White House for the first time, it's always wonderful, but I'm not one for the politics, so it wasn’t that exciting.” 

During the visit to the White House, Trump brought up the debate about transgender women in sports when the president asked Weah and USMNT teammate Weston McKinnie if a woman could make the team. Weah nodded and said, “Yeah,” with Trump responding, “You’re being nice.”

Trump asked Juventus general manager Damien Comolli, with Comolli responding to the president’s question by saying, “We have a very good women’s team.”

After shaking hands with both Weah and McKinnie, Trump asked several of the media members present during their visit with the president and took several questions about the current conflict with Israel and Iran. 

When asked about that moment, Weah said: “I was caught by surprise, honestly, when he started talking about all the politics with Iran and everything.” He continued, “I was kind of like, ‘I just want to play football.’”

The Game 

Juventus opened up the scoring in the 11th minute after a string of passes around the box. The ball fell to Alberto Costa, who sent a cross into the box that found the head of Randal Kolo Muani. The French striker elevated over a defender and headed into the upper left corner, beating the Portuguese goalkeeper to open up the scoring and give Juve the early lead. 

“These are world-class players. Having them up front is a beautiful feeling,” Weah said. “I think Randal had an amazing performance.” 

Juve would double their lead 10 minutes later as Costa would be involved in the build-up for the goal once again. Costa would play a low center to Yıldız. The Turkish international took a shot that rebounded off an Al Ain defender and landed at the foot of Ramy Rabia, who would attempt to clear the ball from his area. However, Costa would intercept the ball in the box and play the ball in between Rabia’s legs and take the ball towards the end line. Costa played the ball to Fransico Conceição, who cut back toward the middle of the box, unleashing a shot that bounced off a defender and into the back of the net. After a quick review of the goal was validated by the referee. 

In the 31st minute, Juventus would strike again. Juve would start the play from their own. After a series of passes, the ball found its way to Khéphren Thuram laid the ball off to Yıldız outside the box. Yıldız created some separation from his marker and lashed out a blistering shot from some distance as the ball squeezed off the post and past Patricio to further their lead. 

Kenan Yıldız scored Juve's third goal of the game. Photo Credit: Juventus FC

“I was in a falling position; I was lucky that I went inside the net,” Yıldız said. 

The Italian side would cap off their first-half performance by scoring a fourth goal towards the end of the first half, as Thuram would get his second assist of the night as the French midfielder played a long ball from his end, finding his fellow countryman Kolo Muani in stride. Kolo Muani settled the ball and tucked his shot in the far-left corner of the net, securing his brace and giving Juventus a commanding lead heading into halftime. 

Al Ain thought they had pulled a goal back to start the second half on a corner kick when Matías Palacios played the ball to Facundo Zabala. Zabala played the ball back to Palacios, who whipped in a cross to Kouame Autonne on the far post, heading the ball and forcing Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio into a save, causing him to rebound the ball and Zabala poking in the rebound in the net, but the goal was disallowed for an offside. 

Al Ain would create another goalscoring opportunity on a transition play. The ball would fall to Togolese striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba, who avoided his marker by cutting back and getting a shot from distance, but Di Gregorio got a hand to it, sending the ball out of play. 

Juventus would close out the game in the 58th minute when Pierre Kalulu won the ball in the midfield, playing the ball with his teammates. Kalulu would play the ball out to the wing to Conceição. The Portuguese international ran towards the box, and with a cutback run, placed his shot towards goal, netting his brace and sealing Juventus' victory. 

Juventus could have had a sixth goal in the match; however, Douglas Luis' shot would rattle the crossbar. 

With this result, Juventus takes first place in Group G with 3 points. They are level in points with Manchester City, who secured a 2-0 victory against Wydad AC of Morocco earlier in the day. 

Juventus will travel to Philadelphia, where they will play Wydad AC on Sunday afternoon, while Al Ain will travel to Atlanta, where they will face off against Manchester City on Sunday night.