- Juventus defeat Al Ain 5-0 in CWC action
- USMNT's McKennie captains Bianconeri to victory
- Kolo Muani, Conceicao both net braces in big win
AFPUSMNT star Weston McKennie captains Juventus as the Bianconeri handily defeat UAE side Al Ain in their Club World Cup opener
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Juventus's 2025 FIFA Club World Cup journey began with a bang on Wednesday evening as the Bianconeri defeated United Arab Emirates side Al Ain 5-0 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. in Group G action.
U.S. international Weston McKennie captained the Serie A side to victory, as France international Randal Kolo Muani and Portuguese winger Francisco Conceição each bagged a brace en route to three points. Turkish forward Kenan Yildiz scored the other effort, with the 20-year-old bagging an early frontrunner for goal of the tournament.
Kolo Muani opened the scoring 11 minutes in, before Conceicao scored his first 10 minutes later. Come the 31st minute of the match, Yildiz stepped up to score from distance, turning tightly before curling home a brilliant low-driven strike.
In the first half stoppage time, Kolo Muani secured his brace, as the Bianconeri went into the halftime break up 4-0. At halftime, fellow USMNT regular alongside McKennie, Tim Weah, was introduced to the match along with Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz. The dagger, Conceicao's second, came in the 58th minute, and thereafter, the Bianconeri coasted to victory.
Al Ain never found their footing on the pitch, and error-prone defending ultimately cost them after a poor first-half showing.
With all three points, Juventus sit atop Group G at the end of the Matchday, trailed by Manchester City, Club Wydad, and at the bottom, Al Ain.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2018, Al Ain reached the Club World Cup final after defeating Team Wellington, Esperance de Tunis, and River Plate before falling to Real Madrid 4-1. Meanwhile, on Juventus' side, this marked the third time McKennie has worn the captain's armband for the Bianconeri.
AFPTHE MVP
Randal Kolo Muani: So, so close to a hat-trick, but he will still be happy with a brace. The France international was brilliant all evening long, and an absolute menace in the final third. He displayed incredible versatility all evening long, operating in transition, on threat pieces, and in build-up play. A complete performance from their No. 9.
Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER
The Al Ain defense: The UAE side was prone to silly mistakes all evening, constantly turning the ball over, leading to chances for Juventus. They struggled to play out of the back and panicked under pressure across the entire game. As Juventus gained confidence, they began to commit sloppy errors, and they just never recovered.
Getty Images SportWHAT COMES NEXT?
Juventus return to the pitch on Sunday when they take on Moroccan club Wydad at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, while Al Ain have a big test against Premier League giants Manchester City at Mercedes-Benz Stadium the same evening.
Getty Images SportMATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐⭐⭐