Aksel Kryhlmand
I’m very happy to win the game, the team played a great game so we’re happy and now we’ll get ready for the next game
Washington, D.C., Juventus’ new generation delivered a thunderous statement of intent on Wednesday as they opened their Club World Cup campaign with a commanding 5-0 win over Al-Ain at Audi Field.
Kolo Muani and Conceicao Lead the Charge
French forward Randal Kolo Muani and Portuguese winger Francisco Conceicao both struck twice, while Kenan Yildiz added a sublime solo goal to cap off a night of attacking brilliance.
I’m very happy to win the game, the team played a great game so we’re happy and now we’ll get ready for the next game, said Kolo Muani, who has now scored five goals in his last six outings.
Kolo Muani opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a towering header from Alberto Costa’s inch-perfect cross. Ten minutes later, Costa was again involved, creating space down the right and feeding Conceicao, whose deflected strike looped over veteran keeper Rui Patricio.
Yildiz made it 3-0 before halftime with a dazzling run and finish from the left, and Kolo Muani capped off a stellar first half in stoppage time with a cool outside-foot finish after a clever pass from Khephren Thuram.
No Mercy from the Bianconeri
Al-Ain showed some fight early in the second half, forcing a superb save from Michele Di Gregorio and briefly finding the net before an offside call intervened. But Juventus weren’t done.
Conceicao scored his second of the night in the 58th minute, weaving inside from the right before firing a precise low strike past Patricio.
The Portuguese goalkeeper would later deny Kolo Muani a hat-trick, while substitute Douglas Luiz nearly added a sixth in the closing stages.
Group G Standings
The result puts Juventus level on three points with Manchester City at the top of Group G after the Premier League champions beat Wydad Casablanca 2-0 earlier on Wednesday.
Next fixtures (June 22):
- Juventus vs Wydad Casablanca – Philadelphia
- Al-Ain vs Manchester City – Atlanta
Al-Ain, twice champions of Asia and runners-up to Real Madrid at the 2018 Club World Cup, will now need a major turnaround to stay alive in the group.