Miami, July 1, 2025: Kylian Mbappé finally made his long-awaited Club World Cup debut, coming off the bench in Real Madrid's 1-0 victory over Juventus in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
The French superstar entered the match in the 68th minute at Hard Rock Stadium, replacing goalscorer Gonzalo García. Mbappé, who missed all three group stage matches due to a gastrointestinal illness that required hospital treatment, was greeted by loud cheers and chants from the rain-soaked crowd as he warmed up and took the field.
While Mbappé saw action and linked up briefly with Vinícius Júnior, the decisive moment came earlier. García, the 21-year-old who excelled in Mbappé's absence during the group stage (scoring three goals), headed home the winning goal before making way for the marquee signing.
Mbappé's introduction brings significant star power to the tournament, especially after Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the previous round. His return provides a major boost for Madrid as they advance to the quarterfinals. Coach Xabi Alonso confirmed pre-match that the debut was likely after Mbappé recovered fully and travelled with the squad.
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