Real Madrid took the lead against Al Hilal in its FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday (June 19 in IST) after 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia found the back of the net.
The youngster, who had only made six senior team appearances before this match, replaced Kylian Mbappe in the squad after the Frenchman missed out due to illness.
His strike in the 34th minute was the first goal under new manager Xabi Alonso, who took over the role from Carlo Ancelotti.
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Who is Gonzalo Garcia?
Before joining Real Madrid’s youth academy in 2014, Gonzalo had stints with SEK, Club Santa Bárbara, and Jarama Race. He spent a year in Mallorca’s academy in the 2018–19 season, before returning to Real Madrid.
In March 2022, he made his debut for Real Madrid Castilla which plays in the Spanish third tier.
Gonzalo made his debut for the senior team in the 2023-24 season, in its 3-0 win against Cadiz in the league. He has gone on to make four more appearances for the club, assisting once in that period.
He caught the headlines when he scored Real’s winner in added time against Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals in February this year.
He has made 95 appearances in all competitions for the senior team and youth teams, scoring 37 goals and recording 11 assists in that period.
