Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao both scored twice as the young guns of Juventus made a statement in their Club World Cup opener with a dominant 5-0 win over Emirati club Al-Ain on Wednesday.

Kolo Muani grabbed both of his goals in the first half, Conceicao scored either side of the break while Turkey forward Kenan Yildiz also found the net as Juventus dazzled the crowd at Audi Field with some mesmeric football.

“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.

“I finished last season well and we’ve started this good as well.”

The convincing victory sent Juventus top of Group G level on three points with England’s Manchester City, who beat Wydad Casablanca 2-0 earlier on Wednesday.

Twice Asian champions Al-Ain conceded two thirds of the pitch for much of the first half and Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram ran the show from about 35 metres out with Conceicao and Yildiz buzzing around in front of him.

A neat exchange of passing in the 11th minute set Alberto Costa free on the edge of the box and the young Portuguese right back lofted over a cross which Kolo Muani met with a powerful header at the far post for the opening goal.

Costa’s fine work down the right flank 10 minutes later set up the second goal for Conceicao, who ghosted across the box before unleashing a shot which took a deflection and flew over the outstretched arms of Rui Patricio in the Al-Ain goal.

A further 10 minutes on and the lively Yildiz took the ball on the left before cutting inside, taking two touches and firing a shot into the net off the post.

Al-Ain had to push forward if they were going to get anything out of the game but they paid the price for their ambition in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

A through ball from Thuram found Kolo Muani peeling off the last defender and the French striker slotted the ball into net with the outside of his right foot to take his tally to five goals in his last six games for The Old Lady.

The Emirati side had a goal ruled out for offside at the start of the second half and skipper Kodjo Laba drew a fine save out of Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio in the 49th minute.

Conceicao, however, put the game well beyond them in the 58th minute when he skipped into the box from the right wing and beat Portuguese Patricio for the second time with a fine low strike.

Patricio finally showed the quality that earned him 108 Portugal caps to deny Kolo Muani a hat-trick in the 66th minute and Juventus substitute Douglas Luiz came close to further blowing out the scoreline in the last couple of minutes.

Juventus next play Morroco’s Wydad in Philadephia on Sunday, while Al-Ain, who lost to Real Madrid in the 2018 Club World Cup final, face City in Atlanta later the same day.

-Reuters

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Odion Ighalo may no longer wear the Al-Hilal shirt, but his former club made major headlines on Wednesday night after holding mighty Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at the FIFA Club World Cup — a result that is fast becoming a symbol of Arab football’s rise.

The Saudi giants, coached by Italian legend Simone Inzaghi, delivered an organized and fearless performance against the 15-time UEFA Champions League winners, showing the world that Gulf football has caught up with the elite.

For Nigerian fans, the result hits even closer to home. Ighalo, one of Nigeria’s most recognisable forwards in recent years, led the Al-Hilal attack during their 2022 Club World Cup campaign in Morocco. His stint helped raise the club’s profile across Africa, and their latest performance shows the momentum hasn’t stopped.

Al-Hilal dominated large spells of the first half and nearly pulled off a major upset against Xabi Alonso’s star-studded Real Madrid side. The draw means they go into their next match against RB Salzburg with plenty of confidence — and a real shot at qualification from Group H.

Coach Inzaghi was full of praise for his team’s effort:

“It was a very good game. The lads played with great organisation and personality against what I consider one of the three strongest teams in the world. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

He also spoke about the broader message the result sends for football in the Middle East:

“People are starting to realise the level is rising. I’ve found a club here with organisation, ambition and players hungry to compete. The game was tough with the heat and humidity, but the players handled it superbly.”

Saudi Arabia’s Pro League has invested heavily in football infrastructure and top talents in recent years — a strategy that’s beginning to pay off. For Nigerian football lovers watching from afar, this evolution isn’t just entertaining — it’s a chance to rethink old narratives about “weaker” footballing regions.

Back in 2022, Ighalo’s performances for Al-Hilal sparked interest from Nigerian fans. Now, the club is flying high again — not just as Saudi Arabia’s best, but as genuine contenders on the world stage.

With the likes of Al-Hilal gaining ground and holding their own against the best of Europe, Nigerian football fans might soon be cheering more Gulf clubs — especially those who continue to showcase African talent with pride.

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Boca Juniors players Ander Herrera and Nicolas Figal were handed four-match bans by FIFA after being sent off in their Club World Cup opener against Benfica, a spokesperson for the Argentine club told Reuters on Wednesday.

Boca disagreed with the sanctions imposed on their players after Benfica’s Andrea Belotti received a two-match ban for catching Ayrton Costa in the head with a high boot in the 72nd minute.

“We have already contacted FIFA to submit an appeal,” said the club spokesperson.

Spanish midfielder Herrera, who was subbed off due to a muscle injury, was shown a red card in the 45th minute after protesting to Mexican referee Cesar Ramos from the bench over a penalty awarded to the Portuguese side.

Defender Figal was sent off in the 88th minute with a straight red card for a foul on Florentino Luis when the match was tied at 2-2.

Boca will face Bayern Munich at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Friday in their second match in Group C.

-Reuters

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