Juventus have a foot in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 after a Kenan Yildiz double helped secure a 4-1 win over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, though the result from the Lincoln Financial Field tells a different tale from how tough the match was for the Italians.
The Old Lady opened scoring after six minutes through an own-goal by Abdelmounaim Boutouil after Yildiz’s initial strike deflected off the Wydad defender and wrong-footed goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid at the near post.
Yildiz, not to be denied a goal of his own, doubled Juventus’ lead 10 minutes later with a powerful strike from the edge of the area, with the 20-year-old pouncing onto Andrea Cambiaso’s pass before letting loose a first-time effort that rifled into the top corner.
Wydad pulled a goal back to bring the contest to life after 25 minutes thanks to Thembinkosi Lorch, who ran onto a through pass before sending a soft lob over Juventus goalkeeper Michele di Gregorio to halve the deficit.
But Yildiz added a third for the Italian side midway through the second half before substitute Dusan Vlahovic converted from the spot in stoppage time.
The victory leaves Juventus on the brink of qualification to the knockout stages. They face Manchester City in their final group game on Thursday 26 June.