Wydad eliminated from FIFA Club World Cup after defeat to Juventus

Morocco’s Wydad AC are eliminated from contention to reach the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after the Casablanca side fell to Italian giants Juventus by a 4-1 score in Sunday’s Group G clash at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Rising star striker Kenan Yildiz scored twice for Juventus in the victory and was only denied a hat-trick when his 6th minute shot was deflected into the Wydad net for an own goal by defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil.

Wydad did put in a respectable effort but a disastrous start doomed The Red Castle to defeat. Yildiz caused the early own goal after an intricate team movement created a shooting opportunity for the Turkish marksman. Ten minutes later the 20-year-old forward left no doubt that the goal was his after firing a perfect finish past Mehdi Benabid in the Wydad goal.

But Wydad did not leave without a goal. The Moroccan club got back into contention with an excellent 25th minute finish by South African loanee Thembinkosi Lorch. Ghanaian forward Samuel Obeng flicked a clever header to winger Nordin Amrabat on the left wing and the former Morocco national team player played a precise pass to set up Lorch for a clever chipped finish.

Wydad continued to battle but were limited to rare opportunities and eventually, Juventus showed their class in the second half when Yildiz added his second goal in the 69th minute. Dusan Vlahovic finished the scoring with a penalty kick in stoppage time and Wydad are now officially eliminated from contention to reach the knockout stage.

Wydad finish their campaign in the USA against Emirati club Al Ain, who are in action later on Sunday against Manchester City. The Casablanca club will eye a victory to finish their tournament with pride when the teams clash on Thursday in Washington, DC.

Group G Table