Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceição each scored a brace as Italian giants Juventus began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday night.
The win places Juventus at the top of Group G on goal difference ahead of Manchester City, who defeated Wydad Casablanca 2-0 in their opening fixture.
In front of a crowd of 18,161 at the Inter&Co Stadium, many sporting the club’s famous black and white stripes, Juventus took an early lead. In the 11th minute, French international Randal Kolo Muani headed home a cross from defender Alberto Costa to open the scoring.
Portuguese winger Francisco Conceição doubled the advantage ten minutes later, skillfully dribbling into the penalty area before finding the net. Turkish prodigy Kenan Yildiz made it 3-0 in the 31st minute with a shot into the lower-left corner. Kolo Muani then grabbed his second of the night four minutes into first-half stoppage time, giving the 36-time Italian champions an insurmountable 4-0 lead at the break.
Conceição completed his brace and the scoring in the 58th minute, capping a dominant performance for the Turin side.
Juventus will now travel to Philadelphia for their next group match against Moroccan club Wydad, where a victory could secure their place in the knockout stages. Al Ain face a difficult second match against group favourites and reigning English champions Manchester City in Atlanta on Sunday.
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