Gonzalo Garcia steals the spotlight as Real Madrid navigate Kylian Mbappe's absence

The Castilla youngster, included in the squad for the tournament, has emerged as a standout performer, notching three goals and an assist to become a key attacking force for Los Blancos.

His impact has been magnified by Kylian Mbappe's absence, with the French striker sidelined for the opening three matches due to a viral illness and only managing a brief cameo against Juventus. Garcia seized his moment, scoring a decisive header to secure victory over the Italian giants.

Despite Garcia's heroics, Mbappe's return looms large. The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who claimed both La Liga's Pichichi and the European Golden Boot with 43 goals in his debut season at Real Madrid, remains the club's talisman. “He's improving every day. By Saturday, he'll be in better shape. I speak with him daily, and he'll be ready for the quarter-finals,” Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said after the Juventus win, where Mbappe replaced Garcia for just over 20 minutes.

With a quarter-final clash against Borussia Dortmund scheduled for Saturday, Mbappe's recovery is on track to see him reclaim the central striker role. However, Garcia's scintillating form adds intrigue to Alonso's selection dilemma.

Real Madrid, vocal supporters of the revamped Club World Cup despite early reservations, are determined to become its inaugural champions, a goal that carries both sporting and institutional weight. Mbappe, a cornerstone of the project, is eager to leave his mark on the global stage.

Garcia's rise has put Alonso in a tactical bind. The manager, in his first tournament with Real Madrid, has experimented with various systems, including a three-centre-back setup with wing-backs, which leaves room for just two forwards, likely Vinicius Junior and Mbappe, provided the latter's recovery continues. Mbappe's visible weight loss from his illness has raised concerns, but the club's medical staff remain optimistic.

Alternatively, Alonso could opt for a three-forward system, accommodating Garcia alongside Vinicius and Mbappe, by switching to a back four, a formation used against Al-Hilal and in the second half against Juventus. A less likely scenario would see Garcia retain his place alongside Vinicius, with Mbappe left out if his condition falters in the final training sessions.

Alonso's tactical flexibility has been a hallmark of Real Madrid's campaign, and the Dortmund match offers another test of his nous. With Mbappe's status and Garcia's breakout form, the Basque manager faces a high-stakes decision as Real Madrid chase a semi-final berth.