Date: Sunday 22nd June, 2025
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Kick-off Time: 20:00
Real Madrid are set to make their return to the pitch in Group H of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup this Sunday, aiming to claim their first win of the tournament against Mexico’s Pachuca. The clash, taking place at Bank of America Stadium, brings together two sides with very different approaches to the game, setting the stage for a compelling and possibly unpredictable contest.
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Real Madrid – The Spanish giants
Real Madrid come into this year’s Club World Cup as the most seasoned European side in the tournament’s history, having featured in six editions and lifting the trophy five times. However, the team is currently undergoing a transitional phase, following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti after four trophy-laden years, which included two Champions League titles.
Their opening match didn’t exactly go to plan. Despite taking the lead through Gonzalo Garcia in the 34th minute, they couldn’t hold on, as Ruben Neves equalized from the penalty spot before halftime. The game against Al-Hilal ended 1–1, leaving Madrid with plenty to prove.
They’re still widely regarded as one of the frontrunners for the title, but anything short of a win against Pachuca would leave them with a tough hill to climb in their final group match against Salzburg.
Pachuca– The 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Winner
Pachuca are no strangers to the Club World Cup stage, having appeared six times before, with their best showing coming in the form of a third-place finish. They’ve often exited in the quarter-finals, but after clinching the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, they followed it up with a solid run to the Intercontinental Cup final, a sign they can rise to big occasions.
Much of their recent success was linked to coach Guillermo Almada, but after a poor domestic campaign finishing 16th in the first half of the Mexican League and going out in the quarter-finals of the second, Pachuca turned to Jaime Lozano, the former national team manager, to manage the team.
Lately, though, the team has struggled for form. They’ve scored just three goals and conceded seven across their last five matches, with only one win in their last six. That said, while their momentum isn’t ideal, Pachuca still carry enough individual quality to punish Real Madrid—especially if the Spanish giants aren’t fully switched on.
Head-to-Head
Real Madrid and Pachuca have met once before, in the final of the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. On that occasion, the Spanish giants delivered a commanding performance, cruising to a 3–0 victory. That result gives Madrid a psychological edge heading into this rematch, though Pachuca will no doubt be eager to prove they’ve grown since that defeat.
Possible lineup:
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, F Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Garcia, Vinicius
Pachuca: Moreno; Rodriguez, Bauermann, Pereira, Gonzalez; Montiel, Pedraza, Palavecino; Dominguez, Rondon, Kenedy
Key Players to Watch:
- Real Madrid: Gonzalo Garcia,Jude Bellingham
- Pachuca: Bryan Gonzalez, Salomon Rondon
Where to Watch:
The match will be available live on SuperSport, FIFA+, and select local broadcasters depending on your region.
Global Streaming & Cable
- DAZN — DAZN will stream all matches for free, and it will be available in all countries. To access the FIFA Club World Cup match for free, just download the free DAZN app from your normal app store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device.
- TNT Sports / TBS / truTV (U.S.)
- FIFA+ — free global streaming via FIFA’s platform
GoalBangWays Prediction Insight:
Pachuca might cause a few problems for Real Madrid and could very well prevent Courtois from keeping a clean sheet once again. Still, Madrid are expected to step up their attacking game after a relatively subdued opener. With their firepower and depth, they should have enough to secure a win this time again.
Other Interesting Predictions
Given the current form, tactical edge, and overall mindset of both teams, backing Real Madrid to either win or draw feels like a solid call. They may not be firing on all cylinders yet, but their quality and experience should be enough to see them through, either with a narrow victory or by a draw.
