Real Madrid vs Pachuca Match Preview: The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 continues to heat up, and a highly anticipated clash is set to take place in Group H as Spanish giants Real Madrid face off against Mexican side Pachuca. Both teams will be eager to secure a crucial win after less-than-ideal starts to their respective campaigns.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Real Madrid vs Pachuca |
| Competition | FIFA Club World Cup |
| Series | Group H, League Stage |
| Date | Monday, June 23, 2025 (Local time: Sunday, June 22, 2025) |
| Time | Indian Standard Time (IST): 12:30 AM (on June 23, 2025) US Eastern Time (ET): 3:00 PM (on June 22, 2025) |
| Stadium | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| Broadcaster (India) | FanCode app and website. DAZN also streams all matches globally for free. |
| Broadcaster (Other) | DAZN (Global, free streaming), TNT (USA), TBS (USA), truTV (USA), Channel 5 (UK – select matches) |
Real Madrid vs Pachuca Match Preview
Real Madrid, record five-time winners of this competition, had a surprisingly frustrating start to their Club World Cup journey. In Xabi Alonso’s debut as manager, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. Despite creating several chances, Los Blancos couldn’t convert their dominance into a decisive victory, with a late penalty also being missed. This means they are currently sitting second in Group H and are under pressure to get three points from this fixture to keep their knockout stage hopes alive. Real Madrid will be without key players like Kylian Mbappé (illness), and several others due to injury, including Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Éder Militão, and Dani Carvajal.
Pachuca, the CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, also suffered a defeat in their opening match, going down 2-1 to Austrian side RB Salzburg. While they managed to get on the scoresheet through Bryan González, they were left to rue missed opportunities. This loss places them at the bottom of Group H, meaning a defeat against Real Madrid could effectively end their tournament run. Pachuca will be looking for revenge, as their only previous encounter with Real Madrid was a 3-0 loss in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in December 2024. They will need a strong performance from their veteran striker Salomón Rondón to pose a threat.
This will be the second-ever meeting between these two clubs, with Real Madrid having won the previous encounter convincingly. Given the stakes, both teams will be looking to bounce back and secure a vital victory.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca Fantasy Tips
For fantasy football enthusiasts, here are some considerations for this match:
- Real Madrid’s Attacking Threat: Despite their opening draw, Real Madrid still possess immense attacking quality. Vinícius Júnior will likely be the focal point of their attack with Mbappé out and should be considered a strong pick for goals or assists. Youngster Gonzalo García, who scored in the last match, could also be a good differential.
- Creative Midfielders: Arda Güler could be a good shout for assists, as he has shown creativity and the ability to deliver key passes.
- Pachuca’s Key Player: For Pachuca, Salomón Rondón will be crucial upfront. If Pachuca are to score, he’s the most likely candidate, making him a potential differential pick, especially if you’re looking for an underdog to upset.
- Defensive Stability: Real Madrid’s defense, even with injuries, will be aiming for a clean sheet against a Pachuca side that struggled to convert chances in their first game. However, given their 1-1 draw, a clean sheet isn’t guaranteed.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca Match Prediction
Real Madrid enters this match as the clear favorites. Despite their surprising draw in the opener and a list of key injuries, their overall squad depth and individual quality are superior to Pachuca’s. Los Blancos will be highly motivated to secure a win and put their campaign back on track. Pachuca, while capable of creating chances, might struggle to contain Real Madrid’s attacking prowess, especially given their defensive vulnerabilities shown against Salzburg.
Our Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca. We expect Real Madrid to dominate possession and create numerous opportunities, ultimately securing a comfortable victory.
