Real Madrid vs Pachuca Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025 FIFA Club World Cup | Group Stage
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15-time European champions Real Madrid were held to a draw in their opening encounter as they now prepare to take on Pachuca in their second outing this week.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – DAZN & Channel 5 / US – DAZN
Real Madrid team news: Mbappe hospitalised
France captain and Real Madrid’s star man Kylian Mbappe has been hospitalised due to gastrointestinal issues, so he is unavailable. They also have several other injuries, such as Antonio Rudiger, Eduardo Camavinga and Endrick.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Fede Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius Junior
Unavailable: Militao (Injured), Alaba (Injured), Rudiger (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Camavinga (Injured), Mbappe (Illness), Endrick (Injured)
Questionable:
Pachuca team news: Kenedy races back
Former Chelsea and Newcastle United attacker Kenedy has returned to full fitness for this one and he started their opener. They have no other fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for this one.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Carlos Moreno; Luis Rodriguez, Eduardo, Pereira, Bryan Gonzalez; Elias Montiel, Pedro Pedraza, Palavecino; Alexei Dominguez, Salomon Rondon, Kenedy
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Key stats
- These teams met as recently as last December when Real Madrid defeated Pachuca 3-0 in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024™ final in Qatar. Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr were all on target for the Spanish side.
- Real Madrid have won their last three FIFA club competition matches against Mexican teams without conceding a goal.
- Real Madrid won 2-1 against Chelsea at this stadium on their pre-season tour of the USA in the summer of 2024 with goals from Lucas Vázquez and Brahim Díaz.
- Real Madrid have scored in each of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
- This is Pachuca’s 13th FIFA club competition match (W4 D2 L7).
- Pachuca defender Gustavo Cabral spent seven years in Spain with Celta Vigo (2012-19); team-mate Salomón Rondón played in Spain’s second division with Las Palmas (2008-10) and La Liga with Málaga (2010-12).
- Gustavo Cabral has made 15 appearances against Real Madrid in all competitions and scored against them all the way back in February 2012 as a Levante player in a 4-2 away defeat in the Spanish top flight. Real Madrid’s new coach Xabi Alonso also played in that match.
- Kenedy joined Pachuca last month on loan from Spanish team Valladolid. He has also had spells at Getafe and Granada.
- Oussama Idrissi (Sevilla 20-21, Cádiz 2022 loan), Alonso Aceves (Oviedo 2022 loan) and Santiago Homenchenko (Oviedo 2024 loan) have also had brief spells in Spain.
- In their opening match against Salzburg, Pachuca’s Bryan González netted the first direct free kick of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
- Real Madrid ‘keeper Thibaut Courtois has kept a clean sheet in his last five senior competitive appearances against Pachuca forward Salomón Rondón. The Venezuelan has yet to score against the Belgian keeper in nine meetings, in domestic competitions in Spain, England, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024™ final. They first met in January 2012 when a Malaga team containing Rondón drew 0-0 in La Liga against an Atlético side with Courtois between the posts.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca prediction
Real Madrid are undergoing fairly major surgery this summer with new signings such as Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, as well as the appointment of Xabi Alonso. Los Blancos were underwhelming the other day as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Pro League runners’ up Al Hilal in their opener.
They now face a Pachuca side that were are now already fighting an uphill battle after suffering a surprise 2-1 loss to Red Bull Salzburg in their opening game at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. Salzburg took the lead via Oscar Gloukh before a Bryan Gonzalez equaliser and then a winner scored by Karim Onisiwo.
Real Madrid are trying to adapt to Xabi Alonso’s style of football and they remain favourites for this one, but it is expected to be a hard-fought victory against Pachuca.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca tip: Real Madrid to win & under 3.5 goals
