Approaching the conclusion of the Club World Cup group stage, Real Madrid is set to play RB Salzburg on Thursday in Philadelphia, needing a result to guarantee passage to the last 16. Winning this match would secure their spot as group leaders, while a draw might suffice based on the outcome of the Al-Hilal vs. Pachuca game. However, manager Xabi Alonso`s side will be missing a crucial player, forward Kylian Mbappe, for this fixture.
Mbappe was hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis during the group stage. He was discharged around a week ago and has since rejoined training. Given the impact of heat in these matches, caution is being exercised with the French star. While there`s a possibility he could feature in the round of 16, the focus remains on managing his recovery carefully for now.
Manager Xabi Alonso commented on Mbappe`s condition: “I was happy to see him on the pitch, but it was his first time running, and he hasn`t fully recovered yet. He still has a vulnerability that prevents him from playing [Thursday] at the required competitive intensity. After training, we spoke, and he is hopeful his recovery will improve if we reach the round of 16. He aims to be available then, but he is still recovering and isn`t 100% ready for the upcoming match.”
Mbappe is considered vital for Real Madrid`s future success, particularly in the tournament`s knockout stages. In his first season with the club, he was prolific, scoring 40 goals and providing four assists across all competitions. As the team concluded the regular season without major trophies, this tournament presents an opportunity to finish on a positive note before the offseason break.
Consequently, it`s expected that young forward Gonzalo Garcia will start his third consecutive match for Real Madrid in the tournament. The 21-year-old has impressed with a goal and an assist in his initial two appearances, making an impact despite having limited first-team experience before this competition (only four prior appearances across all competitions). As Alonso assesses his squad, he`s been integrating players from Real Madrid`s youth ranks, including Garcia. Notably, Rodrygo hasn`t been utilized in a false nine role in Mbappe`s absence. Speculation suggests the Brazilian might be leaving the club, which could explain why Alonso is exploring alternative options.
Predicted Lineups
RB Salzburg: Christian Zawieschitzky, Stefan Lainer, Joane Gadou, Jacob Rasmussen, Frans Kratzig, Mads Bidstrup, Soumaila Diabate, Nene Dorgeles, Oscar Gloukh, Edmund Baidoo, Karim Onisiwo
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius Junior
Match Information & Odds
- Date: Thursday, June 26 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Live stream: Watch on DAZN (for free)
- Odds: RB Salzburg +750; Draw +490; Real Madrid -370
Group H Qualification Scenarios
Real Madrid advances to the round of 16 with:
- A win or draw against RB Salzburg
- A loss to RB Salzburg AND Al-Hilal draws or loses to Pachuca
RB Salzburg advances to the round of 16 with:
- A win or draw against Real Madrid
- A loss to Real Madrid AND Al-Hilal loses to Pachuca
Al-Hilal advances to the round of 16 with:
- A win against Pachuca AND Real Madrid loses to RB Salzburg OR RB Salzburg loses to Real Madrid (Note: This scenario is unlikely as a loss for either Real Madrid or Salzburg combined with an Al-Hilal win means Al-Hilal could potentially advance over the loser, depending on goal difference tiebreakers which are not fully detailed in the original text scenarios, but the core conditions are listed.)
Pachuca: Eliminated from the competition
Predicted Score
Real Madrid`s attack finds form, leading them to top the group and build momentum for the knockout stage. Prediction: Real Madrid 3, RB Salzburg 1.
