Real Madrid have a strong track record in the Club World Cup, winning the trophy five times. They will kick off their Group H campaign against Al Hilal in Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.
The Spanish giants are embarking on a new era with Xabi Alonso at the helm, following his move from Bayer Leverkusen to La Liga. This match marks a significant starting point for him.
These two teams clashed in the 2023 Club World Cup final, which Real Madrid won 5-3, with Vinicius Junior scoring twice in a thrilling encounter.
Al Hilal also have a new coach in Simone Inzaghi, who previously led Inter to the Champions League final. The Saudi team boasts players like Kalidou Koulibaly, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Team news
Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy are with the team in the USA but are doubtful due to injuries. Antonio Rudiger and Endrick are likely to be sidelined, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen aim to make an impact.
Inzaghi is expected to use a 3-5-2 formation with Al Hilal, but Joao Cancelo's fitness is a concern.
The stats
Real Madrid's 5-3 victory over Al-Hilal in the 2022 Club World Cup final made them the most successful team in the tournament's history.
The La Liga side has been strong defensively in recent games, keeping clean sheets in five of their last eight matches. However, they have shown vulnerability by conceding in 14 of their last 19 games overall.
Real Madrid has won six of their previous eight matches, with their two defeats coming against Barcelona.
Al Hilal has been involved in high-scoring matches recently, with both teams scoring in four of their last six games. They have also seen over 2.5 goals in seven of their last nine outings.
A key player for Al-Hilal is Aleksandar Mitrovic, who netted 28 goals in 36 appearances during the 2024-25 season.
Prediction
Real Madrid's attacking prowess was evident in their 5-3 triumph over Al Hilal in the 2023 Club World Cup final, setting the stage for another exciting contest.
With Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius, and Jude Bellingham leading the charge for Real Madrid, they are expected to outshine their opponents. However, their defensive lapses, as seen in conceding in 14 of their last 19 matches, could be a concern.
Al Hilal's danger man Mitrovic and playmakers like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Salem Al-Dawsari, and Malcom provide a threat. The Saudi team, under Inzaghi's guidance, will look to make an impact early on.