Real Madrid Faces Brutal Path to 2025 Club World Cup Glory at MetLife Stadium
Real Madrid delivered their finest Club World Cup display to secure qualification for the knockout rounds as Group H champions. They comfortably defeated RB Salzburg 3-0 in the cooler conditions of Philadelphia.
A tactical shift by new coach Xabi Alonso appears to have benefited Los Blancos, as they adopted a three-man defense for their concluding group match. This formation change enabled Trent Alexander-Arnold to produce his tournament-best showing and helped Madrid achieve their most cohesive team performance.
Nevertheless, more demanding tests await Alonso's squad, beginning with the round of 16.
Below is Real Madrid's possible path to the Club World Cup final.
Real Madrid Last 16 Opponents
Madrid must navigate a challenging path if they wish to secure their record-extending sixth Club World Cup title this summer. Their knockout phase begins against Juventus, who netted nine goals in their first two group matches but suffered a 5-2 defeat to Manchester City on the final matchday and finished as Group G runners-up.
These two legendary clubs have clashed 21 times, with their first meeting dating back to the 1961-62 European Cup quarterfinals. Madrid hold the advantage with 11 victories, though they lost 3-1 in their most recent encounter seven years ago. Despite Juve's impressive 3-1 triumph in the Spanish capital, it wasn't sufficient to reach the UEFA Champions League semifinals.
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Real Madrid's Potential Quarterfinal Opponents
Madrid would have welcomed an easier opponent to begin the knockout phase, but Alonso's team will still be favored to overcome Igor Tudor's Bianconeri.
If they triumph in Miami, we might witness a rematch of the 2024 Champions League final in the Club World Cup quarterfinals. Borussia Dortmund suffered a 2-0 defeat at Wembley two seasons prior and have undergone significant changes since that loss. Niko Kovač has taken charge following Nuri Sahin's unsuccessful managerial spell, and the former Bayern Munich manager has made an encouraging start.
BVB weren't entirely convincing while winning Group F to arrange a last 16 encounter with Monterrey. A German victory would create a showdown between the Bellingham siblings, while a Mexican upset would pit Sergio Ramos against his former longtime club.
Real Madrid's Potential Semifinal Opponents
Paris Saint-Germain captured the trophy traditionally associated with Real Madrid to cap off 2024-25. Luis Enrique's Parisians excelled in the Champions League final as they claimed their maiden European championship.
They were anticipated to dominate in the United States this summer, but PSG have encountered some difficulties. Botafogo shocked them on Matchday 2, though convincing victories over Atlético Madrid and Seattle Sounders still secured them Group B leadership. They now face Inter Miami in the last 16, with Lionel Messi and his star teammates preparing for a potential major upset.
The victor of that encounter will meet either Flamengo or Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals. Bayern dropped to second in Group C after surprisingly losing to Benfica on Matchday 3, while Flamengo clinched Group D's top position with one group fixture remaining. The Brazilian side leads Série A and has demonstrated the form of potential champions.
Should they progress, Madrid will encounter one of these four teams in the semifinals.
Real Madrid's Potential Final Opponents
Three of the four Brazilian teams that have impressed in the tournament are positioned on the opposite side of the bracket, with two of them—Palmeiras and Botafogo—meeting in the round of 16.
The victor of that all-Brazilian contest will face either Chelsea or Benfica in the quarterfinals. The Blues lost to Flamengo in group play and had to accept second place in Group D, while Benfica narrowly defeated Bayern to claim the group's top spot.
Manchester City were outstanding in their 5-2 demolition of Madrid's round of 16 opponents, Juventus, and appear well-positioned for a final run. Their journey continues against Al Hilal, who drew with Alonso's team on the tournament's opening matchday. Champions League finalists Inter or Fluminense will be waiting in the quarterfinals.