Group H set to bring lots of excitement
The FIFA Club World Cup has kicked off in style, featuring lots of drama, goals, euphoria, and other exciting moments. It remains to be seen what Group H, which consists of Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Salzburg, and Pachuca, will bring. Some global stars that we can look forward to watching in this group include the likes of Mbappé, Bellingham, Mitrovic, and Cancelo. Arguably, the biggest matchup of this group will be between the two clubs favored to progress: Real Madrid and Al-Hilal.
Can Al-Hilal upset Los Blancos
Al-Hilal will face a tight battle for knockout football qualification, with their clash with Salzburg potentially having a big say in whether or not they progress. Though they may have the upper hand due to higher quality in their squad, the game could go either way. The 2021 AFC Champions will hope to have a strong run in this tournament, but qualifying from their group will be their first major milestone. The Saudi giants are not shy of quality in their attack, with Mitrovic and Leonardo leading the line and more than capable of punishing any opponent’s defense. Al-Hilal will want to give themselves a boost going into this upcoming season by playing well in this tournament and having a good run. Al-Hilal are also strong on the counterattack, and their quick combination plays often draw defenders out of shape, which allows them to attack loose spaces.
RB Salzburg face the tough task of getting over the line but must first beat Al-Hilal
RB Salzburg clinched their position in this tournament by being the ninth best European club. Unfortunately for them, the draw was not too favorable for them. They will take on Al-Hilal in a potential deciding clash on who gets to the knockout stage. Despite having strengths in attack and wowing fans with their quick counterattacks, one of their liabilities lies in defense. Defense is a key aspect of the game, and the fact that they lack organization at the back could see them get punished by prolific attackers.
Knockout stage may be too much of an expectation for Pachuca
Mexican side Pachuca’s most recent and notable triumph goes back to their victory in the 2024 Concacaf Cup. Pachuca reached the Intercontinental Cup final by scraping past the Champions of Africa, Al Ahly, on penalties. Unfortunately for them, they went on to be humbled by Los Blancos in the final. They find themselves in a rough group, and unfortunately for them, they will have to take on Real Madrid again. It may be too much to expect them to edge past the group stage. However, it must be noted that beating North America’s best teams and clinching the 2024 Concacaf Cup when they were not favorites is a big achievement.
Real Madrid expected to cruise past Group H
For Real Madrid, anything less than a triumph in this competition will be seen as a failure. With a new manager, new staff, and a few new additions, it signals a new dawn at the club. Real Madrid will want to quickly forget about the painful memories of last season, where they lost out on some of the big trophies. It is no secret that Los Blancos have been busy this transfer window, as they seek to beef up their team in the defensive department. Real Madrid struggled with injuries at the back, which is why splurging big on Huijsen was necessary. Huijsen will bring a blend of new skills, with tactical awareness, physicality, and aerial dominance being his main attributes. Trent will also massively benefit Real Madrid’s chances of winning the competition. His long balls and vertical passes will certainly fill part of the void left behind by Kroos.
