RB Salzburg and Real Madrid close out Group H play in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025with a pivotal Matchday 3 showdown, as both teams aim to book a spot in the Round of 16. Salzburg and Madrid currently top the group with four points apiece, followed by Al Hilal with two. Pachuca sit at the bottom with zero points and are already eliminated from contention.
Real Madrid enter the matchup in strong form after a much-needed 3–0 win over Pachuca, despite playing nearly the entire match down a man following an early red card to Raul Asencio. In their opening fixture, Madrid settled for a 1–1 draw against Al Hilal, missing the opportunity to secure qualification early.
Salzburg, meanwhile, drew 0–0 with Al Hilal in their second match but earned a 2–1 win over Pachuca on Matchday 1, giving them an edge heading into the group finale.
Both clubs are in favorable positions to advance. A win or draw would guarantee qualification for either side, while even a loss could be enough depending on the result between Al Hilal and Pachuca.
Real Madrid’s confirmed starting XI vs RB Salzburg
The only confirmed absence for manager Xabi Alonso is the suspended Raul Asencio following his red card against Pachuca. With this in mind, Alonso will field the same team that defeated the Mexican side in their last match, with Antonio Rudiger instead of Asencio.
This is Real Madrid’s confirmed lineup: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham; Arda Guler, Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius Junior.
RB Salzburg’s confirmed lineup vs Real Madrid
RB Salzburg will be without captain Mads Bidstrup for the match against Real Madrid, as the midfielder has been ruled out due to a calf injury, according to team reports.
RB Salzburg’s confirmed starting XI could be: Christian Zawieschitzky; Stefan Lainer, Joane Gadou, Jacob Rasmussen, Frans Kratzig; Dorgeles Nene, Mamady Diambou, Diabaté, Oscar Gloukh; Edmund Baidoo, Petar Ratkov.