This Group B encounter at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played between Spanish giants Atlético Madrid and American outfit Seattle Sounders on June 20 at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Here are our preview and prediction for the game.
Both teams enter this contest on the back of defeats on matchday one, with Atlético Madrid losing heavily to Paris Saint-Germain and the Sounders coming up short against Botafogo.
The Major League Soccer side were unable to take advantage of home comforts in their opening encounter as they suffered a narrow 2–1 defeat to the reigning Copa Libertadores champions. After falling two goals behind before the interval, a deflected effort from Cristian Roldan in the second half went in vain as Botafogo held on for maximum points.
Three points behind the top two in Group B, the Sounders must find a way to win at least one of their remaining two fixtures against European giants Atleti and PSG to keep their knockout hopes alive. That said, they are currently on a three-match losing streak across all competitions — including back-to-back defeats in MLS — and head into Friday’s clash with Atleti looking to avoid losing three consecutive home games for the first time since March 2011.
As for their counterparts, Atlético Madrid, the first all-European meeting at this Club World Cup was one they’d want to erase from their memories. As the reigning UEFA Champions League winners thrashed them all over the pitch, they lost 4–0 and also went down to ten men in the second half.
In LA’s scorching sunshine, Diego Simeone’s & Co had no response to PSG turning up the heat, but all is not lost for them. With their toughest group-stage fixture now out of the way, their focus shifts to rather easier encounters with the Sounders and then Botafogo — games they are expected to win.
Touted by some as underdogs before the tournament began, despite an early UCL exit and a trophyless 2024/25 campaign, Atleti can ill afford to suffer a third defeat in five matches across all competitions if they are to progress to the knockouts. Having earned their place at the Club World Cup via the UEFA ranking pathway, the Rojiblancos have never faced an American team before.
Friday’s contest represents the eighth time a Spanish side locks horns with an American outfit, with all Spanish sides prevailing in the last five meetings. Thus, looking ahead to what promises to be a decisive Group B showdown, Atleti cannot take the Sounders lightly, though they are firm favourites for this game with their superior attacking prowess and defensive solidity.
Score Prediction: Seattle Sounders 0–3 Atlético Madrid
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
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