In the United States, Real Madrid and Pachuca are trying to get their Club World Cups back on track after dropping points on the first day of Group H action.
In the first match of their FIFA Club World Cup, Madrid and Al Hilal ended up drawing 1-1, with a late penalty stop denying them all three points.
Pachuca also had a disappointing debut, falling 2-1 in Cincinnati despite outscoring Red Bull Salzburg 17-10. Bryan Gonzalez scored for the Liga MX team, which also includes Moroccan import Oussama Idrissi and Premier League veterans Salomon Rondon and Kenedy.
Even though their group stage is complicated by a long number of defensive ailments, Real Madrid is still Real, while Pachuca is still getting used to playing after missing a month of action due to the Clausura quarterfinal and a pre-tournament friendly against Al Ahly.
See PST’s live blog coverage of Real Madrid vs. Pachuca below for real-time updates and highlights.
How to watch Real Madrid vs Pachuca live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Sunday (June 22)
Venue: Bank of America Stadium — Charlotte, North Carolina
TV Channel/Streaming: Watch live on DAZN, for free
Real Madrid team updates, emphasis
Kylian Mbappe has had a challenging time at the Club World Cup, dealing with a stomach problem that necessitated a hospital visit. He has rejoined the squad, although he may not be fully integrated into the lineup.
Pachuca team updates, emphasis
Rondon and Idrissia have been pivotal in playmaking, and there’s a potential threat from the out-of-form yet previously prolific 23-year-old Fluminense loanee, John Kennedy.
Real Madrid vs Pachuca forecast
While Pachuca enjoys the support of a strong crowd, Real Madrid consistently has their own backing and are clear favorites to set their CWC campaign on the right path. Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Pachuca.