River Plate Opens Club World Cup Against Urawa Red Diamonds

SEATTLE, Washington — River Plate, one of the most famous clubs in South American soccer, begins its journey in the FIFA Club World Cup this Tuesday against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.

River Plate earned its spot in the tournament through FIFA’s CONMEBOL club rankings after reaching the round of 16 in the Copa Libertadores. This marks their first appearance in the competition since they defeated arch-rivals Boca Juniors in the 2019 edition.

Urawa Red Diamonds secured their place in the Club World Cup by winning the 2022 AFC Champions League. Although the team is seen as one of the weaker opponents in Group E, this is their third trip to the tournament, previously finishing fourth.

River Plate is expected to dominate the match. The group also includes Inter Milan and Liga MX’s Monterrey. Fans anticipate a decisive victory against Urawa, who are seen as underdogs in this opening clash.

Both teams are entering the match with solid recent performances. River Plate secured a 3-0 victory over Barracas Central and tied against Universitario de Deportes, while Urawa Red Diamonds played to a 2-1 win against Yokohama FC.

River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo has not made changes to the squad ahead of the tournament, fielding a lineup similar to the one that faced Club Atlético Platense. Goalkeeper Franco Armani and defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuña will lead the team’s defense.

Seventeen-year-old forward Franco Mastantuono is a player to watch, as he is set to make a move to Real Madrid after the tournament. He has been noted as one of the brightest young talents in soccer.

“We are focused on starting strong,” said Gallardo. “This is a crucial moment for us.”

Meanwhile, Urawa Red Diamonds’ coach Maciej Skorża is optimistic despite being labeled underdogs. Swedish defender Marius Høibråten will anchor the defense, while attacking midfielder Ryōma Watanabe is expected to be a key player.

As the match approaches, the stakes are high for both teams. River Plate is aiming to capitalize on its experience, while Urawa is looking to prove its worth on the world stage.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 PM BST, and millions of fans are expected to tune in to see how this encounter unfolds.