RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid: Full Match Preview, Predicted Lineups, Injury Updates & Score Prediction for Club World Cup 2025 Showdown

Redaksi    Thursday, June 26, 2025    Comment   

RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid: Full Match Preview, Predicted Lineups, Injury Updates & Score Prediction for Club World Cup 2025 Showdown

RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid: Full Match Preview, Predicted Lineups, Injury Updates & Score Prediction for Club World Cup 2025 Showdown.

With the top spot in Group H of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on the line, RB Salzburg and Real Madrid are set for a high-stakes clash at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Both sides currently sit on four points, meaning a win guarantees progression as group leaders—while a loss could spell elimination depending on the result between Al Hilal and Pachuca.

Match Overview: Salzburg and Madrid Battle for Knockout Qualification

Real Madrid, under manager Xabi Alonso, enter the final group stage match in strong form. Despite going down to 10 men early against Pachuca, Los Blancos managed an impressive 3–1 win thanks to disciplined defense and clinical finishing. That victory followed a 1–1 draw with Al Hilal and solid domestic performances.

Meanwhile, RB Salzburg struggled to break down Al Hilal in their last game, settling for a goalless draw despite launching 13 shots. Their earlier 2–1 win over Pachuca keeps them in contention, but questions remain over their attacking efficiency, especially when facing a heavyweight like Real Madrid.

RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid – Match Details

• Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA

• Date: Thursday, June 26 (US) / Friday, June 27 (Europe & Asia)

• Kick-Off Time:

  • 9 PM ET (US)

  • 6 PM PT (US)

  • 2 AM BST (UK)

• Referee: Dahane Beida

Head-to-Head Record

• Real Madrid Wins: 2

• RB Salzburg Wins: 0

• Draws: 0

• Last Meeting: Real Madrid 5–1 RB Salzburg (January 22, 2025 – Champions League)

Recent Form – All Competitions

RB Salzburg

• Salzburg 0–0 Al Hilal (June 22)

• Pachuca 1–2 Salzburg (June 18)

• Salzburg 4–2 Rapid Wien (May 24)

Real Madrid

• Real Madrid 3–1 Pachuca (June 18)

• Real Madrid 1–1 Al Hilal (June 18)

• Real Madrid 2–0 Real Sociedad (May 24)

How to Watch RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid – TV & Live Stream

Country	TV/Streaming Platform
United States	DAZN USA
United Kingdom	DAZN UK
Canada	DAZN Canada
Mexico	DAZN, tabii

Watch the FIFA Club World Cup live and on-demand on DAZN.

RB Salzburg Team News & Injuries

RB Salzburg suffered a major setback when Takumu Kawamura picked up a knee injury in training ahead of their draw with Al Hilal. He joins a growing list of absentees, including Alexander Schlager, Moussa Yeo, Nicolás Capaldo, and long-term ACL casualty Karim Konaté.

With Salzburg failing to score in their last outing, all eyes will be on Karim Onisiwo and Edmund Baidoo to provide the attacking spark. They'll need to take their chances if Salzburg wants any hope of upsetting Madrid.

Predicted Salzburg Lineup (4-4-2):
Zawieschitzky; Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, Krätzig; Nene, Bidstrup, Diabate, Gloukh; Baidoo, Onisiwo

Real Madrid Team News & Injuries

Kylian Mbappé remains sidelined after recovering from gastroenteritis. While he's resumed light training, he's not expected back until the knockout rounds. His absence leaves a hole up front, though Rodrygo, Vinícius Jr., and Jude Bellingham have stepped up effectively.

Raúl Asencio is suspended after his red card against Pachuca, but Madrid welcome back Antonio Rüdiger from injury. Manager Xabi Alonso may opt to rest him or rotate with Aurélien Tchouaméni in central defense.

Madrid still face a long injury list that includes Endrick, Ferland Mendy, Camavinga, David Alaba, Éder Militão, and Dani Carvajal.

Predicted Real Madrid Lineup (4-1-2-3):
Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Tchouaméni, Huijsen, Fran García; Valverde; Güler, Bellingham; Rodrygo, G. García, Vinícius Jr.

Score Prediction – Who Comes Out on Top?

Real Madrid may not be at full strength, but they still bring elite quality and confidence into this match. Salzburg, despite their defensive improvements, haven't shown enough firepower to suggest an upset is in the cards.

However, this won't be another 5–1 blowout. Expect a more disciplined and determined Salzburg side, but one that ultimately falls short.

Prediction: RB Salzburg 1–2 Real Madrid

Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta Talk About Their Aragon MotoGP Sprint Contact — What Really Happened?

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta Talk About Their Aragon MotoGP Sprint Contact — What Really Happened?

Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta Talk About Their Aragon MotoGP Sprint Contact — What Really Happened?

So, during the Aragon MotoGP sprint race, there was this moment where Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta bumped into each other heading into Turn 1. It got a lot of people talking, but both riders have now shared their side of the story — and it’s pretty chill.

Here’s the deal: right at the start, Marquez and Acosta made contact, but neither of them is pointing fingers or calling it dirty. Marquez called it a “racing incident” — nothing unusual in his book.

He explained that he was a bit behind and had to brake super hard because if he didn’t, the front and rear parts of his bike wouldn’t be in the right spots. He added that stuff like this happens a lot when someone has a rough start and others come in faster, especially at Aragon’s tricky Turn 1.

On the other hand, Acosta said Marquez didn’t have the best start, and he was coming in too fast. He thinks Marquez maybe tried to go left and caught him off guard. “We just kind of hit each other — that’s racing,” Acosta said. “Nothing weird about it.”

Even after the contact, Marquez dropped to fourth but quickly moved ahead of Acosta and eventually won the sprint on Saturday.

Marquez also talked about his Ducati bike spec, wondering how it stacks up against the newer 2024 models ridden by his brother Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer — who are pretty competitive this season.

Right now, Marc Marquez leads the MotoGP standings by 24 points over his younger brother Alex. Meanwhile, Acosta qualified fifth and finished the sprint in that same spot, making him the top rider not on a Ducati.

So yeah, the little bump between Marquez and Acosta? Just part of the race drama. No hard feelings — just good racing and some solid battles on the track.

Maverick Vinales “Riding Like the Top Guys” Despite Struggling with Highsides in Aragon Qualifying

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Maverick Vinales “Riding Like the Top Guys” Despite Struggling with Highsides in Aragon Qualifying

Maverick Vinales “Riding Like the Top Guys” Despite Struggling with Highsides in Aragon Qualifying.

Maverick Vinales had a pretty solid run in the Aragon MotoGP Sprint, finishing seventh—about 7.2 seconds behind the winner, Marc Marquez. Not bad, considering the rough start he had.

In the first four laps, Vinales lost a bunch of time—like 5.6 seconds—mainly because qualifying didn’t go his way, and he lost ground right from the opening lap.

But once he got some clear air, Vinales really showed what he’s capable of. He posted the third-fastest lap, only behind Marc and Alex Marquez, and ended up just 2.5 seconds behind Fermin Aldeguer, who grabbed the last podium spot.

“I don’t really know why, but during qualifying, we ended up on two tires that just didn’t work well for me,” Vinales explained.

“We have all the data, and it’s pretty clear. Compared to yesterday, the differences were tiny — like 0.1 seconds here and there — but that would’ve been enough to get me starting in P4.”

He went on to talk about the scary highsides he nearly had during the warm-up laps: “On the out lap, I almost highsided twice. I thought maybe I just needed to warm up the tires better. But on the first and second laps, boom, highside again.”

“I believed the second tire had a lot of potential — especially on the right side, it felt amazing,” he added.

“But then at turn 10, highside. Turn 17, highside again. That cost me about three-tenths, which could’ve put me on the second row.”

Still, once the race started, Vinales found a good rhythm. “Lap 9 was a 47.1, which felt really strong. Whenever I had some space, I was riding like the top guys. I caught up to Diggia and the group ahead, so the bike was definitely working well.”

“And that’s a positive sign for tomorrow because I feel really good on the medium rear tire. We won’t change anything for Sunday.”

Team manager Nicolas Goyon gave some encouraging words too: “Maverick’s back to the level he was at before Silverstone, but more importantly, he’s happy with the bike setup and how it handles. So we’re confident he can keep building on this for the rest of the weekend.”

On the KTM side, Pedro Acosta led the pack in fifth place, just 1.1 seconds ahead of Vinales. Meanwhile, teammate Enea Bastianini had a tougher day, finishing 17th.

“It was another tough day for us. We tried pushing more in qualifying to get closer to the front, but nothing really clicked,” Bastianini said, still struggling with his RC16 when releasing the front brake in corners.

Marc Marquez Says He’s Riding the Same Ducati as His Teammates — Here’s What’s Up

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Marc Marquez Says He’s Riding the Same Ducati as His Teammates — Here’s What’s Up

Marc Marquez Says He’s Riding the Same Ducati as His Teammates — Here’s What’s Up.

Marc Marquez, the guy leading the 2025 MotoGP championship, just snagged his seventh sprint race win of the season at Aragon. What’s interesting? He was the only factory Ducati rider to finish in the top five, but he insists he’s on the “exact same bike” as his teammates.

So, how did it go down? Marquez turned his pole position into a solid sprint win, beating Alex Marquez from Gresini by a little over two seconds. Even though he had a rough start and dropped back early, he took the lead on lap six out of eleven and pulled away, widening his points lead to 27 going into Sunday’s main race.

Here’s the kicker — while Marc was crushing it in the top five, the other factory Ducati riders struggled. Fabio Di Giannantonio finished sixth, and Pecco Bagnaia had a rough race, ending up 12th and off the points.

Ducati has already confirmed their factory bikes are running slightly different engines than the full GP24 models, plus small tweaks like the rear ride height device, which is basically an upgrade from last year’s setup. But when asked why he was the only one near the top, Marquez said he honestly doesn’t know — because he’s been told he’s riding the exact same bike as Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer, who finished behind him.

“I’ve asked the engineers many times, and they always tell me the same thing: I’m riding exactly the same bike as Alex, Fermin, and Franco Morbidelli,” Marc said.

He also mentioned that while he rode a different spec bike in Le Mans and Silverstone, he switched back for Aragon because he wanted to be on the same setup as everyone else. He says they’ll have time to test some tweaks in the Monday session.

About his start, Marc admitted he dropped to fourth because of wheelspin on the rear tire — something Ducati is already working on fixing for the main race. When he passed Alex on lap six, he said he locked the front wheel a bit but that was the only way to get past such a fast rider.

“During qualifying, I took a big risk trying to push harder than the tires and bike allowed, and it backfired. I slid around a lot and wasn’t as fast as I wanted, but it was enough for pole,” he explained.

“Then in the sprint, I had full control. I felt connected with the bike the whole time. The pass on Alex did cause some front locking, but to overtake a guy who brakes hard like him, you gotta take those chances.”

There was also a minor clash with Pedro Acosta at Turn 1 right after the start, but Marquez called it a “racing incident.” He said these things happen when one rider has a bad launch and others come in at different speeds — especially at tricky spots like Turn 1 in Aragon.

“I was a bit behind, then I braked hard to get the front and rear devices working properly. Incidents like that happen when speeds are mismatched after a rough start,” he added.

Why Pecco Bagnaia Thinks Testing the Old Ducati GP24 Could Help Fix His GP25 Struggles

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Why Pecco Bagnaia Thinks Testing the Old Ducati GP24 Could Help Fix His GP25 Struggles

Why Pecco Bagnaia Thinks Testing the Old Ducati GP24 Could Help Fix His GP25 Struggles.

Pecco Bagnaia is having a rough 2025 MotoGP season so far, and things didn’t get any easier at the Aragon GP. Even though he qualified fourth, he finished 12th in the sprint race and didn’t score any points. Not the kind of weekend he was hoping for.

So, what’s going on with Pecco and his Ducati GP25? He’s been struggling a lot with front wheel lock-up when braking, which caused him to run wide at Turn 7 during the sprint. He’s honestly a bit lost trying to figure out why the bike isn’t working for him.

Could testing the older GP24 bike help?

When asked if he should try the GP24 bike during the post-race test on Monday, Pecco gave an interesting take. He thinks it might actually be more helpful for another rider — someone who’s still fresh on the GP24 — to test out the GP25 instead.

“I don’t know if switching to the GP24 would really help me because I need to keep riding the ’25 and can’t just swap bikes,” he said. “But maybe a rider like Alex Marquez or Franky Morbidelli trying the ’25 after riding the ’24 could give us more insights. Alex would probably be the best pick for that.”

He also mentioned that everyone on the team is focused on improving the current bike, so trying experiments like this isn’t that easy right now.

Why was Aragon so tough for Pecco?

Pecco admitted he already expected a tough race day because of problems he felt during the morning FP2 session. He just couldn’t get a good feel for the bike.

“In qualifying, I pushed really hard and took some risks to start P4. But during the sprint, I tried everything I could, and still couldn’t really push,” he said.

He struggled a lot with understeer and heavy front wheel lock-up when braking hard. When he tried to brake at the same spot as the rider ahead at Turn 7, the front locked up and he went wide.

Looking ahead to the next race day, Pecco said the team will try some different setups, including switching to medium tires, which might help reduce the understeer.

Still tight with the team despite the struggles

Even though Pecco is now 84 points behind his teammate and championship leader Marc Marquez, he made it clear that his relationship with the Ducati team is solid.

“I don’t get why everyone’s asking if I’m still working with my team. We’re all in this together,” Pecco said. “We know it’s a tough time, but the whole team is working hard to figure out what’s wrong — me on the bike and them behind the scenes.”

Canada Dominates, Mexico Falls in Action-Packed Friendlies Ahead of 2025 Gold Cup

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Canada Dominates, Mexico Falls in Action-Packed Friendlies Ahead of 2025 Gold Cup

Canada Dominates, Mexico Falls in Action-Packed Friendlies Ahead of 2025 Gold Cup.

As the 2025 Gold Cup draws near, two CONCACAF heavyweights—Canada and Mexico—hit the pitch for warm-up matches. The results couldn’t be more different. Canada cruised to a 4-2 win over Ukraine in Toronto, while Mexico suffered a tough 4-2 defeat against Switzerland in Salt Lake City.

Jonathan David Leads Canada to Confident Victory

Despite some off-field drama involving a suspected “poisoning” of Vancouver Whitecaps players after their Champions Cup final loss to Club América, Canada’s national team stayed focused and fired up. Head coach Jesse Marsch voiced concerns about the incident, but on the field, his team looked sharp and fearless.

Jonathan David stole the show with two goals in the first 24 minutes. He tapped in the first from close range and then nailed a slick header into the top-left corner off a Tajon Buchanan corner kick.

Then came a moment to remember for Promise David, who scored on his Canada debut after stealing the ball from Valerii Bondar and calmly slotting it past the keeper. Buchanan added a fourth late in the game, capping off Canada’s dominant display. Ukraine managed to pull two goals back through Illia Zabarnyi and Oleksandr Zinchenko, but the damage was already done.

Mexico Stumbles Against a Clinical Switzerland

Mexico’s outing didn’t go as planned. They faced a strong Swiss lineup and struggled to keep up. Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead in the 20th minute by rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into an open net.

Mexico equalized early in the second half thanks to a scrappy header from Santiago Gimenez—his first international goal since the 2023 Gold Cup final. But the momentum didn’t last. Substitute Zeki Amdouni quickly restored Switzerland’s lead, and Dan Ndoye made it 3-1 not long after. Angel Sepulveda tried to rally El Tri with a goal to cut the lead, but Fabian Rieder sealed the 4-2 win in the final minutes.

By the Numbers: David’s Hot Streak, Gimenez Ends Drought

Jonathan David’s two-goal performance brings his tally to 34 goals in 62 games for Canada. That’s an impressive average of 0.55 goals per match. Now a free agent after leaving Lille, he’s sure to attract serious attention from top clubs.

For Mexico, Santiago Gimenez’s goal ended a 13-match scoring drought. It was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing night, with Switzerland outshooting Mexico 15 to 10 and leading in expected goals (1.81 xG vs. 1.13 xG).

Canada also outperformed Ukraine in terms of expected goals, generating 2.47 xG compared to Ukraine’s 2.21.

What’s Next: Canada vs Honduras, Mexico vs Dominican Republic

Canada kicks off their Gold Cup campaign on June 17 against Honduras in Vancouver. Mexico opens the tournament three days earlier against the Dominican Republic. Both teams will be looking to build momentum and fine-tune their lineups heading into the competition.

Third Straight Loss for USMNT: USA Falls 2-1 to Turkiye in Gold Cup Warm-Up Match

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Third Straight Loss for USMNT: USA Falls 2-1 to Turkiye in Gold Cup Warm-Up Match

Third Straight Loss for USMNT: USA Falls 2-1 to Turkiye in Gold Cup Warm-Up Match.

The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) suffered another blow on Saturday, falling 2-1 to Turkiye in an international friendly match in East Hartford. This marks the team's third straight defeat, raising concerns just weeks before the start of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino’s squad came into this match already dealing with setbacks, with key players like Christian Pulisic unavailable. As a result, the lineup featured eight MLS players—something that hasn’t happened against European opposition outside of the December or January camp windows since May 2003.

Fast Start, but Momentum Didn't Last

Things actually started off well for the U.S. Just 59 seconds into the game, Jack McGlynn curled in a beautiful shot to the bottom-left corner of the net, giving the hosts an early 1-0 lead. That goal is now the fastest the USMNT has ever scored against a European team.

But Turkiye quickly turned the game around.

In the 18th minute, Arda Guler equalized in bizarre fashion when Johnny Cardoso’s attempted clearance hit him and deflected past goalkeeper Matt Freese. Just three minutes later, Kerem Akturkoglu gave Turkiye the lead with a powerful right-footed finish after a blocked cross fell right into his path.

Stronger Second Half, but No Equalizer

After halftime, the U.S. looked more dangerous and created several good chances. Max Arfsten came close with a header from a great cross by Luca de la Torre. Later, Malik Tillman had a decent shot on goal after a strong move by substitute Tyler Adams, but Berke Ozer was able to make the save.

Turkiye almost added a third late in the match after Tillman lost possession, but Baris Alper Yilmaz missed the target at the end of a quick counterattack.

Key Stats: Fast Start, but Defensive Struggles Remain

Even though the U.S. started off strong, Turkiye’s quick two-goal response showed ongoing issues with the American defense. The two goals came just two minutes and 22 seconds apart—making it the fastest pair of goals the USMNT has conceded since their 2018 loss to England.

Still, there were a few positives for Pochettino to build on. The U.S. generated an expected goals (xG) of 1.08 in the second half from 10 shots, while Turkiye only managed an xG of 0.21 from two attempts after the break. The opportunities were there—the finishing just didn’t deliver.

What’s Next for the USMNT?

Next up, the USMNT will face Switzerland in another friendly this Wednesday. Then, they’ll kick off their Gold Cup campaign with a match against Trinidad and Tobago.

Can Pochettino turn things around in time? Or will this losing streak carry over into the tournament?

Depay and Dumfries Lead Netherlands to 2-0 Win Over Finland in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Depay and Dumfries Lead Netherlands to 2-0 Win Over Finland in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Depay and Dumfries Lead Netherlands to 2-0 Win Over Finland in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

The Netherlands kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in style with a confident 2-0 win against Finland. Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries got on the scoresheet, helping the Oranje grab all three points in their opening game.

This victory puts the Dutch just three points behind group leaders Poland in Group G — and the best part? They still have a game in hand, which gives them a solid shot at taking the top spot.

Strong Start Under Pressure

After participating in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals during the March international break, Ronald Koeman’s squad entered the qualifiers knowing there was no room for error. Poland had already won two games, so the pressure was on.

But the Netherlands wasted no time. Just six minutes into the match, Depay punished a sloppy Finnish defense with a precise first-time shot into the bottom-right corner. Finland's goalkeeper, Lukas Hradecky, who was celebrating his 100th international cap, had no chance.

Dumfries Doubles the Lead

The Dutch momentum continued, and in the 23rd minute, Denzel Dumfries made it 2-0. Cody Gakpo delivered a beautiful looping cross, and Dumfries was right there to finish it off.

New Liverpool signing Jeremie Frimpong almost added a third with a powerful header, but Hradecky made a fantastic save to keep Finland in the game. AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders — who’s reportedly set to join Manchester City — also came close, but his low shot went just wide.

Dutch Control the Game, Finland Struggles

After halftime, the Netherlands kept pressing for more goals. Depay had another decent chance, but his shot deflected and was saved. Frenkie de Jong also had a late opportunity, but his attempt lacked power.

Finland, on the other hand, struggled to create real danger. They only managed five total shots, and their xG (expected goals) was a low 0.2 — compared to the Netherlands’ 2.06 from 17 shots. Clearly, the Dutch were in full control.

Key Stats: Depay Nears All-Time Scoring Record, Dumfries Makes History

With his goal in this match, Memphis Depay now has 48 goals for the Netherlands, just two behind all-time top scorer Robin van Persie. He’s well on his way to making history.

Meanwhile, Denzel Dumfries scored his 10th goal for the national team — making him the highest-scoring defender for the Netherlands in the 21st century. He has now surpassed Virgil van Dijk, who has nine.

This win was a clear statement from the Netherlands: they’re here to compete. With top-tier talents like Depay, Dumfries, and Gakpo, plus a solid game plan from coach Ronald Koeman, the Oranje are in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Nico Williams Not Interested in Premier League Move? Arsenal and Chelsea Left Hanging

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Nico Williams Not Interested in Premier League Move? Arsenal and Chelsea Left Hanging

Nico Williams Not Interested in Premier League Move? Arsenal and Chelsea Left Hanging.

The summer transfer window is heating up, but one name is already giving two Premier League giants—Arsenal and Chelsea—a major headache: Nico Williams. The young Spanish winger reportedly isn't too keen on leaving Spain, which puts both clubs in a tough spot.

Is Nico Williams Staying in Spain?

According to reports from SPORT and backed up by Football Espana, Nico Williams is showing hesitation about moving abroad. That’s bad news for Arsenal and Chelsea, who were both ready to trigger his release clause at Athletic Bilbao. But without the player’s green light, a deal simply can’t happen.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also confirmed that Williams is leaning toward staying in La Liga. If that happens, Bilbao is expected to offer him a new deal with a higher buyout clause—basically, making it harder for other clubs to swoop in next time.

Just to be clear, Williams is under contract until 2027 and has been on everyone’s radar since shining for Spain in Euro 2024. So, it’s no surprise top clubs are lining up.

Arsenal Still Looking for More Firepower

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hunting for a new striker this summer and has already made a move for Benjamin Šeško. But adding a winger is also high on the priority list.

Last season, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard each scored just 8 Premier League goals. Neither truly secured a starting role, and their inconsistency was a big reason why Arsenal drew 14 matches and fell behind Liverpool in the title race.

Signing someone like Nico Williams could bring balance to the squad and take some pressure off Bukayo Saka, who missed a few months last season due to a hamstring injury. Having another dynamic winger would also allow Arteta to rotate more effectively.

Chelsea in the Race Too—But Losing Ground

Meanwhile, Chelsea has been busy in the market. They've already signed former Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap to bolster their attack. Bringing in Nico Williams would give new boss Enzo Maresca another weapon on the wing to play alongside Cole Palmer.

That would definitely raise the bar for Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto, especially since Jadon Sancho has returned to Manchester United after his loan spell.

But with Williams seemingly set on staying in Spain, Chelsea may need to shift their focus to other wide options as well.

Arsenal and Chelsea May Have to Move On

As it stands, it looks like Nico Williams isn’t ready to swap La Liga for the Premier League. If he does commit to a new contract with Bilbao, both Arsenal and Chelsea will need to move quickly to identify backup targets.

Transfer season is full of surprises, and this is just another twist in the tale.

Spain Predicted Lineup vs Portugal: Yamal Set to Challenge Ronaldo’s Legacy in Nations League Final

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Spain Predicted Lineup vs Portugal: Yamal Set to Challenge Ronaldo’s Legacy in Nations League Final

Spain Predicted Lineup vs Portugal: Yamal Set to Challenge Ronaldo’s Legacy in Nations League Final.

Spain Eyes Back-to-Back Nations League Titles – Yamal in the Spotlight. Spain is just one game away from securing their second consecutive UEFA Nations League title when they take on Portugal in the final this Sunday. If they pull it off, it’ll be their third major trophy in three years — talk about dominance!

After clinching the Nations League in 2023, La Roja went on to lift the Euro 2024 trophy the following summer. Now, head coach Luis de la Fuente is aiming to keep that winning streak alive with another Nations League victory before focusing on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Standing in their way is Portugal — the team that won the very first edition of the Nations League. But Spain won’t be fazed. They’ve been in red-hot form, consistently beating Europe’s elite, including a statement win over France just a few days ago.

Spain’s Predicted Starting XI vs Portugal (4-3-3 Formation)

🔐 Goalkeeper: Unai Simón
Despite competition from David Raya, Simón remains the go-to option for Spain. The Athletic Club keeper has been reliable and composed ever since De la Fuente took charge.

🛡️ Right Back: Pedro Porro
It’s trophy season for Porro! After helping Tottenham win the Europa League, he now has a chance to add both the Nations League and UEFA Super Cup to his collection this summer.

🛡️ Center Back: Robin Le Normand
Le Normand started against France and played a solid 77 minutes. Spain only conceded once while he was on the pitch. After he was subbed off, France managed to score three times. That says a lot.

🛡️ Center Back: Dean Huijsen
The new Real Madrid signing got the nod over Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí and looks set to keep his spot. Huijsen is showing maturity beyond his years.

🛡️ Left Back: Marc Cucurella
Cucurella has become a key player for both club and country. His nonstop runs down the left wing add another dimension to Spain’s attack while providing defensive cover.

⚙️ Midfield: Pedri
Barcelona’s midfield star will go head-to-head with Vitinha from PSG in a battle to control the tempo. Pedri already scored in the semis and will be confident heading into the final.

⚙️ Midfield: Martín Zubimendi
Reportedly on Arsenal’s radar, Zubimendi could be used to neutralize Portugal’s creative force — Bruno Fernandes. If anyone can disrupt Bruno’s rhythm, it’s him.

⚙️ Midfield: Fabián Ruiz
Even though Mikel Merino scored against France, Ruiz is likely to return to the starting lineup. Fresh off a Champions League win with PSG, he brings quality and experience to the midfield.

⚡ Right Wing: Lamine Yamal
Yamal is a rising star! The teenage sensation from Barcelona scored twice and bagged Player of the Match honors midweek. His upcoming duel with Nuno Mendes will be one to watch.

🎯 Striker: Mikel Oyarzabal
Oyarzabal may not have scored against France, but he made two assists and was heavily involved in the attack. That should be enough to keep him ahead of Álvaro Morata.

⚡ Left Wing: Nico Williams
Like Yamal, Nico was electric against France — scoring a goal and adding an assist. Portugal will need to come up with a serious plan to stop this Athletic Club winger.

Will Spain or Portugal Lift the Trophy?

With a young, hungry squad and momentum on their side, Spain enters the final as a favorite. But don’t count Portugal out — they’ve got plenty of talent and experience, and they're hungry to reclaim their crown.

All eyes will be on Lamine Yamal, who’s being hyped as the next big thing. Could this be the match where he truly begins to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps on the international stage?

Germany vs France Predicted Lineup: Wirtz Set to Shine in Nations League Third-Place Match

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Germany vs France Predicted Lineup: Wirtz Set to Shine in Nations League Third-Place Match

Germany vs France Predicted Lineup: Wirtz Set to Shine in Nations League Third-Place Match.

Germany might have aimed for the UEFA Nations League 2024–25 final, but things didn’t go according to plan. Instead, they’ll face France in Stuttgart this Sunday in a third-place showdown.

A dramatic comeback by Portugal in the semifinal knocked Germany out of the title race. Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half goal sealed the win, leaving Julian Nagelsmann’s squad to battle for bronze against a very familiar opponent.

June has been tough for Germany. Injuries have sidelined several key players, including Jamal Musiala and Antonio Rüdiger. Even so, Die Mannschaft still have plenty of star power to go toe-to-toe with France.

Here’s a look at the predicted starting XI for Germany vs France, using a 3-4-2-1 formation:

Germany’s Predicted Starting Lineup vs France

Goalkeeper: Marc-André ter Stegen
The Barcelona shot-stopper returned to the national team after missing most of the season due to injury. Against France’s stacked attack, expect ter Stegen to stay busy between the posts.

Center Back: Jonathan Tah
In his first appearance since signing with Bayern Munich, Tah had a rough outing, especially during Portugal’s second goal. He’ll need to step up big time against the likes of Kylian Mbappé.

Center Back: Robin Koch
Koch has had a strong season with Eintracht Frankfurt. With Rüdiger and Schlotterbeck out, he’s getting more national team minutes and will earn his 14th cap on Sunday.

Center Back: Waldemar Anton
Anton wouldn’t have started if not for injuries in the squad. The Borussia Dortmund defender must be sharp to deal with France’s electric forwards.

Right Wing-Back: Joshua Kimmich
Usually a midfielder, Kimmich adapted well as a wing-back last game, even providing an assist to Wirtz. That match also marked his 100th appearance for Germany—what a milestone!

Central Midfield: Leon Goretzka
Goretzka is back in the fold and will be expected to control the midfield against a physical and technically gifted French team. He might have a new midfield partner alongside him.

Central Midfield: Pascal Groß
Groß could replace the young Aleksandar Pavlovic in midfield. Although he didn’t feature midweek, the veteran has been reliable for Dortmund all season.

Left Wing-Back: Maximilian Mittelstädt
Playing at his home stadium in Stuttgart, Mittelstädt will likely focus more on defense against speedy wingers like Dembélé and Cherki rather than pushing forward.

Right Forward: Leroy Sané
Sané didn’t have his best performance against Portugal, aside from a few creative moments. With Musiala sidelined, Germany needs him to step up offensively.

Striker: Niclas Füllkrug
Nick Woltemade started in the semifinal, but Füllkrug is expected to return to the XI. The West Ham striker is clinical for his country, with 14 goals in 23 appearances.

Left Forward: Florian Wirtz
Wirtz is attracting major attention, especially from Liverpool fans, with a transfer looking likely. He wasn’t distracted by the rumors—he scored against Portugal and could shine again versus France.

This third-place match might not be what Germany had in mind, but it still matters. It’s a chance to regroup, evaluate, and give their younger stars more experience on the big stage.

All eyes will be on Florian Wirtz, who’s quickly becoming one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. If he delivers again, fans—and scouts—will be watching very closely.

Portugal vs Spain Predicted Lineup: Ronaldo Leads the Charge for Another Nations League Title

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Portugal vs Spain Predicted Lineup: Ronaldo Leads the Charge for Another Nations League Title

Portugal vs Spain Predicted Lineup: Ronaldo Leads the Charge for Another Nations League Title.

Portugal is aiming to lift the UEFA Nations League trophy once again as they gear up to face Spain in the highly anticipated final this weekend. After winning the inaugural edition of the tournament, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates are ready to chase glory once more — and yes, CR7 is still leading the way!

Even at 40 years old, Ronaldo continues to score regularly for his country. His decisive goal against Germany in the semifinals was a reminder that the legend is far from done. And with the final against a powerhouse like Spain just around the corner, all eyes are on him to deliver again.

Of course, beating a star-studded Spanish squad won’t be a walk in the park. Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martínez, needs to make all the right moves — tactically and in terms of squad selection — if they want to take down one of Europe’s elite.

Here’s our predicted starting XI for Portugal vs Spain, using a 4-2-3-1 formation:

Goalkeeper

Diogo Costa
The FC Porto goalkeeper was a penalty shootout hero at last year’s European Championship. If the final goes to spot-kicks, Costa could once again be Portugal’s saving grace.

Defense

RB: Nélson Semedo
João Neves got a surprise start at right-back against Germany, but Semedo — who came on in the second half — is expected to start this time, especially to handle the pace of Nico Williams.

CB: Rúben Dias
Dias will likely be tasked with containing either the relentless Álvaro Morata or the clever Mikel Oyarzabal. Few defenders are more prepared for that kind of challenge.

CB: Gonçalo Inácio
The young defender is turning heads across Europe and was solid in the semifinal against Germany. Expect him to keep his spot alongside Dias.

LB: Nuno Mendes
Fresh off a Champions League win with PSG, Mendes is hungry for his first international title. His assignment? Stop the electric Lamine Yamal. Good luck!

Defensive Midfielders

Vitinha
After coming off the bench in the semifinal, the PSG midfielder is likely to return to the starting XI, replacing Rúben Neves. His midfield battle with Fabián Ruiz will be key.

João Neves
Back in his natural midfield role, the youngster will aim to control the tempo and also keep tabs on clubmate Ruiz. Still, Barcelona’s Pedri might be the bigger threat.

Attacking Midfield

RW: Bernardo Silva
Despite Francisco Conceição’s beauty of a goal in the semifinal, the experienced Bernardo Silva could get the nod. His work rate and tactical discipline make him a crucial asset — especially on defense.

CAM: Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has been a game-changer for Manchester United all season, and he’s carried that form into the Nations League. Only two players have created more chances than his 22 in League A.

LW: Pedro Neto
Even with Jota and Leão knocking on the door, Pedro Neto could keep his place after a strong showing against Germany. He’ll look to test Pedro Porro, who has shown defensive weaknesses.

Striker

Cristiano Ronaldo
With 137 international goals and counting, Ronaldo remains Portugal’s go-to guy up top. His game-winner against Germany proved he still has the clutch gene. Don’t be surprised if he steals the spotlight again.

Portugal Ready to Go All In

The Portugal vs Spain Nations League final is shaping up to be a classic. With a mix of experienced legends and hungry young talent, Portugal looks ready to battle it out. And with Ronaldo on a mission, fans are dreaming of another magical moment.

Can CR7 add one more epic chapter to his already legendary career? We’re about to find out!