River Plate will aim to kick off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign on a high note when they face Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field in Seattle on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Argentine giants River Plate, one of six CONMEBOL representatives, qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as the best-ranked eligible team in the four-year ranking. Meanwhile, Urawa Red Diamonds earned their spot by winning the 2022 AFC Champions League, defeating Al-Hilal 2-1 on aggregate.
Match Preview
River Plate, under the guidance of Marcelo Gallardo, comes into the tournament bolstered by the return of 21-year-old central defender Lautaro Rivero from his loan at Central Córdoba. The Millonarios are preparing to make a strong impression in Group E, which also includes Inter Milan and Monterrey. Their recent form has been solid, with a reputation for clinical finishing and a robust defensive structure, though they may face challenges adapting to the unique dynamics of the expanded Club World Cup format.
Urawa Red Diamonds, currently third in the J1 League after 21 matches, have shown resilience in continental competitions, boasting a stronger record in the AFC Champions League than domestically. They’ve scored 26 goals and conceded 20 in their league campaign, keeping six clean sheets. However, their recent domestic form has been inconsistent.
The two sides have never met in competitive action, making this an intriguing clash of styles. River Plate’s attacking flair, led by their dynamic forward line, will face a stern test against Urawa’s organised defensive setup, which has proven effective in high-stakes continental matches. The Japanese side’s experience in the Club World Cup, with this being their fourth appearance, could give them an edge in handling the pressure of the occasion.
River Plate have been prolific in front of goal in recent months, often dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Based on the most recent analysis of football stats, their defence will need to be wary of Urawa’s counter-attacking threat, particularly through their top goal-scorer Thiago Santana, who has netted three goals in his 11 J1 League appearances this season.
Urawa, on the other hand, will look to exploit any defensive lapses from River Plate, especially given the Argentine side’s demanding travel schedule to the U.S. West Coast. The Red Diamonds’ ability to grind out results, as demonstrated in their AFC Champions League triumph, could make this a tightly contested affair.
River Plate FIFA Club World Cup form:
River Plate form (all competitions):
Urawa Red Diamonds FIFA Club World Cup form:
Urawa Red Diamonds form (all competitions):
Team News
For River Plate, Marcelo Gallardo is likely to field a strong side, with the addition of Lautaro Rivero bolstering their defensive options. The backline could feature Rivero alongside experienced defenders such as Milton Casco and Paulo Díaz. In midfield, Enzo Pérez is expected to anchor the team, providing stability for attackers like Franco Mastantuono and Facundo Colidio to exploit spaces.
Urawa Red Diamonds may rely on Thiago Santana to lead the line, supported by wingers Tomoaki Okubo and Shoja Nakajima, who can stretch defences with their pace. Midfielder Kaito Yasui could be pivotal in breaking up River Plate’s rhythm, while the defensive unit, likely led by Marius Høibråten, will aim to keep things tight at the back.
River Plate possible starting lineup: Armani; Casco, Díaz, Rivero, Nacho Fernandez; Pérez, Kranevitter; Mastantuono, Lanzini, Colidio, Driussi
Urawa Red Diamonds possible starting lineup: Nishikawa; Ishihara, Høibråten, Danilo Boza, Ogiwara; Yasui, Gustafsson; Okubo, Savio, Nakajima; Santana
We say: River Plate 2-1 Urawa Red Diamonds
While Urawa Red Diamonds bring continental experience and a knack for grinding out results, River Plate’s attacking quality and depth should give them the edge in this encounter. The Argentine side’s ability to control possession and create chances could overwhelm Urawa’s defence, though the Japanese team’s counter-attacking threat may keep the game close. We predict a narrow victory for River Plate to start their Club World Cup journey on a positive note.
