Preview

Jul

2025

Preview: The Gold Cup final between the US and Mexico

Mauricio Pochettino’s USA can complete a resurgent Gold Cup campaign by beating rivals Mexico in Sunday’s showdown in Houston.

By Graham Ruthven

A rivalry resumed

Matches between Mexico and the USA always matter, but Sunday’s meeting between the two CONCACAF rivals will be played with even more at stake.

Not only is the 2025 Gold Cup up for grabs, Mexico and USA are preparing for the 2026 World Cup on home soil and so Sunday’s match will be analysed through the prism of what it will mean for the tournament a year from now.

*Last five meetings between USA and Mexico*

Mauricio Pochettino has been without many of his best players including Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie this summer, but others such as Diego Luna and Malik Tillman have stepped up in their place.

Mexico ground out a win over Honduras in their semi-final to secure a place in Sunday’s Gold Cup final with Javier Aguirre’s team currently on a run of four straight clean sheets in the competition.

El Tri are just one win away from successfully defending the Gold Cup title they won two years ago. They are widely seen as favourites to lift the trophy again.

Key players

Luna produced his best performance in a US jersey in the 2-1 semi-final victory over Guatemala, scoring both goals to get his team through a tricky test. His second goal in particular was an excellent piece of attacking play.

Tillman has also proved himself as a difference-maker for the USA at the 2025 Gold Cup, scoring three goals in four games. The PSV attacking midfielder will pose a threat against Mexico on Sunday.

Chris Richards has stood out as the USA’s dominant defensive presence while Tyler Adams has featured in every game he has been fit for at the base of Pochettino’s midfield.

Raúl Jiménez scored the only goal of the game as Mexico beat Honduras with the Fulham striker still El Tri’s sharpest attacking threat. Gilberto Mora set up Jiménez and the 16-year-old has been the breakout star of the 2025 Gold Cup.

Edson Álvarez will hold things together for Aguirre’s team in the centre of the pitch while César Montes and Johan Vásquez are expected to start once again in central defence, giving El Tri a solid foundation.

Team news

Johnny Cardoso has been nursing an ankle injury for much of the 2025 Gold Cup, but could be back on the USA bench for the final having returned to training this week. It’s very unlikely the Real Betis midfielder will start.

Pochettino faces a decision in midfield with Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Luca De La Torre and Jack McGlynn contesting for three places in the lineup. Despite a shaky performance against Guatemala, Matt Freese is expected to keep his place in goal.

Luis Chávez had to leave the Mexico campaign after suffering a serious ACL injury last week with the Dynamo Moscow midfielder expected to miss the next eight months of action. Otherwise, Aguirre has a fully fit and available squad to choose from.

Prediction

These two giants of CONCACAF have met each other in seven previous Gold Cup finals, with Mexico coming out on top in five of those. For this one though, we think Pochettino’s side will redress the balance a little: USA 2-1 Mexico.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Gold Cup with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: Inter Miami return to MLS action at Montreal

Inter Miami return to Major League Soccer action with a trip to Canada on Saturday night following their exploits at the Club World Cup and will be looking to get back into the groove of domestic play.

By James Nalton

Their first game back is against a CF Montréal team currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, but while it might seem a way for Inter Miami to ease their way back into league play, things are not always that straightforward with this team.

Playing catch-up

MLS has continued during the Club World Cup, which means Inter Miami resume their regular season schedule with four games in hand on those at the top of the table.

Having topped the overall standings in record-breaking fashion last season to claim the Supporters’ Shield, they currently sit 11 points behind a Philadelphia Union side who lead the Eastern Conference and the overall standings with just over half the season played.

If Inter Miami win all four of their games in hand, there are enough points available for them to overtake the Union as it stands, but there’s a lot of football to be played before those games are recovered, and the wins are not guaranteed with this team.

Four of Inter Miami’s six games before the start of the Leagues Cup are away from home, so this season could soon turn into a slog.

Club World Cup standouts

Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was a big reason for Inter Miami’s progress out of their group at the Club World Cup, which says a lot about the unfavourable situations they found themselves in during games.

Ustari was named Man of the Match, or Superior Player of the Match as it is known at the Club World Cup, against Al Ahly, saving a penalty and making eight saves in total to help his team hold on to a 0-0 draw.

Despite conceding four against Paris Saint-Germain, Ustari was still the team’s highest-rated player on 7.5.

*Ustari averaged five saves per 90 at the Club World Cup*

It shows that Inter Miami are still far from a solid team despite boasting players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, who can win games on their own.

This has been evident in MLS, and it was on show again in this international tournament.

It now feels like the kind of dynamic that will stick with Javier Mascherano’s side for the rest of the season.

Resurgent opposition

CF Montréal have only won three of the 20 games they have played so far in the 2025 MLS season, but two of those victories have come in their last three matches.

They won at Houston Dynamo before defeating New York City FC at home with a defeat to FC Cincinnati in the middle.

They’ll now be hoping to capitalise on some post-Club World Cup sluggishness from Inter Miami.

Inter Miami themselves might look at this as a good way to ease back into MLS play by facing the team sitting second from bottom in the overall standings, but Montréal have shown in recent games that they’re capable of causing upsets.

Prediction

We still don’t know how the expanded Club World Cup will affect the teams who took part, but Montréal might see a chance to take advantage of an Inter Miami post-tournament hangover. Maybe the Canadiens can secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: Madrid meet familiar foes Dortmund in Club World Cup quarterfinals

Two former European champions meet in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup, but might fatigue have a role to play at the end of a season that’s now stretching into its eleventh month?

By Ian King

Tournament form

Neither of these two teams have awoken slightly from a slumber that seemed to seep into their opening matches, in which Real Madrid failed to beat Al-Hilal while Borussia Dortmund were held to a goalless draw by Fluminense. Both have since done ‘enough’ to get this far without looking much like champions of the world, with Real Madrid beating Juventus and Dortmund beating Monterrey in the last round to set up this meeting.

History repeats itself

If you want history, these two clubs have got history, though the omens don’t look particularly great for Borussia Dortmund. They’ve met 16 times in the Champions League, but Dortmund have only won three of them, and Real have won the last four in a row, one of which just happened to be the 2024 final, while they also beat Dortmund 5-2 in the 2024-25 megagroup stage. Dortmund’s last win came in the first leg of the 2013-14 quarter-finals, when the excitement of a 2-0 win in the first leg was rather undone by losing the return match 3-0 and getting eliminated from the competition.

Key Players

For all the talk of the amount of money that they throw around, it was a graduate of the Real Madrid academy, Goncalo García, who scored the only goal of their win against Juventus in the last round. Having also scored their equaliser in their opening match and their third goal in their last group match against RB Salzburg, he’s becoming their breakout star of the tournament.

For Dortmund, Serhou Guirassy scored both of their goals against Monterrey. He’s now scored 37 goals in 49 appearances for them in all competitions this season; not a bad first season, following his transfer from Stuttgart.

Team News

Enjoyers of narrative will be disappointed to hear that there will be no Bellingham Derby this time around, after Jobe picked up a second yellow card against Monterrey and picked up a one match suspension. O brother, where art thou?

Real are missing Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Endrick and Ferland Mendy with injuries, while Emre Can, Salih Özcan and Nico Schlotterbeck will all be absent for Dortmund.

Kylian Mbappé returned for Real against Juve, only to find himself overshadowed by understudy Goncalo García.

Prediction

As the interminable 2024-25 season drags into its eleventh month, it’s difficult to avoid the temptation of wondering about the extent to which fatigue is going to influence this match. This is Real Madrid’s 67th game of the season in all competitions, while it’s Borussia Dortmund’s 55th.

But while there may be (justified) scoffing about this tournament, Real Madrid are taking it seriously. They were the first winners of the European Cup in 1956 and the first winners of the Intercontinental Cup in 1960. Being the first winners matters to them, so they have the motivation.

They have a young player who’s been scoring goals, and Dortmund are missing their newly-purchased teenage sensation, while Real have won each of their last four meetings in the Champions League, so it’s difficult to see past a Real win. Let’s go for 2-1 Madrid win, and Borussia Dortmund to get in some much-needed rest ahead of the new season.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Club World Cup with FotMob this summer – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: England’s Lionesses start Euros defence against France

England and France will be the last two teams to get their Euro 2025 campaign underway, meeting in Group D in Zurich on Saturday night. For the Lionesses, the defence of their 2022 title starts here.

By Jamie Spencer

What’s at Stake?

This is the toughest test either will likely face in the group stage – a Netherlands side past their Sarina Wiegman-era vintage and first-time qualifiers Wales complete the quartet – and it is first up.

There is an element of getting the ‘big one’ out of the way and then building into the tournament, but this game is equally an opportunity for either England or France to lay down an early marker against a fellow contender. Winning here puts top spot in the final group standings and, theoretically, a more favourable quarter-final much more within reach.

Head-to-Head

France hold historic bragging rights in this international rivalry. In 27 past meetings, it’s 13 French victories, nine draws and only five England wins.

England’s Euro 2017 quarter-final triumph was a first win against France since 1974, 19 games. In qualifying for these Euros, France also ended England’s 22-year unbeaten record in major tournament qualifiers. But England claimed revenge by winning in Saint-Etienne four days later.

Recent Form

In 2025, England have had the highs of beating Spain and enjoying thumping wins over Belgium and Portugal. But they’ve also lost against Belgium and drawn with Portugal, while suffering the pain of losing a lead in a tight defeat to Spain just a month ago. The Lionesses signed off before heading to Switzerland with a 7-0 warm-up friendly win over Jamaica.

France, meanwhile, are in red hot form. It’s eight wins from eight so far in 2025, including warm-up victories against Belgium (5-0) and Brazil (3-2) in late June.

Key Players

Alessia Russo was an impact sub for England at Euro 2022. She’s now 26, the reigning FWA Footballer of the Year, scored a career best 20 goals in all competitions for Arsenal in 2024/25 and won the Champions League. This is her time to shine.

Plenty of eyes will be on Hannah Hampton in goal too. The Chelsea stopper had established herself as England’s preferred starter months before Mary Earps conveyed her international retirement, but the shock of that announcement has served to put a brighter spotlight on the new No.1.

Chelsea winger Sandy Baltimore enjoyed an excellent debut season in English football in 2024/25 and has been consistently performing for France too. More than half (5) of her nine international goals have come in the last six months alone.

Team News

All 23 England players trained on Friday. But just how match fit is Lauren James? The Chelsea attacker played just under half an hour against Jamaica for her first appearance in more than two months.

There’s a strong chance that the XI named against Jamaica will start against France too, but the likes of James, Grace Clinton, Chloe Kelly and Aggie Beever-Jones offer plenty from the bench.

For France, there was genuine shock when Laurent Bonadei didn’t select legend Wendie Renard, 34, for this tournament, while all-time record goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer, 36, also missed the cut. Griedge Mbock Bathy fills Lyon teammate Renard’s shoes as captain, but the centre-back has been nursing a calf injury in the days leading up to the first game.

Prediction

Winning would obviously be a huge statement for either side, but not losing early ground feels more important and there might not be anything to separate them: France 1-1 England.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: Estevao’s current club Palmeiras meet his future club Chelsea at Club World Cup

The Brazilian sides didn’t come to the new-look FIFA Club World Cup just to make up the numbers. Fluminense knocked Champions League finalists Inter Milan out in the round of 16, Palmeiras will believe they can do the same thing to Chelsea in the quarters.

By Alex Roberts

Both sides had to endure extra-time to get to this stage, although Chelsea’s game was A LOT longer due to the unpredictable weather over in the USA. We’re well and truly in the business end, let’s just hope there isn’t any lightning within 10 miles of the Lincoln Financial Field.

The Estêvão derby

It’s kind of the elephant in the room. There is a lot of hype amongst the Chelsea faithful regarding the young Brazilian finally making his move to Stamford Bridge once this tournament is done and dusted.

Estêvão is yet to score or assist in his four previous games, although he had his moments against Al Ahly and Inter Miami. Perhaps it’s the anxiety he has surrounding the big move to one of Europe’s elite sides.

Ending that drought in this game will certainly bring forth some mixed emotions for the few Blues fans that will be there. So long as he’s able to recreate the form he’s had since bursting onto the scene, we’re sure they’ll get over it.

*Estêvão’s season summary with Palmeiras*

In no mood for jokes

Enzo Maresca was not a happy bunny after the game with Benfica, slamming the four hour and 38-minute escapade as a ‘joke’. In fairness to FIFA, they can’t control the weather, but it does raise the question whether the country is suitable for major ‘soccer’ tournaments like this one.

Chelsea posted pictures of the players on exercise bikes in the dressing rooms as they tried desperately to keep their muscles warm enough, it was dystopian in a weird way, a bleak view of the future.

In the immediate future, the biggest concern is injury. It feels like only a matter of time before someone hobbles off the pitch with a muscle spasm or worse, especially if any future delays are of a similar length.

A big move beckons

Richard Ríos was really, really good in the 1-0 win over Botafogo, ending the game with an 83% pass accuracy rate, nine passes into the final third and the assist for Paulinho’s 100^th minute winner.

It was his best performance in the tournament so far, although he has been solid throughout. As a result, Man United, Nottingham Forest, and AC Milan have all been linked with a move for the central midfielder.

Say what you will about the Club World Cup, it’s put eyes on players that may not have been looked out without it. Palmeiras are a huge club, arguably the biggest in Brazil but if Ríos keeps this up, a new challenge may be on the horizon.

Pedro Neto isn’t tired

After a mentally, emotionally, and physically draining season, few would have blamed the Chelsea players for taking it at least a little easy, and some of them have certainly, conserved energy but Pedro Neto has been full throttle.

Three goals in his three games makes him joint second top goal scorer in the competition, it’s also one fewer that he managed to bag in his 35 Premier League appearances. It’s by far his best run of form since he joined the club last summer.

With Chelsea (likely) adding Jamie Gittens to new arrivals João Pedro and Estêvão, Neto is starting to really insert himself into the conversation for one of the few positions available to him.

Prediction

Palmeiras are hard to break down under Abel Ferreira, but Chelsea have created the second highest number of big chances (17) in the tournament. We’re gonna go with a tense 1-0 win for the Premier League side.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Club World Cup with FotMob this summer – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: USMNT meet surprise package Guatemala in Gold Cup semifinal

Mauricio Pochettino’s USA face Guatemala for a place in the final of the 2025 Gold Cup with the hosts under pressure to make a point.

By Graham Ruthven

A turning point

The US men’s national team’s penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica was far from perfect, but Mauricio Pochettino’s hope is that the jolt of confidence it gave his side will propel them to Gold Cup glory.

This is a USA team that has faced a lot of criticism over the summer. Key players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson and Tim Weah are missing and so Pochettino has had to count on a group of youngsters and fringe figures.

Over the course of the Gold Cup, though, things have started to come together. Pochettino has given the USA a consistent approach and framework. Now, after seeing off Costa Rica in the last round, they might finally have some momentum.

Guatemala have some momentum of their own after pulling off a shock against Canada in the quarter-finals. They too came through a penalty shootout, dumping out one of the tournament favourites.

Los Chapines haven’t made this far in the Gold Cup since 1996 and now have their sights set on making the final for the first time in 55 years. For a national team suspended by FIFA less than a decade ago, it’s a remarkable rise.

Key players

Malik Tillman has been the main man for the USA at this summer’s Gold Cup. The PSV playmaker has registered four goal involvements (three goals, one assist) in four games, setting up Max Arfsten for a well-worked goal against Costa Rica.

Pochettino has also built around Diego Luna in the attacking third with the Real Salt Lake youngster bringing the sort of energy and intensity the Argentine coach wants to see from his USA side. Luna sets the tone for a lot.

Tyler Adams will anchor things for the USA in the centre of the pitch with Pochettino almost certain to stick with the back four of Arfsten, Alex Freeman, Tim Ream and Chris Richards which has kept two clean sheets in four games.

Guatemala will look to sit deep and stay compact against the USA, hitting out on the counter when they have the opportunity. Rubio Rubin will lead the line for Los Chapines against the country of his birth.

Aaron Herrera will be key for the underdogs down the right side with the DC United defender’s deliveries into the box a route to goal. Oscar Santis could also pose a threat in quick transition down the left.

Team news

In demand Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso is back in training following an ankle injury, but might not be ready to feature in the centre of midfield for the USA on Wednesday.

Pochettino is expected to stick with Matt Freese as his first-choice goalkeeper after his shootout heroics against Costa Rica while Sebastian Berhalter, Luca De La Torre and Jack McGlynn are fighting it out for a spot in the midfield.

Columbus Crew goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen is Guatemala’s only injury concern for the match. It’s entirely possible Luis Fernando Tena will run out the same lineup that beat Canada on Sunday.

Prediction

In keeping with the recent results of both sides in the tournament, we think this will be another tight one. But the superior defence boasted by the USMNT, and the form of their attacking players, should see Pochettino’s side through to the final: USA 1-0 Guatemala.

*The Gold Cup bracket – match dates shown are from European timezone*

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Gold Cup with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: Real Madrid and Juventus face off at the Club World Cup

The European giants meet to decide a much-coveted place in the quarter-finals

By Filip Mishov

Real Madrid’s revolution under Xabi Alonso is fully underway

Even though Xabi Alonso‘s tenure at Real Madrid began with an uninspiring draw against Al Hilal in the opening round of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025’s group phase, Vinícius Júnior & co. performances progressively improved, and ultimately, culminated in securing a convincing win against Salzburg to top group H. Unlike the 5-time world champions, Juventus faced a reality check upon meeting Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola‘s new-look squad ran riot against the Old Lady and left Igor Tudor wondering why he left form player Kenan Yıldız on the bench, resulting in the Turin-based club finishing in second place.

The European powerhouses have not met each other since the Champions League’s quarter-finals back in 2018 and the 2017 final before that with the 15-time European champions coming off victorious on both occasions. Only Daniel Carvajal, Lucas Vázquez, Luka Modrić and Daniele Rugani are still present at their respective clubs from the dramatic night at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and the latter three are expected to play a part in the round of 16 match in Miami.

Key players

With the newly-appointed Spanish coach still fine tuning tactics and interchanging between 4-3-3 and 3-5-2, it is becoming evident that Vinícius Júnior will continue to play a key role regardless, whether as a left winger or as a free-roaming forward, as Los Blancos’ No. 7 builds an unlikely partnership with the talented striker, Gonzalo García in the absence of Kylian Mbappé.

For Juventus, the US-based tournament is possibly Dušan Vlahović‘s last hurrah in the White and Blacks’ shirt or even one might say the Serbian striker’s final audition on the international stage ahead of a pivotal summer for his career. With the 25-year-old’s contract up at the end of next season, Vlahović is battling to be offered a new deal or to attract suitors, and maybe his time in Turin has not gone as well as everyone expected, but his sublime finish in the defeat against the Cityzens displayed his natural goalscoring instinct once again.

Team news

Thibaut Courtois welcomed back Antonio Rüdiger in front of him, but Éder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Daniel Carvajal, Eduardo Camavinga and Endrick‘s comebacks are still some way off, while French captain, Kylian Mbappé is back in training and might finally return to play his first minutes under Xabi Alonso.

Nicolo Savona suffered an ankle injury in the defeat to Manchester City and the Swede is expected to miss the match on Tuesday at the least, while it remains to be seen whether Igor Tudor will recall Timothy Weah and Samuel Mbangula who were engaged in transfer negotiations with Nottingham Forest.

Prediction

It is hard to look past Xabi Alonso’s revolution at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and with Kylian Mbappé’s imminent return to the pitch, I expect a win and a place in the quarter-finals for Madrid with more than a few goals involved, as has regularly been the case in their matches against Juventus.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Club World Cup with FotMob this summer – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Preview: Man City aim to continue Club World Cup form against Al Hilal

Manchester City have looked like they mean business at the Club World Cup, while Al Hilal have experience but are missing a couple of their most important players. Who will win this virtual Middle Eastern derby?

By Ian King

The tournament so far

Manchester City strolled through a comfortable group stage with the only 100% recorded at the tournament. A 2-0 win against Wydad Casablanca and a 6-0 win against Al Ain were probably to be expected, but a 5-2 win in their final game against Juventus was somewhat more impressive.

Al Hilal kicked off with one of the surprises of the tournament so far, a 1-1 draw against a lacklustre Real Madrid, following that up with a goalless draw against RB Salzburg and a 2-0 win against the Mexican side Pachuca.

History

This is, you’ll be unsurprised to read, the first time these two clubs have met in a competitive fixture. The two sides did meet in a friendly match in July 2012, which Al Hilal won 1-0. It doesn’t feel as though we should read too much into that.

Key Players

Manchester City had five different goalscorers against Juventus. Indeed, they’ve had ten goalscorers in their three matches so far (including an own goal), all of which supports the feeling that their goals can come from anywhere on the pitch.

It is the return from injury of Oscar Bobb, who chipped in with a goal against Juventus, which may interest City fans more than anything. He was absent for a long time, last season.

Al Hilal are missing two of their key players through injury, but there are familiar names in the form of Rúben Neves, who spent six years at Wolves – he scored their goal against Real Madrid, but this was only his second goal in 41 games this season – former City defender João Cancelo and former Chelsea defender Kalibou Koulibaly.

Marcos Leonardo is their main goal threat with their other two top scorers both injured.

Team News

For City, Claudio Etcheverri was injured against Juventus and will likely miss the rest of the tournament, while Rico Lewis is still suspended and Mateo Kovačić didn’t travel following a recent Achilles operation.

There are two notable absentees in the Al Hilal team. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari injured his hamstring against Pachuca and misses the remainder of the tournament, while Aleksander Mitrović – who’s scored 28 goals in 36 appearances for them this season – hasn’t yet appeared in this tournament with a calf muscle injury. With Al-Dawsari having scored 27, that’s a lot of fire-power they’ll be missing for this match.

Prediction

Having ended the 2024-25 domestic season potless, Manchester City seem to have arrived in this tournament in a businesslike state of mind. They were the only team in the group stages to win three out of three, and so far the only blot on their copybook has been Rico Lewis’s red card.

Al Hilal have some experienced players, and the conditions could also play a role in this match. This is not an ideal time of year to be playing a match in Orlando, with temperatures in the high eighties, extremely high humidity, and possibly even a thunderstorm predicted. Still, City should be too strong for Al Hilal, so let’s go for a 3-1 City win and a relatively safe passage to the quarter-finals.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Club World Cup with FotMob this summer – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Preview: USMNT prepare to meet Costa Rica in Gold Cup quarterfinal

The USA will host Costa Rica in the last eight of the Gold Cup this weekend as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look to continue their fine form in the competition.

By Matt Smith

The last time the two sides went head-to-head in a competitive game, it was Costa Rica who came out on top with a 2-0 victory back in 2022. The USA have won all of their last five home meetings with this weekend’s opponents, previously securing a 3-0 win in a friendly earlier this year.

Team news

Pochettino will be looking to build on the USA’s most recent performances after winning their three group stage games in the Gold Cup. Malik Tillman and Patrick Agyemang both struck against Haiti last time out, so we could see them retain their place in the starting XI.

Costa Rica struggled in the group stage, narrowly beating Suriname, who are ranked 137th in the world, 4-3. Veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas is still going strong at the age of 38, and he should start between the sticks.

The USA resolute in the competition

Pochettino’s side have conceded just 0.3 goals per game in the competition so far, and the USA boss has them playing exciting football in the Gold Cup. No team has averaged more possession per game, with the USA keeping a whopping 67.6% of the ball.

The USA have also created more big chances, had more touches inside the opposition box, and more shots on target than any other team in the Gold Cup, so we’re expecting an attacking display from the home team in this fixture.

Keeping their discipline key for Costa Rica

No side have been awarded more yellow cards than Costa Rica in the competition so far. Their fiery style has paid dividends after they qualified for the knockout rounds, although conceding three against Suriname last time out was a cause for concern.

Costa Rica have looked reasonably strong defensively outside of their most recent performance, conceding just 1.3 goals per game. We’re expecting a dominant display from the USA, with Costa Rica averaging just 44.4% possession in the tournament.

Tillman the one to watch

PSV Eindhoven attacking midfielder has not only been a standout for the USA, but in the Gold Cup overall as well. The 23-year-old is the top goalscorer in the competition, finding the back of the net on three occasions.

His overall performances for his country have been impressive, and he’s starting to become a regular for the USA. After a strong season in Holland with PSG, scoring 16 league goals, Tillman is the one to watch in this game as he looks to continue his fine form for Pochettino’s side.

Prediction

Considering the USA’s recent form, it’s difficult to see past a home victory in this game. We’re going for a 3-1 win to Pochettino’s men, with Tillman to get his name on the scoresheet once again.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Gold Cup with FotMob this summer — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Preview: Messi reunites with former employers as Inter Miami take on PSG

Inter Miami are through to the knockout stages of the Club World Cup, where they will play Lionel Messi’s former team and recently crowned European champions, Paris Saint-Germain.

By James Nalton

Inter Miami’s unbeaten performance in the group stage was considered a win, not just for Javier Mascherano’s team, but for Major League Soccer generally.

The 2-1 defeat of Porto thanks to a Lionel Messi free kick was a historic result for the league.

Their reward is a last-16 matchup with tournament favourites PSG in Atlanta on Sunday.

Setting the scene

Though Inter Miami’s progress to this stage is impressive, it could have been even more so.

With around ten minutes of group stage play remaining, they were top of Group A, but the match against Brazilian side Palmeiras ended in an eventful draw, which eventually saw them finish second.

Inter Miami held a 2-0 lead, secured through goals scored by Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez, but the team from São Paulo scored twice in the last 10 minutes of the game to claim the draw that would see them top the group on goal difference.

Palmeiras’ reward for finishing top was a tie in the last 16 with fellow Brazilian Serie A side Botafogo.

More importantly for them, topping the group meant avoiding PSG, so in the end, thanks to those two late Palmerias goals, it will be Inter Miami who will face the unenviable task of taking on the reigning European champions and Club World Cup favourites.

Suárez getting into a groove?

One of the highlights of that Palmeiras game was the goal scored by Suárez, which was his first of the tournament.

Messi had already grabbed some headlines with his free-kick against Porto, but his teammate from Uruguay had been fairly quiet.

Despite his lack of mobility, Suárez is still able to provide a burst of quality and movement, and this was on show for his goal against Palmeiras.

Messi was also heavily involved in the buildup to that goal, before Suárez carried it through the Palmeiras defence, rolling back the years and finishing powerfully with his left foot.

These two star players will need to be at their best, and harking back to their peak in Europe, if Inter Miami are to have a chance against PSG.

PSG pace and precision

The passing of Vitinha and the dribbling of Désiré Doué is the double threat that make PSG so dangerous.

These are the kinds of players who have replaced Miami’s aging stars in Europe today, and Portuguese midfielder Vitinha has a genuine shout for being the best footballer in the world at this moment in time.

Everything PSG do goes through him, and when combined with the supporting cast of some more of the best players in Europe, it made PSG unstoppable in the UEFA Champions League this past season.

*Our best rated PSG players at the tournament*

They have not been unstoppable in the Club World Cup, though, with Brazilian side Botafogo recording a monumental upset to defeat them 1-0 in the group stage.

Inter Miami will take some hope from this, but it’s a tough ask against a team full of talented individuals and, unusually for the modern version of PSG, one where those individuals have combined to produce the most impressive team.

Prediction

The current best players in the world will defeat the former best players in the world in a high-scoring game.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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