On a cool Wednesday evening at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Group H clash kicked off with a historic first meeting between Mexico's Pachuca and Austria's Red Bull Salzburg. Both teams, eager to make a strong start in this revamped tournament, brought contrasting stories and ambitions to the pitch.
Pachuca, the oldest football club in Mexico and a familiar name on this global stage, was making its fifth appearance at the Club World Cup, holding the joint-national record for most participations. Their campaign came off a mixed domestic season, finishing 16th in the Liga MX Apertura but bouncing back to eighth in Clausura. The Mexican side was under the guidance of new head coach Jaime Lozano, appointed after the 2024/2025 Liga MX season, who faced the challenge of blending experience and youth to navigate a tough group that also includes giants like Real Madrid and Al Hilal.
Leading Pachuca's attack was the veteran Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon, a 35-year-old powerhouse with a remarkable record. Rondon, who previously plied his trade in the English Premier League with West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, and Everton, had become a talisman for Pachuca, scoring 36 goals in 67 appearances. His form in recent times was impressive, having netted five of Pachuca's last nine goals and clinching the Golden Boot during their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup triumph with nine goals in seven games. Alongside him, Moroccan winger Oussama Idrissi added dynamism and creativity. Idrissi, familiar to European audiences from his spells at AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord, and Sevilla, boasted an average of two shots per game in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, underlining his attacking threat. Another key figure was Fluminense loanee John Kennedy, who had scored nine times in 20 outings since joining Pachuca earlier in 2025, expected to start alongside Rondon and Idrissi in the forward line.
On the other side, Red Bull Salzburg arrived in Cincinnati with a youthful squad brimming with potential. The Austrian Bundesliga runners-up had made their Club World Cup debut, eager to announce themselves on the world stage. Their squad featured exciting talents like 21-year-old attacking midfielder Oscar Gloukh, who had scored 10 goals in 26 league appearances, and 22-year-old winger Dorgeles Nene, who outscored Gloukh with 13 goals in 30 matches. Salzburg's head coach Thomas Letsch, appointed in December 2024 following the dismissal of Pep Ljinders, faced the challenge of integrating young players while managing injuries to key personnel. Notably, Karim Konate and Samson Tijani were sidelined with knee injuries, Nicolas Capaldo was out with a broken toe, and goalkeeper Alexander Schlager missed the match due to a hand injury. Additionally, Liverpool loanee Bobby Clark was left out of the squad after falling out of favor.
The match itself was set against the backdrop of a tight betting market. Pachuca entered as slight underdogs with odds of 13/8 (38.1% win probability), while Salzburg were marginal favorites at 8/5 (38.5%). The draw was priced at 12/5, with bookmakers expecting both teams to score and the game to feature over 2.5 goals. Salomon Rondon's anytime goal odds were boosted from 7/4 to 2/1, reflecting confidence in his ability to make an impact. Rondon's reputation was well-earned, having scored 16 goals and provided five assists across all competitions in the 2024/2025 season, and ranking fourth in appearances and 45 goals for the Venezuelan national team.
Before the kickoff, images of Rondon warming up captured the anticipation surrounding him and Pachuca’s hopes. The Mexican side's predicted lineup featured Carlos Moreno in goal, a defensive line including Jorge Berlanga and Eduardo Bauermann, midfielders such as Bryan González and Elías Montiel, and the attacking trio of Idrissi, Rondon, and John Kennedy. Salzburg countered with Janis Blaswich guarding the net, a backline led by Kouakou Gadou and Samson Baidoo, and an attack spearheaded by Nene Dorgeles, Petar Ratkov, and Oscar Gloukh.
The game promised to be a fascinating tactical battle between Pachuca’s experienced frontline and Salzburg’s youthful exuberance. Pachuca’s strategy hinged on Rondon’s physical presence and finishing prowess, supported by Idrissi’s creativity and Kennedy’s goal-scoring form. Meanwhile, Salzburg looked to Gloukh’s goal involvements—19 in all competitions—and Nene’s pace and finishing to unsettle the Mexican defense.
From a broader perspective, this fixture highlighted the evolving nature of the FIFA Club World Cup, which has expanded to showcase diverse clubs from across continents, providing a platform for emerging talents and seasoned veterans alike. Pachuca’s history in the tournament added gravitas, while Salzburg’s debut underscored the growing prominence of Austrian football on the world stage.
Fans worldwide could tune in to watch the match live and free on DAZN, which was streaming all 63 Club World Cup games. For viewers facing geo-restrictions, VPN services like ExpressVPN offered an accessible workaround to experience the tournament from anywhere, ensuring no one missed the action.
The stakes were high, with Pachuca aiming to build momentum for the gruelling group that also included football heavyweights Real Madrid and Al Hilal. Salzburg, meanwhile, sought to announce themselves with a strong debut performance and prove their mettle against established clubs.
With the match underway, all eyes remained on Salomon Rondon to deliver the goals Pachuca needed, while Salzburg's youthful stars aimed to disrupt and outpace their Mexican opponents. The defensive frailties of Salzburg, who had conceded in their last three league games and managed only one clean sheet in nine, offered Pachuca a tangible target to exploit.
As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup unfolds, this encounter between Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg sets the tone for a thrilling competition full of surprises, emerging talents, and compelling narratives. The action continues to develop, with both teams eyeing progression and glory on this global stage.
