This summer's FIFA Club World Cup has been quite an amazing tournament thus far. With a number of upset wins as well as the occasional blowout win, it's probably safe to say the tournament has exceeded fans' expectations they had before it started.
For Real Madrid fans, the Club World Cup has much excitement surrounding it as it would be the first glimpses' of how Xabi Alonso's style would work as the new head coach as well as the debuts of new signings Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The tournament started out slow for Real Madrid but quickly picked up. After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Al Hilal in the opener, Los Blancos followed it up with a 3-1 win over Pachuca and a 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg, whcih guided the team to a first place finish in Group H.
Topping the group is usually a good thing, however, with how results went in other groups means Real Madrid will have to run a difficult gauntlet in the knockout stage if the hope to secure Club World Cup glory. Let's take a look at the treacherous path Los Blancos face in the knockout stage.
Real Madrid do not have it easy despite topping their group
Starting with the round of 16, Real Madrid have a massive clash lined up against Juventus. This will be the first time Real Madrid face the Italian club in a competitive game since the quarterfinals of the 2017/18 Champions League. Juventus looked solid in the group stage with a 4-0 and 5-1 win but also a one sided 5-2 loss to Manchester City. The matchup is set for July 1st at Miami's Hardrock Stadium.
Following Juventus, Real Madrid could face a matchup with either Sergio Ramos' Monterrey side or a rematch of the 2024 Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. Monterrey looke dstrong in the group stage, even stealing a point in a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan.
Either matchup would be tough and Xabi Alonso's men would have to bring their A game. A potential quarterfinal game would be on July 5th at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey.
The semifinal would be Real Madrid's toughest matchup yet, where depending on how other results go, they could be in line for a matchup against either Bayern Munich or the current Champions League winners PSG. The French side look like the favorites right now and would be Xabi Alonso's toughest challenge yet.
And finally should Real Madrid reach the final they could be in line for a matchup against Manchester City. It seems Los Blancos face City every season and after the Premier League side strengthened in the transfer window, they look on par with PSG as the team to beat to secure Club World Cup glory.