River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds – Line-ups, stats and preview

Match preview for River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds

River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds will kick off their 2025 Club World Cup campaigns on Tuesday night in Group E.

With Inter Milan tipped as clear favourites to top the group, both teams are fully aware that this opening fixture could be crucial in the battle for the second qualification spot, alongside Monterrey.

River Plate earned their place in the tournament as the highest-ranked eligible team from the CONMEBOL four-year standings. Led by Marcelo Gallardo, the Argentine giants will be keen to start strong before facing Monterrey and, eventually, Inter Milan.

Urawa Red Diamonds, on the other hand, secured their place in the Club World Cup as the 2022 AFC Champions League winners.

Representing one of Japan’s most decorated clubs, Urawa will be aiming to make a statement in their third appearance at the competition.

Cada vez falta menos @FIFACWC #FIFACWC | #RiverMundial pic.twitter.com/WJGgDIuGbd

— River Plate (@RiverPlate) June 16, 2025

Team news for River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds

River Plate will field teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono, who will be joining Real Madrid after turning 18 in July.

The playmaker is expected to be a central figure in the team’s attack as he looks to introduce himself to the world in his final matches with the club.

Facundo Colidio should start up front alongside experienced names like Sebastian Driussi and Lucas Martinez. No major surprises are anticipated in Marcelo Gallardo’s lineup.

For Urawa Red Diamonds, Ryoma Watanabe is likely to lead the line after scoring six goals in 17 appearances.

He’ll be supported by Yusuke Matsuo, who has three goals to his name this season, and Matheus Savio, who is also expected to feature in the attack.

#FIFACWC グループステージMD1 vs CAリーベル・プレート 試合情報

vs CAリーベル・プレート()
6/17(火) 12:00
6/18(水) 4:00
ルーメンフィールド
DAZN(無料)

試合情報 https://t.co/2aHlBXUCHl#UrawaRedDiamonds #urawareds #浦和レッズ#WeareREDS #WeareDiamonds… pic.twitter.com/B90gKBfQnc

— 浦和レッズオフィシャル (@REDSOFFICIAL) June 15, 2025

Expected line-ups for River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds

River Plate: Armani; Montiel, Martinez, Diaz, Acuna; Castano, Perez, Meza; Mastantuono, Driussi, Colidio

Urawa Red Diamonds: Nishikawa; Ishihara, Ogiwara, Gustafson, Boza; Holbraten, Kaneko; Yasui, Matsuo, Savio; Watanabe

How to watch River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds: TV channel, online stream

The Club World Cup is being broadcast exclusively on DAZN. Kick-off is at 8pm on Tuesday night.

The stats for River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds

• River Plate have won 38 Argentine top-flight titles, more than any other club.
• Urawa Red Diamonds boast three AFC Champions League titles and a joint-record eight Emperor’s Cups.
• This is River’s first match of the Club World Cup, with Monterrey and Inter Milan to follow.
• Urawa’s domestic campaign has been paused to allow their participation; they are 4th in the J1 League with 34 points from 21 games.

Prediction

While Urawa Red Diamonds are an organised and capable side with experience on the continental stage, River Plate’s overall quality and the existence of key talents like Franco Mastantuono should give them the edge.

River Plate 3-1 Urawa Red Diamonds