2018 FIFA Club World Cup
12-22 December
United Arab Emirates
Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium – Al Ain
Zayed Sports City Stadium – Abu Dhabi
River Plate will make a major statement when they participate in the 2018 Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates this month.
The Argentine giants secured their place in the tournament thanks to a controversial triumph over hated rivals Boca Juniors in the final of the 2018 Copa Libertadores – such was the violence and controversy surrounding the clash, that the second leg was held at the Santiago Bernabeu in Spain to avoid any further safety issues.
Marcelo Gallardo’s side will enter the competition at the semifinal stage on December 18 and face one of three teams: local representatives Al Ain, New Zealand’s Team Wellington or African champions Esperance de Tunis.
The former two teams will meet in the first round on December 12, with the winner advancing to face the Tunisians in the second round three days later. The winner of that clash will take on River in a semi next Tuesday evening.
The Buenos Aires club will hope they advance to the final on December 22 in Abu Dhabi and face reigning champions Real Madrid (who must overcome either Kashima Antlers of Japan or Guadalajara of Mexico in their semifinal).
River will be aiming to become the first team from their country to win the Club World Cup, and break a five-year stranglehold on the tournament by the European representatives.
Will they be able to achieve this feet? Make your bet on Betway football betting
2018 Club World Cup fixtures
Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain:
First round
Match 1 – 12 December – Al Ain v Team Wellington – 17h30 CAT
Second round
Match 2 – 15 December – Esperance de Tunis v Winner Match 1 – 18h30 CAT
Match 3 – 15 December – Kashima Antlers v Guadalajara – 15h00 CAT
Match for fifth place
Match 4 – 18 December – Loser Match 2 v Loser Match 3 – 15h30 CAT
Semifinal
Match 5 – 18 December – River Plate v Winner Match 2 – 18h30 CAT
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi:
Semifinal
Match 6 – 19 December – Winner Match 3 v Real Madrid – 18h30 CAT
Match for third place
Match 7 – 22 December – Loser Match 6 v Loser Match 5 – 15h30 CAT
Final
Match 8 – 22 December – Winner Match 6 v Winner Match 5 – 18h30 CAT
Club World Cup – past winners
2017 – Real Madrid
2016 – Real Madrid
2015 – Barcelona
2014 – Real Madrid
2013 – Bayern Munich
2012 – Corinthians
2011 – Barcelona
2010 – Internazionale
2009 – Barcelona
2008 – Manchester United
2007 – AC Milan
2006 – Internacional
2005 – Sao Paulo
2000 – Corinthians
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