Seattle Sounders vs Atletico Madrid

In a thrilling encounter under the floodlights of Lumen Field, Atlético Madrid proved too sharp for Seattle Sounders, securing a 3–1 victory in their second Group B match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The match brought together the ambition of Major League Soccer against the battle-hardened pedigree of La Liga, and while the hosts fought valiantly, Atlético’s quality in front of goal made all the difference.

Atlético wasted no time stamping their authority, with Pablo Barrios opening the scoring in the 11th minute. A sharp cutback from Marcos Llorente found Barrios at the edge of the box, who fired a first-time shot off the underside of the bar and into the net—a moment of brilliance that left Seattle stunned early. The Spanish side controlled the tempo for much of the first half, staying compact and disciplined while waiting to pounce.

Just after the break, Axel Witsel doubled Atlético’s lead with a well-placed header following a flicked corner from Le Normand, who rose above his marker to glance it into Witsel’s path. However, Seattle refused to go quietly. Only minutes later, Albert Rusnák capitalized on a defensive lapse to head home for the Sounders, giving the crowd a glimmer of hope at 2–1. The hosts surged forward with newfound belief, backed by over 50,000 fans roaring in unison.

But Atlético responded immediately. In the 55th minute, Barrios completed his brace, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box and smashing it past the keeper to restore the two-goal cushion. From then on, Diego Simeone’s men expertly managed the game, absorbing pressure and frustrating Seattle’s build-up play.

Statistically, Seattle held their own—registering 16 shots, 42% possession, and over 400 passes completed—but they lacked Atlético’s clinical edge. Coach Brian Schmetzer praised his side’s courage, noting that “the difference was in the execution, not the effort.” On the other side, Simeone emphasized his philosophy: “Every match is a final,” lauding his team’s composure in difficult moments.

This victory leaves Atlético tied on points with PSG and Botafogo at the top of Group B, setting up a decisive showdown with the Brazilian side for a place in the semifinals. Seattle, after suffering their second defeat following their narrow loss to Botafogo, sit bottom of the group with one game remaining against PSG. While their hopes of advancing are slim, the Sounders have earned valuable experience on the world stage.

Despite the result, the match was a proud moment for MLS, as Seattle pushed one of Europe’s elite and scored a memorable goal in front of their home fans. For Atlético Madrid, it was a professional performance—cold, efficient, and commanding—just as you’d expect from a team with Champions League ambitions.

Watch and Download Seattle Sounders vs Atletico Madrid full match replay and highlights, At Friday, June 20, 2025. The match played at Lumen Field, in FIFA Club World Cup.

PSG vs Botafogo