Anticipation fills Central Stadium in Almaty as Kairat hosts Real Madrid in an imminent Champions League clash.
Today’s game is significant for at least two reasons. First, it is historic for Kairat: the Almaty club is playing its first home match as a Champions League group-stage participant. Second, Real Madrid, one of the most decorated clubs in the world, is visiting Kazakhstan for the first time in its history.
Central Stadium’s 23,804 seats sold out online in hours, with demand far exceeding availability.
The stands are filled with supporters of both Kairat and Real Madrid. Among them are Spanish fans who traveled nearly 7,000 kilometers to watch their team compete.
Both squads have completed pre-match warmups and returned to their dressing rooms for final preparations before kickoff.
The Champions League group-stage match is part of matchday two and kicks off at 9:45 p.m. local time.
Starting lineups have been announced, and an Italian crew led by Marco Guida will officiate the game.
In the group’s opening round, Kairat lost heavily to Sporting Lisbon, while Real Madrid beat Marseille at home with two goals from Kylian Mbappé.
