The group stage of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup delivered major talking points ahead of the Round of 16, with South American clubs grabbing headlines, Lionel Messi drawing crowds, and European giants showing signs of vulnerability.
Flamengo lit up Group H with a 3–1 win over Chelsea in Philadelphia. After conceding early, the Brazilian side responded through Bruno Henrique, Danilo, and teenager Wallace Yan. Chelsea, reduced to 10 men following Nicolas Jackson’s red card, were unable to recover. In Group B, Botafogo upset the UEFA Champions League winners, Paris Saint-Germain 1–0, ending a 13-year unbeaten run by European clubs in intercontinental meetings.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami did enough to progress from Group E despite a goalless draw with Mexican side Club León. Their Argentine icon remains the tournament’s biggest draw, with packed stadiums in Miami and Atlanta for their matches.
Manchester City topped Group F after a professional 2–1 win over Boca Juniors, with Phil Foden and Julian Álvarez on the scoresheet. Bayern Munich thrashed Auckland City 10–0 in a statement win, while Benfica routed the same side 5–1, led by an Ángel Di María brace.
Real Madrid were more measured, doing just enough to finish atop Group A with a narrow 1–0 win over Al-Ahly. Jude Bellingham’s late goal ensured the European giants remain firmly in contention.
Despite Chelsea’s early setback, they secured a 2–0 win over LAFC to book a place in the knockouts.
FIFA Club World Cup: Round of 16 Fixtures
- Real Madrid vs Juventus
- Manchester City vs Al Hilal
- Flamengo vs Bayern Munich
- Benfica vs Chelsea
- Palmeiras vs Botafogo
- Inter Miami vs PSG
- Borussia Dortmund vs Monterrey
With Messi still in the mix, Real Madrid chasing another global title, and Manchester City hitting form at the right time, the knockout phase promises blockbuster clashes and potential upsets.
