Club World Cup Drama: Messi Bows Out, Chelsea Survive Chaos, and Quarter-Final Clashes Take Shape
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has already delivered a whirlwind of drama, heartbreak, and high-octane football—and we’re only halfway through the Round of 16. With four matches down and four to go, the tournament is shaping up to be a classic. Here’s a look at the standout moments so far and what lies ahead.
Palmeiras 1-0 Botafogo (AET): Paulinho the Hero in All-Brazilian Battle
The first knockout clash saw Brazilian giants Palmeiras edge past domestic rivals Botafogo in a tense affair at Lincoln Financial Field. After 90 goalless minutes, substitute Paulinho struck in the 100th minute with a composed finish to seal a 1-0 win. Palmeiras had to hold on with 10 men after captain Gustavo Gómez was sent off late, but Abel Ferreira’s side showed grit to become the first team into the quarter-finals.
Benfica 1-4 Chelsea (AET): A Storm, a Penalty, and a Blue Blitz
Chelsea’s clash with Benfica in Charlotte was nothing short of cinematic. Reece James opened the scoring with a clever free-kick, but a two-hour weather delay halted the match in the 86th minute. When play resumed, Ángel Di María equalized from the spot in stoppage time, sending the game into extra time.
Down to 10 men after Gianluca Prestianni’s red card, Benfica couldn’t hold back the tide. Chelsea exploded with goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to seal a 4-1 win and a date with Palmeiras.
PSG 4-0 Inter Miami: Messi’s Farewell Ends in Silence
In a highly anticipated reunion, Lionel Messi faced his former club PSG—but the script didn’t favor the Argentine legend. João Neves scored twice, while Achraf Hakimi and a Tomás Avilés own goal completed a dominant first-half performance by the Parisians.
Despite Messi’s best efforts, including a near-assist and a saved header, Inter Miami couldn’t find a way through. The 38-year-old’s Club World Cup journey ended in heartbreak, but not without flashes of his enduring brilliance.
Flamengo 2-4 Bayern Munich: Kane Double Sinks Brazilian Hopes
Harry Kane reminded the world of his class with a brace in Bayern’s 4-2 win over Flamengo in Miami. The German side raced to a 2-0 lead, only for Flamengo to fight back through Gerson and a Jorginho penalty. But Kane’s second goal, a clinical finish in the 73rd minute, sealed the deal and set up a blockbuster quarter-final against PSG.
Quarter-Finals Set: Titans Collide
With four matches still to come, two quarter-final ties are already locked in:
- Palmeiras vs Chelsea – Friday, July 4 in Philadelphia
- PSG vs Bayern Munich – Saturday, July 5 in Atlanta
Both fixtures promise fireworks. Chelsea will face a Palmeiras side missing key players through suspension, while PSG and Bayern renew their European rivalry in a clash of titans.
