Club World Cup: The Knockouts
Which teams made it through?
By Patric Ridge
The Club World Cup group stage is over, and we’re now into the real, money-spinning, business end of the tournament.
The last 16 starts over the weekend, so let’s look ahead to those ties.
PALMEIRAS V BOTAFOGO
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Day: Saturday
Local time (GMT): 12pm (5pm)
Brazilian teams have certainly made a splash at this tournament, proving that they are capable of matching the European heavyweights.
And with Palmeiras, who finished top of Group A, and Botafogo, who beat European champions Paris Saint-Germain en route to a second-place finish in Group B, facing off on Saturday, it means at least one of the four Brazilian teams left in the competition is guaranteed to go into the last eight.
Botafogo have been particularly impressive defensively, while in Estêvão, who will join Chelsea next month, Palmeiras have a teenage sensation who has been breaking plenty of records in his home league. This one could be feisty, especially in the midday heat in Philadelphia, and it’s certainly tough to call!
Prediction: Palmeiras win
BENFICA V CHELSEA
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Day: Saturday
Local time (GMT): 4pm (9pm)
The later kick-off on Saturday sees Benfica take on Chelsea, and the Premier League giants should certainly be concerned.
Benfica topped Group C, beating Bayern Munich. Angel Di Maria, who will be leaving the club after the tournament, has already scored three goals, and they are not a team to be scoffed at.
Chelsea, meanwhile, finished behind Flamengo in Group D, losing 3-1 to the Brazilian team in what was their only real test of that pool. Comfortable wins over LAFC and ES Tunis should not give Enzo Maresca’s team a false sense of security.
Prediction: Benfica win
PSG V INTER MIAMI
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Day: Sunday
Local time (GMT): 12pm (5pm)
This will be the first time Lionel Messi has ever faced one of his former clubs in a competitive match, and even though it is questionable that Inter Miami got to compete at this tournament in the first place, they are certainly making the most of it.
Miami showed they are more than just a collective of aging superstars as they ground their way out of Group A ahead of Porto and Egyptian royalty in the form of Al Ahly.
Taking on the might of Paris Saint-Germain, of course, is another story, but in terms of narrative, this tie is exactly what FIFA wanted. Luis Enrique guided Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez to glory during his time at Barcelona, and there will no doubt be a reunion before and after the game. But during the match itself, expect PSG to get the job done — even if you shouldn’t bet against some Messi magic.
Prediction: PSG win
FLAMENGO V BAYERN MUNICH
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Day: Sunday
Local time (GMT): 4pm (9pm)
Bayern Munich made light work of progressing from Group C, swatting aside Auckland City and then overcoming Argentine giants Boca Juniors, but Vincent Kompany’s team came unstuck against Benfica.
It is clear that Bayern really want to win this competiton, but that loss to Benfica must serve as a wake-up call ahead of what promises to be an enthralling tussle with Flamengo, who have already beaten one European heavyweight.
Expect Bayern to get over the line, with star players like Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane offering far more bite than Chelsea have, but this one should be tight.
Prediction: Bayern win
INTER V FLUMINENSE
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Day: Monday
Local time (GMT): 3pm (8pm)
The fourth and final Brazilian team in the knockouts — Fluminense — finished second behind Borussia Dortmund in Group F.
They will take on Group E victors Inter, who are still finding their feet under new coach Cristian Chivu.
Inter’s boss was delighted with the mental fortitude on display as the Nerazzurri beat River Plate in their final group game — a match that ended in chaotic circumstances.
Given Inter still have so much to prove after that humbling defeat to PSG last month, then the Serie A giants should be made favourties for this one.
Prediction: Inter win
MAN CITY V AL-HILAL
Venue: Camping World Stadium, Orlando
Day: Monday
Local time (GMT): 9pm (2am)
How many Manchester City fans will be getting up in the middle of the night back home to watch their team in Club World Cup action is debatable, but on paper, this looks like an intriguing matchup.
Al-Hilal made it through in second place behind Real Madrid from their group, and they actually held Los Blancos to a draw in their opening game, too.
Simone Inzaghi could even set up a meeting with his old team Inter, should he mastermind a victory here, so there is plenty on the line.
City have eased their way into the competition, but showed their edge with a 5-2 thumping of Juventus on Thursday, with Erling Haaland netting his 300th career goal in the process, so they have to be considered as the favourites.
Prediction: Man City win
REAL MADRID V JUVENTUS
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Day: Tuesday
Local time (GMT): 3pm (8pm)
Xabi Alonso did not have the most convincing of starts as Madrid boss as his team were frustrated by Al-Hilal on matchday one, but Los Blancos have clicked through the gears as the group stage went on.
Their best performance came on Thursday, in a 3-0 defeat of Salzburg, and winning Group H has meant they will take on another European heavyweight in the form of Juventus.
Juve looked good across the first two matchdays, but their frailties were exposed by a clinical Man City last time out. If Madrid can show the same kind of attacking quality, then anticipate them to progress to the last eight.
Prediction: Real Madrid win
BORUSSIA DORTMUND V MONTERREY
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Day: Tuesday
Local time (GMT): 9pm (2am)
Rounding out the last 16, this tie could actually end up being a highlight.
Dortmund are never shy of attacking under Niko Kovac, and given this match is being played in the evening, the temperature should lend itself to some higher intensity, and therefore, maybe more excitement.
Jobe Bellingham, meanwhile, is already endearing himself to Dortmund fans, with a goal and an assist across his first three appearances.
Sergio Ramos is Monterrey’s headline name, as the veteran campaigner continues to extend his illustrious career. A potential reunion with Madrid could be his reward should he help propel Monterrey to victory.
Prediction: Dortmund win