The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, hosted in the United States from June 14 to July 13, has reached its knockout stage, with 16 teams advancing from the group phase. Below is a detailed look at the confirmed last-16 matchups, as reported by AFP Sport, highlighting key dynamics, player narratives, and stakes for each game, based on the provided schedule and group stage outcomes. The tournament, expanded to 32 teams, features a single-elimination format, with matches leading to the final at MetLife Stadium on July 13. All times are in GMT, and matches are set across various U.S. venues.
1. Palmeiras vs. Botafogo
- Date and Venue: Saturday, June 28, 1600 GMT, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Overview: An all-Brazilian clash ensures at least one CONMEBOL team in the quarter-finals. Palmeiras, led by Brazil prodigy Estevao Willian (set to join Chelsea in 2026), topped Group A after a 2-2 draw with Inter Miami, leveraging superior goal difference. Botafogo, the 2024 Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champions, secured second in Group B, stunning PSG 1-0 and eliminating Atlético Madrid. Botafogo’s unbeaten streak in their last five encounters with Palmeiras, including a 2024 Libertadores tie, gives them confidence, but Palmeiras’ domestic league edge and attacking flair, with Paulinho and Mauricio scoring late against Miami, make this a tight contest.
- Key Players: Estevao Willian (Palmeiras), Jefferson Savarino (Botafogo)
- Stakes: The winner advances to face the victor of PSG vs. Inter Miami, testing Brazil’s dominance against potential European giants.
2. Benfica vs. Chelsea
- Date and Venue: Saturday, June 28, 2000 GMT, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
- Overview: Benfica, led by veteran Angel Di Maria, clinched Group C with a 1-0 upset over Bayern Munich, setting up a clash with Chelsea, who finished second in Group D after a 3-0 win over Espérance de Tunis but a 3-1 loss to Flamengo. Chelsea’s inconsistent form under Enzo Maresca, coupled with Nicolas Jackson’s suspension, puts pressure on new striker Liam Delap, who scored in the group stage. Benfica’s midfield, including former Chelsea player Enzo Fernandez, aims to exploit Chelsea’s vulnerabilities in the humid Charlotte conditions.
- Key Players: Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Liam Delap (Chelsea)
- Stakes: A potential quarter-final against Flamengo or Bayern Munich awaits, with Benfica seeking to prove Portuguese clubs can compete with Premier League sides.
3. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Inter Miami
- Date and Venue: Sunday, June 29, 1600 GMT, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Overview: Lionel Messi, celebrating his 38th birthday on June 24, faces his former club PSG, where he played from 2021 to 2023, in a blockbuster matchup. Inter Miami, coached by Javier Mascherano, surprised Group A by beating Porto 2-1 but settled for second after a late 2-2 collapse against Palmeiras. PSG, the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League winners under Luis Enrique, topped Group B with a 4-0 rout of Atlético Madrid, despite a 1-0 loss to Botafogo. PSG’s attack, led by Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha, is favored, but Miami’s Messi, with a stunning free-kick against Porto, could spark an upset.
- Key Players: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
- Stakes: The winner faces the Palmeiras-Botafogo victor, with PSG aiming to assert European dominance and Miami seeking to elevate MLS’s global standing.
4. Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich
- Date and Venue: Sunday, June 29, 2000 GMT, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Overview: Flamengo, coached by Filipe Luís, topped Group D after a 3-1 upset over Chelsea, showcasing Brazilian flair. They face Bayern Munich, who finished second in Group C after a 1-0 loss to Benfica but a 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City. Bayern’s firepower, with Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Thomas Mueller, poses a formidable challenge, but Flamengo’s momentum and passionate fanbase in Miami could level the playing field. Luís’s claim that Brazilian clubs match Europe’s second tier adds intrigue.
- Key Players: Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Stakes: The victor advances to a potential quarter-final against Benfica or Chelsea, testing South American resilience against Bundesliga might.
5. Inter Milan vs. Fluminense
- Date and Venue: Monday, June 30, 1900 GMT, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
- Overview: Inter Milan, led by Cristian Chivu, topped Group E with wins over Urawa Red Diamonds (2-1) and River Plate (2-0), setting up a clash with Fluminense, who secured second in Group F after a 4-2 win over Ulsan HD and a 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund. Fluminense’s resilience against Dortmund signals their upset potential, but Inter’s disciplined European style, fresh off a Champions League runner-up finish, makes them favorites.
- Key Players: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Jhon Arias (Fluminense)
- Stakes: The winner faces the Borussia Dortmund-Monterrey victor, with Inter aiming to avoid another Brazilian upset.
6. Manchester City vs. Al Hilal
- Date and Venue: Monday, June 30, 0100 GMT (July 1), Camping World Stadium, Orlando
- Overview: Manchester City, the 2023 Club World Cup champions, enter as the only team with a perfect group stage record, scoring 11 goals in their last two matches, including a 5-2 rout of Juventus. Al Hilal, the 2021 AFC Champions League winners, secured second in Group H after Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Salzburg, boasting stars like Joao Cancelo and Neymar (if fit). City’s attacking prowess, led by Erling Haaland, makes them heavy favorites, but Al Hilal’s experience could pose a challenge.
- Key Players: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Salem Al-Dawsari (Al Hilal)
- Stakes: The winner advances to face the Real Madrid-Juventus victor, with City aiming to maintain their dominance.
7. Real Madrid vs. Juventus
- Date and Venue: Tuesday, July 1, 1900 GMT, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Overview: A clash of European titans, Real Madrid, five-time Club World Cup winners, face Juventus, who suffered a 5-2 loss to Manchester City but secured second in Group G. Real Madrid, under new coach Xabi Alonso, topped Group H with a 3-0 win over Salzburg, potentially welcoming back Kylian Mbappé from illness. Their 21 prior meetings, including two Champions League finals (both won by Madrid), favor the Spanish side, but Juventus’s grit under Igor Tudor could make it competitive.
- Key Players: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
- Stakes: The winner faces Manchester City or Al Hilal, with Madrid seeking to extend their storied legacy.
8. Borussia Dortmund vs. Monterrey
- Date and Venue: Tuesday, July 1, 0100 GMT (July 2), Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Overview: Borussia Dortmund, coached by Niko Kovac, topped Group F with a 1-0 win over Ulsan HD and a 4-3 thriller against Mamelodi Sundowns, benefiting from the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium after complaints about heat. Monterrey, second in Group E after a 4-0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds and a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan, features former Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos. Dortmund’s growing form makes them favorites, but Monterrey’s resilience could surprise.‽web:2,4,5,6,8,12,13,23
- Key Players: Karim Adeyemi (Dortmund), Sergio Ramos (Monterrey)
- Stakes: The winner meets the Inter Milan-Fluminense victor, with Dortmund aiming to assert European strength against CONCACAF’s challenge.
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