10th
SL Benfica 1-0 FC Bayern München
Benfica goal: Andreas Schjelderup (13)
Group stage
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Many felt the Águias would finish the day heading for home. By considerable contrast, however, they powered through as section winners. It was indebted to an early strike from Andreas Schjelderup and some opponent-exasperating goalkeeping from Anatoliy Trubin, whose save from Leroy Sane with his outstretched leg will decorate highlight reels for some time.
“I did several press conferences and interviews. The talk was always, ‘It’s a final against Boca for second place’ and, when we drew, ‘It’s about who will score more goals against Auckland.’ Nobody gave is a chance of beating Bayern, it wasn’t even mentioned. We’ve beaten Bayern. This is a historic result.”
Bruno Lage, Benfica coach
Benfica beat Bayern for the first time ever in what was their 14th encounter. The Bavarians had won 10 and drawn three of their previous games.
9th
CF Monterrey 1-1 FC Internazionale Milano
Monterrey goal: Sergio Ramos (25)
Internazionale goal: Lautaro Martinez (42)
Group stage
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles
A pro-Rayados crowd erupted when Ramos – one of the most prolific centre-backs in football history – wriggled out of Matteo Darmian’s handcuffs and found the bottom corner with a trademark header from a corner. Martinez did equalise before the break, but an unshakable defensive performance, to which Ramos was key, guided Domenec Torrent’s team to tournament-startling point. It could have been more, but the upright agonisingly denied Sergio Canales.
“Everyone might be surprised, but I’m not at all. Football isn’t decided on paper, and North and South American teams are very strong.”
Domenec Torrent, Monterrey coach
Sergio Ramos was, at 39 years and 79 days, the oldest goalscorer at the FIFA Club World Cup. He beat his former El Clásico rivals Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi into second and third place respectively.
8th
Inter Miami CF 2-1 FC Porto
Inter Miami goals: Telasco Segovia (47), Lionel Messi (54)
Porto goal: Samu Aghehowa pen (8)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
A Concacaf club had never beaten European opposition. There seemed no chance of that statistic being shattered when Porto flew out of the blocks and went ahead. Oscar Ustari’s fingertips, a goal-line clearance from Maximiliano Falcon and the crossbar helped Inter Miami survive the remainder of the half. They then transformed the game in the second. Segovia smashed home the equaliser, and Messi’s magnificent free-kick sealed a famous triumph.
“Leo was injured. He almost didn’t play but he insisted on it. He played through the pain and the way he didn’t stop running is crazy. He’s the greatest player in history, but his will to win is incomparable.”
Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami coach
Messi’s goal was his 50th in 61 appearances for Inter Miami. It also helped the Herons became the first American team to win a game in a FIFA club competition.
7th
Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain goals: Fabian Ruiz (6 & 24), Ousmane Dembele (9), Goncalo Ramos (87)
Semi-finals
MetLife Stadium, New York New Jersey
The shock wasn’t that Luis Enrique’s side, the marginal favourites, won but the manner in which they mauled the most successful club in history. Achraf Hakimi, Ruiz, Vitinha, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and their indecipherable, interchanging football exasperated Madrid incessantly. Two excellent Thibaut Courtois saves preventing the scoreline being even more lopsided.
“I think we completely controlled the match, and the margin of victory could have been even bigger. We have great individual players, but we’re even better as a team. That’s our greatest strength.”
Vitinha
PSG became the first team to take a three-goal lead against Real Madrid in the first 24 minutes of a game since Sevilla in 2003.
6th
CR Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea FC
Flamengo goals: Bruno Henrique (62), Danilo (65), Wallace Yan (83)
Chelsea goal: Pedro Neto (13)
Group stage
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
They call him ‘The Unicorn’. Out of nothing, Bruno Henrique appeared and cast match-swaying magic. Filipe Luis sent the 34-year-old on in the 56th minute, with Flamengo trailing but their fans making ear-splitting noise. Within nine minutes, Bruno Henrique had registered a goal and an assist and the decibel levels were even more stratospheric.
“It’s really emotional to play in a match of this calibre, without any shadow of doubt. I’ve played in a lot in my career but, wearing the shirt of Flamengo, my boyhood team, is really special.”
Danilo, Flamengo defender
It was the first time a South American side had come from behind to defeat European opposition in 33 years. Hristo Stoichkov fired Barcelona ahead in the 1992 Intercontinental Cup, only for Rai to propel Sao Paulo to a 2-1 victory.
5th
Chelsea FC 3-0 Paris Saint-Germain
Chelsea goals: Cole Palmer (22 & 30), Joao Pedro (43)
Final
MetLife Stadium, New York New Jersey
PSG had steamrolled through a selection of European titans. Internazionale were crushed 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League final, before Luis Enrique’s charges overcame Atlético de Madrid 4-0, Bayern München 2-0 and Real Madrid 4-0 to reach the FIFA Club World Cup final. They were expected to sweep aside Enzo Marecsa’s Blues, but were decrypted by a performance for the ages from Cole Palmer. Chelsea were the champions of the world.
“They have had a very good season, but they hadn’t faced us. PSG have a lot of quality, they play with a lot of intensity, energy, but for me we have much more quality. I told my team-mates that we have more energy than them, more intensity than them, that we are going to win the game.”
Robert Sanchez
Palmer became the first player to register three goal contributions in a game against PSG since Wissam Ben Yedder did so for Monaco in February 2023. The former France forward also scored two and set up one in the first half.
4th
FC Internazionale Milano 0-2 Fluminense
Fluminense goals: German Cano (3), Hercules (90+3)
Round of 16
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Fluzão performed palatially in ‘The Queen City’. Their prince, the twinkle-toed Jhon Arias, was unplayable. Goalkeeper Fabio, centre-backs Ignacio and Thiago Silva, predator German Cano and substitute Hercules all played crucial functions in one of the greatest results in Fluminense’s 123-year history.
“We didn’t play any old team. We played European giants, a team that was in the Champions League final recently. Nobody gave us a chance, but we believed in ourselves. We went toe to toe with them and delivered an impeccable performance.”
Renato Gaucho, Fluminense coach
Jhon Arias seized his third Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match award. It meant the Colombian and Palmeiras sensation Estevao collected the most at the first FIFA Club World Cup.
3rd
Manchester City 3-4 Al Hilal (AET)
Manchester City goals: Bernardo Silva (9), Erling Haaland (55), Phil Foden (104)
Al Hilal goals: Marcos Leonardo (46 & 112), Malcom (52), Kalidou Koulibaly (94)
Round of 16
Camping World Stadium, Orlando
“It’s crucial Al Hilal don’t concede the first goal,” warned Juan Pablo Sorin. Simone Inzaghi’s side didn’t just let in the opener, but did so with fewer than 10 minutes on the clock. Yet, against monstrous odds, Yassine Bounou’s reflexes, Marcos Leonardo’s double and Kalidou Koulibaly’s headed winner sealed a seismic upset.
“We knew how good Manchester City are. They have one of the best players in the world in every position. We knew we needed to do something extraordinary. Tonight we managed to climb Mount Everest without oxygen.”
Simone Inzaghi, Al Hilal coach
Al Hilal ended a 20-game winless run for Asian teams against European opposition in a FIFA club competition.
2rd
Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Botafogo
Botafogo goal: Igor Jesus (36)
Group stage
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles
PSG were fresh from pummelling Internazionale 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League final and Atlético de Madrid 4-0 in their American opener. What chance did Botafogo have of avoiding a battering? The Fogão didn’t just swerve one, but dealt the Parisians a sport-shaking defeat. Goalkeeper John, centre-backs Alexander Barboza and Jair Cunha, midfield hunter Allan, playmaker Jefferson Savarino and match-winner Igor Jesus were all expectional for Renato Paiva’s men. Garrincha would have been proud.
“The football graveyard is full of favourites. If there’s a science where two plus two doesn’t equal four, it’s in football.”
Renato Paiva, Botafogo coach
Botafogo became the first South American side to defeat European opposition in 13 years. Corinthians had been the previous thanks to an upset of Chelsea in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ final in 2012.
1st
Auckland City FC 1-1 CA Boca Juniors
Auckland City goal: Christian Gray (52)
Boca Juniors goal: Nathan Garrow OG (26)
Group stage
GEODIS Park, Nashville
The Bombonera behemoths had won 37 major titles before the Kiwitea Street side were born. Elite internationals were up against a sonographer, salesmen, shop workers, a construction-site engineer, an estate agent, a warehouse stocker and a student. Benfica’s target was to win by six. Most, including the oddsmakers, who gave Auckland a 6.5-goal head start, believed they would. A mind-blowing performance from goalkeeper Garrow and the warriors to his north, however, helped script a Smashville sensation.
“You can’t begin to explain the odds that we’re up against. Our club is tiny with the hugest heart. I’m sorry to break some Boca hearts, but we worked so hard. I’m thrilled, it’s awesome.”
Paul Posa, Auckland coach
Boca registered 40 shots and had 20 corners, but their amateur opponents held on to earn a historic point – and $4.58 million in prize money.
