Sixty-three matches were played out at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, providing 195 goals and countless moments to savour. Here, we’ve taken a look back through eight of the most memorable.
Goalkeepers on top in thrilling curtain-raiser
The Club World Cup opener may not have provided goals, but an end-to-end bout between Inter Miami and Al Ahly set the tone for a riveting tournament. Herons goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made a number of saves before repelling Trezeguet’s spot-kick, while opposite number Mohamed El Shenawy foiled Lionel Messi and Co with a handful of fine stops himself.
Bounou’s beautiful day
Xabi Alonso met Simone Inzaghi on Matchday 1 in Group H, as two of football’s highest-rated coaches came head to head in charge of their new sides for the very first time. With the score at 1-1, a 92nd-minute penalty gave Federico Valverde the chance to earn Los Blancos victory, but the towering Yassine Bounou got down to his right to heroically save, and hold, his spot-kick.
Botafogo shock the world
If Botafogo impressed in their opening-day win over Seattle Sounders, they sent shockwaves through the sport in their second match. An Igor Jesus breakaway saw them take the lead against newly-crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain, with rearguard defending thereafter securing a historic victory for O Glorioso.
Trainee teacher sparks Auckland eruption
After shipping 16 goals without reply in their opening two matches, many thought Auckland entered their final group tussle with Boca Juniors looking to keep the score down.
They were – for the second game running no less – just a goal down come the break. Seven minutes after the interval, Jerson Lagos swung in a corner which PE teacher Christian Gray headed home. The part-timers, filled with Kiwi pride and with a point to prove, went on to secure a sport-shaking draw.
Marcos Leonardo makes his mother proud
While his body was at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, Marcos Leonardo’s mind was back home in Brazil. His mother, Leidiane, faced complications from a surgical procedure and had spent almost two months in the ICU. While well enough to continue her recovery at home, she couldn’t travel to the States, but her son drenched her in pride from more than 3,000 miles away. The Al Hilal forward hit a brace – including the winner – in a stunning 4-3 win over Manchester City which saw the Blue Wave crash into the last eight.
Estevao bows out in style
Ahead of Chelsea’s quarter-final bout with Palmieras, all eyes were on Estevao. The tremendously talented teen came through the Verdão’s youth ranks and took the Brasileirao by storm, convincing Chelsea to sign him in a deal which would begin after the tournament.
He gave his soon-to-be employers an early taste of what’s to come, as he wriggled away from the attentions of Tosin Adarabioyo and thundered home a shot from a scarcely-believable angle to level the scores. While the Blues would advance as 2-1 winners, the 18-year-old certainly showed the world what he’s all about.
Fabian Ruiz caps Madrid blitz
It took just six minutes for Fabian Ruiz to side-foot home the opener for PSG’s semi-final with Real Madrid. Three minutes later and Ousmane Dembele was running clear to double the advantage.
Los Blancos settled and started to look like the team famed for their comeback ability, until the ball went back to Gianluigi Donnarumma. Six passes later and Fabian was in on goal once more. He shrugged off the attentions of Federico Valverde and slotted beyond a motionless Thibaut Courtois to net the Parisians’ third in a barmy 24-minute spell which would set them up for a dominant 4-0 victory.
Palmer dazzles as Chelsea reign supreme
Frank Lampard. Didier Drogba. Eden Hazard. Chelsea fans have long been used to toasting a big-game king, and in Cole Palmer they have undoubtedly found another.
The 23-year-old stroked the Blues ahead of PSG 22 minutes into the decider, before repeating the trick with a near-identical finish into the bottom left corner eight minutes later. Just before the break he set Joao Pedro away to all-but engrave Chelsea’s name on the trophy. The club from the King’s Road were crowned champions of the world, with Palmer the recipient of the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s standout player.
