June 27 – Marred in controversy, the Club World Cup’s knockout stage will get under way this weekend with European and Brazilian clubs dominating the competition.
On Thursday, Real Madrid wrapped up the group stages with a 3-0 victory against Red Bull Salzburg following goals from Vinicius Junior, Frederico Valverde and Gonzalo Garcia. The Brazilian starred with a goal and an assist and his club have been rewarded with a last 16 tie against Juventus, who lost 5-2 against Manchester City on the final day of first-round action to finish second in group G.
Al Hilal defeated Pachuca of Mexico 2-0 to finish runners-up behind Madrid in Group H. The Saudi club will face City, owned by Abu Dhabi. They will be Asia’s only representatives in the knockout phase after Ulsan of South Korea, Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates were eliminated.
No club from Africa or Oceania progressed from the group stage but the amateurs from Auckland City did manage a face-saving and morale-boosting 1-1 draw with Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in their final group match. They had been beaten 10-0 by Bayern Munich and 6-0 by Benfica in their opening two games, raising questions about their presence at the tournament.
Europe and Brazil have dominated the competition. All of Brazil’s four clubs will feature in the knockout stages with Botafogo, defeating PSG 1-0, and Flamengo, outclassing Chelsea 3-1, providing the biggest upsets in the competition. The country is guaranteed at least one representative in the last eight as Botafogo and Palmeiras will face each other in the last 16 on Saturday at Lincoln Field in Philadelphia. Flamengo will meet Bayern and crosstown rivals Fluminense will play Inter Milan.
Nine out of 12 European clubs remain in the Club World Cup with Porto, Atletico Madrid and Salzburg dropping out, meaning that Europe is still on course to win the maiden edition of the 32-team tournament. As many as seven European clubs could make up the final eight teams in the quarter finals.
The group round has seen a lot of controversy with empty stadiums, heat concerns and complaints about the pitches. FIFA also dropped its anti-racism campaign at the tournament.
Round of 16
Palmeiras – Botafogo
Benfica – Chelsea
Flamengo – Bayern
Inter Miami – PSG
Inter Milan – Fluminense
Manchester City – Al Hilal
Real Madrid – Juventus
Borussia Dortmund – Monterrey
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