The FIFA Club World Cup 2025‘s group stages are over, and we are ready for the knockouts to commence on the 28th. Let us talk about the Surprises in the Group Stages of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
When we look at the teams that have qualified for the last sixteen, there are some surprising names in it. All the Brazilian teams have impressed in the competition, as all four have booked their places in the round of 16. The two Argentine teams, River Plate and Boca Juniors, head back home. The biggest upset is that Atletico Madrid were knocked out in the group stage.
The teams qualified in the last sixteen are Palmeiras, Inter Miami CF, Paris Saint-Germain, Botafogo, Benfica, Bayern Munich, Flamengo, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Monterrey, Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense, Manchester City, Juventus, Real Madrid, and Al-Hilal.
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Top 5 Surprises in Group Stages of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Football is all about surprises, and surely anything can beat anyone. The FIFA Club World Cup is now becoming more and more interesting as we have reached the knockouts. Basically, the right side of the bracket is more competitive as we have Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund. Let us look at the Top 5 Surprises in Group Stages:
Atletico Madrid out of the group stage
As Group B had teams such as Paris-Saint Germain, Botafogo, Atletico Madrid, and Seattle Sounders FC, everyone thought the European teams would dominate, but this is not how football works every time. Atletico Madrid suffered a 4-0 defeat to PSG, as that loss hurt them. They want out on goal difference.
Botafogo beat Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain is this season’s UEFA Champions League winners, and they have dominated teams like Liverpool and Inter already, but suffered a defeat to Botafogo.
Botafogo is basically the underdog of the competition. They knew there would be very few chances in the game, and one goal was enough for them to secure a win.
Benfica top Group C
After scoring 12 goals in the first two matches, many thought Bayern would finish in second place in Group C. Benfica had four points in their first two matches and were facing Bayern in the last match of Group C. They needed a win to finish as the table toppers; they got a narrow win and won the match.
Flamengo defeat Chelsea
This defeat for Chelsea is surely a blessing in disguise. If they would have won the match they would have faced faced Bayern in the round of 16. Eventually, we have to applaud the performance shown by Flamengo. They scored three goals in the match and basically outperformed the Chelsea side.
Al-Hilal hold Real Madrid to a draw
Both teams had their new managers for the opening match of Group H of the FIFA Club World Cup. Simone Inzaghi’s Al-Hilal had caused problems for Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid.
Raul Asencio’s error gave a spot kick to Al-Hilal and converted it in the first half. The second half was more about Real Madrid, but Al-Hilal had a great game of football as the European Kings.
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