Overview of the Club World Cup Group Stage: Club battle is not just a wealthy game

Xinhua News Agency reporters Zhao Yan and Gongbing

2025 Club World Cup ended all group stages on the 26th local time. The new version of the Club World Cup of 32 teams brought together more teams of different styles. Although most of the teams in the five major European leagues advanced, they were "scrambled" by South American teams, and the "niche" teams from Asia, Africa, the United States and Australia won respect with their performance.

(Subtitle) European "powerful" show their strength

In the past 10 years, the advantages of European teams seem to be unquestionable. The generous salary has led to the outflow of outstanding talents in South America and Africa. European football has gradually moved to the "altar", but they have encountered many challenges in this Club World Cup.

The challenge not only comes from clubs in South America, but also Monterrey of Mexico tied Inter Milan 1:1, Saudi Riyadh's New Moon tied Real Madrid 1:1, and Miami International of the United States defeated Porto 2:1. La Liga powerhouse Atletico Madrid and Portuguese strong team Porto were eliminated in the group stage, which reached the top 16 of the Champions League.

However, it should still be seen that 9 of the 16 teams that advanced after the group stage came from Europe. In the group stage, Bayern Munich "slaughtered" Auckland City and Manchester City 10-0 and scored 13 goals in three games, which still showed their strength.

Seeing the hard work of other continents, European teams showed their professional spirit, overcame unfavorable factors such as fatigue and high temperatures on the journey, took every game seriously, and performed according to the standards of the Champions League in the internal struggle of European "powerful people", contributing the wonderful games of Paris Saint-Germain defeating Atletico Madrid 4:0 and Manchester City beat Juventus 5:2.

Perhaps the upsets in the group stage are just a small episode on the road to the semi-finals of European teams, and order will be restored after the top 16 games; perhaps this is not the case, but giving more clubs opportunities should be the significance of the new version of the Club World Cup.

(Subtitle) The "Samba Legion" collectively returned

The South American team, which has been overwhelmed by Europe in recent years, was unwilling to be lonely and did not suffer any loss in the first round of the Club World Cup. After the group stage, all four Brazilian clubs advanced, revitalizing the "Samba Legion" that has been frustrated in the international arena in recent years.

In the second round of the group stage, Botafogo defeated the new Champions League No. 1 pick Paris Saint-Germain 1:0, and Flamengo defeated Chelsea 3:1 and became a big upset in the game. In 12 matches participated by four Brazilian clubs, they achieved an impressive record of 6 wins and 5 draws.

After all the four teams who came to the United States to compete advanced, the Brazilian Football Association said on its social media account: "What we want to tell the world is: Brazil has samba, sweat, dreams; no fear, no stop, no limit. Maybe they have forgotten us, but we want the world to remember Brazil again."

Although Argentina's "two heroes" River Plate and Boca Youth were both eliminated, River Plate defeated Urawa Red Diamonds 3:1 and Boca Youth tied Benfica 2:2, all of which left a deep impression. Although the Boca Youth lost 1:2 in the match against Bayern Munich, Bayern's Harry Kane said after the game that it was a "very difficult game."

In addition, South American fans have added a lot of color to the Club World Cup. They shouted and cheered 90 minutes in the stands in the field. After the game ended, they sang their own team songs when they left the spiral stairs of the stadium, instantly filling the carnival atmosphere of the Club World Cup. Many fans came from afar, following the team's pace, and even chose cheap hotels and transportation to save money, which made people feel the charm of football.

(Subtitle) Asia, Africa, the United States and Australia defend their honors

Compared with the past, there are more teams from other continents in the Club World Cup today, but these "niche" teams are not entirely accompanying them.

In the round of 16, Miami International became the first major league team to enter the knockout round, Riyadh Crescent became the Asian representative to advance, and Monterrey of Mexico was another member of the North Central and American and Caribbean Football Federation.

These three non-European and South American teams that have advanced are the result of more international football. Messi's arrival injected vitality into the American League, not only achieved commercial success, but also gave football a certain influence in the United States; Riyadh Crescent is Saudi Arabia's most popular team, and has also paid a high price to buy Messi, signed Neymar, and hired Italian Inzaghi as the coach; Monterrey's most eye-catching team in this game is former Real Madrid legendary captain Sergio Ramos. With his goal, the team drew 1-1 with Inter Milan, making great contributions to the team's advancement to the knockout stage.

Although the African team was wiped out, Abu Ali from Cairo nationals scored a "hat trick" in a 4:4 draw with Porto. South African team Mamelodi beat Ulsan HD sunset, tied Fruminense and almost made Dortmund turn aside. As the team's head coach Cardoso said, "There is no regret, let the world see us."

Finally, we cannot ignore the Oakland City team, which has the only Chinese player, Zhou Tong. Although they lost 16 goals in the first two games and became the first team to be eliminated, they still did not give up in the last game. Facing the South American powerhouse Boca Youth, Oakland City drew 1:1, winning the first point and first goal in the Club World Cup, and also gaining the respect of the world.