The business end of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is here, and Europe’s biggest clubs have made their presence felt. Manchester City delivered a statement victory over Juventus, Real Madrid cruised past Salzburg, and Al Hilal edged out Pachuca—all booking their places in the knockout rounds. The tournament, hosted in the United States, now heads into an electrifying Round of 16, with heavyweights and dark horses alike vying for global glory.
Manchester City Maul Juventus to Top Group G
Manchester City sent a thunderous message to their rivals, dismantling Juventus 5-2 to finish Group G with a perfect record—three wins, 13 goals scored, and not a single doubt about their credentials.
City set the tone early, with Jérémy Doku opening the scoring in the 9th minute. Juventus responded quickly through Teun Koopmeiners in the 11th, but the Premier League champions retook the lead after a Pierre Kalulu own goal in the 26th minute. After halftime, City’s attack went into overdrive: Erling Haaland struck in the 52nd minute, Phil Foden added a classy finish in the 69th, and Savinho capped the rout with a fifth goal in the 75th. Juventus managed a late consolation through Dušan Vlahović, but the damage was done.
“We wanted to show we’re here to win it all. Every player gave their best, and this is the level we need to maintain,” said City’s manager after the emphatic win.
City’s flawless group campaign sees them top Group G, while Juventus, despite the heavy loss, progress thanks to earlier wins over Al-Ain and Wydad.
Real Madrid Dispatch Salzburg to Seal Group H
Real Madrid rolled through RB Salzburg with a 3-0 win to clinch the top spot in Group H. It was vintage Madrid: Jude Bellingham threaded a sublime assist to Vinícius Jr. for the opener, then another slicing run from Bellingham set up Viní Jr. to feed Federico Valverde for a tap-in. Madrid didn’t let up in the second half, with Gonzalo Garcia adding a third in the 84th minute to seal the deal.
With this result, Real Madrid finish atop Group H and set up a mouthwatering quarterfinal against Juventus on Tuesday in Miami.
Al Hilal Edge Pachuca to Advance
Al Hilal’s Club World Cup dream lives on after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Pachuca. Salem Al-Dawsari’s delightful lob in the 22nd minute, set up by Nasser Al Dawsari, proved decisive in a tense affair. Al Hilal’s defense held firm against Pachuca’s late push, and Marcos Leonardo’s stoppage-time strike sealed their place in the knockout stage.
Al Hilal now face a daunting Round of 16 clash with Manchester City in Orlando.
Al Ain Flip the Script on Wydad
Wydad looked set to play spoilers after Cassius Mailulu scored in the 4th minute, but Al Ain turned the tide. Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba calmly slotted home a penalty before halftime, and Alejandro Romero completed the comeback early in the second half. Both teams bowed out, but Al Ain left with heads held high after a gritty final performance.
Club World Cup Round of 16 Schedule
Saturday, 28 June
- Palmeiras vs. Botafogo
- SL Benfica vs. Chelsea FC
Sunday, 29 June
- PSG vs. Inter Miami
- Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich
Monday, 30 June
- Inter Milan vs. Fluminense
- Manchester City vs. Al Hilal
Tuesday, 1 July
- Real Madrid vs. Juventus
- Dortmund vs. Monterrey
Conclusion
As the Club World Cup enters the knockout phase, the stage is set for a series of blockbuster clashes. Manchester City’s attacking masterclass, Real Madrid’s clinical efficiency, and Al Hilal’s resilience have all set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling end to the tournament. With Europe’s giants and global challengers ready to battle, football fans worldwide can expect drama, passion, and unforgettable moments as the quest for club supremacy continues.
