FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16: Brazilian Brilliance and Stunning Upsets
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16, played from June 28 to July 1 across U.S. stadiums, was a football fever dream. The group stage whittled 32 teams down to 16, and these eight matches delivered everything: heart-stopping goals, jaw-dropping upsets, and a Brazilian masterclass that’s got the world buzzing.
With $1 billion in prize money and a shiny Tiffany & Co. trophy on the line, the knockouts kicked off with a bang, setting the stage for a wild ride to the July 13 final. From Messi’s heartbreak to Al Hilal’s heroics, here’s how the Round of 16 unfolded, who’s moving on, and why Brazil’s still running the show.
The Setup: How the Round of 16 Worked
The Round of 16 pitted the top two teams from each of the eight group stage groups in single-elimination matches. Win, and you’re through to the quarterfinals; lose, and you’re on a plane home. Ties after 90 minutes went to extra time, and if needed, penalties—no room for error.
The matchups, set after the group stage ended on June 26, featured heavyweights like Real Madrid and PSG, alongside underdogs like Al Hilal and Fluminense. Played in iconic venues like Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium and Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, these games were a global party, with Brazilian clubs stealing the spotlight.
The Matches: Results and Key Moments
Here’s the blow-by-blow of the eight Round of 16 matches, packed with drama and some serious samba flair.
June 28: Palmeiras 1-0 Botafogo (AET) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
An all-Brazilian clash kicked things off, and it was a nail-biter. Palmeiras, Group A winners, faced Botafogo, Group B’s runners-up who stunned PSG in the group stage. The game was a tactical slugfest, with both sides’ defenses—led by Palmeiras’ Gustavo Gómez and Botafogo’s Alexander Barboza—locking down the attack.
No goals after 90 minutes, but in the 108th minute of extra time, Flaco López headed in a corner to send Palmeiras through. Botafogo’s dream run ended, but their grit earned respect. Palmeiras’ coach Abel Ferreira called it “a war won by heart,” setting up a quarterfinal clash with Chelsea.
June 28: Benfica 1-4 Chelsea (AET) – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Chelsea, the only English side left, faced Benfica in a match delayed two hours by a storm. Benfica struck first with a 20th-minute goal, but Chelsea’s depth shone in extra time. Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, and two late strikes from Noni Madueke turned it around for a 4-1 rout.
Benfica’s exit stung, but Chelsea’s firepower—despite missing stars like Moisés Caicedo—proved they’re a favorite. They now face Palmeiras, with teenage star Estevão Willian, soon to join Chelsea, adding spice.
June 29: Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Inter Miami – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Lionel Messi facing his old club PSG was the headline, but it turned into a nightmare for Inter Miami. PSG, Group B winners, were ruthless, with João Neves scoring in the sixth minute, followed by an own goal from Miami’s Tomas Aviles and two more from Hakimi and Neves before halftime.
Miami, despite Messi’s efforts, couldn’t find a spark, ending MLS’s hopes. Luis Enrique’s high-pressing machine, with 73.4% possession and 104.3 progressive passes per game, rolled on to face Bayern Munich.
June 29: Flamengo 2-4 Bayern Munich – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Flamengo, Brazil’s Group D champs, took on Bayern Munich in a thriller. Flamengo led 2-1 at halftime, with Bruno Henrique and Pedro scoring, but Bayern’s Harry Kane and Thomas Müller turned it around, with two late goals in extra time sealing a 4-2 win.
Flamengo’s exit was a blow for Brazil, but their fight—especially Wallace Yan’s spark—showed their class. Bayern, despite a group stage loss to Benfica, march on to face PSG.
June 30: Inter Milan 0-2 Fluminense – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Fluminense pulled off the upset of the round, stunning Inter Milan 2-0. Jhon Arias’s free-kick golazo in the 35th minute set the tone, and Kaua Elias added a second in the 70th. Inter, Group E runners-up, couldn’t handle Fluminense’s possession-heavy style under Fernando Diniz.
This win, paired with their group stage draw against Dortmund, proved Brazil’s depth. Fluminense now face Al Hilal in the quarters, a matchup nobody saw coming.
June 30: Manchester City 3-4 Al Hilal (AET) – Camping World Stadium, Orlando
The biggest shocker came in Orlando, where Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia’s Group H runners-up, knocked out defending champions Manchester City 4-3 in extra time. City led 3-2 after 90 minutes, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland on the scoresheet, but Marco Leonardo’s brace, including a 112th-minute winner, sent Al Hilal through.
Yassine Bounou’s heroics in goal and Rúben Neves’ midfield mastery outshone City’s stars. Al Hilal’s upset, watched by 54,000 fans, opened up the bracket. They face Fluminense next.
July 1: Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Real Madrid, five-time Club World Cup winners, edged Juventus 1-0 in a tight battle. Vinícius Jr.’s 60th-minute solo run decided it, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passing under Xabi Alonso’s system shining.
Juventus pushed hard, but Real’s defense held firm. This win sets up a quarterfinal clash with Borussia Dortmund, promising more fireworks.
July 1: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Monterrey – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Dortmund, Group F runners-up, outlasted Monterrey 2-1. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens scored early, and Karim Adeyemi’s 75th-minute strike clinched it despite a late Monterrey goal from Sergio Ramos.
Dortmund’s pace overwhelmed the CONCACAF side, who exited proudly after a strong group stage. Dortmund now face Real Madrid, with no Bellingham brothers’ reunion after Jobe’s booking.
The Quarterfinal Lineup
The Round of 16 left us with eight teams, including two Brazilian powerhouses:
- July 4: Fluminense vs. Al Hilal (3:00 PM ET, Camping World Stadium, Orlando)
- July 5: Palmeiras vs. Chelsea (9:00 PM ET, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
- July 5: PSG vs. Bayern Munich (12:00 PM ET, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
- July 5: Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund (4:00 PM ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford)
Brazil’s Dominance: Still the Team to Beat
Brazil’s clubs were the story of the group stage, with Palmeiras, Botafogo, Flamengo, and Fluminense all advancing. The Round of 16 saw them go 2-2, with Palmeiras and Fluminense carrying the flag. Palmeiras’ extra-time win over Botafogo was a testament to their depth, with Flaco López stepping up despite Palmeiras missing key players like Endrick, now at Real Madrid.
Fluminense’s 2-0 upset over Inter Milan was a masterclass, with Jhon Arias emerging as a tournament star. Flamengo’s exit to Bayern was gut-wrenching, but their 3-1 group stage win over Chelsea showed Brazil’s firepower. With two of eight quarterfinalists, Brazil’s 50% success rate in the knockouts (2/4) outpaces Europe’s 37.5% (3/8). As Abel Ferreira said, “We’re here to show the world South America’s heart.”
Other Standouts and Surprises
Al Hilal’s 4-3 upset over Manchester City was the shock of the tournament, proving non-European clubs can compete. PSG’s 4-0 demolition of Inter Miami, despite the Messi hype, cemented their status as favorites, with Opta’s supercomputer giving them a 26.8% chance to win it all. Chelsea’s extra-time rout of Benfica showed their depth, while Real Madrid and Dortmund’s tight wins set up a blockbuster quarterfinal. The Round of 16 averaged 3.5 goals per game, with extra-time thrillers in three matches keeping fans on edge.
The Round of 16 wasn’t just about results—it was a global showcase. Brazilian clubs proved they can go toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite, while Al Hilal’s upset showed the growing strength of Asian football. Empty seats early in the tournament gave way to packed crowds, like the 54,000 for City vs. Al Hilal, as the knockouts heated up. With referee body cams and upgraded offside tech, FIFA’s innovations added drama, though some fans griped about midday heat in Miami and Charlotte.
Wrap-Up
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 was a football rollercoaster, with Brazilian giants Palmeiras and Fluminense leading the charge, Al Hilal stunning Manchester City, and PSG crushing Messi’s Inter Miami. With six European teams falling, the quarterfinals promise more chaos as Brazil, Europe, and Asia battle for the crown. Tune in on July 4 for Fluminense vs. Al Hilal—it’s gonna be wild.
