Opinion: Club World Cup bracket sets stage for intercontinental clash
Five European giants and two Brazilian contenders are still alive
The road to the Club World Cup final came into clearer view following this week’s round of 16 matches. With the quarterfinals set to start on Friday, the tournament with the aim of crowning a world champion is on course for a Europe versus South America final.
One side of the bracket features two Brazilian sides — Palmeiras and Fluminense — in addition to Chelsea and Saudi club Al-Hilal. The other side is loaded with a quartet of European teams who survived the round of 16: German clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
That means one European club will be in the final, while the odds are growing that a Brazilian team will be there to play against them in the final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium just outside New York.
Let’s start with the all-European side of the bracket. While PSG are the defending Champions League winners, they face a crucial test against a high-energy Bayern side that has played extremely well at this tournament. It’s really anyone’s guess which of the two will reach the semifinals.
Real Madrid face Dortmund at MetLife Stadium. The biggest obstacle will be surviving the heat or thunderstorms, two weather conditions that have dominated across several venues over the tournament’s first two weeks.
The Spanish giants, however, hold an edge. Real Madrid boasts one of the deepest and most talented squads at this tournament. This depth has allowed Real Madrid, under new manager Xabi Alonso and led by Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, to rotate players while maintaining a high level of performance. This is critical in a short tournament like the Club World Cup, where games come quickly and freshness can determine success.
Breakout tournament star Gonzalo Garcia scored his third goal of the Club World Cup to power Real Madrid past Juventus 1-0 in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
“I know this is an incredible opportunity in my life, so I’m doing what I can to be able to take advantage of that,” Garcia said.
One storyline many were rooting for isn’t going to materialize. Jobe Bellingham is suspended for the quarterfinals after picking up a yellow card in Borussia Dortmund’s victory against Monterrey, meaning he will miss the chance to face his brother Jude.
Mbappe, who made his tournament debut against Juventus, is a welcome not just for Real Madrid and their fans. His presence is also welcomed by FIFA, who will always want the game's leading names to be at the forefront of their competitions. With Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland out following the elimination of Inter Miami and Manchester City, respectively, Mbappe fills that superstar void that so matters.
This takes us to the two Brazilian clubs still vying for the trophy. The flag-waving Brazilian fans have been a delight at this tournament, many of them flying to the U.S. from Brazil to cheer on their teams.
We could very well have a Palmeiras-Fluminense semifinal given the quality of the teams remaining on the side of the bracket. A combination of factors have led to their success. Having fans at games helps, but so does being in mid-season form (compared to the European sides that just ended their season), an influx of money, better coaching and a familiarity with the heat. As a result, the Brazilian club scene is more competitive than it has ever been in recent years.
“Adapting is important, but we can see teams that we don’t have to day-to-day and they are very good,” said Alonso, who mentioned the Brazilian teams among those who had recently caught his interest.
Brazilian clubs are so competitive in South America that they have won the past six editions of the Copa Libertadores, including five all-Brazilian finals. Their regional superiority can also be seen in this Club World Cup after their two Argentine rivals, Boca Juniors and River Plate, failed to get past the group stage.
The other factor? The Brazilians care about this tournament like no other nation.
Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton said they have been preparing for the Club World Cup for a long time.
“This competition, playing against the best teams in the world, is a great opportunity for everyone to show their worth,” he said. “The Brazilian teams are doing it very well. It is up to us to maintain this level and improve, because the pressure will only increase. We have great opportunities to advance at this competition.”