Paris Saint-Germain, PSG, and Palmeiras have emerged as group winners in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup following dramatic matchday performances across various US cities, while Botafogo and Inter Miami also booked their tickets to the Round of 16.
At Seattle’s Lumen Field, PSG asserted their dominance with a 2-0 victory over Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders.
The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Kvicha Kvaratskhelia redirected Vitinha’s strike into the net.
Achraf Hakimi added a second with a composed finish from a swift counterattack in the 66th minute, securing the French champions’ place at the top of Group B.
PSG will now face Group A runners-up Inter Miami in the second round on Sunday, June 29, in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Botafogo survived a narrow 1-0 loss to Atlético de Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles. Despite Antoine Griezmann’s late 87th-minute goal for the Spanish side, Botafogo advanced as Group B runners-up on superior goal difference.
Renato Paiva’s resilient Brazilian outfit will now face Group A winners Palmeiras in a highly anticipated clash on Saturday, June 28, in Philadelphia.
In Group A, the headline-grabbing encounter between Inter Miami and Palmeiras at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium saw an intense 2-2 draw.
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Inter Miami appeared to be cruising with a 2-0 lead thanks to a Tadeo Allende opener set up by Luis Suárez in the 16th minute and a brilliant solo strike by Suárez himself in the 65th.
However, Palmeiras mounted a late surge. Substitute Paulinho pulled one back in the 80th minute before Mauricio stunned the home crowd with an 87th-minute equaliser.
The draw allowed Palmeiras to finish atop Group A on goal difference, setting up their next fixture against Botafogo.
In a separate Group A match, FC Porto and Al Ahly FC played out a thrilling 4-4 draw at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, in what turned out to be a high-scoring but ultimately inconsequential affair.
Despite Wessam Abou Ali’s stunning hat-trick and a goal from Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane for Al Ahly, the Egyptian side could not secure the win.
FC Porto fought back with goals from Rodrigo Mora, William Gomes, Samu Aghehowa, and a last-minute equaliser from substitute Pepe in the 89th minute.
Unfortunately, both teams bowed out of the competition, finishing behind Palmeiras and Inter Miami in Group A.
With the group stage concluded, the knockout rounds promise high-octane football as four of the most talked-about clubs in world football—Palmeiras, PSG, Inter Miami, and Botafogo—clash for a place in the quarterfinals.
The tournament now shifts focus to its elimination stage, where every match could be the last. Fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating a potential showdown between global stars such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Kylian Mbappé as the battle for the Club World Cup title intensifies.
FIFA
