The FIFA Club World Cup delivered intense drama on Monday, as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Botafogo, Palmeiras, and Inter Miami clinched their spots in the Round of 16.
The day also brought disappointment for Atletico Madrid, Porto, and Al Ahly, who were eliminated—Atletico bowing out on goal difference despite their victory.
In Pasadena, Botafogo caused a major surprise by progressing to the knockout stage, despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish side needed a win by at least three goals to advance and dominated possession throughout the game. However, Botafogo’s resilient defense held firm for most of the match.
Antoine Griezmann eventually found the net late in the game, but it was not enough for Diego Simeone’s side to stay alive in the tournament. Botafogo’s Alex Telles emphasized the difficulty of their path, referring to their progress from the so-called “group of death.” Botafogo will now face fellow Brazilian club Palmeiras in Philadelphia. Simeone expressed disappointment but acknowledged the need for his squad to address areas of improvement.
Meanwhile, in Seattle, PSG delivered a commanding performance against the Seattle Sounders, securing a 2-0 victory with goals from Vitinha and Achraf Hakimi. The win ensured the French champions’ smooth passage into the next round. PSG now turns its attention to a high-profile clash with Inter Miami in Atlanta. Manager Luis Enrique noted that the real test of the competition begins now, signaling his team’s full focus on the knockout stages.
In Miami, Palmeiras staged a dramatic comeback after falling two goals behind against Inter Miami. The American side had taken a comfortable lead with strikes from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez. However, the Brazilian outfit rallied in the second half, with Paulinho and Mauricio scoring to level the match 2-2. The result saw both teams advance to the Round of 16, with Palmeiras marking the achievement as their first major objective in the tournament.
Elsewhere, despite a spectacular hat-trick from Wessam Abou Ali, Al Ahly could not prevent elimination after a 4-4 draw against Porto, which also saw the Portuguese side exit the competition.
With the Round of 16 now finalized, the Club World Cup promises even more high-stakes action as elite clubs compete for global glory.