The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the US has reached an exciting juncture, as the quarterfinals are about to commence. This year’s competition has been expanded to a 32-team format, with the best clubs and continental champions from around the world coming together. The tournament promised to produce some exciting match-ups this week, but already several shocking surprises have occurred with some of Europe’s giants exiting early.
As we head into the knockout stage, fans and analysts alike are examining the surprising missteps of five major clubs that have underperformed thus far. These surprising flops have completely changed the picture of the tournament and created an element of chaos as we head toward the final.
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Here are 5 teams that did not perform well in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
1. Atlético Madrid (Group Stage Disappointment)
Atlético Madrid played in Group B with Paris Saint-Germain, Seattle Sounders, and Botafogo. They showed some fortitude by winning two of their three matches, 1-0 over Botafogo and an upset 0-4 over PSG. But, they won 1-3 vs Seattle Sounders, and that would prove to be a killer for their goal difference in the group stage. They finished with 6 points, but they were not able to progress due to the goal difference rule. Their elimination in the group stage was surely disappointing for their fans, especially with their history being such a reputable side. They also looked lost in the defensive part of the field in the loss vs Botafogo, and that was not a good time to figure that out in this extended Club World Cup format.
2. Inter Milan (Stunned by Fluminense)
Inter Milan, fresh off a fantastic run in the Champions League final, was upset in the Round of 16 by Brazilian Fluminense. The Italians were never able to assert their will as Brazilian Germán Cano scored at the 3rd-minute mark of the match. They were unable to equalise and then, in stoppage time, a quite unlikely occurrence happened. Coming off the bench, Hércules scored to finalise Fluminense’s victory and put Inter out of the competition in disappointing circumstances. Inter’s problems in managing the pace of high-tempo South American opposition were uncovered along with an especially unfathomable loss at the hands of the nation. Fans and pundits were aghast as Inter were unable to measure up to expectations in the broader global context.
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3. Manchester City (Dramatic Exit Against Al Hilal)
Manchester City, one of the highest-regarded teams in Europe, faced a shocking defeat to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal in their Round of 16 match-up. City dominated possession and created numerous chances on goal but failed to capitalise on opportunities. Marcos Leonardo of Al Hilal played hero, scoring twice, including the winning goal in extra time, and City lost the match 3-4. The defeat revealed some vulnerability for Manchester City when it comes to these knockout formats and highlighted the competitiveness of Asian clubs. This shocking defeat marked a huge upset in the tournament and serves as a reminder not to underestimate opposing teams.
4. Inter Miami (Heavy Defeat in Debut Appearance)
In its first-ever appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup, Inter Miami was paired against the likes of Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16, and facing a team of the calibre of PSG was always going to be a challenge for the MLS club. Inter Miami simply could not keep up with the speed, power, and skill of PSG and lost 4-0. The only PSG player to score more than once was João Neves, but not before Achraf Hakimi scored and a horrible own goal by Santiago Avilés. Inter Miami had star players like Lionel Messi but it was painfully apparent that they could not deal with the ferocity of PSG’s attack, this match raised serious questions about whether MLS level players are ready for the highest level of international competition and revealed a significant disparity between American clubs and truly international elite football clubs across the globe.
5. Porto (Group Stage Struggles and Managerial Shakeup)
Porto’s group stage performance was disheartening, with no match victories in their group. Two draws against Al Ahly and Palmeiras and a loss to Inter Miami led them to finish at the bottom. Porto demonstrated a lack of rhythm and poor consistency when playing in the expanded Club World Cup, with largely unhappy fans demanding a change in manager. It was clear that Porto demonstrated no capability to adapt to the differences in playing styles and intensity across teams in the expanded Club World Cup. This horrible display has prompted serious considerations of the club’s future on the international stage.
Conclusion
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been anything but predictable, with these five high-profile teams failing to live up to expectations. The early exits of Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Inter Miami, and Porto highlight the tournament’s competitive depth and the increasing quality of clubs from every continent. This expanded format has brought new challenges and excitement, reminding us that global football is evolving rapidly.
As the tournament advances into the quarterfinals, fans can expect even more thrilling encounters and surprising results. For comprehensive updates, detailed fixtures, and exclusive insights on the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, visit the official 96 game login, your go-to destination for all things football.
