FIFA Club World Cup 2025: The Drama and Surprises of Quarter-Finals

The 2025 Club World Cup reached its quarter-final stage on Friday night (depending on your time zone), delivering excitement that many hadn’t initially expected.

Despite a slow start in buzz and anticipation, fans and pundits are warming up to the tournament — helped in no small part by the early exit of several top teams.

“The Round of 16 absolutely rocked the football world,” says Nwosu Michael Izuchukwu, podcaster and digital marketer, in an interview with DAILY POST. “Many thought those matches would be straightforward, but they proved anything but. The planning and execution could improve, but from a pure football standpoint, the competition has delivered all the thrills.”

Among the shock results, Saudi champions Al-Hilal stunned Manchester City with a dramatic 4-3 victory, while Fluminense outplayed Champions League finalists Inter Milan. Both matches came in the Round of 16.

“We all thought Pep’s Man City, with their £350 million squad, would cruise through, but we were wrong,” Nwachukwu said. “Inter Milan, known for their discipline and energy in the Champions League run, couldn’t match Fluminense’s intensity.”

Other surprises included Benfica’s group-stage victory over Bayern Munich and Flamengo’s win against Chelsea, which left a bitter taste for some fans.

The first quarter-final between Fluminense and Al-Hilal was seen as a validation for FIFA’s expanded tournament format, which has faced criticism.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently renewed his contract with Al-Nassr, praised the Saudi Pro League’s quality — a view seemingly backed by Al-Hilal’s strong showing.

“Maybe Ronaldo was right about the Saudi League’s level,” Nwachukwu remarked. “But then again, the Saudi champions lost to the 13th placed Brazilian league team. That unpredictability is what makes football so special. So yes, this is a win for FIFA.”

In another gripping quarter-final, Chelsea edged Palmeiras 2-1 thanks to an 83rd-minute own goal. Nwachukwu described the match as a “pressure cooker” from start to finish.

“From kickoff, it felt intense. Palmeiras didn’t just come to play—they came to challenge and unsettle. Chelsea had to dig deep, and they just about managed it,” he said.

“When Palmeiras equalized in the 53rd minute through Estêvão, I thought, ‘Here we go again.’ But the game turned at that chaotic corner in the 83rd minute. Whether it was Giay or Palmeiras’ keeper Weverton who touched it last, it didn’t matter—the ball went in, and Chelsea reclaimed the lead.”

Chelsea now advance to face Fluminense in the semi-finals, though Nwachukwu admitted, “Tonight wasn’t pretty.”