The Club World Cup: Group Stage Analysis and Round of 16 Aspirants
The group stage of the Club World Cup is underway, and we will soon know the first teams qualified for the round of 16. Who can secure their place on the second matchday, who needs to improve, and what are the key results to keep in mind? Here’s the overview.
Tie-breaking Criteria:
- Points in the group.
- Head-to-head results between the teams involved.
- Goal difference in the matches between the teams involved.
- Goals scored in the matches between the teams involved.
- Goal difference in the group.
- Goals scored in the group.
- Discipline points (yellow and red cards).
- Draw.
Analysis of the Groups
Group A
The opening matches of Group A ended goalless, meaning no team can secure their place in the round of 16 on the second matchday. However, with five points securing qualification and four points possibly being enough, any club that gets three points on Thursday will be in a favorable position.
Results:
- Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami CF
- Palmeiras 0-0 FC Porto
- Palmeiras vs. Al Ahly, 12 p.m. ET
- Inter Miami vs. FC Porto, 2 p.m. ET
- Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras, 9 p.m. ET
- FC Porto vs. Al Ahly, 9 p.m. ET
Group B
The result of the match between Seattle Sounders and Atlético Madrid will determine which team can qualify on the second matchday. If Seattle wins or draws, Botafogo could qualify with a win over PSG. If Atlético wins or draws, PSG could qualify with a win over Botafogo. Seattle Sounders will be eliminated if they lose and PSG wins.Results:
- Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Atlético Madrid
- Botafogo 2-1 Seattle Sounders FC
- Seattle Sounders vs. Atlético Madrid, 6 p.m. ET
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Botafogo, 9 p.m. ET
- Atlético Madrid vs. Botafogo, 3 p.m. ET
- Seattle Sounders vs. Paris Saint-Germain, 3 p.m. ET
Group C
Bayern Munich is the only team that can secure their place in the round of 16 with a game to spare, and will confirm it with a victory over Boca Juniors. Benfica is expected to add three points against Auckland City, who would be out if they lose. Second place against Boca Juniors could depend on goal difference.
Results:
- Bayern Munich 10-0 Auckland City
- Boca Juniors 2-2 Benfica
- Benfica vs. Auckland City, 12 p.m. ET
- Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors, 9 p.m. ET
- Auckland City vs. Boca Juniors, 3 p.m. ET
- Benfica vs. Bayern Munich, 3 p.m. ET
Group D
Flamengo and Chelsea, who won their initial matches, face each other in the first match on Friday. Neither team can qualify with a point. If Chelsea wins, they will advance if LAFC wins or draws in the second match. If Flamengo wins, they will qualify if Espérance de Tunis wins or draws. Espérance de Tunis will be eliminated if Chelsea wins or draws and the Tunisian club loses against LAFC. Second place will definitely be decided on the third matchday.
Results:
- Chelsea 2-0 LAFC
- Flamengo 2-0 Espérance de Tunis
- Flamengo vs. Chelsea, 2 p.m. ET
- LAFC vs. Espérance de Tunis, 6 p.m. ET
- Espérance de Tunis vs. Chelsea, 9 p.m. ET
- LAFC vs. Flamengo, 9 p.m. ET
Group E
River Plate leads the group with three points and will guarantee its place in the round of 16 with a victory over Monterrey. No other team can advance, but Urawa Red Diamonds will be eliminated if they lose.
Results:
- River Plate 3-1 Urawa Red Diamonds
- Monterrey 1-1 Internazionale
- Internazionale vs. Urawa Red Diamonds, 3 p.m. ET
- River Plate vs. Monterrey, 9 p.m. ET
- Internazionale vs. River Plate, 9 p.m. ET
- Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Monterrey, 9 p.m. ET
Group F
Mamelodi Sundowns is the only team with a win. They will advance to the round of 16 with a win against Borussia Dortmund. No other team can advance, but Ulsan Hyundai is out if they lose against Fluminense.
Results:
- Fluminense 0-0 Borussia Dortmund
- Ulsan Hyundai 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
- Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Borussia Dortmund, 12 p.m. ET
- Fluminense vs. Ulsan Hyundai, 6 p.m. ET
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Ulsan Hyundai, 3 p.m. ET
- Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Fluminense, 3 p.m. ET
Group G
Juventus and Manchester City are in command after obtaining victories on the first day, and this group could be defined on Sunday. If Juventus defeats Wydad AC in the first match, the Serie A team will qualify if Man City wins or draws against Al-Ain. If Juventus wins or draws, Man City will qualify with a victory. If both Juventus and Man City win, the top two places will be defined and the teams will play for first place on Thursday. If Wydad AC or Al-Ain lose, they will be eliminated unless Juventus or Man City are defeated in the opposing match.
Results:
- Manchester City 2-0 Wydad AC
- Al-Ain 0-5 Juventus
- Juventus vs. Wydad AC, 12 p.m. ET
- Manchester City vs. Al-Ain, 9 p.m. ET
- Juventus vs. Manchester City, 3 p.m. ET
- Wydad AC vs. Al-Ain, 3 p.m. ET
Group H
Only RB Salzburg can secure their place in the round of 16 on Sunday, and it will be confirmed with a victory over Al Hilal. Pachuca will be eliminated if they lose against Real Madrid.Results:
- Real Madrid 1-1 Al Hilal
- Pachuca 1-2 RB Salzburg
- Real Madrid vs. Pachuca, 3 p.m. ET
- RB Salzburg vs. Al Hilal, 6 p.m. ET
- Al Hilal vs. Mexico Pachuca, 9 p.m. ET
- RB Salzburg vs. Real Madrid, 9 p.m. ET
