The first round of the FIFA Club World Cup is still underway, but South American teams have already made their mark. Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo, and Palmeiras, along with Argentine teams River Plate and Boca Juniors, have produced an impressive record: six games, three wins, three draws, and no losses.
Two of these teams faced off against European opponents. Palmeiras, led by Abel Ferreira, took on FC Porto, resulting in a 0-0 draw at the MetLife Stadium. Fluminense, meanwhile, surprised everyone by outplaying Borussia Dortmund, but ultimately settled for a 0-0 draw as well, thanks to the outstanding performance of Dortmund’s goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel.
In another match, Benfica faced Boca Juniors and managed to come back from a 0-2 deficit to secure a 2-2 draw, despite being a man down at one point. Although Benfica dominated the game, they couldn’t capitalize on their chances and ended up with a single point.
South American teams have drawn all three games against European opponents, which has thrilled their fans on social media. However, when facing teams from other regions, the story is different: three games, three wins.
Botafogo was the first to secure a victory, defeating Seattle Sounders 2-1 with two headers in the first half. Flamengo followed suit, dominating Espérance Tunis 2-0 from start to finish. River Plate, meanwhile, succeeded in defeating Urawa Red Diamonds 3-1, thanks to their physical advantage and the opponent’s mistakes.
Against teams from North America, Asia, and Africa, South American clubs have shown their superiority. When facing European teams, they’ve held their own. The CONMEBOL teams, which have long been fighting for recognition as among the best in the world, have left a lasting impression in this FIFA Club World Cup.
Key Takeaways
- South American teams have a record of three wins, three draws, and no losses in the first round.
- Palmeiras and Fluminense drew against FC Porto and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.
- Boca Juniors came back from a 0-2 deficit to draw against Benfica.
- Botafogo, Flamengo, and River Plate secured wins against Seattle Sounders, Espérance Tunis, and Urawa Red Diamonds, respectively.
The FIFA Club World Cup is available to stream live on the DAZN app.