The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has reached its penultimate stage, with four global heavyweights—Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Fluminense—advancing to the semifinals following a thrilling round of quarter-final matchups that delivered both football brilliance and dramatic setbacks.

In a fiery clash in Atlanta, Paris Saint-Germain overcame Bayern Munich 2–0 despite being reduced to nine men. 

Goals from Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé sealed the win, but the game was overshadowed by a devastating injury to Bayern star Jamal Musiala, who suffered a suspected fibula fracture and ligament damage that could sideline him for months. 

The intensity of the encounter has reignited debate over player welfare in demanding summer conditions.

Over in New Jersey, Real Madrid edged Borussia Dortmund 3–2 in a high-octane match punctuated by a spectacular overhead goal from Kylian Mbappé, reaffirming Madrid’s title ambitions and setting up a blockbuster semifinal clash with PSG.

Meanwhile, Chelsea booked their place in the final four with a 2–1 victory over Palmeiras, leveraging tactical discipline and timely finishing. Brazil’s Fluminense also advanced with a 2–1 win over Al-Hilal, maintaining their strong form and carrying South American hopes into the final rounds.

Upcoming Semifinals

Fluminense vs. Chelsea – Tuesday, July 8

PSG vs. Real Madrid – Wednesday, July 9

Both matches will be played at MetLife Stadium, the same venue set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.

Tournament Highlights and Trends

The expanded Club World Cup, featuring 32 teams for the first time, has seen record attendance and global viewership. According to FIFA, fans from more than 70 countries have attended matches, and over 2 million tickets have been sold. Players from 33 nations are competing, representing a truly global showcase of elite club talent.

However, concerns over player safety have been raised. Following Musiala’s injury and several heat-related incidents, FIFA is reportedly considering scheduling changes and additional hydration breaks. The tournament has also tried new rules, including stricter time-wasting enforcement and the use of body-worn referee cameras.

Prize and Prestige

With $125 million in prize money awaiting the champions, the stakes have never been higher. This year’s tournament not only marks a commercial milestone for FIFA, but also a competitive proving ground ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The grand final is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, also at MetLife Stadium.

The knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup delivered more twists on Tuesday, with Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid securing their quarter-final spots. These victories set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown between the two European heavyweights.

This comes after football fans were treated to high drama on Monday as two of Europe’s biggest clubs—Manchester City and Inter Milan—crashed out of the tournament in a stunning day of round-of-16 action.

Al-Hilal’s extra-time triumph over City and Fluminense’s measured victory over Inter marked a dramatic shift in the tournament narrative, as South American and Asian clubs asserted their strength on the global stage.

Dortmund edges Monterrey 2–1

At Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Borussia Dortmund secured a 2–1 victory over Mexico’s Monterrey, earning their place in the quarter-finals.

Striker Serhou Guirassy sparked the win with two first-half goals in the 14th and 24th minutes. Monterrey responded immediately after the break, as German Berterame pulled one back in the 48th minute.

Despite intense pressure and a near miss by veteran Sergio Ramos, Dortmund held firm. Guirassy was named Player of the Match. However, Dortmund will face Real Madrid without Jobe Bellingham, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Coach Niko Kovac praised his squad and described the upcoming clash with Real Madrid as “a bonus.” He emphasized that matching Tuesday’s performance could give his team “a real chance” to upset Xabi Alonso’s side.

Real Madrid secure 1–0 win over Juventus

In Miami, Real Madrid edged Juventus 1–0 to progress to the last eight. Gonzalo Garcia cored the decisive second-half header, marking his third goal of the tournament.

Superstar Kylian Mbappé, sidelined during the group stage by gastroenteritis, made his long-awaited Club World Cup debut as a substitute, receiving a hero’s welcome from the crowd.

Manager Xabi Alonso commended Mbappé’s recovery. He said: “I think day by day he will get better… by the time of the quarters he should be in much better shape.”

The wins set up a blockbuster quarter-final showdown between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, scheduled for Saturday, July 5, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The result will determine who advances to the semi-finals on July 8 or 9.

Two European giants booked their places in the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday, with Paris Saint-Germain dismantling Inter Miami 4–0 and Bayern Munich edging Flamengo 4–2 in a high-octane encounter.

At Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, PSG asserted their dominance early against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, with João Neves heading home the opener in the 6th minute from a Vitinha corner.

The French champions maintained complete control throughout the match, showcasing their depth and attacking prowess to comfortably secure a four-goal victory and end Inter Miami’s historic run in the competition.

The match, billed as a reunion between Messi and his former club, turned out to be a one-sided affair. While Miami had enjoyed a dream tournament debut, they struggled to break through PSG’s disciplined defense and were ultimately outclassed by the Ligue 1 side’s superior pace and precision.

Meanwhile, at a packed Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Bayern Munich triumphed 4–2 over Brazilian side Flamengo in one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament so far.

England captain Harry Kane starred with a clinical brace, leading the Bundesliga champions into the final eight.

Flamengo kept the contest alive with two goals of their own, but Bayern’s late offensive surge sealed the outcome in front of a roaring 60,000-strong crowd. The victory sets up a tantalizing quarter-final showdown between Bayern and PSG—an all-European heavyweight clash and a rematch of past Champions League battles.

Both PSG and Bayern are now three matches away from lifting the newly expanded Club World Cup trophy, with the final set to take place on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Sunday’s results underline the continued dominance of European clubs in international competitions and raise the stakes for what promises to be a fiercely contested final stage of the tournament.

Upcoming Quarter-Final Highlight:

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich – Wednesday, July 2