On Friday night, South America’s unbeaten streak at the Club World Cup came to a close as Boca Juniors faced a last-minute defeat to Bayern Munich in Miami.
The exceptional support from the Argentine giants at the Hard Rock Stadium wasn’t enough, as Michael Olise’s late goal handed a first loss in ten matches to a CONMEBOL side.
However, the performances seen thus far in the United States indicate that if any team is capable of preventing a European club from clinching FIFA’s new 32-team tournament, it’s likely to be one from South America.
Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo managed to secure a narrow 1-0 win against European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Pasadena, while Brazil’s top outfit Flamengo staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Chelsea.
Palmeiras, Boca, and Fluminense have also successfully held their own against European opponents, suggesting that South American clubs are poised to make a significant impact in the knockout phases.
A contributing factor to the strong performances by the Brazilian and Argentine teams can be attributed to the extraordinary support they have received, with fans showing up in remarkable numbers throughout the United States.
‘Remarkable’ Support
“Remarkable, absolutely remarkable,” remarked Bayern coach Vincent Kompany when discussing the atmosphere during his team’s match against Boca, as it felt like La Bombonera had been brought to Miami.
“Anyone here familiar with this sport knows how challenging it is to compete against these teams, and for a European side, it’s akin to playing away in nearly every match.”
The enthusiasm for Flamengo during their clash with Chelsea in Philadelphia was equally noteworthy, with a significant portion of the crowd, numbering over 54,000, donning the iconic black and red of the Rio club.
In contrast, only a small contingent of supporters travelled from Europe, even though numerous American football fans turned up wearing the colours of teams like Chelsea and Manchester City.
In the previous edition of the now-defunct seven-team Club World Cup, it was European teams that claimed all the honours. The last time a CONMEBOL team triumphed was back in 2012, when Corinthians from Sao Paulo defeated Chelsea.
There exists a considerable financial divide — the top 29 clubs listed in Deloitte’s Football Money League for 2025 are all from Europe.
Real Madrid topped the standings with revenues exceeding one billion euros (£857 million) last year, while Flamengo barely made the list at 30th with revenues of 198 million euros (£170 million).
Nonetheless, they have proved the strength of their squad, which boasts a wealth of experienced international players, including Italy’s Jorginho.
“These players have participated in numerous high-stakes matches throughout their careers,” Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac commented when discussing the quality of Brazilian squads.
Rio-based Fluminense held Dortmund to a goalless draw in their opening match.
“I firmly believe that most of these South American teams will progress to the next round,” Kovac stated.
Heat and Exhaustion
It’s possible that the often suffocating conditions pose additional challenges for the European clubs, a point Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca alluded to prior to their match against Flamengo.
Moreover, Europe’s elite teams have crossed the Atlantic at the tail end of a long and tiring season, while clubs in Brazil and Argentina commenced their campaigns earlier in the calendar year.
PSG had competed in nearly 60 matches leading up to their Champions League final victory over Inter Milan at the end of May.
However, Flamengo coach Filipe Luis, a former player for Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, admitted he didn’t foresee the competition unfolding in this manner at the Club World Cup.
“I am truly surprised because I am well aware of the calibre of these European clubs, particularly the elite — it encompasses around 10 or 12 teams globally, and the results they are achieving have astonished me,” he noted.
He added: “While the weather they are unaccustomed to might play a role, I firmly believe South American clubs are incredibly competitive.”
Kompany maintained that Bayern merely needed to match the eagerness and drive exhibited by teams like Boca to achieve a significant run in the competition.
“The conditions resemble those in South America, and they possess great players, so I’m not surprised. For us, it’s of utmost importance that we match the desire to succeed in these matches,” he stated.
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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