It wasn’t until Friday night that South America’s unbeaten streak in the Club World Cup came to a close, with Boca Juniors suffering a harsh defeat against Bayern Munich in Miami.
The impressive backing from the Argentine giants’ supporters at the Hard Rock Stadium wasn’t enough to see them through, as Michael Olise’s late strike marked the first loss in ten matches for a CONMEBOL team.
However, early indicators in the United States suggest that if anyone is poised to challenge a European team in FIFA’s newly expanded 32-team competition, it will undoubtedly be a club from South America.
Copa Libertadores winners Botafogo managed to squeak past European champions Paris Saint-Germain with a narrow 1-0 victory in Pasadena, while Flamengo, Brazil’s most prominent club, pulled off a stunning comeback against Chelsea.
Palmeiras, Boca, and Fluminense all held their own against European contenders too, with South American clubs expected to play a significant role in the knockout stages.
A vital element driving the success of Brazilian and Argentine teams is the remarkable support they receive, with fans turning out in great numbers across the United States.
‘Incredible’ backing
“Incredible, incredible,” remarked Bayern coach Vincent Kompany when discussing the atmosphere during his team’s clash with Boca, suggesting that a slice of La Bombonera had been transported to Miami.
“Anyone familiar with this sport understands how challenging it is to face these teams, and nearly every match for a European side feels like an away fixture.”
The support for Flamengo in Philadelphia was equally striking, with a significant part of the crowd of over 54,000 donned in the black and red colours of the Rio de Janeiro club.
In contrast, only a handful of European fans made the journey, although many American football enthusiasts showed up in support of Chelsea and Manchester City.
The previous version of the seven-team Club World Cup saw European teams take the spoils, with the last South American winner being Corinthians from São Paulo in 2012, who overcame Chelsea.
There exists a stark financial divide, with the top 29 clubs in Deloitte’s Football Money League for 2025 all hailing from Europe.
Real Madrid topped the chart, raking in over one billion euros (£857 million) last year, while Flamengo found themselves in 30th place with revenues of 198 million euros (£170 million).
Nonetheless, they have demonstrated the prowess of their squad, brimming with experienced international talent, including Italy’s Jorginho.
“These players have participated in numerous high-stakes matches throughout their careers,” asserted Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac when discussing the caliber of Brazilian teams.
Rio’s Fluminense held Dortmund to a 0-0 stalemate in their opening match.
“I firmly believe that most of these South American teams will progress to the next round,” Kovac expressed.
Heat and exhaustion
The often oppressive conditions might also pose a challenge for European clubs, a notion hinted at by Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca before their encounter with Flamengo.
Additionally, the elite clubs from Europe have ventured across the Atlantic at the tail-end of a demanding season, while their counterparts in Brazil and Argentina commenced their campaigns much earlier in the year.
PSG had nearly completed 60 matches before clinching their Champions League title against Inter Milan at the end of May.
Yet, Flamengo coach Filipe Luis, who has previously worn the colours of Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, admitted he did not anticipate these outcomes at the Club World Cup.
“I am surprised because I recognise the quality of these European clubs, especially the very top tier — roughly 10 or 12 clubs that represent the absolute elite — and it’s astonishing to see them achieving these results,” he stated.
He further added: “It’s true that the weather can be a factor they’re not accustomed to, but I can firmly say that South American clubs are highly competitive.”
Kompany was adamant that his side, Bayern, must strive to match the determination and tenacity displayed by opponents like Boca if they are to advance further.
“The conditions here resemble those of South America, and they possess exceptional players, so it doesn’t surprise me; however, our most crucial task is to match their desire to win these matches,” he stressed.
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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