⚽ FIFA Club World Cup 2025 - USA: Discussion Thread ⚽

[bias]

The conclusion is that Inter really lost absolutely to Fluminense as well as Man City who lost absolutely to Al Hilal. and indeed they both deserved to win. I'm sure the Al Hilal vs Fluminense match will be even more exciting because the two champions will meet. Do you have a good prediction for that match...

From what I saw yesterday, I will stand with Al-Hilal for this match. They can score, no doubt about that, something that isn't so easy for Fluminense, which is better at defending than scoring. I'm sure that if we see an early goal from Fluminense, as they did with Inter, all of them will be in front of their goalkeeper, making a wall and waiting for a chance to score on a counterattack. However, if we see the opposite and Al-Hilal scores first, then they will have to play more attacking football, and that's not in their favor. Al-Hilal isn't afraid to attack no matter the scoreline, no matter the opponent. So, Al-Hilal for the win on this!

[Callido]

If they can't win against Saudi club due to their poor defence. I'm expecting them to do the same in the harder game than this. This is not their first mistake. They have been so poor in defense last season, and was quite lucky qualify for UCL.
Things totally differ next season when so many clubs improved their squad. Can't really sure they can compete with that kind of defence.

What is wrong with Manchester City backline, their defense was solid but still unfortunate conceding much goals. Al Hilal made only six shots on target and scored four goals out of it while Manchester City made 16 shots on target and couldn't win the match. If not for deflection at least two goals wouldn't have happened just like that, never minding a goal stands whether deflection, mistake or no mistake, Al Hilal are now going to play in the quarter final while City are sent home.

We have to agree that Al Hilal are impressive and if given enough chance will beat many Premier League teams as well, Manchester City didn't fail due to lacking a good defense.

[masulum]

I really didn't expect Al-Hilal to be able to make City struggle. In fact, in the previous 3 matches City played very well, 13 goals in 3 matches showed that City was so dominant. However, City had to play the match against Al Hilal until extra time. The result was not good for City, they had to go home early and lost to a team that was not favored to win this match. The underdog teams managed to change the scenario, Inter also lost to Fluminense who was also not a favored team. Whether Monterrey and Palmeiras will also provide a surprise later? this will be interesting to watch.

[criptoevangelista]

The conclusion is that Inter really lost absolutely to Fluminense as well as Man City who lost absolutely to Al Hilal. and indeed they both deserved to win. I'm sure the Al Hilal vs Fluminense match will be even more exciting because the two champions will meet. Do you have a good prediction for that match...

From what I saw yesterday, I will stand with Al-Hilal for this match. They can score, no doubt about that, something that isn't so easy for Fluminense, which is better at defending than scoring. I'm sure that if we see an early goal from Fluminense, as they did with Inter, all of them will be in front of their goalkeeper, making a wall and waiting for a chance to score on a counterattack. However, if we see the opposite and Al-Hilal scores first, then they will have to play more attacking football, and that's not in their favor. Al-Hilal isn't afraid to attack no matter the scoreline, no matter the opponent. So, Al-Hilal for the win on this!

It seems that football in Middle Eastern countries is improving exponentially. A win like this from a Saudi Arabian team would have been unthinkable a few years ago. I think that’s great, the more strong leagues and better teams we have, the better it is for us, the fans.

Today there’s going to be a big match: Real Madrid vs Juventus. In my opinion, even though Real Madrid isn’t in its best form right now, they’ll win comfortably.

[slapper]

Al-Hilal finally qualified for the last 8 of the Club World Cup, after eliminating Manchester City with a score of 4-3. This match was really the most tense throughout the Club World Cup because both teams attacked each other and also scored goals, and I saw Al-Hilal really playing very well and being able to match Manchester City's game under Simone Inzaghi. And even though my bet lost, I was really entertained and felt the sensation and tension while watching this match and this was really a different undernalin.

I was too optimistic about Manchester City before. So initially I thought Al-Hilal would really have difficulties when facing Manchester City. But well, it turns out that Al-Hilal is not at all like the team that was under pressure in that match. And yes, Al-hilal can even match Manchester City's performance well. And it seems like I'm not the only one who failed to predict this match. Because it seems like many people lost their bets on this match.

Simone Inzaghi is indeed an extraordinary coach. Even Inter Milan is now starting to lose its strength when Simone Inzaghi left Inter Milan.

Al-Hilal now has to prepare to face a team from Brazil, namely Fluminense, which even managed to beat Inter Milan in the round of 16. I won't be too optimistic about either team from now on. (Possible). Because it looks like there will be many surprising things that will happen at the Club World Cup this time.

90% of the football world had this default feeling of optimistic about City. That is why the odds were hilariously off. People (and bookies) are still stuck in the belief that the badge wins. City this season 20 points worse than last season, struggling to be third, main players Rodri and Kovacic injured or semi-fit, Haaland in and out. You could notice it in their defending. Both Dias and Ederson being called out by their own fans

Al-Hilal, however, are not your classic “plucky underdog”. With Saudi money, they can have a starting XI that would shame some of the best European teams. And Inzaghi literally had that team trained and prepared to jump on every structural vulnerability that Guardiola left open. At least, this is the death of European invincibility in the world arena

You’re right not to place blind optimism bets anymore. Another indicator is the victory of Fluminense over Inter (who literally began to slide as soon as Inzaghi appeared): it’s not just about the coach or the brand, but about who’s fresh, focused, and not melting in the Florida heat

[Just Say]

One Italian team was eliminated yesterday and we might as well see another leaving today, talking about Juventus. After that poor display against Manchester City in their last group game I feel Madrid will have a better chance of getting something in this encounter because if I'm to be honest I'd say Madrid are different from what we saw them play in the first group game but since after that their performance changed starting from the game they played with a man down and the chances are for good and I don't think Juventus can stop them when they start running.
Real Madrid can be seen as the favorite but it doesn't matter, without the odds I'd still go for Madrid to win this game, as for the Old Ladies I think they look too open to be penetrated too easy like their defenders are another version of that of Inter Milan...let's go for a 3-1 in for Madrid.

It was a very disappointing performance from Inter Milan and to see that a team that played in the champions league final lost in such manner to a Brazilian team. I don't even have a problem with the losing but how they played is what I have problems with, it was not impressive at all.
Juventus on the other hand are the underdog in their game against Real Madrid but much cannot be said about the outcome of the game but I just know Juventus cannot be overly underrated. It will be a tough game to watch  but with Real Madrid recent performance i believe they should be able to progress to the next round.

An Italian club has already been eliminated from the knockout round of the Club World Cup because I saw a club from the Champions League lose to a Brazilian club in this match. In this CWC match the Brazilians certainly knew how difficult Inter Milan could be but we realized that the situation played a very effective role for Fluminense. It must be said with all due respect that the Nerazzurri could not ignore the odds at the Bank of America Stadium, so maybe they spoke about the quality of the Fluminense club's players in this match after they were defeated. There may be many surprises left in this Club World Cup as it is already being observed that two Brazilian clubs have been selected for the quarterfinals.

[adultcrypto]

I really didn't expect Al-Hilal to be able to make City struggle. In fact, in the previous 3 matches City played very well, 13 goals in 3 matches showed that City was so dominant. However, City had to play the match against Al Hilal until extra time. The result was not good for City, they had to go home early and lost to a team that was not favored to win this match. The underdog teams managed to change the scenario, Inter also lost to Fluminense who was also not a favored team. Whether Monterrey and Palmeiras will also provide a surprise later? this will be interesting to watch.

I was also surprised how that match turned out, how a big team like Manchester City were trailing Al Hilaal throughout the match even when all their key players were in the game. I was thinking it will be a smooth victory for Manchester City, but they even lost the match for which I'm happy that the hard work of Al Hilaal paid off. I would have been very angry if Manchester had won the match because it would have meant there is no reward for hard work. Congratulations to Al Hilaal because they deserve the victory.

[Olatundespo]

If they can't win against Saudi club due to their poor defence. I'm expecting them to do the same in the harder game than this. This is not their first mistake. They have been so poor in defense last season, and was quite lucky qualify for UCL.
Things totally differ next season when so many clubs improved their squad. Can't really sure they can compete with that kind of defence.

What is wrong with Manchester City backline, their defense was solid but still unfortunate conceding much goals. Al Hilal made only six shots on target and scored four goals out of it while Manchester City made 16 shots on target and couldn't win the match. If not for deflection at least two goals wouldn't have happened just like that, never minding a goal stands whether deflection, mistake or no mistake, Al Hilal are now going to play in the quarter final while City are sent home.

We have to agree that Al Hilal are impressive and if given enough chance will beat many Premier League teams as well, Manchester City didn't fail due to lacking a good defense.

Despite their strong defense, Al Hilal played well and got their results. Manchester City playing well throughout the match and having the ball most of the time, they could not get the desired victory and had to leave. The pressure was too much on Al Hilal goalkeeper and he spent busy time most of the match. Manchester City had 30 shots to score and they played haphazardly to score but Al Hilal game was very organized. Simone Inzaghi, who took charge of Al Hilal, has been showing one surprise after another. They started well by beating Real Madrid in the first match and have made it to the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup by beating a strong team like Manchester City.

[Zaguru12]

It seems that football in Middle Eastern countries is improving exponentially. A win like this from a Saudi Arabian team would have been unthinkable a few years ago. I think that’s great, the more strong leagues and better teams we have, the better it is for us, the fans.

Today there’s going to be a big match: Real Madrid vs Juventus. In my opinion, even though Real Madrid isn’t in its best form right now, they’ll win comfortably.

When the Saudi Pro league started there campaign to actually make the league attractive they said it wasn’t something like China that they are building but something to shape the whole Asian football league, Ronaldo confirmed this also and said that with more time they will get to the top 5 best league in the world, just look at the league now, you can have four clubs having stacked with top European clubs, before people say it is a retirement place for players but they are attracting even players that are young and the league in terms of competitiveness is better than most of European leagues.

From onset I said Al Hilal game against Manchester City won’t be an easy one for the premier league not because Manchester city are poor but because Al Hilal is also a very good side too, look at their line up you will see players that can get into just any top teams in Europe without a fling. They have the top 5 best goalkeeper in the world in my opinion and also their midfield is top notch to me. So the win isn’t a surprise

[GIF-JOBS]

The heck is wrong with City. They lose to the Al Hilal, and i can't believe it how crap they're. They're good in frontline, but their back line is so garbage. Stones, akanji and Ake are done as defenders. They have to be replaced asap.
I also aware how Ederson is one of worst goal keeper now. I'd rather swap him to the Al Hilal's goalie instead of keep him.

Their lose against Hilal is obviously bring back some memories about how crap their performance last season. Pep fixing their frontline, but not with their backline.

Their backline let them down, and will continue to do so.

This match of Manchester City was really an unexpected match, if we consider the full position of the match, Manchester City was aggressive from the beginning, Manchester City had a total of 14 shots on their target in the whole match, their position was good from all sides, but their goalkeeper, I think Manchester City's goalkeeper had no desire to save the goal, no jump to save the goal, no desire or self-effort, because of his bad performance Al Hilal was able to give 4 goals. This match is a very sad match for Manchester City, they lost the match because of their bad luck.

[Ale88]

Yesterday I watched the full match and I must admit that I was extremely surprised by the way Al Hilal played: they were not afraid of Manchester City, they attack them anytime the could, they were not wasting time, at the end they actually deserved to win this match. Simone Inzaghi has been managing the team only for a couple of weeks but what he's already done is quite insane, let's not forget the also drew 0-0 against Real Madrid!

[Majestic-milf]

Yesterday I watched the full match and I must admit that I was extremely surprised by the way Al Hilal played: they were not afraid of Manchester City, they attack them anytime the could, they were not wasting time, at the end they actually deserved to win this match. Simone Inzaghi has been managing the team only for a couple of weeks but what he's already done is quite insane, let's not forget the also drew 0-0 against Real Madrid!

Inzaghi's impact is already showing at the club no doubt and I'm sure that with his wealth of knowledge, he'd make his team become so formidable. Really, it's good that he has left Inter Milan because I feel that if he had stayed it would have run his legacy down.

Al Ittihad played 1-1 with Madrid and not a goalless draw.

[bitLeap]

I don't think that the European clubs are taking the matches lightly because you will see how they struggled in order to win the match but their efforts is n vain. European teams does not know the strength of these clubs which is why they underestimate these clubs. Watch a game that two European clubs will clash, you will see how serious these players will take the match because they understand their game patterns.

Based on the strength of course anyone is optimistic about Man City at that time, but Al Hilal proved that even though they are from an Arab club but when they are able to provide a game like this, the stigma about the Domestic League especially in Europe, is automatically considered bad. I mean whether it is recognized or not the fact is that when Al Hilal did that we must objectively admit that Al Hilal is stronger than Man City.

So for Real Madrid they must be careful because after seeing what happened to Man City who were eliminated, it means that there is the same opportunity for other big teams to be defeated in the knockout round today.

[aylabadia05]

Juventus lost 2-5 vs Manchester City. Manchester City actually lost to Al Hilal.Real Madrid only drew vs Al Hilal.

What do you want Real Madrid vs Juventus to be?
I would probably expect an upset.
@3.50 odds for Juventus. Anyone willing to take the bet or @2.65 for a draw.
If I look at Juventus' play during the group stage, I think a draw can be placed in a 1x2 bet.

[Jessie2121]

I really didn't expect Al-Hilal to be able to make City struggle. In fact, in the previous 3 matches City played very well, 13 goals in 3 matches showed that City was so dominant. However, City had to play the match against Al Hilal until extra time. The result was not good for City, they had to go home early and lost to a team that was not favored to win this match. The underdog teams managed to change the scenario, Inter also lost to Fluminense who was also not a favored team. Whether Monterrey and Palmeiras will also provide a surprise later? this will be interesting to watch.

Everybody saw that game to be in favor of Manchester City since they have been performing well in the group stage it shows too that Al-Hilal are not in anyway match with Man City but when the ref started the game they were all shakey and City rushed them to get the early goal. Was thinking that the game would end with Man City scoring up to 5 goals but Al-Hilal never gave up the fight that took them to extra time, even with the number of goals City scored it still didn't helped them to go through. Right from the beginning Inter doesn't seem like a team with positive energy to battle with the other teams, they are too slow even when pushing for a counter and to top it all, they were too unlucky and I don't know what's going on with the club.

[el kaka22]

Honestly, City itself needs to reconsider about the defense, not offense. How can you get scored on 4 goals against such a weak team. There is absolutely no way that we can consider Al Hilal as the better team, we all know they are not, we all know City is the better team, there is not even a doubt about it. They can play 100 times, and 90+ times City will win.

But they did lose here, correct? Well that means, something was wrong, and that was defense, defense played like they didn't give a shit about the game, and they did not wanted to run or defend, and that is very important. If they keep playing like this, without any desire or ambition, then they are going to be basically even worse than last year, they have to recover that.

[snipie]

Juventus lost 2-5 vs Manchester City. Manchester City actually lost to Al Hilal.Real Madrid only drew vs Al Hilal.

What do you want Real Madrid vs Juventus to be?
I would probably expect an upset.
@3.50 odds for Juventus. Anyone willing to take the bet or @2.65 for a draw.
If I look at Juventus' play during the group stage, I think a draw can be placed in a 1x2 bet.

I think that reasoning might not be always true, otherwise Real Madrid looks better and the favorite team in that match.
I can give the counter example of Manchester City and Al-Hilal. Who thought Al-Hilal would kick Pep Guardiola and his players from the competition! Who was thinking that 7 goals will be scored there and the outcome will be as weird as that.

[Chilwell]

The conclusion is that Inter really lost absolutely to Fluminense as well as Man City who lost absolutely to Al Hilal. and indeed they both deserved to win. I'm sure the Al Hilal vs Fluminense match will be even more exciting because the two champions will meet. Do you have a good prediction for that match...

From what I saw yesterday, I will stand with Al-Hilal for this match. They can score, no doubt about that, something that isn't so easy for Fluminense, which is better at defending than scoring. I'm sure that if we see an early goal from Fluminense, as they did with Inter, all of them will be in front of their goalkeeper, making a wall and waiting for a chance to score on a counterattack. However, if we see the opposite and Al-Hilal scores first, then they will have to play more attacking football, and that's not in their favor. Al-Hilal isn't afraid to attack no matter the scoreline, no matter the opponent. So, Al-Hilal for the win on this!

This competition is taking another dimension Which we never expected, We are receiving a lot of surprises. How can this be, Inter Milan and Manchester City were eliminated, I will not say Unknown team But based on the popularity Even that alone should stand for these both teams against their opponents But unfortunately They failed woefully, Now it is cleared that Saudi Pro League should be respected and from now on they will not be underrated by any league. Real Madrid will have rest of mind Because since after draw against Al-Hilal many of the football fan were seriously Condemning them saying they are not fit that why the match ended like that. Al-Hilal eliminated Manchester City, this is football, it full of surprises, Pep have had is worse season ever, he couldn't win anything, this is a complete disaster for Manchester City.

[sokani]

Inzaghi's impact is already showing at the club no doubt and I'm sure that with his wealth of knowledge, he'd make his team become so formidable. Really, it's good that he has left Inter Milan because I feel that if he had stayed it would have run his legacy down.

Inzaghi is a good coach, I'm not disputing that, but don't forget that Manchester City's performance has also declined. Pep Guardiola is trying to put his house in order after a disastrous campaign, but he's not there yet. A Manchester City that is in form would not succumb to Al Hilal, they would do everything to win. The defeat goes to show that City is still very much sick, and there's a lot of work to be done.

[ILuckyGuyI]

Honestly, City itself needs to reconsider about the defense, not offense. How can you get scored on 4 goals against such a weak team. There is absolutely no way that we can consider Al Hilal as the better team, we all know they are not, we all know City is the better team, there is not even a doubt about it. They can play 100 times, and 90+ times City will win.

But they did lose here, correct? Well that means, something was wrong, and that was defense, defense played like they didn't give a shit about the game, and they did not wanted to run or defend, and that is very important. If they keep playing like this, without any desire or ambition, then they are going to be basically even worse than last year, they have to recover that.

Inter and Manchester City's elimination both were very unexpected. I can't imagine how bettors felt about these poor results. The ones who bet on the underdog wins more than the others lately. 

The Club World Cup isn't going on according to the expectations until now. There are surprising clubs reached the quarter finals.

Today I believe in Real Madrid but started to doubt Dortmund already.