The FIFA Club World Cup continues in the USA with Round 2 matchups as 32 clubs from across the globe compete to be crowned world champions. Our feature columnist, John Newsome, breaks down the second-round fixtures with his trademark wit and insight. Catch all the action in his latest Club World Cup Highlights and Predictions. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here.
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at the time of publication.
Club World Cup (CWC)
Group A
FC PORTO – played 1 points 1
PALMEIRAS – played 1 points 1
AL AHLY – played 1 points 1
INTER MIAMI – played 1 points 1
Group B
PARIS SAINT GERMAIN – played 1 points 3
BOTAFOGO – played 1 points 3
SEATTLE SOUNDERS – played 1 points 0
ATLETICO MADRID – played 1 points 0
Group C
BAYERN MUNICH – played 1 points 3
BOCA JUNIORS – played 1 points 1
BENFICA – played 1 points 1
AUCKLAND CITY – played 1 points 0
Group D
CHELSEA – played 1 points 3
FLAMENGO – played 1 points 3
ESPERANCE DE TUNIS – played 1 points 0
LOS ANGELES FC – played 1 points 0
Group E
RIVER PLATE – played 1 points 3
INTER MILAN – played 1 points 1
MONTERREY – played 1 points 1
URAWA RD – played 1 points 0
Group F
MAMELODI SUNDOWN – played 1 points 3
BORUSSIA DORTMUND – played 1 points 1
FLUMINENSE – played 1 points 1
ULSAN HD – played 1 points 0
Group G
MAN CITY – played 1 points 3
JUVENTUS – played 1 points 3
AL-AIN – played 1 points 0
WYDAD – played 1 points 0
Group H
SALZBURG – played 1 points 3
REAL MADRID – played 1 points 1
AL-HILAL – played 1 points 1
PACHUCA – played 1 points 0
Round 2
June 19th
PALMEIRAS v AL AHLY
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
17.00 in England
DAZN
Palmeiras played out a draw by a 0-0 score against FC Porto in the opening round.
There’s not much more to be said regarding that game.
Al Ahly also played out a goalless draw against Inter Miami in the Club World Cup opener on Sunday (or late Saturday Night over in the good old U S of A).
Although there weren’t any goals, the score could have been anything with both Goalkeepers, Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly) and Oscar Ustari (Inter Miami) having the game of their lives.
Oscar ended up as the ‘Superior Player of the Match’ which unfortunately is the American way of saying ‘Man of the Match’, no doubt that will be repeated by Gary Neville next season when GNev is commentating on Sky Sports for a Manchester United game.
Both GKs were pivotal in keeping the game goalless, with Mohamed saving 6 goal-bound attempts from Inter and Oscar preventing 8 shots on target from Al Ahly, including a 1st-half penalty.
All in all, whilst the game finished in a draw by a 0-0 score and the level of ability was akin to a League One game, the revamped Club World Cup got off to an entertaining start.
Betfred offer Palmeiras at Odds On 8/15, the Draw at 11/4 and 5/1 for Al Ahly to come away with all 3-points.
Palmeiras Win 2-0- Get 6/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
INTER MIAMI v FC PORTO
Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta
20.00 in England
DAZN
Lionel Messi was on show for Inter Miami in the tournament opener against Al Ahly.
Lionel’s old mates Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez also played the full 90 minutes which ended in a draw by a 0-0 score.
Although goalless, as mentioned in the opening preview, the game was entertaining with both Goalkeepers Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly) and Oscar Ustari (Inter Miami) having a game to remember.
Oscar’s heroics earned the Inter GK the Man of the Match (it is ‘Man’ not the horrendous phrase ‘Player of the Match’ as Oscar Ustari is a Man!)
If the game had a selection of players from both sexes, as in the recent Soccer Aid match, then ‘Player of the Match’ is acceptable, however, for a ‘Man’s’ game, the phrase ‘Man of the Match’ should still be applied.
Lionel did have a few attempts on goal but failed to score and in truth, the Al Ahly Defender’s were all over Mr Messi as soon as the Argentinian received the ball and all over him at the end of the game to get the lucrative ‘Messi 10’ Jersey.
Despite the lack of goals, the opening game of this new tournament got off to a great start.
FC Porto’s opener against Palmeiras also produced a draw from a 0-0 score, meaning all 4 teams in Group A are pointless and goalless.
Betfred offer Inter Miami at 4/1, the Draw at 3/1 and slight Odds On 3/5 for FC Porto to come away with all 3-points.
FC Porto Win 0-1- Get 9/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
SEATTLE SOUNDERS v ATLETICO MADRID
Lumen Field, Seattle
23.00 in England
DAZN
The Loveable YankScot was at Seattle’s opening game against Botafogo on Monday, which was late Sunday over in the USA.
Botafogo scored twice in the 1st-half before Seattle’s Cristian Roldan pulled a goal back midway through the 2nd-half.
Unfortunately for the home team, time ran out and Seattle suffered an opening game defeat against Botafogo by a 2-1 scoreline.
Seattle stay at their Lumen Field home to welcome Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid team.
Good luck, Seattle.
That said, Atletico were humbled in the opening game, suffering a defeat against Paris Saint-Germain by a 4-0 score, leaving this clash today as the Battle of the Bottom Two.
Betfred offer Seattle at 10/1, the Draw at 9/2 and Odds On 1/4 for Atletico Madrid to come away with all 3-points.
Atletico Madrid Win 0-2- Get 5/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
June 20th
PARIS SAINT GERMAIN v BOTAFOGO
Rose Bowl, Pasadena
02.00
DAZN
Paris Saint-Germain got off to a great start against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Goals from Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha in the 1st-half and Senny Mayulu and Kang-In Lee late on in proceedings gave PSG the victory from a 4-0 scoreline.
Kang-In Lee converted a penalty in the 97th minute, which did spoil John Newsome’s predicted score of 3-0.
Never mind!
Botafogo also got off to a winning start gaining a victory over Seattle on Monday by a 2-1 scoreline.
Jair and Igor Jesus with the 1st-half goals before Seattle scored after the break which ultimately proved to be a consolation.
Betfred offer Paris Saint-Germain at Odds On 2/9, the Draw at 6/1 and 14/1 for Botafogo to come away with all 3-points.
PSG Win 2-0- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
BENFICA v AUCKLAND CITY
Inter and Co Stadium, Orlando
17.00 in England
DAZN
Benfica gained a point from a draw by a 2-2 score against Boca Juniors on Monday.
After conceding 2 goals, Benfica were handed a lifeline to get back into the game when the ex-Man City Defender Nicolas Otamendi was adjudged to have been fouled in the area and after a discussion between VAR and the on-field referee, the Portuguese were awarded a penalty.
Angel Di Maria converted to half the deficit but still left Benfica trailing at the break.
Nicolas then scored the equaliser in the 84th minute.
Andrea Belotti was shown a Red Card just before Nic’s goal.
Boca Juniors also had a player sent off late on, leaving both teams to finish the game with 10 men and a point apiece.
Auckland City, who are only a part-time club, suffered the expected defeat against Bayern Munich on Sunday.
In truth, the loss by a 10-0 scoreline could have been anything.
If it were a Boxing Match, the referee would have stopped the fight after 4 rounds.
That said, it gave the Auckland players the chance to share a pitch with genuine World Class players and take home a Bayern shirt at the end of the game.
Added to that, the New Zealanders were heard singing,
‘We scored the same amount of goals as Harry Kane, Harry Kane!’
Betfred offer Benfica at massive Odds On 1/500, the Draw at 66/1 and 150/1 for Auckland City to come away with all 3-points.
Benfica Win 6-0- Get 6/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
FLAMENGO v CHELSEA
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
19.00 in England
DAZN
Flamengo were one of the first Brazilian teams that John Newsome came across as a youngster, playing against Liverpool in the original Club World Cup named as the Intercontinental Cup back in December 1981, which took place in Tokyo.
The Superstar called Zico played in the game just before turning out for Brazil in the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
It was a cold Sunday afternoon, just before Christmas 1981, when ITV (there were only 3 channels back then) showed the highlights of the game between Flamengo who were the Copa Libertadores Champions and Liverpool, the current European Cup holders.
It was just taken for granted that Liverpool would be victorious, however, not the case, as the Brazilians ran out easy winners by a Zico inspired 3-0 scoreline.
Both teams had a rematch some 38 years later when Flamengo and Liverpool played in the final of the tournament now known as the Club World Cup.
If one remembers, a single Roberto Firmino goal scored late on, gave Liverpool the Trophy and avenged the 1981 loss.
Flamengo kicked off their 2025 Club World Cup with a victory over Espérance De Tunis by a 2-0 scoreline.
Flamengo included the Uruguayan Guillermo Varela who, if one remembers, started his football journey at Old Trafford back in 2013.
With just 4 appearances for Manchester United, the lad left England and headed to Germany before finding himself in Brazil, turning out for Flamengo and playing in this revamped Club World Cup.
There was a ‘rubbing one’s eyes’ moment when the Flamengo team ran onto the pitch to face the Tunisians.
One of the players looked like the ex-Chelsea and Arsenal Midfielder Jorginho.
Yes, that’s right, the Italian has left London to join Flamengo and now showcase his sublime talents on the World Stage.
Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Luiz Araujo got the Flamengo goals against Espérance to give the Brazilians a winning start to the tournament.
Chelsea also got off to a winning start, gaining a victory over Los Angeles FC by a 2-0 scoreline.
Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez with the goals.
Jorginho will be buzzing to be able to play against his old employers.
The new signing Liam Delap made his Chelsea debut getting half an hour against Los Angeles.
Betfred offer Flamengo at 7/2, the Draw at 11/4 and slight Odds On 5/6 for Chelsea to come away with all 3-points.
Chelsea Win 2-0- Get 15/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
LOS ANGELES FC v ESPERANCE DE TUNIS
Geodis Park, Nashville
23:00 in England
DAZN
Both of these teams suffered opening day defeats, with Los Angeles suffering a loss against Chelsea and Espérance succumbing to a defeat against Flamengo.
It will be a tough ask for the majority of teams in this revamped competition, however, the lower-class clubs will want to get a victory over the other lower-end teams, so LA v Espérance will be one of those games to see who is the best of the worst in the Group.
Betfred offer Los Angeles at slight Odds On 9/10, the Draw at 5/2 and 18/5 for Espérance to come away with all 3-points.
Los Angeles Win 2-0- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
June 21st
BAYERN MUNICH v BOCA JUNIORS
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
02:00 in England
Channel 5 DAZN
Bayern Munich were leading Auckland City by 6 goals to nil at half-time on Sunday.
The only surprise in that scoreline was that Harry Kane hadn’t scored any of those 6.
Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise scored 2 each, with Sacha Boey and Thomas Muller adding the others.
Harry was taken off on the hour mark, probably a bit miffed that he’d not registered a goal against a team made up of a Checkatrade Eleven.
Jamal Musiala came on for Harry and immediately scored 2 goals, 1 being a penalty, then completed his hat-trick.
HK could be seen in the dugout shaking his head.
Bayern Munich went on to get the victory from a 10-0 scoreline, with Thomas Muller getting his 2nd and the 10th
Yes 10!
Boca Juniors took a 2-goal lead against Benfica on Monday with goals from Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia.
Benfica converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time to set themselves up for a comeback.
There was a strange moment in the 1st-half when the ex-Manchester United star Ander Herrera was substituted after 20 minutes due to picking up an injury.
Ander then had a few choice words to the officials when the VAR awarded Benfica the penalty subsequently receiving a Red Card whilst not on the pitch.
Benfica scored a 2nd after late on to give both teams a point from a draw by a 2-2 score.
Both teams had a player sent off whilst they were on the pitch leaving Boca and Benfica to finish the game with 10 men.
Betfred offer Bayern Munich at Odds On 1/5, the Draw at 13/2 and 14/1 for Boca Juniors to come away with all 3-points.
Bayern Win 4-0- Get 9/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS v BORUSSIA DORTMUND
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
17.00 in England
DAZN
Mamelodi Sundowns gained an opening night victory over Ulsan with Iqraam Rayners getting the solitary winning goal to give the South Africans the win over the South Koreans by a 1-0 scoreline.
What might have initially been assumed that this would be a difficult game against the Germans, MS may have a chance, considering Borussia Dortmund were held to a goalless draw against Fluminense on Tuesday.
Jobe Bellingham made his debut for Dortmund getting the last half hour against Fluminense.
Betfred offer Mamelodi Sundowns at 9/1, the Draw at 9/2 and Odds On 2/9 for Borussia Dortmund to come away with all 3-points.
Borussia Dortmund Win 0-2- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
INTER MILAN v URAWA REDS
Lumen Field, Seattle
20:00 in England
DAZN
Inter Milan were held to a draw by a 1-1 score against Monterrey in the opening match.
Lautaro Martinez with the Inter goal.
This should be an easier game against the Japanese, who suffered a defeat against River Plate on Tuesday.
Urawa Reds lost the game against the Argentinians by a 3-1 scoreline, with Yusuke Matsuo scoring the Urawa goal.
Betfred offer Inter Milan at Odds On 1/5, the Draw at 5/1 and 11/1 for Urawa Reds to come away with all 3-points.
Inter Milan Win 2-0- Get 5/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
FLUMINENSE v ULSAN
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
23:00 in England
DAZN
Fluminense took on Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday and it was assumed the Germans would gain an easy victory, however, the Brazilians spoiled the party, negating Jobe Bellingham and his mates, gaining a draw by a 0-0 score.
South Korea’s entrants in the Club World Cup, Ulsan suffered a narrow defeat in the opener succumbing to a loss against Mamelodi Sundowns by a 1-0 score.
It’s now a game against the Brazilians to see if a victory can be achieved.
Betfred offer Fluminense at Odds On 2/9, the Draw at 4/1 and 10/1 for Ulsan to come away with all 3-points.
Fluminense Win 2-0- Get 9/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
June 22nd
RIVER PLATE v MONTERREY
Rose Bowl, Pasadena
02:00 in England
DAZN
Argentina v Mexico offers up this fixture between River Plate and Monterrey.
River Plate got a victory against Urawa Reds on Tuesday with the Argentinians getting the win by a 3-1 score.
Facundo Colidio, Sebastian Driussi and Maximiliano Meza with the goals.
Maximiliano is an ex-Monterrey player so he will be wanting to notch against his old employers.
Remember Sergio Ramos, the Real Madrid and Spain Defender?
Well the legend, now 39 years old, scored the Monterrey opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday.
Inter did score an equaliser, with both teams eventually sharing the points from a draw by a 1-1 score.
After playing over 400 games for Real and scoring 72 goals for Los Blancos, Sergio will probably feel that the goal against Inter was up there with one of his best.
Betfred offer River Plate at 11/10, the Draw at 21/10 and 23/10 for Monterrey to come away with all 3-points.
Draw 2-2- Get 14/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
JUVENTUS v WYDAD
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
17:00 in England
Channel 5 DAZN
The final game of Round 1 saw Juventus gain an easy victory over Al-Ain by a 5-0 scoreline.
Randal Kolo-Muani scored twice bookending goals from Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz in the 1st-half the give Juve a comprehensive lead at the break.
Francisco then added his 2nd and Juve’s 5th just before the hour mark and with no further goal, the Old Lady got off to a brilliant start in this revamped Club World Cup.
Wydad put in a decent performance against Man City in the opener but ultimately suffered the expected defeat by a 2-0 score.
The Moroccans now have another tough ask, this time against Juventus.
Betfred offer Juventus at Odds On 1/5, the Draw at 9/2 and 11/1 for Wydad to come away with all 3-points.
Juventus Win 4-0- Get 9/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
REAL MADRID v PACHUCA
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
20:00 in England
DAZN
The new era at Real Madrid began with a draw against the mighty Al-Hilal.
Xabi Alonso started the ex-Premier League players Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen.
However, the French Superstar Kylian Mbappe didn’t make the game due to having a fever over the previous few days.
Get well soon KM!
Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a Spanish rebrand, now having TRENT on his shirt and the Number 12.
The Scousers are not happy as they had to have Alexander-Arnold on the back of their replica, which, at a fiver a letter, cost the Anfield Rappers an additional £75.
Scandalous!
Whilst at Liverpool, Trent’s shirt number was 66, one wonders why he’s now using 12.
Well wonder no more, 6 + 6 = 12.
Gonzalo Garcia scored the Real goal in the 34th minute which was quickly equalised by Al-Hilal 7 minutes later.
That was that for the remainder of the game, however, Real were awarded a controversial penalty in the 90th minute to get the chance of scoring a winner.
Unfortunately, Federico Valverde saw his spot-kick saved leaving both with a point apiece from a draw by 1-1 score.
Pachuca suffered an opening day defeat against RB Salzburg on Wednesday.
After conceding a goal and trailing at the break, Bryan Gonzalez did score an equaliser just after the restarted restart.
What’s meant by that is the 2nd-half started but the players were only on the pitch 7 minutes before the referee halted proceedings due to thunder and lightning.
The game restarted over an hour later.
Unfortunately for the Mexicans, Salzburg scored a 2nd and ultimately the winner to leave Pachuca with a defeat from a 2-1 score.
The ex-West Brom and Everton Striker Salomon Rondon captained the team which also included the ex-Watford, Newcastle and Chelsea player Kenedy.
This will be a tough ask against Spain’s finest.
Betfred offer Real Madrid at Odds On 2/11, the Draw at 5/1 and 10/1 for Pachuca to come away with all 3-points.
Real Madrid Win 3-0- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
RB SALZBURG v AL-HILAL
Audi Field, Washington DC
23:00 in England
DAZN
RB Salzburg got off to a winning start with a victory over Pachuca.
Oscar Gloukh scored the opener to give the Austrians a lead at the break.
The players came out for the 2nd-half but only lasted 5 minutes as there was a bit of thunder and lightning around Cincinnati so the referee took them back to the safety of the dressing room.
After around an hours delay, the game restarted.
Pachuca did score an equaliser just after the restart, however, Karim Onisiwo scored the winner for Salzburg in the 76th minute to inflict the defeat on the Mexicans by a 2-1 scoreline.
Al-Hilal played brilliantly against Real Madrid on Wednesday gaining a well deserved point from a draw by a 1-1 score.
After conceding a Real goal, the ex-Wolves star Ruben Neves converted a penalty just before half-time.
With no further goals, both teams earned a point apiece.
There was a controversial penalty awarded to Real in the 90th minute, which was superbly saved by the Al-Hilal Goalkeeper Bono.
So obviously, the lad ended up having Beautiful Day.
Betfred offer RB Salzburg at 9/5, the Draw at 23/10 and 5/4 for Al-Hilal to come away with all 3-points.
Draw 1-1- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
June 23rd
MAN CITY v AL-AIN
Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta
02:00 in England
Channel 5 DAZN
Pep Guardiola included the new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki in the starting lineup against Wydad on Wednesday.
Man City got off to a great start with Phil Foden scoring after just a minute to kick start City’s Club World Cup campaign.
Phil then assisted Jeremy Doku to score a 2nd and calm the nerves of the Citizens in attendance over in Philadelphia.
With no further goals in the 2nd-half, City got the victory by a 2-0 scoreline.
Erling Haaland and Rodri came off the bench and got half an hours worth of action under their belt.
There was a sour moment towards the end of the game when Rico Lewis dove in on a Wydad player which resulted in a straight Red Card.
Despite protestations from the City contingent, it was a Red as Rico kicked the opponent in the head.
One cannot do that.
Al-Ain suffered the expected defeat against Juventus in the final game of Round 1.
After going in at the break trailing by 4 goals to nil, it did appear that Al-Ain had scored just after the restart to give the UAE team hopes of a comeback, however, not to be as the dreaded VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
The game finished in a defeat by a 5-0 score.
Betfred offer Man City at Odds On 1/25, the Draw at 10/1 and 33/1 for Al-Ain to come away with all 3-points.
Man City Win 4-0- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
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