Palmeiras 1–0 Botafogo
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia | 28 June 2025
Final Score and Outcome
Palmeiras defeated Botafogo 1–0 after extra time thanks to Paulinho’s 110th-minute strike to book their place in the quarter-finals
Formations & Tactics
– Palmeiras (4-2-3-1): Abel Ferreira set up a compact back four protected by a double pivot (Rios–Evangelista). Raphael Veiga orchestrated attacks from the No. 10 slot, while full-backs Piquerez and Rocha provided width on the overlap.
– Botafogo (4-3-3): Renato Paiva’s side absorbed pressure with a low block, using a midfield trio (Allan–Gregore–Freitas) to win second balls and launch counter-attacks via wide forwards Artur and Savarino.
Key Moments
– 55′ – Botafogo’s John tipped a Maurício header onto the bar, keeping the match goalless in regulation.
– 110′ – Substitute Paulinho cut inside his marker and curled low past John, ending the stalemate in extra time.
– 115′ – Gustavo Gómez was sent off for a second yellow, but Palmeiras held on under a late Botafogo corners barrage.
Man of the Match
John (Botafogo) – Produced a string of top-drawer saves to keep his side in contention until Paulinho’s extra-time winner
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Benfica 1–4 Chelsea (AET)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte | 28 June 2025
Final Score and Outcome
Chelsea overturned Benfica in extra time, winning 4–1
Formations & Tactics
– Benfica (4-2-3-1): Bruno Lage’s men defended in two banks of four, looking to spring Ángel Di María in transition. Orkun Kökçü and Renato Sanches sat deep to screen their back four.
– Chelsea (3-4-3 ⟶ 4-3-3 press): Enzo Maresca’s fluid system saw wing-backs push high to overload the flanks. Moisés Caicedo, Fernández and Palmer rotated across a three-man midfield to press Benfica’s build-up.
Key Moments
– 64′ – Reece James took a short free kick on the left and smashed it into the near corner, giving Chelsea a 1–0 lead.
– 86′ – Lightning near the stadium forced a two-hour suspension with Chelsea leading 1–0.
– 90+5′ – Angel Di María converted a VAR-awarded penalty to make it 1–1.
– 92′ – Gianluca Prestianni received a second yellow early in extra time, reducing Benfica to ten men.
– Extra time – Goals from Nkunku (108′), Neto (114′) and Dewsbury-Hall (117′) wrapped up a 4–1 win.
Man of the Match
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – Dominated the central zones, broke up Benfica transitions and helped launch three extra-time goals with his driving runs
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PSG 4–0 Inter Miami
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 29 June 2025
Final Score and Outcome
Paris Saint-Germain overwhelmed Inter Miami with a comprehensive 4–0 win, pouring all four goals in the first 45 minutes to cruise into the quarter-finals
Formations & Tactics
– PSG (4-3-3): Vitinha–Ruiz–Neves formed a controlling midfield triangle, recycling possession to front three of Kvaratskhelia, Doué and Dembélé. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes provided width from full-back.
– Inter Miami (4-2-3-1): Javier Mascherano deployed Busquets–Allende in midfield to sit deep, with Messi playing off Suárez. Left-back Jordi Alba looked to overload the wide areas.
Key Moments
– 6′ – João Neves headed home Vitinha’s cross to open the scoring.
– 38′ – Neves doubled the lead with a tap-in from Ruiz’s cutback.
– 44′ – An own goal by Tomás Avilés made it 3–0.
– 45+3′ – Hakimi curled a superb finish into the top corner to seal the rout.
Man of the Match
João Neves (PSG) – Two first-half goals and relentless energy in midfield all but ended the contest by half-time
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Flamengo 2–4 Bayern Munich
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | 29 June 2025
Final Score and Outcome
Bayern Munich prevailed 4–2 in an action-packed affair, with Harry Kane scoring twice to send his side into the last eight against PSG
Formations & Tactics
– Flamengo (4-2-3-1): Filipe Luís’s high-pressing game hinged on Jorginho–Pulgar protecting the defence and De Arrascaeta linking with Plata in the half-spaces.
– Bayern (4-2-3-1): Vincent Kompany built from a double pivot of Kimmich–Goretzka. Musiala and Olise glided between the lines, feeding a mobile Kane, while full-backs Laimer and Tah inverted to reinforce midfield.
Key Moments
– 6′ – Pulgar’s header hit the bar and rebounded off his back into the net for an early own goal.
– 9′ – Kane’s deflected drive made it 2–0.
– 33′ – Gerson thundered in a strike to pull one back.
– 41′ – Goretzka restored a two-goal cushion with a long-range effort.
– 54′ – Jorginho converted a penalty after Olise handball.
– 73′ – Kane smashed in his second to kill the contest.
Man of the Match
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – Two goals, relentless pressing and perfect positioning exposed Flamengo’s high line throughout
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Inter Milan 0–2 Fluminense
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte | 30 June 2025
Final Score and Outcome
Fluminense stunned Inter Milan 2–0, with early and late strikes from Germán Cano and Hércules earning a famous upset
Formations & Tactics
– Inter (3-5-2): Cristian Chivu’s back three of Acerbi–Bastoni–De Vrij was designed to push wing-backs Dumfries and Dimarco high, while Frattesi–Barella screened centrally.
– Fluminense (4-4-1-1): Renato Gaúcho set up a disciplined 4-4-1-1, breaking through swift transitions via Arias and Nonato. Cano acted as the focal target for counter-attacks.
Key Moments
– 3′ – Inter giveaway led to Renê’s switch to Jhon Arias; his cross, deflected off Bastoni, fell to Cano for a textbook header.
– 82′ – Inter’s Esposito volley forced a fine save from Fábio, but the rebound went begging.
– 90+3′ – Súper sub Hércules struck from the edge of the box to ice the result.
Man of the Match
Jhon Arias (Fluminense) – Constant menace down the left, created both goals and tracked back tirelessly to stifle Inter’s wing-back advances
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Manchester City 3–4 Al Hilal (AET)
Camping World Stadium, Orlando | 1 July 2025
Final Score and Outcome
In one of the tournament’s biggest shocks, Al Hilal beat Manchester City 4–3 after extra time, with Marcos Leonardo’s 112th-minute winner sealing a major upset
Formations & Tactics
– Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Rodri–Gündogan shielded the back four, Foden and Doku provided width, and Haaland pressed from the front. Full-backs Aït-Nouri and Nunes inverted to overload midfield.
– Al Hilal (4-3-1-2): Neves sat behind a two-man strike force of Leonardo–Malcom. Cancelo and Lodi inverted at full-back to create central overloads against City’s double pivot.
Key Moments
– 8′ – Bernardo Silva broke the deadlock with a low finish after slick interchanges.
– 46′ – Leonardo nodded home Cancelo’s cross seconds after the restart to equalise.
– 51′ – Malcom fired Al Hilal ahead with a curling strike.
– 54′ – Haaland restored parity by pouncing on a loose corner.
– 93′ – Koulibaly headed in to give Al Hilal a 3–2 lead early in extra time.
– 103′ – Phil Foden sensationally volleyed City back level.
– 112′ – Leonardo turned in the winner at the far post to complete his brace.
Man of the Match
Marcos Leonardo (Al Hilal) – Two-goal hero whose power in the air and composure under pressure unsettled City throughout extra time
