HOW AMERICANS FAIR IN THE 2025 FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP?

If you looked only the result, you’re missing the emotion, passion and the chance to fight with and for your team. If you only heard that MLS teams didn’t make the finals, you’re not getting the history. They fought hard equalizing game tactics, talents and vigor. Check the highlights of each game from Fox and see for yourself a glimpse of great fames.

Inter Miami, the MLS 2024 Supporters’ Shield and points record winners, surpassed expectations at the Club World Cup by advancing to the knockout stages with convincing performances against the likes of Al Ahly, FC Porto and Palmeiras. Also, Inter Miami CF is the first-ever Club World Cup win for an MLS side and the first win for a Concacaf team against a European opponent in an official competition. Miami finished second in Group A with five points (1W-0L-2D).

MATCH 1 – Inter Miami CF open the competition drawing 0 x 0 with Al Ahly in their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup debut at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida.

Inter Miami goalkeeper, Óscar Ustari, outstanding performance gave the Herons a point in their Group A opener, which was also the tournament’s inaugural match.

The veteran Argentine goalkeeper made eight saves on the night, withstanding a barrage of pressure through most of the first half with several highlight-reel interventions – topping it all at the 43rd-minute penalty-kick stop on Trézéguet.

With his goal protection, Ustari gave the Herons a second wind in the final 45 minutes, with Lionel Messi flashing a free kick against the side netting and substitute Fafà Picault forcing a close-range stop from Al Ahly ‘keeper Mohamed El Shenawy late in the game.

El Shenawy had one more game-saving denial in him, deflecting a Messi shot over the crossbar deep into stoppage time to secure the scoreless draw. One match into the tournament, the Herons got the result to build on even with more difficult challenges likely wait in the form of Portuguese giants FC Porto and Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras.

📺 Inter Miami vs Al Ahly – Full Match Highlights (FIFA Club World Cup 2025)

MATCH 2 – Inter Miami second game in the competition was a convince win over Portuguese giants FC Porto, 2 x 1, to earn a historic first FIFA Club World Cup win at Atlanta United’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Porto got to the net first in the eighth minute via Samu Aghehowa’s penalty kick goal, following a Video Review-decided foul on João Mário by Noah Allen.

Porto FC could have added to their lead in the Group A showdown, but Maxi Falcón made a goal-line clearance on Rodrigo Mora, and the post prevented Alan Varela’s long-range blast from going in shortly before halftime.

Miami came out swinging in the second half, with Segovia roofing Marcelo Weigandt’s cross in the 47th minute equalizer. Just seven minutes later, Messi sealed the victory with his magical left foot. Lionel Messi’s stunning free kick capped a second-half comeback that began with an equally impressive first-time finish from Telasco Segovia just after the break.

🎥 Lionel Messi and Inter Miami defeat FC Porto with a magical comeback – Club World Cup 2025

MATCH 3 – Miami got to their 3rd game four points after two games, with a chance to control their destiny in the competition. A showdown in dramatic, breathless fashion with Brazilian side Palmeiras sealed their passage to the knockout rounds.

Allende’s breakaway run from his own half of the field and ice-cold finish in the 16th minute gave the hosts a dream starting in front of a near-capacity crowd, almost evenly split between Miami and Palmeiras supporters.

The fans dressed in pink erupted again in the 65th minute, this time for Suárez. The legendary Uruguayan striker delivered a sensational vintage solo strike, leaving multiple defenders in the dust before firing past goalkeeper Weverton. Palmeiras rallied late, fought back with intensity, scoring twice in the final 15 minutes with goals from Paulinho and Maurício to snatch the draw and first place in Group A.

⚽ Inter Miami and Palmeiras advance to the round of 16 in a thrilling match – Highlights of the 2025 Club World Cup

KNOCKOUT STAGE: The Dream Ends, But the Message Is Clear

In the quarterfinals, Inter Miami’s Cinderella run came to an end—but not without a fight.

Drawn against UEFA champions Paris Saint German, the Herons faced their toughest test yet. Despite a valiant defensive effort and flashes of attacking flair from Messi and Suárez, Miami fell 0–4 to the PSG. Still, the result didn’t dampen what Inter Miami had achieved:

· A historic knockout-stage appearance

· An unbeaten group run against top-tier global clubs

· MLS’s first-ever win at the FIFA Club World Cup

· And proof that American clubs can stand toe-to-toe with football royalty

Seattle Sounders played all their 3 games at home in Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington. Sounders opened their Group B campaign against a true global heavyweight: Brazilian champions Botafogo, holders of both the Série A and Copa Libertadores titles.

MATCH 1 – They opened Group B and nearly drew Botafogo but by the end they settled for a 1 x 2 defeat after Cristian Roldan’s goal sparked hopes of a heroic comeback with a header at 75th minute. Roldan’s goal settled the stage for a frantic final 15 minutes that saw Seattle come tantalizingly close to a leveling goal. Get your own conclusion watching these highlights:

🎥 Botafogo beats Seattle Sounders 2-1 and advances to the 2025 Club World Cup

MATCH 2 – Sounders in their second game faced European Powerhouse Champions League winners Atletico de Madrid who’s looking to redeem themselves from a 0x4 beat suffered from Paris Saint-German.

Atlético scored first in the 11th minute with midfielder Pablo Barrios finishing off a transition opportunity by smashing a first-time shot off the crossbar and into the net. Then, LaLiga powerhouse made 2×0 just after the second-half kickoff with Axel Witsel, nodded home after Marcos Llorente rattled the woodwork. Seattle showed a lifeline almost immediately, at the 50th-minute with a goal from Albert Rusnák. Not enough, Barrios returned to crash their hopes just five minutes later with a cushioned finish from inside the penalty area.

🎥 Atlético de Madrid defeats Seattle Sounders – 2025 Club World Cup Highlights

MATCH 3 – Already mathematically eliminated, Seattle wrapped up their Club World Cup campaign with another gritty, competitive showing facing UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain —despite the 2–0 final scoreline.

Seattle started the match with intent and nearly produced a stunning opener in the 18th minute. Paul Rothrock intercepted PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma near the top of the box and quickly fed Jesús Ferreira, who had an open look but fired over the bar. It was a golden chance—and a moment that encapsulated the Sounders’ fearless approach against elite competition.

PSG finally found the breakthrough in the 35th minute. After a recycled corner kick, Vitinha unleashed a curling shot from the top of the box that deflected off Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and wrong-footed Stefan Frei to make it 1–0.

Seattle pushed forward in the second half in search of an equalizer, but that urgency opened space for the French giants. In the 72nd minute, Bradley Barcola broke down the flank and slid a pinpoint ball across the area to Achraf Hakimi, who finished low to the far post and sealed the win for PSG.

Seattle Bows Out with Pride

Seattle Sounders may have finished last in Group B, but their tournament performance told a much deeper story. Across three matches against world-class opponents—Botafogo, Atlético de Madrid, and PSG—they never folded, never lost by more than one or two goals, and nearly grabbed points in each game.

The Sounders’ Club World Cup debut was a showcase of heart, organization, and a fearless mentality. Against three continental champions, Seattle proved they belong in the global conversation, not just as hosts, but as competitors.

Not even a month ago, the Club World Cup was just a dream for LAFC, who entered the tournament as a late replacement for LIGA MX side Club León after defeating Club América 2 x 1 in a one-off playoff match. LAFC played all their Group games far away from home. They traveled 2,179 miles to showcase themselves in the East Coast fields of Atlanta, Nashville, and Orlando.

MATCH 1 – The Black & Gold opened the Group D with a hard-fought 0 x 2 loss to Chelsea, one of the world’s highest-spending clubs (and later the competition’s winner), and they stood their ground at Atlanta United’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

LAFC never looked or played scared. There were plenty of moments where Chelsea flexed and showcased their quality, but the Black & Gold got stuck into tackles, put together decent spells of possession, attempted to hit on the break with some success and looked competitive.

⚽ Chelsea beat LAFC 2-0 – 2025 Club World Cup Highlights

MATCH 2 – LAFC were eliminated after losing their Group D match against Tunisian side ES Tunis, by 0 x 1 at Nashville SC’s GEODIS Park thanks to a second-half concession and a dramatic late penalty save.

LAFC thought they had scored twice in the opening 30 minutes, with Olivier Giroud and David Martínez hitting the back of the net. However, both goals were pulled back for offside.

ES Tunis saw a chance of their own overturned after Youcef Belaïli went down in the box. A penalty was initially awarded, but after Video Review, referee Espen Eskås reversed the decision and handed Belaïli a yellow card for simulation.

It was Belaïli who put the Tunisians ahead. Midway through the second half, the Algerian international picked up a ball on the edge of the box and finished smartly. To add to the already palpable drama, LAFC earned a penalty kick deep into second-half stoppage time after Marlon was bundled over in the box. Goalkeeper Bechir Ben Saïd rose to the moment, denying Denis Bouanga’s effort and giving ES Tunis their first win of the tournament.

🎥 Esperance wins and eliminates LAFC – Highlights of the 2025 Club World Cup

MATCH 3 – LAFC crossed the country to draw Brazilian Powerhouse Flamengo 1 x 1 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Denis Bouanga struck in the 84th minute for the Black & Gold’s first-ever goal at the tournament. The prospects of a stunning upset lasted just two minutes, however, as Wallace Yan salvaged a dramatic point for Flamengo, who finished atop Group D.

LAFC thought they had an earlier opener through Marlon, whose first-half header was ruled out for offside. Previously, Mark Delgado dinged the far post with a curling effort from distance.

The goalposts also saved LAFC four times, while goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a world-class stop on Everton to keep the game scoreless before the late dramatics set up a heart-racing ending.

LAFC Made Their Mark

They may have entered the tournament as late replacements, but LAFC exited as respected competitors. Across three games in unfamiliar territory, the Black & Gold stood toe-to-toe with some of the biggest clubs in world football—Chelsea, ES Tunis, and Flamengo—and never backed down. From disallowed goals and missed penalties to a dramatic late equalizer denied in Orlando, LAFC’s journey was full of near-moments, emotional highs, and proof of potential.

Their campaign ended without advancing, but not without impact. They showed that American clubs can adapt, travel, and challenge global elites, even on short notice. And for a team once on the outside looking in, LAFC left the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with something more valuable than points: legitimacy.

🎥 Flamengo and LAFC draw 1-1 with thrilling final minutes – Club World Cup 2025