After an action-packed matchday two of the FIFA Club World Cup, a few teams have already booked their spot in the knockout stages and some still have a lot of work to do.
This slate of fixtures brought everyone greatness, upsets, and excitement.
Before heading to these final group stage matches, who came out as winners and losers?
Winners
Leo Messi and Inter Miami –
After going down to a eighth minute penalty kick from FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, Inter Miami did not panic one bit.
Thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, defender Maxi Falcón, and the backline, they managed to keep the score at 0-1 into the half.
Two minutes after the start of the second half, Telasco Segovia slammed home a goal to equalize.
In the 54th minute, when his team needed it the most, Lionel Messi would deliver with another magical free kick goal. That moment signified a moment that Major League Soccer has waited since it’s inception in 1996.
Inter Miami would also become the first Concacaf side to defeat European opposition in an official competition.
For the first time in history, an MLS side won a match at the Club World Cup.
In matchday three, needing at least a point to move on, they held a 2-0 lead late in the match, but Palmeiras got two late goals to tie and steal the group from Miami.
Also, if you missed Luis Suárez’s goal for any reason, stop what you’re doing now and watch it.
However, being the only team from MLS to ever advance to the knockout stages is an achievement no one can ever take away from them.
CONMEBOL
With the focus on UEFA, CONMEBOL has used the Club World Cup as their platform and prove their teams are ones to be feared and a force to be reckoned with.
In the opening matchday, they went unbeaten (three wins and three draws).
In matchday two, they went 4-1-1 with the only lost coming from Boca Juniors who fell short 1-2 against FC Bayern.
Brazil’s Série A had only one blemish so far (five wins, two draws, and one loss), but continue to outshine other leagues.
In the two biggest upsets of the tournament, Botafogo beat reigning UEFA Champions League winner and tournament favorites PSG 1-0 on Thursday.
What does it mean? The postgame reactions say it all.
The day after, Flamengo followed it up with a 3-1 win over Chelsea thanks to three second half goals.
Palmeiras overcame a two-goal deficit to win Group A outright and take on Botafogo in the round of 16. Botafogo dropped a narrow 0-1 result to Atlético Madrid, but would still advance through to knockouts. Brazil is guaranteed to have a quarterfinalist.
Obed Vargas
Can you imagine meeting your childhood idol?
For Seattle Sounders midfielder, Obed Vargas grew up in Alaska as a fan of Atlético Madrid and French superstar, Antoine Griezmann.
The clubs arranged for Vargas to meet his idol prior to kickoff where the two exchanged jerseys.
This is a moment that Seattle Sounders’ Obed Vargas will never forget.
Losers
FC Porto
For a team that advanced to the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League and nearly made the quarterfinals, they had luck on their side with their draw.
Somehow, they managed to go winless in their group with Palmeiras, Inter Miami, and Al Ahly.
There’s absolutely no excuses for them not moving on.
Atlético Madrid
Yes, they were placed in the most difficult group.
For a team with the talent they possess, this just isn’t good enough.
Teams outside of UEFA and CONMEBOL
As of now, there is only one team outside of Europe or South America moving on to the round of 16, Inter Miami.
There’s a chance other teams outside of these two regions can still advance to the group stage, but it’s been a rough showing for them either way.
However, the parity of most matches have been quite solid and gives a good springboard for future Club World Cups.
Group Stage
With the expanded format, there were always going to be some growing pains. There are 48 group stage matches, and three separate matchdays – there is just too many fixtures for the average fan to keep track of. Although there are games on at most hours of the day, it’s extremely difficult to follow along outside of the occasional upset.
Also, from a team standpoint, it’s asking a lot of players to be on a congested schedule in an already full calendar at the international and club level.
By the third matchday, players were already cramping and exhausted.
