Unbowed Latinos: Tough nut to crack and bitter pill to swallow

Ahead of the new FIFA's experiment, the Club World Cup, many argued that the quality of the participants - especially the non-European ones - is low and that the UEFA sides will have an easy task of brushing aside all the rivals. For some, they were right, though it's too early to tell, but oh, were they wrong about one group of teams - the Latinos.

The six South American representatives in the tournament have yet to suffer a defeat, ending the opening round with three wins and as many draws. And they were far from favourites in all matches.

Porto were expected to smash Palmeiras without a hitch, only to end up barely saved by their stand-in custodian, Claudio Ramos. The same goes for another European giant, Borussia Dortmund, which faced Brazilian side Fluminense. Had it not been for the BVB's keeper Gregor Kobel, Thiago Silva and Co. would have celebrated a shocking victory over the Champions League semi-finalists from a year ago.

The remaining two Brazilian representatives, Botafogo and Flamengo, were in for somewhat easier tasks against Seattle Sounders and Esperance Tunis, respectively, and totally justified their roles of favourites, noting a triumph each.

For South Africa, for all of Africa! Tshabalala’s legacy still lives on

And what can we say about the fiery Argentinians, Boca Juniors and River Plate? Their epic Superclasico clashes are followed worldwide, and now they have arrived at the Club World Cup to show the Europeans just how good they can be.

Boca were on the verge of making an utmost upset against Benfica, but another Argentinian, Nicolas Otamendi, saved the Portuguese in the dying minutes.

Just another day in City's office: Foden & Doku smash the Moroccans

On the other hand, River showed all their power against the Japanese Urawa Red Dragons, becoming one of the only three crews that scored three or more goals in their opening duel in the (still incomplete) opening round of the tournament.

Before the beginning of the CWC, everyone would have bet on a UEFA side to win the whole thing. Now, after the passionate Latinos proved what a hard nut to crack and a bitter pill to swallow they are, many would think twice before putting their money on the Europeans.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025

Matchday 1

Sunday

Al Ahly Cairo - Inter Miami 0-0

Bayern Munich - Auckland City 10-0 (6-0)

/Coman 6, 21, Boey 18, Olise 20, 45+3, Muller 45, 89, Musiala 67, 73 pen, 84/

PSG - Atletico Madrid 3-0 (2-0)

/Ruiz 19, Vitinha 45+1, Mayulu 87/

Monday

Palmeiras - Porto 0-0

Botafogo - Seattle 2-1 (2-0)

/Jair 28, Igor Jesus 44 - Roldan 75/

Monday

Chelsea - Los Angeles 2-0 (1-0)

/Neto 34, Fernandez 79/

Tuesday

Boca Juniors - Benfica 2-2 (2-1)

/Merentiel 21, Battaglia 27 - Di Maria 45+3 pen, Otamendi 84/

Flamengo - Esperance 2-0 (1-0)

/De Arrascaeta 17, Araujo 70/

Fluminense - Dortmund 0-0

River Plate - Urawa RD 3-1 (1-0)

/Colidio 12, Druissi 48, Meza 73 - Matsuo 58 (p)/

Wednesday

Ulsan - Mamelodi 0-1 (0-1)

/Rayners 36/

Monterrey - Inter Milan 1-1 (1-1)

/Ramos 25 - Martinez 42/

Manchester City - Wydad Casablanca 2-0 (2-0)

/Foden 2, Doku 42/

Real Madrid - Al Hilal 0-0 IN PROGRESS

Thursday

00:55: (2.85) Pachuca (3.35) Salzburg (2.50)

04:00: (12.0) Al Ain (6.50) Juventus (1.22)

***odds are subject to change***