South American sextet make a positive start

• South American teams have made a strong start at the FIFA Club World Cup
• Four Brazilian teams and two from Argentina are flying the continental flag in the USA
• Battaglia, Di Maria, Arias, Kovac and Alonso all praise the sextet's positive start

The representatives from South America are off to a formidable start at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. The six continental heavyweights – four from Brazil and two from Argentina – have all emerged undefeated from their tournament openers in the United States, and the three to have locked horns with European opposition, in particular, can hold their heads high after encounters that were expected to provide the sternest of tests.

The continent's strong showing against their European counterparts began in New York New Jersey on Sunday, when SE Palmeiras held Portugal’s FC Porto to a goalless draw in Group A. In a largely even contest, the Sao Paulo side had more than enough clear chances to have taken all three points. The following day, CA Boca Juniors looked to be on course to register the tournament’s first major upset, as they cruised into a 2-0 lead over Portugal’s other representatives SL Benfica in Group C, before the Lisbon giants ultimately fought their way back to 2-2 in Miami. Then, on Tuesday, back in New York New Jersey but this time in Group F, Fluminense FC extended South America’s unbeaten streak in the competition when they drew 0-0 with Borussia Dortmund –regular contenders for silverware both in Germany and in European competitions.

Meanwhile, South America’s other three representatives all recorded triumphs against teams from elsewhere around the globe. On Sunday, Botafogo beat Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC by the odd goal in three in Group B. CR Flamengo then claimed a 2‑0 victory over Tunisia’s Espérance in Group D on Monday, before CA River Plate defeated Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan 3-1. But despite those commendable conquests over teams from North America, Africa and Asia, perhaps more surprising is that the sides regularly featuring in the CONMEBOL Libertadores have proven to be more than a match for those accustomed to strutting their stuff in the UEFA Champions League.

What’s more, the South Americans have been asserting themselves over their European counterparts for large portions of their respective encounters. Physically, they have been aggressive in forcing turnovers and making sure that they are first to any loose balls. Technically, they have been capable of crafting dangerous openings thanks to impressive link-up play and bursts of individual quality. Mentally, they have shown both the ambition and the belief to seek a maximum points return.

Rodrigo Battaglia, the tenacious Argentinian midfielder who netted Boca’s second goal against Benfica, hammered home the point that his team had been far from overwhelmed: “We went toe-to-toe and showed we’re a match for them. They had certain weapons in their arsenal, and we had ours. We ended up sharing the spoils, but we feel frustrated because we could’ve won it. The coach tells us that teams will respect us because we’re Boca, and that was precisely the case.”

Battaglia’s compatriot and adversary in Boca’s tournament curtain-raiser, Angel Di Maria, agreed that the Buenos Aires outfit deserve the utmost respect. “We knew what Boca were all about and what we were up against. I know what Argentinian football is like: it’s tough, intense.”

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In Fluminense’s deadlock with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, the Brazilians showcased the kind of pride frequently associated with South American clubs. “It was a good game, but I always want more. We had plenty of chances to open the scoring. Dortmund are a European colossus and it’s no surprise that they were runners-up in the Champions League two seasons ago. We showed them respect, but we knew we had the tools to beat them,” said Colombian striker Jhon Arias.

“The Brazilian league is one of the best in the world. We’re not that different from the European teams. We’re very evenly matched and you could see that out on the pitch,” added his Argentinian strike partner German Cano.

Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac joined both of them in paying his compliments to the South American game: “We Europeans sometimes think that the game is only played here, but South American football is excellent. Fluminense have bags of experience, like to keep possession and have some real individual quality going forward. Keeping a clean sheet was always going to be important, and we managed to do that.”

The way that the South American sides have hit the ground running was also a topic of discussion for Real Madrid C.F.’s new head coach Xabi Alonso, even though his charges will not face any of them in Group H: “The Brazilian clubs haven’t surprised me one bit, but they’ve given a very good account of themselves. Palmeiras, Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense are tough teams to face, they’ve always been top sides.

"This competition has a lot of appeal because we sometimes focus too much on Europe, on what’s happening in Europe, so much so that we think there’s nothing else out there, and we couldn’t be more wrong. There are some really good teams outside Europe and this tournament gives us the opportunity to see where we’re at.”

Boca coach Miguel Angel Russo was also eager to point out that the Brazilian clubs are one step ahead of those from his native Argentina. “I think there’s still a big gap between Argentina and Europe, but the Brazilians are catching up to them,” the 69-year-old said after his side’s 2-2 stalemate with Benfica.

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