FIFA Club World Cup: Big guns fire, the hip-swivelling rhythm of Brazil and Al-Hilal give Trent a fright

The opening round of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup , where every game is live on DAZN , created plenty of storylines as many of the best players on the planet showcased their talents.

European heavyweights Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus all flexed their muscles with comfortable wins.

There were also notable victories for the likes of Botafogo, Flamengo, River Plate and Mamelodi Sundowns while Trent Alexander-Arnold made his debut for Real Madrid.

Here, DAZN News picks out the key talking points from the opening round of fixtures.

European big guns lay down a marker

Ruthless Bayern Munich claimed a 10-0 win over Auckland City to set a new record victory in a Club World Cup match.

The German champions’ teamwork was peerless, their conviction unshakeable as they reduced their part-time opponents to so much rubble at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

But arguably the biggest statement of intent was Paris St-Germain’s 4-0 demolition job on Atletico Madrid .

It was a performance which suggested Luis Enrique’s UEFA Champions League winners are capable of being crowned the best club side on the planet by going all the way in the US.

Serie A giants Juventus showed their class with a 5-0 win over Al Ain , while English sides Chelsea and Manchester City kicked off their campaigns with comfortable 2-0 wins.

Greater tests lie ahead and surely Real Madrid will move through the gears in their next two group games after surprisingly being held to a 1-1 draw by Al Hilal.

 

 

South American clubs catching the eye

Brazilian sides Botafogo and Flamengo have genuine hope of qualifying for the knockout stages after winning their opening games.

Botafogo dispatched the Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their Group B opener and, with PSG crushing Atletico Madrid 4-0, they sit second in the group as they prepare to face the Parisian giants next up.

Botafogo impressed against Seattle, as did their domestic rivals Flamengo who beat Es Tunis 2-0 at Lincoln Financial Field in Group D.

Meanwhile, Palmeiras drew their opener 0-0 against Porto Al Ahly in Group A where all four teams are on one point.

Fluminense played out a goalless draw against Borussia Dortmund as all four Brazilian head into round two unbeaten.

Argentinian sides River Plate and Boca Juniors, the other two representatives from CONMEBOL, are also yet to lose.

River Plate beat Urawa Red Diamonds 3-1 in Group E while Boca played out a bad-tempered 2-2 draw with Benfica in Group C.

 

 

Al-Hilal match mighty Madrid

The honours ended even on Wednesday in Xabi Alonso’s eagerly-anticipated first game in charge of Real Madrid as Group H rivals  Al-Hilal claimed a deserved 1-1 draw in the sweltering heat at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

While the points were shared, plenty of plaudits went to the Saudi Pro League side as they fought and tooth and nail against their illustrious opponents.

In Simone Inzaghi’s first game as Al-Hilal boss following his departure from Champions League runners-up Inter Milan, Madrid led through Gonzalo Garcia.

But as half-time approached, former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves calmly converted from the penalty spot to deservedly draw Al-Hilal level.

Madrid were without Kylian Mbappe and they missed the Frenchman but could have won the game late on in a dramatic finale.

Yet Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou superbly repelled Federico Valverde’s stoppage-time penalty to give his team a memorable point against the 15-time European champions.

Al-Hilal were also without their star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, sidelined by a calf injury.

But they dug deep and Brazilian winger Malcom – shown the door by Barcelona in 2019 – was one of several Al-Hilal players to make his mark.

 

 

Trent Alexander-Arnold will only get better

Much has been made of the England international’s transfer between his boyhood club Liverpool and Real Madrid.

It became a saga and saw him booed by Reds fans for turning his back on Anfield.

But after 354 games and a clean sweep of all the major trophies in a red shirt, it is time for Trent to write a new chapter.

With 62,415 fans inside Hard Rock Stadium – and millions more watching around the globe – there was no hiding place for the 26-year-old on his debut.

Not that there was any suggestion he was looking.

'Trent', as the name on the back of his jersey reads, got off to a bit of a shaky start on his first appearance in the famous white jersey.

Defensively, he remains suspect at times but his technical ability is never in doubt.

He grew into the match against Al-Hilal and had a hand in their goal.

Alexander-Arnold cut out a pass from Salem Al Dawsari in the right-back position and passed to Gonzalo Garcia.

Moments later Garcia capped off a swift counter-attack to give Madrid the lead.

After the game, the Liverpudlian told DAZN: “It was an amazing day to make my debut for Real Madrid, almost what every player dreams of.

“Incredible, I felt the support from the moment I signed for the club. Sensational.

“The fanbase is truly global all over the world. You feel it every single day.”

 

Watch all 63 matches of the 2025 Club World Cup live on DAZN.    More information and to sign up for a free account here.