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Five of the best moments from the FIFA Club World Cup so far
With a break in proceedings at the FIFA Club World Cup as the tournament prepares to enter its quarter-final stage, it's the perfect opportunity to look back on what an exciting competition it's been so far.
The revamped tournament has already provided a whole host of standout showings from teams and players across the globe, with the prospect of even more to come in the last eight.
Here, then, is my pick of the five best moments so far from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Messi's magic moment
The Argentine icon may well be in the winter of his footballing career, but that didn't stop him from lighting up this summer with yet another magical moment that can only come from the boots of the GOAT.
Inter Miami were not fancied to make it out of the group phase, but having earned a point in their opening game, found themselves level with Porto when Messi stepped up to take a free-kick against the Portuguese giants.
One swing of the left foot later, and the 37-year-old had added another iconic moment to his legacy by scoring the winner in what was the biggest victory in the history of the MLS side.
It saw Miami progress to the last sixteen and gave the tournament the moment it craved from one of the greatest to ever do it.
The ultimate underdogs
Every tournament needs a good underdog, but there may have never been an underdog quite like Auckland City.
The part-time New Zealand outfit arrived in the States via winning the Oceania Champions League, with their playing staff having to take annual leave to even play in the tournament and having to face the might of Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors.
As expected, they were exposed in their first two games, where they shipped in sixteen goals, but against Boca, they had a moment to savour forever. Holding the Argentine club to a 1-1 draw thanks to a goal from PE teacher Christian Gray.
It was a goal he'll be able to tell his students about for years.
Madrid's main man
Summer tournaments are often the setting for breakout stars, where the new Toto Schillaci's are born, but it's quite a surprise to see this one come from the ranks of Real Madrid.
Many expected the superstar names of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr to be the Spanish giant's best player, but instead it's been a 21-year-old striker with only a handful of first-team games under his belt.
Gonzalo Garcia has maximised his minutes in the USA, scoring three times so far in the competition and making an early claim to be part of Xabi Alonso's new era.
Madrid just may have unearthed a gem who's ready to shine for the first team next season.
The brilliance of Brazil
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The Brazilian teams have added so much to the FIFA Club World Cup that this could be a list of moments involving only the best we've seen from the South Americans.
The fans have added so much noise and colour to the atmosphere in the States, wherever they've been. Whether that's Palmeiras fans surrounding the Rocky statue in Philadelphia or the sound of Fluminense supporters celebrating their team's run to the last eight, the Brazilians have been the talk of the tournament.
They also provided two of the biggest wins of the group stage, as Botafogo shocked European champions PSG with a 1-0 win and Flamengo came from behind to turnover Chelsea.
Saudi's shock City
Manchester City went into the FIFA Club World Cup looking to put a disappointing season behind them and, with their four new faces in tow, make up for their trophyless campaign.
After being the only side of the group phase to win all of their first three games, it looked as though all was going to plan - until they came up against Al Hilal in the last sixteen.
On a topsy-turvy night in Orlando, the Saudi side went toe-to-toe with one of the competition's favourites, first taking them to extra-time before landing a knockout blow.
Marcos Leonardo's winner not only secured the 4-3 win for his team but also delivered one of the biggest results in the history of Saudi Arabian football.
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