Atlanta, Georgia – Na wah o! The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup dey hot like pepper soup for dis final round of group games. As una sabi, five clubs don secure dem spot for knockout stage after matchday two. Big names like Bayern Munich dey cruise, but the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain still dey sweat for dem lives. E be like say dem need miracle to escape elimination.
Al Jazeera Sport don map out all the teams wey don qualify and those wey still dey fight to see how dem fit squeeze through. The teams wey don gather six points from two games, abi dem dey chill for di club, include Bayern and other top clubs wey just dey vibe. But no be all clubs dey catch cruise o; some dey face serious wahala. Seven clubs don pack dem bags after losing dem first two games.
Now, make we come talk about di real drama. E fit reach point where if two teams tie for points, dem go use tie-breakers to decide who go move on. Na im be say small clubs fit still shock us, as dem dey try push pass dem limits. For example, Al Hilal and Monterrey don draw two matches, dey need to win dem last games just to stand a chance. No be small matter o! Every goal matter, as dem dey hope say dem fit use better goal difference see dem shine.
Now, shifting to di excitement, Messi dey shine for Inter Miami as him score another beautiful free kick to secure victory against Porto. Na di historic goal wey carry Miami through, making him shine brighter as he approaches him 38th birthday. Even di crowd of 31k for Mercedes-Benz Stadium no fit hold dem down, everybody dey jolly like say dem dey party for Naija.
But wahala dey, as Palmeiras juggle their starting line-up. Dem drop Vitor Roque, wey be dem record signing, while Messi dey shine for Miami. Slim fit dey pressure match between Inter Miami and Palmeiras, where dem fit end up inspiring an all-Brazilian clash if dem play draw.
Palmeiras dey rather secure dem first win after pushing past Al Ahly. Everybody dey giddigba as weather no dey reduce di drama; thunderstorm can pause match but e no fit stop di celebrations. Fans don turn stadium to nightclub, waving hands as dem enjoy electronic music and reggaeton. Even di spirit of competition no fit spoil di fun.
As we near di end of group stages, we dey hear am clear who go move on and who dey pack dem bags to go home. PSG wey dey shine like dem be di reigning champions don join di knockout party alongside other giants like Botafogo, Flamengo and Bayern Munich. But some clubs, na dem dey face middle age crisis, as dem ka chop losses like di Sounders and Atletico Madrid. Whether dem go fit recover, na im remain to be seen – but for now, everybody dey look forward to di knockout rounds. Let di games begin!
