The business end of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has given us three of Europe’s biggest clubs in the semifinals, and a surprise packet from Brazil in the form of Fluminense. Three of the four remaining teams were considered title favorites heading into the tournament. A lot of high quality football remains in New York/New Jersey as the remaining three matches of the tournament will be played at Metlife Stadium.
Here is your look at the semifinal action.
Fluminense vs Chelsea (Tuesday in New York)
Hercules lived up to his name as he scored the winning goal to put Fluminense past Al-Hilal in the quarterfinals. Matheus Martinelli was the first goal scorer (assisted by Gabriel Fuentes), as the Brazilian side were narrow victors 2-1. Al-Hilal were livid to not get two penalty calls in the game, and they competed well, but ultimately, it was the Brazilian team that has been the cinderella of the tournament with 40 year old centerback Thiago Silva, who played 113 games for Chelsea from 2020 to 2024, their emotional and defensive leader.
Chelsea’s quest to win another international trophy continues, despite future Chelsea player Estevao scoring a goal to draw Palmeiras level, it was the duo of Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto’s deflected shot in the 83rd minute that put Chelsea into the semifinals 2-1. Chelsea haven’t dominated the opposition, and they will be without Liam Delap and Levi Colwill for this game (and possibly Reece James). Fluminense has a real shot in this one, but ultimately you can’t go against Chelsea in what could be a cautious clash. Prediction: Chelsea 1 Fluminense 0
PSG vs Real Madrid (Wednesday in New York)
Gonzalo Garcia’s magic run has given the Real Madrid faithful the confidence they need that PSG can be toppled. These highly decorated teams from UEFA haven’t met since 2022, Kylian Mbappe is now at Real Madrid, but he’s played sparingly this tournament. He started on the bench in the quarterfinals, came in during the second half and scored a goal, and we only saw him in for a brief period in the round of 16 against Juventus.
Real Madrid jumped on Borussia Dortmund early, Gonzalo Garcia, the young academy striker, and Fran Garcia, scored to take a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes. Dortmund were able to sit on the ball in the first half but barely managed to get a shot on goal, while Trent Alexander-Arnold applied attacking pressure for Real. The second half was full of late drama. Dean Huijsen was sent off late and will miss the next game, Dortmund scored twice in extra time and had a chance to tie the game that Thibaut Courtois saved, with the game ending 3-2 for Real Madrid.
PSG withstood Bayern Munich’s best shot, coming away 2-0 winners in Atlanta in the quarterfinals. Desire Doue was the first goal scorer, and despite two late red cards, it was PSG that scored the last goal, Ousmane Dembele building his balon d or case with a 96th minute sealer, while Bayern Munich couldn’t find the net and was denied a penalty try late, while also having multiple goals called offsides.
PSG will be without Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez for this game due to the red cards, at times they were not the better side against Bayern, but Bayern’s goalkeeping was exceptional and Real Madrid will need to match that.
Missing two defenders, PSG looks vulnerable, Real Madrid with new signings like Alexander- Arnold really want this one, and with a partisan crowd behind them, I think they get away with the win in this Titanic clash and reach the final by a close margin, Xabi Alonso has improved the blancos side. Prediction: Real Madrid 3 PSG 2
Main photo credit: Imago Images
