The group stage of FIFA’s reformatted competition was completed by Real Madrid and Al Hilal’s victory over Salzburg and Pachuca on Thursday evening.
As the expanded 32-team competition reaches the knockout stage, Al Jazeera Sport examines the most important talking points.
What time does Round 16 start?
On Saturday, June 28, Philadelphia will host the first match of the knockout stages, with a Brazilian-only game between Palmeiras and Botafogo taking place at Lincoln Financial Field.
At the expense of Atletico Madrid, Botafogo defeated champions PSG to become the reigning champions of Brazil and South America.
The Sao Paulo side Palmeiras are above Botafogo in the Brazilian league and feature Brazil ace and future Chelsea winger Estevao Willian.
Botafogo have only lost once in their last five encounters with Palmeiras, including last year’s Copa Libertadores tie in the last two legs.
When and where will Messi’s team face PSG?
Inter Miami, under the direction of Lionel Messi, were a surprise package in the group stage, defeating Porto to advance to the last 16, but a late defeat against Palmeiras saw them finish second and must face PSG, the Argentinian playmaker’s former club.
On Sunday, June 29, Atlanta will host the game.
PSG’s long-awaited Champions League victory this year was the first time Luis Enrique’s side had beaten their MLS rivals, but Botafogo won to show that they are still untouchable.
In the round of 16, Man City will face defending champions?
As the only team at the tournament to win all three group games, Man City will face Al Hilal in the next round, and they will enter the knockout phase in ominous form.
In their previous two matches, they have scored 11 goals, with Juventus being thrashed 5-3 by them after they defeated Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates.
City will have no reason to be afraid if they play Al Hilal, the 2021 Asian champions, on Monday in Orlando, where Joao Cancelo is one of the many former stars from the top European leagues.
Is it the tie of the round between Real Madrid and Juventus?
Two traditional European titans who have met 21 times will square off in this fight. Real won both of the clubs’ Champions League titles, winning both of them.
Juventus’ 5-2 defeat at home to Manchester City suggests they might find it difficult to compete with Madrid.
Real are adjusting to life under Xabi Alonso, who tried a three-man defense against Salzburg. After missing the group stage due to illness, he hopes to have Kylian Mbappe back.
What had Dortmund’s complaint before the Monterray test been?
Niko Kovac, the coach of Dortmund, will be happy the game against Mexican side Monterrey is at the covered and air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium because he has not held back from expressing his feelings about having to play in the extreme heat of the tournament.
Dortmund has grown into the tournament despite their criticism. A Monterrey team that impressed, most notably a respectable draw against Inter Milan, will face former Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos.
16th round of the FIFA Club World Cup:
- Saturday, June 28 in Philadelphia, Palmeiras and Botafogo (GMT: 16:00 GMT).
- Saturday, June 28th, in Charlotte (20:00 GMT), Chelsea vs. Benfica
- Sunday, June 29 in Atlanta, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami (GMT)
- Sunday, June 29 in Miami (20:00 GMT), Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich
- Monday, June 30th, at 1:00 EST, Inter Milan vs. Fluminense in Charlotte.
- Manchester City vs. Al Hilal starts at 1:00 on Tuesday, July 1 in Orlando.
- Tuesday, July 1 in Miami (GMT): Real Madrid vs. Juventus
- Tuesday, July 1, at 1:00 GMT on Wednesday, July 2, in Atlanta, is Borussia Dortmund vs. Monterrey.
Source: Aljazeera
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