FIFA Club World Cup: The final eight battle for glory begins Who will reach the semifinals?

There is less and less time left to determine the strongest club in world football. The circle of candidates for this title is also narrowing. Out of the 32 teams that started the competition on June 15, only eight of the strongest remain, and they need to take just one step to reach the semifinals. So, gentlemen, what awaits us in the quarterfinals?

Let's start with the matchup between Fluminense and Al-Hilal. Both clubs sensationally made it to the quarterfinals! The Brazilians defeated the Champions League finalist, Inter Milan (2-0), while the Saudis pulled off a real miracle by sending Manchester City home early (4-3). Moreover, the fact that the victory over the English side was achieved in extra time only adds to its “weight,” as it shows that the Saudis were physically more resilient (!) than the founders of football. But with all due respect to Al-Hilal, two miracles in one tournament, as the saying goes, is “too much”. Therefore, I see Fluminense as one of the semifinalists.

But the other Brazilian club, Palmeiras, clearly has little to envy. In the quarterfinals, they face a battle against London’s Chelsea, who previously dismantled Benfica, as they say, with ease (4-1 after extra time). The Brazilians also reached the quarterfinals by defeating their compatriots Botafogo in extra time, but in a much more modest fashion—1-0.

Of course, one would like the World Cup semifinals not to turn into a semifinal of the European championship, and for at least one team from outside the Old World to play there, but alas, reality sometimes disappoints. And reality says that Chelsea’s chances of reaching the final four are much more favourable.

As for the Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund matchup, everything is clear without words. The Royal Club, burning with the desire to redeem themselves before their fans after defeats in La Liga and the Champions League, is the undisputed favourite of this tournament alongside PSG (more on them below).

Therefore, one of the slogans of world football—“Football is played by 22 men, but Germans always win”—is unlikely to work here. The chances are 80 to 20 in favour of the Spanish club. A Borussia victory would be regarded as another sensation in this tournament.

And finally, the match that can undoubtedly be called a premature final — PSG vs Bayern Munich.
A game where anything is possible — a convincing win for either side or a victory only after a penalty shootout. The most interesting fact is that this will be the 16th encounter between these two teams — and not a single one of their previous matches ended in a draw! These clubs have never drawn against each other, not once!
In the 15 previous meetings, Bayern holds 9 wins and PSG 6. No one dares to predict how this battle (and there is no doubt it will be a battle) will end. The chances are truly 50/50.

All that remains is for us to be patient until the quarterfinal matches on July 4 and 5, and to enjoy the football.

By Vugar Vugarli, exclusively for Caliber.Az