After the first two rounds of the 2025 Club World Cup group stage, one phrase best describes the stage: “South American dominance,” specifically Brazilian clubs.
Botafogo pulled off a major surprise on Friday morning when they defeated the Champions League holders, Paris Saint-Germain, 1-0. Then came another surprise with Flamengo’s even bigger 3-1 victory over Chelsea.
Three Brazilian teams currently top their groups: Palmeiras in Group A, Botafogo in Group B, and Flamengo in Group D.
No Latin American club has suffered a defeat, whether against Brazilian clubs or against the Argentine duo, River Plate and Boca Juniors (at the end of the first round).
Flamengo’s victory over Chelsea in particular was historic, as it was the first victory by more than one goal for a Latin American club over a European team in 25 years, specifically since the first and only victory achieved by Brazilian club Vasco da Gama over Manchester United 3-1 in the 2000 edition.
Flamengo exploited the incident to mock Chelsea on social media, responding to a tweet from a Blues fan who had threatened the Brazilian club before the match, saying, “You’re just a small club in London.”
