Football <\/p>\n
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is down to the final four<\/a> . Three of those teams are European giants \u2014 Paris Saint-Germain<\/a> face Real Madrid, while Chelsea are favored in their semifinal \u2014 joined by one surprise: Brazilian side Fluminense, who have ridden their luck once again. Fluminense, the 2023 Club World Cup finalists, get another shot at a Premier League team, having lost to Manchester City in the last final. <\/p>\n Three of the four semifinalists are expected. Real Madrid<\/a> remains Europe\u2019s most successful international club. PSG, reigning UEFA Champions League winners, have flourished under Luis Enrique. Chelsea, buoyed by their UEFA Conference League title, are eyeing a second Club World Cup crown after defeating Palmeiras in 2022. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Yet, none of those European giants are undefeated in this year\u2019s competition. Chelsea were stunned, 3\u20131, by Brazil\u2019s Flamengo<\/a> in the group stage. Botafogo toppled PSG<\/a>. And Real Madrid were held to a draw by Saudi club Al-Hilal. Even if Fluminense can\u2019t get past Chelsea and we end up with an all-European final, it\u2019s clear that European teams are no longer dominating this tournament outright.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Despite massive financial, infrastructure, and development advantages, European sides have found this tournament far from straightforward. And while leagues like MLS remain limited by roster restrictions<\/a>, the supposed \u201cgap\u201d between Europe and the rest appears narrower than ever. With matches played in hot, humid environments that favored South American and Asian-based clubs, sides like Fluminense, Liga MX\u2019s Monterrey Rayados<\/a>, Al-Hilal<\/a> and even Lionel Messi\u2019s Inter Miami showed grit, talent, and motivation.<\/p>\n Veterans of European nights \u2014 Messi, Monterrey\u2019s Sergio Ramos, Fluminense\u2019s Thiago Silva \u2014 stepped up, while future stars emerged, including Palmeiras\u2019 Richard R\u00edos and Estevao (who notably scored against future club Chelsea).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n