Club World Cup Group Stage Reaches Its Final Day: Knockout Picture Almost Complete
The group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup is drawing to a dramatic close, with nearly all knockout spots filled. Only two Round of 16 matchups remain undecided — and they’ll be settled in a high-stakes evening of football.
Group G: Juventus vs Manchester City to Decide the Top Spot
Both Juventus and Manchester City have already secured qualification, but bragging rights - and potentially a more favourable path in the knockouts - are still up for grabs. The two giants go head-to-head tonight in a battle for first place in Group G.
Pep Guardiola’s City must win to leapfrog the Italians, despite both teams being level on points. In a surprising twist, City's superior goal difference of +8 won’t be enough if the match ends in a draw — a quirk of the tournament’s head-to-head rules that sets up a thrilling do-or-die showdown.
Group H: Real Madrid, Salzburg, and Al Hilal in a Three-Way Fight
Group H is wide open. Real Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg sit at the top with four points each, but Al Hilal aren’t out of the race just yet. The Saudi club sits on two points and could leapfrog both if they beat Pachuca by at least two goals.
Ironically, winning the group may not bring much of a reward - the first-place finisher is likely to face a powerhouse from Group G, either Juventus or Manchester City, in the Round of 16.
