Unbelievable…” So said David Beckham on social media, who went onto describe a ‘record breaking night’ as the Inter Miami side that he co-owns became ‘the first MLS team to beat a European team in an official competition’.It couldn’t be argued, but at the same time did make you wonder how often MLS teams have played European counterparts in official competition. You suspect there won’t be chants sung or banners made from Inter Miami fans about this particular accolade.
Nevertheless, this 2-1 win over Porto did follow an early trend in the Club World Cup that has subverted some of the early expectations around the tournament. When it was much smaller, the invited European club (as Champions League winner) would usually win so there were fears that all of the teams from the strongest continent for club football would dominate a 32-team competition.That hasn’t been the case at all. Champions League winners PSG were stunned by Brazilian’s Botafogo while Inter, the team thrashed by PSG in Munich, were held by Mexicans Monterrey in their opener. Elsewhere, Real Madrid were held by Al Hilal despite being given a controversial late penalty and Fluminense earned a draw against Dortmund.
City’s group is the exception rather than the rule, with Juventus having battered Al Ain 5-0 to sit above City and Wydad. The runner-up in this group is still likely to face Real in the last-16.The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world’s best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.
Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN
The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world’s best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.
Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN
However, the rise of the non-European teams helps to give the tournament a fresh look and mean that City feel like they are in a different tournament. Rather than the knockout rounds basically making up a mini-Champions League, it looks as though there will be genuinely interesting matchups that are rarely seen.
That can only help City as they look to piece together a team that is capable of challenging for the Premier League and Champions League again. There was plenty of rustiness against Wydad in an XI featuring two new signings but also the sense that this is City at the start of something.
