Lionel Messi’s reunion with former club Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid’s meeting with Juventus are the eye-catching ties of a mouthwatering round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Real Madrid and Al Hilal‘s victory against Salzburg and Pachuca on Thursday evening completed the group stage of FIFA’s reformatted competition.
media Sport takes a look at the top talking points as the expanded 32-team tournament reaches the knockout stage.
The first match of the knockout stages will be staged on Saturday, June 28, in Philadelphia, with an all-Brazilian affair as Palmeiras face Botafogo at Lincoln Financial Field.
Botafogo are the reigning Brazilian and South American champions and beat European champions PSG on the way to qualifying from their group at Atletico Madrid’s expense.
Sao Paulo side Palmeiras – featuring Brazil prodigy and future Chelsea winger Estevao Willian – won their group and are above Botafogo in the Brazilian league.
However, Botafogo are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Palmeiras, including the two legs of a Copa Libertadores last-16 tie last year.
Messi’s Inter Miami were a surprise package in the group stage, beating Porto on their way to progressing to the last 16, but a late collapse against Palmeiras meant they finished second and must face the Argentinian playmaker’s former side, PSG.
The match will be played on Sunday, June 29, in Atlanta.
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