GOAL US presents CWC XI: Key observations from first week of the tournament, including uneven MLS play and American no-shows
We are one Matchday into the Club World Cup, and things haven't quite taken off. FIFA's flagship tournament has operated on a gentle simmer for a week. There have been some moments that show promise, such as Boca fans going wild and Real Madrid being not-that-good. But otherwise, it's been a tepid affair, 32 teams pretty much just feeling this competition out.
But that does not mean that we are devoid of talking points. Even with the CWC overall yet to take off, the group stage has already yielded some interesting drama. The South American clubs, for example, have been the early stars of the show. MLS have been a bit mixed – although Miami picked up a massive win against Porto on Thursday. PSG had no issues in the first game, but then were stunned by Botafogo Thursday night.
There are moments of promise. Fundamentally, this isn't just a kickabout in blistering heat in front of five very rich fans. And that's certainly a good start for a tournament that is very much in its embryonic phase.
GOAL US presents the Club World Cup XI, with key observations from the first week of matches.
Getty Images Sport1The South American sides are here to play
It has always made sense, in some way, for the best teams in the world to play each other in some sort of organized competition. There is heritage here, too. The Intercontinental Cup brought about some famous fixtures, and was dominated by South American sides in the 1980s.
That spirit has survived to an extent, and has already been clear at this year's CWC. South American teams are undefeated at the tournament thus far – with Palmeiras and Boca Juniors both feeling as they should have beaten Champions League caliber opposition.
Flamengo, meanwhile, dispatched ES Tunis with ease thanks to Giorgian de Arrascaeta's star showing. The fixtures get trickier from here, but deep runs are certainly on the cards.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport2MLS Clubs are alive and (sort of) kicking
What were reasonable expectations for MLS clubs heading into this thing? Some told GOAL that they expect to get out of their groups. Seattle Sounders suggested that they are just happy to be here. Well, so far, they've won just one of four. Miami grabbed the sole victory, albeit it an impressive one, with a Lionel Messi free-kick sealing three vital points against Porto.
But performances have been pretty encouraging. Miami really should have won the group by now, having hit the post twice late against Al Ahly (more on them later.) Seattle Sounders gave Botafogo a good game, and a more attacking setup from the opening whistle would have gotten them at least a point.
LAFC turned in a good performance against Chelsea – and will certainly have hope heading into their clash with ES Tunis, especially if Denis Bouanga wakes up. All three will need to avoid losing from here on out to get out of their group. There's always hope.
Getty Images Sport3Real Madrid aren't all that (not yet, at least)
What did you want? A fully functioning 3-4-2-1 with meticulous build up, a fearsome press, and a line so high even Hansi Flick's Barcelona would be terrified? Of course, Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid are going to need time to settle into things. Even long time goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admitted that they still play a bit like a Caerlo Ancelotti team. Old habits die hard, it seems.
But Los Blancos were pretty poor against Al Hilal. "Trent" – as he has now been rebranded due to the famous Spanish difficulty of double-barrel last names – had a tough debut. Vinicius Jr needed treatment on his back before the game and didn't look himself.
Jude Bellingham berated a linesman for no apparent reason. Take all of that into consideration, and a 1-1 draw isn't the worst thing. But this is Madrid, and results count. It seems that a bit of process-trusting is necessary in the meantime.
Getty Images Sport4No one knows what's happening with ticket sales
FIFA emphatically claimed that they had reached 1.5 million ticket sales for the Club World Cup, with buyers from 130 different countries purchasing a spot to see this thing play out in the United States. And, well, that runs counter to the eye test. At least at some matches.
While the Rose Bowl and Hard Rock Stadium both drew big crowds for the big teams, elsewhere, things have been pretty sparse. It is entirely possible, of course, that prospective ticket buyers have seen the quality of football on display will be motivated once games start to mean more. Until then, what the eyes can see and what FIFA claim are in contrast.
