Benfica vs Bayern Munich live updates: Club World Cup 2025 predictions, team news, latest score

Clarity was in short supply during the breathless drama of yesterday’s final Group A matches played simultaneously, but the tension should crystallise one thing for FIFA when deliberating on the Club World Cup’s future direction.

The expansion of the field to 32 teams has, so far, been a sporting success, helping the competition legitimise itself — but world football’s governing body must not indulge a logic which assumes more always equals better.

Last night’s two helter-skelter matches were perfect examples of the jeopardy and gladiatorial duels which come from only two sides in each four-team group progressing into the knockout phase of a tournament.

It was the sort of night likely to be far rarer at next summer’s also-expanded 48-team World Cup, up from 32, because the eight best third-placed sides in the groups will also advance.