The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup’s Group D delivers an interesting clash this week as Brazilian side Flamengo, leaders of Serie A, face Chelsea, recent Conference League winners, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Both sides comes into the game with high hopes, and this fixture is likely to play a significant role in shaping the group’s outcome.
Flamengo enter the Club World Cup as Brazil’s form team, currently topping the Serie A. Their domestic campaign has been marked by impressive consistency, with seven wins and just one defeat from their opening 11 league matches. Their attacking output stands out: 24 goals scored and only four conceded, both the best tallies in the division so far this season. This balance between attacking threat and defensive solidity has been a hallmark of Filipe Luís’s side.
The squad, which is built around a core of experienced Brazilian internationals, is also through to the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores, underlining their pedigree on the continental stage. Flamengo’s last appearance at the Club World Cup saw them finish as runners-up in 2019, and while bookmakers rate them as outsiders for the trophy this year, many consider them the strongest non-European contender in the field.
Tactically, Flamengo favour a proactive approach, seeking to control possession and dictate play through the midfield. Their attack is spearheaded by players comfortable in tight spaces, with an emphasis on quick transitions and set-piece efficiency. The squad’s depth allows for rotation without sacrificing quality, and their recent form suggests they are well-prepared for the challenge posed by Chelsea.
Chelsea’s journey to this tournament comes on the back of a season marked by flashes of promise. Under Enzo Maresca, the Blues have shown improvement compared to the previous campaign, finishing fourth in the Premier League and capturing the Conference League title. The squad for the Club World Cup features a blend of returning regulars and new faces, including Andrey Santos and Liam Delap, both of whom will be eager to make an impression on the international stage.
Offensively, Chelsea have been productive, with Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson emerging as focal points in attack. However, inconsistency has been a recurring theme, with both men recording streaky form across this season.
Chelsea’s squad depth is strong, though, with options across all positions, but the side is still searching for a clear identity and sustained cohesion. The Club World Cup is both a test and an opportunity for the Blues. It's a chance to measure themselves against South American opposition and to refine their tactical approach ahead of the new domestic season, and even better, a chance to claim a second trophy in the space of only a month and really start to cultivate a winning culture.
Chelsea 2-1 Flamengo
