Bruno Henrique (centre) of Flamengo celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Chelsea Flamengo boss Filipe Luis says a team from South America can win the Fifa Club World Cup after an impressive start to the tournament by clubs from Brazil and Argentina. After Botafogo defeated Champions League winnersParis St-Germain1-0, fellow Brazilian sideFlamengocame from behind to beat Uefa Conference League winners Chelsea 3-1. There are six teams from South America taking part in the new 32-team format - Palmeiras, Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense from Brazil, while Boca Juniors and River Plate are representing Argentina. All six are unbeaten after nine matches - with Palmeiras, Botafogo, Flamengo and River Plate topping their respective groups. No team from Brazil has won the Club World Cup since Corinthians beat Chelsea in the final of the 2012 edition. Since then all the winners have come from Europe. Meanwhile, no team from Argentina has won the tournament since it was founded in 2000. "First of all I'm surprised South American teams are unbeaten, because I know the quality of European football," said Flamengo boss Luis after masterminding a win over his former club Chelsea. "Anybody can win. That's football. It wouldn't surprise me [if a South American team won it]." Could the fact that it is mid-season in South America have anything to do with their good results so far? European teams went into the Club World Cup on the back of long seasons. Palmeiras top Group A with four points from two games, while Botafogo have won both their games in Group B. Boca Juniors' only Group C game so far ended in a 2-2 draw with Benfica. Flamengo top Group D with six points from two games after wins over ES Tunis of Tunisia and Chelsea. Meanwhile, River Plate's only game so far ended in a 2-0 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, while Fluminense held Borussia Dortmund to a 0-0 draw. "I'm surprised at these results," added Luis. "Sometimes the weather, they're not used to this, but the South American clubs are very competitive and not always the best win the Copa Libertadores. "There's different grass, altitudes, so we have a lot of adaptations and are used to that." Danilo and Bruno Henrique celebrate Flamengo's second goal against Chelsea in their Club World Cup group game Flamengo overturned a first-half deficit to defeat Chelsea 3-1, with second-half goals from Bruno Henrique, Danilo, and Wallace Yan securing their second win in the tournament. Their cause was helped by Nicolas Jackson's straight red card soon after the Chelsea substitute came on. Thousands of Flamengo fans, who have travelled to the United States to cheer on their side, celebrated wildly after the final whistle at Lincoln Financial Field. "The players are waiting to show 'I can compete against European players'," former Flamengo midfielder Kleberson told DAZN. Flamengo's team included former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho. "We were really confident and we know in these big games the details make the difference," Jorginho told DAZN. "Overall we were really good in the first half so we said at half-time, 'let's keep pushing'. "We found the little spots that could hurt them." Bruno Henrique falls to his knees after the full time whistle against Chelsea in their Club World Cup group game Botafogo, the 2024 winners of the Copa Libertadores, pulled off the biggest surprise of the tournament so far with a 1-0 victory over European champions Paris St-Germain. "One team was the champion of the Champions League, the other team was the champion of South America," said goalscorer Igor Jesus, who had been strongly linked with a move to Nottingham Forest earlier this year before opting to stay with the Brazilians to play in the Club World Cup. "I think I made the right choice to stay in Botafogo," he added. Igor Jesus celebrates his winning Club World Cup goal against Paris St-Germain with the fans Botafogo defended superbly to keep out Luis Enrique's side. "This PSG side is a lesson to everybody in football and I told my guys to just be a team, enjoy, play together, attack together, defend together," added Botafogo boss Renato Paiva. "We showed the quality of Brazilian players and the coaches. "This is a victory of all the coaches that are working in Brazil, working with great players and Brazil will always be in world football." Botafogo players huddle together at the final whistle after beating Paris St-Germain
Will a South American team win the Club World Cup?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"South American Teams Shine in FIFA Club World Cup with Strong Performances"
Bbc News
7.9
TruthLens AI Summary
The FIFA Club World Cup has seen a remarkable performance from South American teams, particularly clubs from Brazil and Argentina. Flamengo's manager, Filipe Luis, expressed optimism about the potential for a South American team to clinch the title after witnessing impressive victories, including Flamengo's comeback win over Chelsea, where they scored three second-half goals to secure a 3-1 victory. Alongside Flamengo, other Brazilian clubs such as Botafogo and Palmeiras have also demonstrated their prowess, remaining unbeaten in the tournament so far. Botafogo's surprising victory over Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning Champions League winners, further underscores the competitive strength of South American teams in this global arena. Six teams from South America are participating in the tournament's new 32-team format, with all teams showing resilience and determination, leading their respective groups after just nine matches.
Luis highlighted the mid-season advantage that South American teams might have, as they enter the tournament at peak performance while European counterparts are coming off lengthy seasons. Flamengo's strong showing, bolstered by the support of thousands of traveling fans, has instilled confidence among players who are eager to prove their capabilities against European competition. The tournament has not only showcased individual talent, such as that of former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, but also collective teamwork and strategy, as evidenced by Botafogo's disciplined defense against PSG. With the current trajectory of results, the prospect of a South American team finally breaking the European dominance in the Club World Cup appears more tangible than ever, igniting enthusiasm among fans and players alike. As the tournament progresses, the anticipation builds around whether South America can indeed reclaim their place on the global football stage.
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