Shocks, surprises and more: the standout moments of the World Cup so far 🌎 | OneFootball

Who's missing... NANANANANANANANA 🎶?

There's not much time left until the FIFA Club World Cup resumes, as the quarter-final phase kicks off this Friday (4) with Fluminense 🆚 Al-Hilal and Palmeiras 🆚 Chelsea.

So it's time to recall what has gone viral about the competition so far.

⛈️ Interrupted Matches

US Weather Service alerts have already caused six matches to be halted in the competition due to the threat of lightning storms.

Cases include Chelsea vs. Benfica (Charlotte), Benfica vs. Auckland and Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Ulsan (Orlando), Pachuca vs. Salzburg (Cincinnati), Boca Juniors vs. Auckland City (Nashville), and Palmeiras vs. Al Ahly (New Jersey).

The technology used allows for almost real-time monitoring of storm possibilities to make such decisions.

The last game (Chelsea vs. Benfica) was halted in the final minutes and resumed only after two hours.

Enzo Maresca, the English team's coach, didn't hold back in lamenting the choice of venues susceptible to extreme weather:

"It's a joke, this is not football."

This situation concerns FIFA, as 78 World Cup games next year will be played in the United States.

What a heat, huh? 🥵

Held in a country with multiple time zones, the World Cup features a striking "characteristic": the high temperatures of the American summer.

Most of the group stage matches, for example, took place from 12 PM or 1 PM local time. Some with a heat index exceeding 35ºC.

Others started later. But still during the day. And under intense heat.

One explanation is that these matches need to be broadcast at "comfortable" times in Europe.

There is, for example, an 8-hour time difference between California and London.

And 5 hours from New Jersey - which hosts the Metlife Stadium - to the English capital.

A game that kicked off at 8 PM at the Rose Bowl in California would start at 4 AM the next day in England.

There have been numerous complaints about the high temperatures. Including from Brazilian and South American athletes who are more "accustomed".

The global players' union, FIFPro, stated that two matches should have been postponed due to the intense heat: PSG vs. Atlético de Madrid and Chelsea vs. Espérance.

The 'Contrarians'

The many praises for the new Club World Cup have been growing. Guardiola and Courtois, for example, praised the competition.

But those who didn't welcome the tournament also gained attention.

One of the most outspoken critics was Jürgen Klopp, current global director of football for Red Bull.

"The Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football. People who have never had anything to do with the day-to-day business come up with ideas."

"I fear that next season players will suffer injuries never seen before. If not, it will happen at the World Cup or afterward. This World Cup is happening at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons."

Raphinha, from Barcelona, also went viral:

"Many say it's an excuse, but giving up vacations out of obligation is very complicated. It's a player's right. Having to give up vacations to play something you're obliged to is very bad."

After the repercussion, he emphasized that his criticism was based on the wear and tear athletes will face:

"Teams will have a short vacation period and will return for a season that is very demanding physically and mentally. The body eventually demands its due."

Surprising Results

There have been no shortages of surprises so far.

The first came right in the second round of the group stage when Botafogo defeated PSG 1-0.

Even though they are the current Brazilian and Libertadores champions, the Glorioso was not seen as a team capable of overcoming the 2024/2025 Champions winner - who came from a 4-0 over Atlético de Madrid.

📸 Stu Forster - 2025 Getty Images

The Alvinegro had a great performance without the ball, was lethal in attack, and made history.

A team composed of athletes who do not dedicate themselves exclusively to football, Auckland had already conceded 16 goals.

They faced Boca Juniors - who needed a good win to have a chance of qualifying - in their farewell and... managed a 1-1 draw.

A more than historic score for the New Zealand team. With a goal scored by a teacher who plays soccer in his spare time.

The round of 16 featured two results that caught attention.

After showing strength against River Plate and leading their group, Inter Milan fell short in almost the entire match against Fluminense. They only posed a real threat in the last 15 minutes.

And ended up defeated 2-0 by an opponent that was lethal, played a great game, and once again stood out against a European team.

On the same day, but later, Al-Hilal "did even better" by shocking the football world against the mighty Manchester City.

They went into halftime trailing by "only" 1-0 thanks to goalkeeper Bono and then took the match to extra time after an insane second half.

📸 MOHAMED TAGELDIN

They ended up winning 4-3 after standout performances from Malcom, Marcos Leonardo, Renan Lodi & Co.

Individual Highlights

The rule here was to list only one player from each team still in the competition.

Guirassy didn't make the difference against Fluminense's Thiago Silva, but played a crucial role in Borussia Dortmund reaching the quarter-finals.

He scored in the hard-fought victory over Mamelodi Sundowns and netted twice in the win that secured BVB in the current phase.

The 2024/2025 season has now seen 37 goals for the aurinegro number 9.

Jhon Arias was already doing everything playing in South America. He began to attract global attention thanks to his performance in the United States.

Fluminense's number 21 was named man of the match in three of the four games he played.

📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors

He has already left his mark and continues to stand out with his sprints, endless stamina, and ball control that makes all the difference. He is the Tricolor's greatest technical reference.

Richard Ríos had been experiencing ups and downs this season. He returned to making great performances just "at the right time".

Arias's teammate in the Colombian national team, he "pocketed" the game against Botafogo.

📸 Francois Nel - 2025 Getty Images

He tends to be an even greater asset for a Verdão that lost two key players (Gustavo Gómez and Piquerez) against Chelsea.

Gonzalo García wasn't supposed to be a starter. He might have only gotten a few minutes on the field.

But the absence of Mbappé and the injury suffered by Endrick made the Real academy striker Xabi Alonso's center forward.

Not only did he perform, but he also scored three goals. Does he deserve to be benched now that the Frenchman is back?

Bono was already having great moments with Sevilla and shone in the Qatar Cup. And he has proven in this World Cup that he still stands out when the level of competition is higher.

The Moroccan goalkeeper is in a good fight with Tricolor's Fábio for the title of best goalkeeper of the World Cup. He saved a penalty against Real and had a decisive performance against City.

Vitinha continues to expand the number of great performances from five titles so far - including the Nations League.

He leads PSG's midfield alongside Fabián Ruiz and João Neves. He tackles, creates, and finishes. He is considered one of the top five of the season.

Pedro Neto didn't start the World Cup being considered one of Chelsea's assets. But he took responsibility. He is one of those fighting for the top scorer of the competition, but he might not face Palmeiras due to the death of his friend Diogo Jota.

Olise continues to show that the step up in level by leaving Crystal Palace to play for Bayern was not felt. The Bavarian shirt didn't weigh him down. He is one of Bayern's many individual highlights. And another who is vying for the top scorer title.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 Alex Grimm - 2025 Getty Images