The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has delivered an electrifying round of 16, characterized by unexpected upsets and thrilling advancements, showcasing the enhanced depth and unpredictability brought by its expanded 32-team format. This new structure has allowed South American and Saudi Arabian clubs, currently mid-season, to arrive with sharper form compared to some European sides just resuming play after their breaks.

Among the most significant shocks, football giants Manchester City and Inter Milan suffered stunning eliminations. Manchester City faced a surprising 4–3 defeat in extra time against Saudi Arabian champions Al Hilal in Orlando. Al Hilal twice came from behind before sealing their victory with a decisive 112th-minute strike from Marcos Leonardo. Similarly, Brazilian club Fluminense delivered another major upset, beating UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan 2–0, a result largely attributed to the veteran leadership of 40-year-old defender Thiago Silva, who marshaled a compact backline, and a clean sheet maintained by 44-year-old goalkeeper Fábio.

Other notable results in the Round of 16 included Bayern Munich’s 4–2 win over Flamengo, featuring a brace from Harry Kane, and Paris Saint-Germain's dominant 4–0 victory against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Palmeiras, and Real Madrid also successfully navigated their way through to the quarter-finals, setting the stage for more captivating matchups.

The quarter-final stage promises further excitement with several high-stakes clashes. Al Hilal, fresh off their upset over Manchester City, will take on Fluminense, who eliminated Inter Milan. European champions Paris Saint-Germain will face Bayern Munich in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2020 Champions League final. The final two matchups pit Real Madrid, the most successful European club, against Borussia Dortmund, and Chelsea against Palmeiras. Real Madrid secured their spot by defeating Juventus, while Dortmund prevented Madrid from facing their former captain Sergio Ramos's Monterrey side.

Chelsea's quarter-final encounter against Brazilian side Palmeiras will be held at the Lincoln Financial Park in Philadelphia. The Blues advanced after a hard-fought victory over Benfica, while Palmeiras overcame fellow Brazilian side Botafogo by a solitary goal. A key challenge for Chelsea will be the absence of midfielder Moises Caicedo, who is suspended for the match. Caicedo, a highly dependable player in Enzo Maresca’s system, picked up his second yellow card of the tournament against Benfica, having received his first in the group stage 3–1 loss to Flamengo. His consistent presence was highlighted by his participation in all 38 Premier League matches for Chelsea last season, contributing two goals and six assists, and ranking among the top three players in duels won.

Adding to the drama of Chelsea's campaign, their Round of 16 match against Benfica extended for over four hours. The game, initially on the cusp of conclusion with Chelsea leading 4–1 following a Reece James free-kick, was interrupted with five minutes remaining. It took more than two hours for the game to resume, culminating in Angel Di Maria scoring a stoppage-time penalty to force extra time.

For Nigerian football enthusiasts, StarTimes Nigeria has provided comprehensive coverage, ensuring fans do not miss any action from this unpredictable tournament. Live broadcasts are available on its decoders and mobile streaming through the StarTimes ON app. Through its ongoing Chop Extra Promo, running until July 10, subscribers can enjoy upgraded access without additional cost. Nova Bouquet subscribers are upgraded to Basic, providing access to selected matches on Sports Life. Basic Bouquet subscribers move up to Classic, enabling them to watch most matches on World Football and Beta Sports for Pidgin commentary. Classic subscribers gain Super Bouquet access, unlocking all matches on Sport Premium, and Super Bouquet customers receive an extra three days upon renewal, keeping Nigerian fans fully connected to every moment of the FIFA Club World Cup.