With the opening phase of the new-look tournament now complete, it's time to reflect on who's surpassed expectations and who's fallen woefully short
No-one really knew what to expect from the revamped Club World Cup, as the planet's elite flew out to the United States for the expanded summer tournament. But after a rip-roaring group stage that has thrown up no shortage of drama, suffice to say we are locked in.
We've seen upsets, truly remarkable scorelines, big hitters sent packing and even some Lionel Messi heroics under the baking sun - pretty much everything you look for from a major tournament in the modern era.
But who have been the success stories and surprise packages, who's surpassed expectations and who has fallen woefully short? Here are GOAL's winners and losers from the Club World Cup group stage...
WINNER: Brazilian clubs
Not only have Brazil's representatives brought the vibes to their matches that many others have dearly lacked, with their loud, colourful and fiercely passionate supporters, but their clubs have shown up on the pitch in a big way, too, proving to be the overall surprise package of he tournament so far.
Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense AND Botafogo have ALL progressed to the last 16 largely against the odds, with the latter producing the result of the tournament so far with a stunning 1-0 upset of European champions Paris Saint-Germain that made everyone sit up and take notice. The Brasileirao clubs are the story of the group stage.
LOSER: Auckland City
It was always going to be tough going for part-timers Auckland City, who found themselves in the same group as two storied European clubs as well as Argentine giants Boca Juniors, but they were probably hoping for better than conceding 16 goals in the space of two games.
The New Zealanders were walloped 10-0 by Bavarian giants Bayern Munich before a less-heavy-but-still-ugly 6-0 thrashing by Benfica ended their extremely slim hopes of progressing. They did, however, bow out with a creditable 1-1 draw with Boca despite having just 26% of possession.
WINNER: Estevao
All eyes have been on 18-year-old Estevao Willian in Palmeiras' games so far as the prodigy prepares to complete his long-awaited £56 million ($71m) switch to Chelsea post-tournament. So far, the wonderkid hasn't disappointed.
Without setting the world alight, the teenager claimed back-to-back player of the match awards against Porto and Al Ahly and delivered a third consecutive impressive performance against Inter Miami when facing one of his idols in Messi. The scary thing is there is clearly so much more to come; Chelsea must harness that potential.
LOSER: Atletico Madrid
Victims of the success of the Brazilian clubs, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have crashed out of a group containing PSG, Botafogo and Seattle Sounders - mainly a result of a heavy opening defeat to the Champions League winners.
That 4-0 thumping and Botafogo's shock win over PSG meant Atleti had to beat the Brazilian side by a margin of at least three goals in their final game to progress to the last 16, but they could only manage a late 1-0 victory as they struggled to break down a staunch defence.
WINNER: Messi & Miami
After the furore surrounding the nature of their qualification, Inter Miami are the only MLS club to have reached the round of 16 at the Club World Cup - and, of course, they have the GOAT Messi to thank for that.
The victory over respected Champions League regulars Porto was undoubtedly the highlight, as the timeless Argentine's sublime second-half free-kick saw his side complete a stunning comeback, while a draw with Palmeiras secured the Herons' passage. For club and country, Messi has never failed to progress from a group stage throughout his glittering career.
LOSER: Nicolas Jackson
You have to wonder what goes through Nicolas Jackson's head sometimes. The divisive striker cost Chelsea again in the shock 3-1 defeat to Flamengo as he was shown a red card for a reckless challenge just four minutes after emerging from the bench and moments after the Brazilians had taken the lead.
That was the Senegal international's second dismissal in just four club appearances after his late-season sending off in the Premier League loss to Newcastle, and it has led to immediate questions over his long-term future with the Blues with his discipline an obvious problem. His ban was extended to two games, potentially ruling him out of the remainder of the tournament.
WINNER: Chelsea
Chelsea seriously got away with one in the group phase; having been widely expected to top a pool comprised of Flamengo, LAFC and ES Tunis, the Blues somehow conspired to finish second after a shock defeat to the Brazilian club following that Jackson red card.
That seemed to have set the Enzo Maresca's men on a collision course with Bayern Munich in the last 16, but the Bavarians' own surprise loss to Benfica has changed the picture dramatically: Chelsea will now face the Portuguese giants in the last 16, while Palmeiras or Botafogo would await in the quarter-finals in what is a much more straightforward knockout pathway. Bayern, meanwhile, will likely have to take on European champions PSG.
WINNER: The Bellinghams
Following in his brother's footsteps, Jobe Bellingham completed a big-money move from Sunderland to Borussia Dortmund in time to join elder sibling and Real Madrid superstar Jude at the Club World Cup.
After unspectacular showings in their respective group openers, both Jobe and Jude scored and claimed the player of the match award in their second outings. Jude even admitted he "had to do something" against Pachuca after seeing his younger brother net the day before. Both players would go on to pick up an assist in their final group games, too.
LOSER: The players
With the Club World Cup something of a dress rehearsal for next summer's World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, suffice to say there have been some teething problems - and the players are suffering the consequences.
There have been issues with the quality of the pitches, but the blistering heat and volatile weather have been the biggest problems, with some sides struggling to train in 40C+ temperatures and games paused due to 'extreme weather'.
WINNER: CONCACAF & CONMEBOL nations
Some sides have adapted seamlessly to the conditions, however, suggesting that the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL nations could have an advantage over their European counterparts when the World Cup gets underway in 12 months' time.
We've already mentioned the performance of the Brazilian clubs, while Argentina's finest Boca Juniors and River Plate have also looked at home in the humidity. Africa's clubs haven't been well equipped enough to challenge, but their leading nations will be competitive in the international arena. Argentina, though, will back themselves to hold onto their crown.
