GOAL US takes a look at who impressed and who struggled in the first round of CWC group games
The opening round of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is in the books, with game one of the Group Stage across the board completed for all 32 teams. From Bayern's 10-0 smacking of Auckland City to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal holding Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw, there have been some spectacles.
Chelsea debutant Liam Delap, PSG stalwart Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Germany star Jamal Musiala all impressed in different ways, as all three clubs took three points to begin the competition.
Opposite, though, there were questionable performances, as well. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami fell flat in a scoreless draw with Egyptian side Al Ahly, and veteran forward Luis Suarez was a shadow of himself. For Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold made his long-awaited debut for Real Madrid, but it lacked flair and confidence.
Then, in what was set to be a homecoming match in front of his American fans, U.S. international Gio Reyna watched on from the bench as Borussia Dortmund drew Fluminense 0-0, going as an unused sub.
GOAL US takes looks at who's stock is up, and who's stock is down, in the first week of the CWC.
Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowGetty Images SportStock Up: Liam Delap
The new Chelsea forward came off the bench in the' 2-0 victory over LAFC and impressed in his first minutes. The 22-year-old Englishman bagged an assist on the second goal of the game, a lovely pass finished off by Enzo Fernandez.
He blended into Enzo Maresca's system brilliantly after joining the club during the brief pre-Club World Cup transfer window from Ipswich Town. In 26 minutes, the striker created two attacking chances and registered 15 touches on the ball. He completed six of eight passes in the final-third.
“It’s a really happy feeling for me. I’m so excited to be here and to play my first game, and be able to contribute is a good feeling," Delap told DAZN after the match. “The team have welcomed me really well. I have only had a few sessions here but I am excited for more."
With a brilliant cameo off the bench to begin his career with the club, there's genuine excitement about his future at Chelsea.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportStock Down: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Oof, not the best of debuts for "Trent."
The former Liverpool ace, donning a jersey with just his first name, struggled defensively in his first showing for the club as drew Saudi side Al Hilal 1-1. As he went further up the pitch, he looked more comfortable, but defending, he looked uneasy. Yet he remained upbeat.
"An amazing day to make my debut for Real Madrid, almost what every player dreams of," he told DAZN after the match. "Incredible, I felt the support from the moment I signed for the club. Sensational. The fanbase is truly global all over the world. You feel it every single day."
As the fullback looks to acclimate to life in Spain, he'll need to focus on his defensive efforts. With two remaining games in the CWC, it's crucial that Madrid secure three points Sunday against Mexican side Pachuca.
Getty Images SportStock Up: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Kvaratskhelia's club form from the 2024-25 season has carried over into this summer's competition, as the Georgia international put on an attacking clinic against Atletico Madrid. The 24-year-old bagged two assists in the 4-0 victory, and absolutely carved through Diego Simeone's usually stout defense.
He dribbled each defender at least once with a sense of tenacity on the ball, while being selfless at the same time. Constantly looking to pass or set up his teammates, he had a near-perfect performance to open the tournament.
On his first assist, he drifted centrally into the box before he teed up midfielder Fabian Ruiz. On the second, he played his role in a brilliant counter-attack finished off by Vitinha.
On top of his two assists, he nearly scored a world-class effort, only to be denied by the fingertips of Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak and the crossbar.
AFPStock Down: Luis Suarez
In Miami's CWD opener, Suarez had this line: 90 minutes, zero shots on target, 23 completed passes, and 82 percent passing completion. Perhaps those are the expected stats of a central defender in a system that plays out of the back, but not what you want from your starting striker.
Against Al Ahly, Suarez was a ghost, completely pushed out of the game. His knees might be tired , but the 38-year-old needs to give his all in what could be the last continental competition of his career.
"Obviously, we will always have our competitive DNA, there are times when we don't always win or things don't go the way we want, but we will try to do it in the best way possible and go compete in every game to get the best result we want," Suarez told ESPN ahead of the CWC. "Knowing the difficulty that a tournament of this nature has due to the great teams that are competing, and well knowing how difficult it is for us and trying to do it in the best way possible."