It took until Friday evening for the undefeated Run van Zuid -America to end up the club World Cup when Boca Juniors collapsed for a late defeat against Bayern Munich in Miami.
The phenomenal support of the Argentinian giants in the Hard Rock Stadium could not get them completely over the line, because the late goal of Michael Olise caused a first loss in 10 games on a side of Conmebol.
But the evidence so far in the United States suggests that if someone is going to stop winning the new 32-team competition of FIFA, this will be a club from South America.
Copa Libertadores Winners Botafogo switched to European Champions Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in Pasadena, while Flamengo, the largest club in Brazil, came to Stun Chelsea from behind.
Palmeiras, Boca and Fluminense have also kept European opposition and South American clubs will occur heavily in the knockout phases.
A factor that helps teams from Brazil and Argentina to have such an impact is the remarkable support of their supporters, which have been shown in impressive numbers in the United States.
'Amazing' support
“Great, great,” said Bayern -coach Vincent Kompany when he was asked about the atmosphere for his team's game against Boca, because it seemed that La Bombonera had been transported to Miami.
“Everyone here who has knowledge of this game knows how difficult it is to play against these teams and almost every match for a European team is like an away game.”
The support for Flamengo against Chelsea in Philadelphia was also impressive, with a large percentage of the crowd of more than 54,000 clad in the black and red of the Rio de Janeiro side.
For comparison: few supporters have traveled from Europe, even if a large number of American football fans have worn the colors of Chelsea and Manchester City.
The last edition of the old club cup of seven teams was won by European parties. Conmebol produced a winner in 2012 for the last time, when Corinthians defeated Sao Paulo Chelsea.
There is a huge financial wave – the top 29 teams in analysts Deloitte's Football Money League for 2025 come from Europe.
Real Madrid was at the top of the list of income last year of more than a billion euros (£ 857 million), while Flamengo entered 30th with 198 million euros (£ 170 million).
However, they have shown the power of their team that is filled with experienced international players, including Italy midfielder Jorginho.
“These players played many big, big matches in their career,” said Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac when he was asked about the quality of Brazilian teams.
Rio Club Fluminense held Dortmund against a 0-0 draw in their first game.
“I am convinced that most of these South American teams will pass the next round,” said Kovac.
Warmth and fatigue
It may also be the case that the often suffocating circumstances make it more difficult for European clubs, something that Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca hinted before he was confronted with Flamengo.
Then there is the fact that the European elites all over the Atlantic Ocean were crossed at the end of a long and tiring season, while clubs in Brazil and Argentina started their campaigns earlier this calendar year.
PSG had played nearly 60 games at the end of May until their Champions League -final victory against Inter Milan.
Yet Flamengo -coach Filipe Luis, a former player of Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, said that he did not expect that he would see such results at the Club World Cup.
“I am surprised because I know the quality of these European clubs, especially the elite of football, the absolute elite – it is about 10 or 12 clubs in the world that form this elite and I am surprised that they have these results,” he said.
He added: “It is sometimes true that the weather they are not used to, but what I can say is that South American clubs are very competitive.”
Kompany insisted that the German champions Bayern simply had to ensure that they corresponded to the hunger and determination of opponents such as Boca to go far.
“The circumstances are more like South America and they have good players, so I am not surprised, but for us we have to match the most importantly the hunger to win these games,” he said.
________________________________________________
Sponsored:
FIFA Club World Cup – every match for free, exclusively on Dazn.
________________________________________________