Alonso's side find themselves in the semi-finals despite Mbappe still not having started a game at the tournament.

Substitute Hercules struck a 70th-minute winner as Brazil's Fluminense defeated Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 2-1 on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the Club World Cup.

The 28-year-old Jota died alongside his younger brother André after their vehicle veered off a motorway in northern Spain before bursting into flames on Thursday.

There will be no reunion for the Bellingham family, however, with a yellow card shown to Dortmund's Jobe in the 28th minute ruling him out of the clash with big brother Jude's Real.

It was an impressive display from Xabi Alonso's Madrid side and adding to a positive day, Kylian Mbappe made his return from illness, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for his first appearance of the tournament.

The UNFP has issued a scathing statement, warning that the tournament exemplifies how the relentless match schedule is pushing players to the brink, both physically and mentally.

The Rio de Janeiro outfit, who qualified for the Club World Cup thanks to their Copa Libertadores triumph in 2023, become the second Brazilian side to make the last eight after Palmeiras had already sealed their quarter-final spot.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is concerned about the lack of rest his side will get ahead of the new Premier League season and said their involvement in the Club World Cup could "destroy" them.

The scoreline told one story. The atmosphere told another.

Vincent Kompany's side will now play European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta on Saturday for a place in the last four.

Chelsea's forward options could be bolstered by the time they face Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarter-finals on Friday after reportedly agreeing a deal with Brighton for Joao Pedro.

Joao Neves scored twice as Paris St Germain swept aside Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 4-0 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday to secure their place in the Club World Cup quarter-finals with ruthless efficiency.

Cristiano Ronaldo preferred to take a rest rather than play in the revamped Club World Cup, the Portuguese international said on Saturday after renewing his contract with Al-Nassr.

“He’s an extremely dangerous player who can decide a match at any moment."

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany says that for all the fascination and romance of playing against Flamengo in Sunday's Club World Cup round-of-16 match, he expects the game to be similar to a Champions League contest.

Argentine great Messi joined PSG in 2021 from Barcelona, where Luis Enrique had coached him and several other current Inter Miami players.

Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored in a nine-minute spell to take Enzo Maresca's side through after the teams had been forced off the pitch for almost two hours due to a lightning storm.

Perhaps most importantly, this club-level surge offers hope for their national team, record five-time world champions.

The Brazil star opened the scoring after a superb defence-splitting pass by Jude Bellingham on 40 minutes and then set up Federico Valverde for the all-important second goal in first-half stoppage time.

Manchester City turned on the style to seal top spot in Group G at the Club World Cup