With the newly formatted Club World Cup taking place in the United States, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, fans are starting to discover which teams are going to live up to their billing—and which might fall short on the global stage.
While the tournament is often dominated by the Champions League winners, with every renewal since 2013 won by the reigning European champion, its history is dotted with historic upsets and giant killings that defied the Club World Cup odds.
Interestingly, some of the most shocking results in the competition’s 25-year history all happened at one venue: the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, and all by the same result. Here, we revisit three unforgettable moments where the underdogs silenced the heavy favourites.
2005: Sao Paulo stun Liverpool
Fresh off their Champions League triumph in Istanbul, Liverpool were well supported to lift their first world title in 2005.
But São Paulo had other ideas. Backed by a resolute defence and inspired goalkeeping from Rogerio Ceni—who also captained and took set-pieces for the Brazilian side—the underdogs held firm and snatched a 1-0 win through Mineiro’s first-half strike.
Liverpool threw everything at them, missing several big chances and even having three goals disallowed, but the Red wall couldn’t break Sao Paulo’s resistance.
It was a masterclass in defensive organisation and opportunism—the blueprint for a Club World Cup upset.
2006: Internacional beat Barcelona
The following year saw another European powerhouse humbled in Yokohama. This time it was Barcelona, boasting the talents of Ronaldinho, Deco, and Iniesta, who were stunned by a disciplined Internacional side.
The Brazilians soaked up pressure and struck late through Adriano Gabiru to seal a 1-0 victory. The result sent shockwaves through the footballing world and proved that motivation, tactical discipline, and belief could bridge the gap between financial giants and spirited challengers.
2012: Corinthians edge past Chelsea
Chelsea entered the 2012 final as European champions and favourites on paper. But Corinthians, backed by a massive travelling support and built around a solid defensive core, executed a perfect game plan.
After absorbing waves of Chelsea pressure, the Brazilian side struck in the 69th minute when Paolo Guerrero rose highest to head home.
Chelsea’s stars—including Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard—were stifled by Corinthians’ organisation and intensity.
It was the second time Rafael Benitez had suffered defeat in as many Club World Cup finals, with Chelsea’s defeat ending in the same fashion as Liverpool’s loss to Sao Paulo in 2005.
An inspired Paulo Andre, defender for Corinthians, claimed afterwards: “This was a real battle between the third world and the first world.
“For our people, for our fans, who have a difficult life, it’s so important to show the world we can beat teams like this. And that we can be the best in the world. Just once.”
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The inaugural edition of the tournament in 2000 wasn’t without its fair share of upsets in the early stages.
Treble winners Manchester United opted out of the defence of the FA Cup when jetting off to Brazil, but were sent home with their tails between their legs after being knocked out in the group stages – their fate sealed by the deadly duo of Edmundo and Romario of Vasco da Gama.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid finished second to Corinthians on goal difference in Group A, meaning they had to settle for the third-place match, which Raul, Samuel Eto’o, and company lost to penalties against Mexican side Necaxa.
