The UEFA Champions League 2021-22 has reached the exciting end of the competition as only four teams; Real Madrid, Manchester City, Villarreal and Liverpool remain in the tournament and have safely qualified into the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 13, 2022
How does the Champions League semi final draw work?
The eight quarter-finalists found out who they were likely to face in the semi final after the round of 16 matches took place.
The route to the quarter final, semi final and final were all drawn at the same time.
Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid were on one side of the draw while Benfica, Liverpool, Villarreal and Bayern were on the other.
Now this means that Real Madrid will play Manchester City when the semi final comes around and Liverpool will take on Villarreal.
Karim Benzema's header that took Real Madrid to the semi finals of UEFA Champions League (Image- The Independent)
When do the semi-finals take place?
The semi final first legs will take place on either Tuesday 26 April or Wednesday 27 April 2022 while the second leg will take place on Tuesday 3 May and Wednesday 4 May 2022.
The teams that were drawn first in the draw will host first. These teams would be Manchester City, Villarreal.
When will the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 final take place?
The UEFA Champions League 2021-22 final is set for Saturday 28 May at the Stade de France in Paris. It had originally been scheduled to take place in St Petersburg, Russia, but was moved after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In the world of football, few clubs stand out like Chelsea FC. Their trophy cabinet tells a story of incredible success, proving that they have truly won it all!
With their recent UEFA Conference League 4-1 victory over Real Betis, Chelsea completed a historic sweep of all major UEFA titles, topping up with their 2nd FIFA Club World Cup title, all in 2025.
Here is trophy cabinet of Chelsea FC that defines their successful journey in the football world. Take a look.
European Royalty: Conquering the Continent
Chelsea FC lifting the trophy of UEFA Champions League 2021 after their 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the final. Image | Twitter
Chelsea have battled across the continent's most prestigious stages and won every major UEFA club trophy, a feat few clubs can claim.
Their crowning achivements including 2 UEFA Champions League titles, notable defeating Bayern Munich [1-1 (4-3 pens)] in 2012 and Manchester City (1-0) in 2021.
Beyond the Champions League, Chelsea also lifted the UEFA Europa League twice (2013, 2019), and the now-defunct UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1971, famously against Real Madrid in the replay, and also in 1998.
Additionally, two UEFA Super Cup victories (1998, 2021) further highlight their continental dominance.
The collection was completed with their 2025 UEFA Conference League triumph, where Chelsea FC beat Real Betis 4-1 in the final.
The domestic dominance of Chelsea FC
Chelsea lifting their second FA Cup title in 1997 after defeating Middlesbrough (2-1) in the final. Image | Facebook
Beyond their European conquests, they have also established as masters of England by securing highest domestic honors.
The Blues clinched the First Division/Premier League title and impress six times (1955, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015, 2017) along with eightFA Cup victories (1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018). This makes them the competition's most successful team.
Their domestic dominance also extends to League Cup, which they have won fivetimes in the following years: 1965, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2015.
Completing the Set: Global and Historic Honors
Chelsea FC lifting the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after their 2-1 victory over Palmeiras in 2021. Image | Wikipedia
Chelsea's trophy cabinet truly lives upto the "won it all" status by having a collection of unique, historical, and global titles.
The FIFA Club World Cup win over Palmeiras (2-1) in 2021, made them only London club to win the Champions League as well as the FIFA Club World Cup. More recently, they added their 2nd CWC title after a dominating 3-0 victory over PSG in 2025.
Further adding to their phenomenal collection are fourCharity/Community Shield triumphs (1955, 2000, 2005, 2009), which mark their traditional early-season dominance.
As we move down to the final count, Chelsea also holds two Full Members' Club Victories (1986, 1990).
FIFA Club World Cup: Past Winners, Top Scores, Most Successful teams
From champions to individual dominance, get the ultimate guide to the FIFA Club World Cup's history. Dive into a complete list of past winners, top scorers, most successful teams in this prestigious global tournament.
What does it truly mean to be a world champion club? The FIFA Club World Cup provides the answer, pitting the best against one another in a quest for global dominance.
As the 21st edition of Club World Cup concluded with Chelsea lifting the title after a dominating 3-0 victory over PSG, it is time to look back at the history of this tournament.
This article will explore all the past winners, top scorers, most successful teams, all at once.
FIFA Club World Cup: Past Winners
Chelsea FC celebrating their 2025 FIFA CWC win. Image | AP News
The FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament designed to crown the world's best club team, first took place in 2000. It then paused for several years, from 2001 through 2004, before returning as an annual event.
Now, 2025 marked the beginning of an entirely new era for the Club World Cup, featuring an expanded format and a fresh vision for global club football. Chelsea FC, with an incredibly successful campaign, stood victorious in this format.
Check out the past winners list below:
Year
Host
Winner
Score
Runners-up
2000
Brazil
Corinthians
0-0
(4-3 p)
Vasco da Gama
2005
Japan
Sao Paulo
1-0
Liverpool
2006
Japan
Internacional
1-0
Barcelona
2007
Japan
AC Milan
4-2
Boca Juniors
2008
Japan
Manchester United
1-0
LDU Quito
2009
United Arab Emirates
Barcelona
2-1
Estudiantes
2010
United Arab Emirates
Inter Milan
3-0
TP Mazembe
2011
Japan
Barcelona
4-0
Santos
2012
Japan
Corinthians
1-0
Chelsea
2013
Morocco
Bayern Munich
2-0
Raja CA
2014
Morocco
Real Madrid
2-0
San Lorenzo
2015
Japan
Barcelona
3-0
River Plate
2016
Japan
Real Madrid
4-2
Kashima Antlers
2017
United Arab Emirates
Real Madrid
1-0
Gremio
2018
United Arab Emirates
Real Madrid
4-1
Al-Ain
2019
Qatar
Liverpool
1-0
Flamengo
2020
Qatar
Bayern Munich
1-0
UANL
2021
United Arab Emirates
Chelsea
2-1
Palmeiras
2022
Morocco
Real Madrid
5-3
Al-Hilal
2023
Saudi Arabia
Manchester City
4-0
Fluminense
2025
United States
Chelsea
3-0
Paris Saint-Germain
FIFA Club World Cup: Top Scorers
Cristiano Ronaldo with FIFA CWC Golden Boot in 2016. Image | Eurosport
Here comes the elite list where individual dominance shines:
Player
Position
Teams
Seasons
Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo
Centre-Forward
Manchester United, Real Madrid
4
7
Karim Benzema
Centre-Forward
Real Madrid, Al-Ittihad
6
6
Luis Suarez
Centre-Forward
Barcelona, Inter Miami
2
6
Lionel Messi
Right Winger
Barcelona, Inter Miami
4
6
Gareth Bale
Right Winger
Real Madrid
3
6
Salem Al-Dawsari
Left Winger
Al-Hilal SFC
4
5
Cesar Delgado
Right Winger
CF Monterrey
3
5
Federico Valverde
Central Midfield
Real Madrid
3
5
FIFA Club World Cup: Most Successful Teams
Real Madrid celebrating their 5th CWC win in 2022. Image | ESPN India
Real Madrid holds the tag of most successful team in FIFA Club World Cup history with 5 titles. Check out the other clubs that follow:
Liverpool FC have announced that the club will retire the number 20 jersey across all levels of the club in honour and memory of Diogo Jota, who passed away in a tragic accident a few weeks back.
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrad pays respect to Diogo and his brother. Image | LFC
Jota, who had featured in 182 games for Liverpool, had won the Premier League 2024-25 title with the club. The Portuguese striker scored 65 goals and assisted 26 times for the Reds across competitions.
Moreover, he had recently won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal as well.
"After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels, including LFC Women and Academy," a statement from the club read.
"The move is recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them," the statement added.
“As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way,” said Michael Edwards, FSG CEO of Football.
“It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention.
“I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.
“By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten.
“Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20.
“As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20," Edwards added.
Fabian Ruiz scored a brace for the club from France, while Ousmane Dembele and Goncalo Ramos scored the other two goals for them. Real Madrid legend and six-time Champions League winner with the Los Blancos, Luka Modric, played his last game for the club.
What happened in the match?
Luis Enrique had to name a team without Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, who were suspended for two games for their red cards in the game against FC Bayern Munich. However, after the win against Bayern, the Parisians looked confident to face Real Madrid.
First half
Fabian Ruiz after scoring the first goal of the match. Image | PSG
PSG had a flying start as they scored as many as three goals within the first 25 minutes of the game. The first goals came within the first ten minutes of the semi-final.
Fabian Ruiz started the goal fest for them. After two nearly missed chances, PSG finally converted as Dembele won the ball from Raul Asencio inside the box and managed to find Ruiz, who opened the scoring in the 6th minute.
Dembele after scoring his 35th goal of the season. Image | PSG
Three minutes later, Dembele, one of the contenders for Ballon d'Or 2025, turned goal scorer as he snatched the ball away from Antonio Rudiger inside the box and found the back of the net easily.
After the first two mistakes, Real Madrid could not bounce back. In the 24th minute, Ruiz scored his second of the game, as Dembele proved to be the main man for the Parisians.
In the counterattack attack the Frenchmen initiated the attack, finding Hakimi with a cross, who found an unmarked Ruiz for the third goal of the match.
In the second half, the game slowed a bit, and Real Madrid tried to find gaps through the PSG defence, but failed.
Mbappe's shot in the 52nd minute went over the goal, while Valverde's attempt in the 72nd minute was blocked by Beraldo. Apart from those two occasions, Xabi Alonso's men could not provide any genuine chances in the second half.
During the final minutes of the game, Goncalo Ramos put the final nail in the coffin. In the 87th minute, Ramos made a quick turn and found the net after receiving a pass from Barcola.
A lovely tribute from Goncalo Ramos to his former international team-mate, Diogo Jota, with the imitation of his video game celebration.#PSGRMA | #FIFACWCpic.twitter.com/LHDShOW1G1
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) July 9, 2025
When the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final will be played?
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final will now take place between PSG and Chelsea at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on 14th July, 12.30 am Indian Standard Time.
Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva passed away tragically after a car accident in Spain. The 28-year-old striker got married just a few weeks back and also won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal and the Premier League with Liverpool.
After the incident, an official statement from Liverpool FC read:
"The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
We will continue to provide them with our full support."
Cristiano Ronaldo and nearly every major football star around the world sent in their messages for Diogo and his family. An Instagram post from Ronaldo said, “It doesn’t make sense. We were just together with the national team, you had just gotten married to your wife”.
“To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them”. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you."
An official statement from the police stated, "The information we have is that the car, a Lamborghini, left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking. It then set on fire. The accident happened in municipality of Cernadilla in Zamora at around 00:30 local time. Two people died."
Jota scored 14 goals for Portugal in 49 games, and 136 goals in his club career for FC Porto, FC Paços de Ferreira, Wolves and Liverpool FC.