With the final round of the S25 Youth Cup group stage set for this Saturday, June 7th, the path to the knockout rounds is clear for some, but for many, it all comes down to one last game. Several groups hang in the balance, with dramatic final-day battles set to decide the fate of many teams. Here’s your definitive guide to what’s at stake.
Who’s In and Who’s Out?
The picture is already clear in many groups, with several teams having already secured their spot in the next round based on their strong performances to date.
- Already Qualified: The dominant forces in Group A (Barcelona & Bayern Munich), Group F (Manchester United & Arsenal), Group G (Manchester City & Crystal Palace), Group K (CR Flamengo & Dortmund), and Group L (Hertha BSC & Atlético Madrid) have all secured their spots. Also confirmed for the knockouts are Hamburger SV (Group E), Tottenham Hotspur (Group H), and Cruzeiro (Group I).
- Confirmed for the Youth Shield: In those same groups, Sevilla, Valencia, Lyon, Dynamo Kyiv, Dynamo Moskva, Chievo Verona, Borussia Mönchengladbach, VfL Wolfsburg, Beşiktaş, and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will proceed to the Youth Shield competition.
Final Day Deciders: The Matches to Watch
All eyes will be on the groups where qualification is still on the line. Here are the crucial scenarios to watch.
Group H: CSKA With a Golden Opportunity
With former Shield holders Tottenham Hotspur already through, the second spot is there for the taking. CSKA Moskva will join Spurs in the knockouts if they can secure a victory against the pointless Atalanta in their final game. This presents a fantastic opportunity for the Moscow side to seal their place.
Group J: Stoke City in the Hot Seat
The final day presents a complex scenario in Group J. Group winners Chelsea will host second-place Stoke City. To be absolutely certain of qualification, Stoke must win. If they fail to beat the group leaders, the door is open for five-time Youth Cup winners Levante UD, who could overtake them with a victory against Celtic. This sets up a tense finale where Stoke’s fate may depend on the result of the other match.
Group I: A Bizarre Finish on the Cards?
With Cruzeiro safely through as group winners, the race for second is complicated. In a highly unusual situation, FC Schalke 04 could potentially qualify by default if Everton and Sunderland fail to play their final game. This will be a situation to monitor closely for administrative updates on the final day.
The Outsiders with a Slim Hope
For a few teams, qualification is still mathematically possible, but they’ll need results elsewhere to go their way in spectacular fashion.
- Group B: With leaders RCD Espanyol and São Paulo FC facing each other, a defeat for Sao Paulo could open the door. Benfica could sneak into the second spot if they beat bottom club Olympiacos and other results go their way.
- Group C: CA Independiente II have a tough path to the knockouts. They require a big win over last-placed West Brom and must also hope that leaders Juventus crush second-place Feyenoord.
- Group D: Sampdoria are in a similar position, needing a massive turnaround to leapfrog SC Internacional. Their hopes may rest on group leaders and reigning champions Leicester City, who are averaging almost five goals a game, potentially inflicting a heavy defeat on Internacional that could swing the goal difference.
Group E: Anderlecht’s Clear Path
With Hamburger SV having already secured their passage to the knockouts, the second spot is up for grabs. Former Shield winners RSC Anderlecht will qualify alongside them if they can secure a win against a Bayer Leverkusen side noted for being “draw specialists.”
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