LAFC's 10-match unbeaten streak ends in loss to Chelsea at FIFA Club World Cup
LAFC's first foray into the FIFA Club World Cup was competitive, but ultimately a defeat.
LAFC hung around against English powerhouse Chelsea at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and had the match still in striking distance nearly the entire way, but lost 2-0 in its first of three group stage matches.
Advertisement
Chelsea broke through in the 34th minute when Pedro Neto beat LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris following a quick turn inside around defender Ryan Hollingshead. The goal came after Chelsea controlled most of the opening half hour.
Read more: FIFA Club World Cup: Everything you need to know about all 32 teams
Enzo Fernandez put the match away with a goal in the 80th minute after taking down a Liam Delap cross and gliding it past Lloris.
LAFC forward Nathan Ordaz left the game in the 38th minute when Chelsea captain Reese James took him down with a hard foul on the left wing. James received a yellow card, and Ordaz left the game and was placed into concussion protocol.
Advertisement
The setback snapped LAFC's run of 10 consecutive undefeated matches across all competition, but it will have an opportunity to bounce back quickly. Group play continues Friday in Nashville against Tunisia's Espérance de Tunis before finishing Jun. 24 against Brazilian club Flamengo in Orlando, Fla.
Read more: Paris Saint-Germain hopes Champions League title will help it expand its brand
Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
PSG Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma Announces He's Leaving the Club
Paris SG PSG Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma Announces He's Leaving the Club Published Aug. 12, 2025 6:13 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link Just hours after being left out of Paris Saint-Germain's squad for Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham, star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma posted a message saying he is leaving the club. When PSG named its squad for the match earlier on Tuesday, goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who recently joined from Lille for just over 40 million euros ($46 million), was included along with backup goalies Matvei Safonov and Renato Marin. Chevalier's arrival was expected to signal Donnarumma's departure, with the 26-year-old Italy international unlikely to accept being No. 2 if coach Luis Enrique decided so. Donnarumma then posted a message in Italian, English and French on his Instagram account saying he had effectively been forced out. "Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the team's success," he wrote. "I am disappointed and disheartened." He bade farewell to fans ahead of the new season. "I hope to have the opportunity to look the fans at the Parc des Princes in the eyes one more time and say goodbye as it should be done," Donnarumma said. "I will always carry with me the memory of all the emotions, the magical nights and of you, who made me feel at home." ADVERTISEMENT Donnarumma did not name the person who no longer wants him in the squad, but in a pre-match news conference PSG coach Luis Enrique explained why he had signed Chevalier. "These are always difficult decisions to make, I know. I can only say good things about Gigio (Gianluigi). He's one of the best players in his position, without a doubt, and he's even better as a person," Luis Enrique said. "We were looking for a different type of goalkeeper. And I repeat, it's always difficult to make a decision like that." It is thought that Chevalier's superior passing from the back— which has been a noticeable shortcoming for Donnarumma — was a crucial factor in the decision. However, Donnarumma was arguably the best goalkeeper in Europe last season, playing a key role in PSG's Champions League success with inspired shot-stopping in the knockout stages. He also starred for Italy when it won the European Championship in 2021. But with one year left on his contract, Donnarumma had refused to sign a new contract and PSG was unlikely to let him leave for free at the end of the season. He has been strongly linked with a move to Premier League big-spender Manchester City, with Manchester United also reportedly interested. PSG experienced the same situation two seasons ago with Kylian Mbappe, who ended up joining Real Madrid on a free transfer after refusing to take up the option of a one-year contract extension. Donnarumma was in a similar position to Chevalier when he joined the club after helping Italy win the Euros. He replaced Keylor Navas as No. 1, even though Navas had been outstanding for PSG the previous season. Donnarumma's arrival at PSG was seen by fans as hugely unfair on Navas and a clumsy move by the club. Now the situation has come full circle for the Italy keeper, who finds himself in much the same position as Navas was. "If he has to go, then we thank him from the bottom of our hearts," PSG captain Marquinhos said. "He has been a great leader all these years. Seeing Donnarumma leave would upset me." PSG begins its league campaign at Nantes on Aug. 17. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! share
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Gianluigi Donnarumma: Man City told what to pay for Ruben Amorim's top target
Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer. The French giants have made it abundantly clear: the Italian can leave. Lucas Chevalier has already arrived to take over as Luis Enrique's new number one, signalling a clear shift in the goalkeeping hierarchy. While Donnarumma may have hoped to remain at the Parc des Princes and deputise the new arrival, that option is off the table. Enrique's decision to leave him out of the UEFA Super Cup squad to face Tottenham Hotspur makes it painfully obvious his time in Paris is up. Premier League links intensify Donnarumma has been heavily linked with a move to England. Chelsea have quietly distanced themselves from the deal, suggesting they are not keen on his services. Manchester United, however, continue to be strongly linked with the 26-year-old. Over the weekend, reports claimed Donnarumma was open to a switch to Old Trafford. By Monday, fresh claims suggested United needed to offload players before finalising a move. Then on Tuesday, The Peoples Person reported that the Red Devils were now leading the race for his signature. City enters the frame Just as United's pursuit began to gather momentum, Manchester City are forcing their way into the picture. According to Fabrizio Romano, City have now made contact for the 6'5″ shot-stopper, adding one more rival to the chase. For United, the silver lining is that City would need to move on Ederson before making a concrete move, and Donnarumma has yet to give them the green light. Asking price now a major obstacle Despite the interest, INEOS may struggle to strike a deal. PSG are demanding €50 million (£43 million) for Donnarumma, a figure that is double what many expected. Factor in his hefty wages and lingering doubts about his form, and the deal becomes increasingly difficult to justify. Unless PSG lower their valuation and Donnarumma agrees to a massive pay cut, it is hard to see INEOS pressing ahead with the transfer. They may opt for Senne Lammens, another brilliant goalie, heavily linked with an Old Trafford switch. Feature image Buda Mendes via Getty Images online polls Follow us on Bluesky: @
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Newcastle signs Germany defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan
NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle signed Germany defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Thiaw spent three years at Milan, making 85 appearances in all competitions — including one against Newcastle in the Champions League. Thiaw, who predominantly plays at center back, has played three times for Germany. He is the third signing of the offseason for Newcastle, which is back in the Champions League in the coming season. 'The gaffer (Newcastle manager Eddie Howe) showed me his vision and what he wants to do with me as a player and the club itself, which is really exciting," said Thiaw, who has reportedly cost Newcastle around 35 million pounds ($46 million). 'I think Newcastle speaks for itself. It's a great club, a big club with passionate fans who I can't wait to see at St. James' Park.' Howe said Thiaw 'will add real quality to our defensive options.' 'Malick is still young but brings valuable experience of Champions League football, as well as playing in the Bundesliga and Serie A, which is a major positive for us as we return to Europe this season," Howe said. ___ AP soccer:
