logo
River Plate cut Urawa Red Diamonds down to size as Mamelodi become first African side to win at Club World Cup

River Plate cut Urawa Red Diamonds down to size as Mamelodi become first African side to win at Club World Cup

The National18-06-2025
River Plate opened their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday, with goals from Facundo Colidio, Sebastian Driussi and Maxi Meza enough to see off a spirited challenge from the Japanese side.
The Argentine team got off to a dominant start and opened the scoring after 12 minutes when Colidio headed home a fine cross from Marcos Acuna on the left.
"We needed to start the tournament like this we knew we could do it, it was a tough game like we knew it was going to be," Colidio told DAZN.
"Today we were very effective and that's why we won. We knew we had to be intense too and we took our chances."
Urawa went close to equalising before the break, with Marius Hoibraten having a goal ruled out for offside and Takuro Kaneko drawing a sharp save from goalkeeper Franco Armani.
However, Driussi doubled the lead three minutes into the second half, capitalising on a poor header back from Hoibraten to head the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa and into an empty net.
Striker Driussi was forced off soon after, having picked up an injury in the build-up, and Urawa pulled one back in the 58th minute through Yusuke Matsuo, who calmly converted a penalty following a foul by Acuna.
While Urawa pushed hard for an equaliser, substitute Meza delivered the decisive blow in the 73rd minute, with yet another header from Acuna's corner, his second assist of the match.
"I'm happy with the first game. There was a lot of nerves, it was important to win," River coach Marcelo Gallardo said.
"They are a physical, fast and dynamic team, we knew it was going to be like that. The goals gave us peace of mind ... we have room for improvement for what's to come."
River will face Mexico's Monterrey on Saturday, while Urawa take on Uefa Champions League runners-up Inter Milan in Group E.
Mamelodi see off Ulsan
South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns won their opening game at the Club World Cup as striker Iqraam Rayners netted the only goal in a 1-0 win over South Korea's Ulsan HD.
The result put this month's African Champions League runners-up top of Group F after Borussia Dortmund were held 0-0 by Fluminense earlier in the day.
It was also a first victory for an African side at the new-look 32-team tournament in the United States after Egypt's Al Ahly drew their opener while Esperance of Tunisia lost to Flamengo on Monday.
Rayners' goal came nine minutes before half time at the Inter & Co Stadium in a match that was delayed by just over an hour due to the threat of lightning in central Florida.
The teams had come onto the pitch to start the match before French referee Clement Turpin ordered them back to the change rooms as a precaution.
Rayners had two other first-half strikes ruled out after VAR checks – one for handball and the other inches offside.
The effort which counted was a well-worked effort with Sundowns' Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ribeiro slipping a pass through the Ulsan defence for the striker to poke into the net.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Real, Barca renew rivalry as new Spanish League season set to begin
Real, Barca renew rivalry as new Spanish League season set to begin

Gulf Today

time4 hours ago

  • Gulf Today

Real, Barca renew rivalry as new Spanish League season set to begin

Real Madrid are aiming to wrestle the Spanish League title back from champions Barcelona as the La Liga season begins on Friday. Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid were dismantled on a regular basis by rivals Barcelona last season, who triumphed in all four meetings between the sides as well as winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. The Italian departed, to be replaced by former Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, who has work on his hands to help revive them despite a squad boasting numerous star names including Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. Real were thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Club World Cup semi-finals and they remain to be seen how playing in the competition will impact squad fatigue and preparation for the new season. Defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen give Alonso more options than Ancelotti had last season, along with Dani Carvajal's return from a long-term knee injury. However Real could be short in midfield after Luka Modric's departure and with Jude Bellingham set to be out until October after shoulder surgery. Can Yamal maintain level?: Barcelona excelled in attack last season and much of that was down to skilful teenage star Lamine Yamal. The Spain international turned 18 in July and has already made over 100 appearances for the club, becoming the Catalans' key player going forward. If Flick's side are to defend their title and push on for more in the Champions League, as they prepare to return to their rebuilt Camp Nou stadium, the winger maintaining his world-class level is essential. Yamal took former Barca all-time great Lionel Messi's number 10 shirt in July and insists he is forging his own path at the club. After helping his country triumph at Euro 2024, Yamal will also have his eye on the 2026 World Cup next summer. If new arrival Marcus Rashford hits the ground running coach Hansi Flick may be able to give Yamal the occasional rest, moving Raphinha over to the right. Atletico reshuffle: After a poor end to the previous campaign and a surprise group stage Club World Cup elimination, Diego Simeone's Atletico took action this summer. They brought in playmaker Alex Baena from Villarreal and Real Betis' Johnny Cardoso to provide new midfield impetus, as well as several other new recruits. Long-time Atletico players Angel Correa, Rodrigo De Paul, Saul Niguez depart, among others. Despite the strength of their squad and Simeone's reputation as one of the best coaches in the world -- and the highest paid in Europe -- Atletico have won just three trophies in the last decade, La Liga in 2021 and both the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup in 2018. Questions over whether Simeone has taken them as far as he can will quickly rear up if things start to go wrong. Cazorla's Oviedo Spanish midfield maestro Santi Cazorla penned a new one-year deal with Real Oviedo for their return to Spain's top flight after a 24-year absence. It is a miraculous finale for the 40-year-old -- a member of the Spain side that won the 2008 and 2012 Euro titles -- who came close to losing his right leg due to his ankle bone going soft when he was at Arsenal. Former Arsenal playmaker Cazorla had a key role in the team's rise to La Liga, when he re-joined them he initially offered to play for nothing but was obliged under the rules to accept the minimum wage, and in their first match they take on his former side Villarreal. Whether he will be able to have as much of an impact this season is debatable but Cazorla will get a fine send-off at grounds around the country when Oviedo hit the road. Fresh starts: Real Sociedad and Sevilla have made new managerial appointments as they try to bounce back from poor 2024-25 campaigns. After seven years at the helm Real's Imanol Alguacil stepped down and has been replaced by reserve team coach Sergio Francisco. Meanwhile Matias Almeyda takes over at a Sevilla side which finished 17th last season and sacked coach Francesco Garcia Pimienta in April. Both clubs have been among the strongest in Spain over the past decade but have fallen from grace. Agence France-Presse

Chelsea salaries 2025/26: Outcast Raheem Sterling is top earner at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea salaries 2025/26: Outcast Raheem Sterling is top earner at Stamford Bridge

The National

time18 hours ago

  • The National

Chelsea salaries 2025/26: Outcast Raheem Sterling is top earner at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea will begin the new season with a spring in their step after winning the inaugural Club World Cup last month in emphatic style, while also bolstering their squad with a string of rising stars. Enzo Maresca had a solid debut season in the Premier League, with the Blues finishing fourth – 15 points behind champions Liverpool but enough for a Champions League spot. Fans will be hoping the team can carry the momentum of their triumph at the Club World Cup where they crushed European champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final. Chelsea were the last side other than City and Liverpool to lift the title back in 2017, and will be cautiously optimistic of the 2025-26 campaign. Manager Maresca expressed confidence ahead of his second season at Stamford Bridge, having wrapped up preseason with a 4-1 victory over AC Milan. New signings Joao Pedro and Liam Delap were both on the scoresheet against Milan, however centre back Levi Colwill suffered an ACL injury in training before that game which should keep the 22-year-old out for much of the new season. Chelsea had also defeated Bundesliga runners-up Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in their opening preseason friendly. 'It's our second one (preseason game). But overall I'm very happy, and now we start the Premier League,' Maresca said. 'I'm confident in general and excited. We have another long season ahead and we are going to try to do our best.' Chelsea are not done yet. They hope to sign winger Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United and RB Leipzig's Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons. PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is also on their radar. With big money already spent and more expensive purchases lined up, the Blues have raised about £200 million by selling players including goalkeepers Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga, wingers Noni Madueke and Joao Felix, midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and striker Armando Broja. That has resulted in a noticeable change in the wage bill of Chelsea for the upcoming campaign. Raheem Sterling, who spent last season on loan at Arsenal and is very much surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, remains top. Below is the list of the highest earners at Stamford Bridge for 2025-26. Data collected through reports, and Top earners at Chelsea for 2025-26 1. Raheem Sterling – £325,000 per week 2. Reece James – £250,000 per week 3. Wesley Fofana – £200,000 per week 4. Christopher Nkunku – £195,000 per week 5. Enzo Fernandez – £180,000 per week 6. Marc Cucurella – £175,000 per week 7. Pedro Neto – £160,000 per week 8. Moises Caicedo – £150,000 per week 9. Cole Palmer – £130,000 per week =10. Joao Pedro – £120,000 per week =10. Tosin Adarabioyo – £120,000 per week =11. Ben Chilwell – £100,000 per week =11. Levi Colwill – £100,000 per week =11. Mykhailo Mudryk – £100,000 per week =11. Liam Delap – £100,000 per week =11. Nicolas Jackson – £100,000 per week 16. Benoit Badiashile – £90,000 per week 17. Robert Sanchez – £60,000 per week =18. Carney Chukwuemeka – £50,000 per week =18. Trevoh Chalobah – £50,000 per week =20. Romeo Lavia – £45,000 per week =20. Malo Gusto – £45,000 per week =22. Deivid Washington – £40,000 per week =22. Axel Disasi – £40,000 per week =22. Gabriel Slonina – £40,000 per week =25. David Fofana – £30,000 per week =25. Andrey Santos – £30,000 per week 27. Renato Veiga – £25,000 per week 28. Aaron Anselmino – £15,000 per week 29. Caleb Wiley – £12,000 per week 30. Alfie Gilchrist – £10,000 per week 31. Tyrique George – £7,500 per week 32. Josh Acheampong – £5,000 per week

Two Japanese Boxers Die from Brain Injuries in Same Tokyo Event
Two Japanese Boxers Die from Brain Injuries in Same Tokyo Event

UAE Moments

time2 days ago

  • UAE Moments

Two Japanese Boxers Die from Brain Injuries in Same Tokyo Event

Shigetoshi Kotari collapsed on August 2 after a grueling 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata. Diagnosed with a subdural hematoma — a dangerous bleed between the brain and skull — Kotari underwent emergency surgery but died on Friday. 'Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,' the World Boxing Organization (WBO) posted on social media. 'A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon.' Another Loss Within 24 Hours Just one day later, tragedy struck again. Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, died on Saturday after sustaining the same type of injury during a knockout defeat to Yoji Saito. Despite undergoing a craniotomy to relieve the pressure on his brain, Urakawa could not be saved. 'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari,' the WBO wrote in another tribute, offering condolences to both families and the Japanese boxing community. Safety Changes Announced In the wake of the back-to-back fatalities, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced it will reduce all OPBF title fights from 12 rounds to 10 in an effort to improve fighter safety.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store