Inter Milan, Dortmund claim first wins at Club World Cup
Inter Milan came from behind to beat Urawa Red Diamonds and knock the Japanese side out of the Club World Cup on Saturday, while Borussia Dortmund held off Mamelodi Sundowns to win a seven-goal thriller.
Fluminense rallied in the second half to beat Ulsan 4-2 and knock out the South Korean side while Monterrey and River Plate ended goalless.
At Lumen Field in Seattle, Ryoma Watanabe got an early opening goal for Urawa Reds, who were backed by a noisy contingent of their supporters.
But captain Lautaro Martinez -- who got Inter's equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Monterrey of Mexico in their opening game -- repeated the trick to level matters with a clever overhead kick 12 minutes from time.
Valentin Carboni was then the unlikely hero as he grabbed the winner two minutes into injury time.
The 20-year-old Argentine had not played a competitive game since early October after suffering a serious knee injury while on loan at Marseille.
Carboni had not made an appearance for Inter in over two years, but he was on to hand to sidefoot home when the ball fell to him in the area.
"Our opponents play with their hearts and to counter that as a team we need to play with more pride, be humble and know how to suffer," Martinez told broadcaster DAZN.
The result left some Urawa fans in tears and Inter level on four points with River Plate with the two teams meeting next.
River Plate were let down by their finishing in a scrappy, foul-ridden encounter with Mexico's Monterrey, who sit on two points.
Esteban Andrada, Monterrey's Argentine keeper, made a series of saves while River's forwards were unable to put away the few chances that came their way.
Monterrey could still make it into the last 16 if they beat Urawa and River or Inter win their game.
Earlier Jobe Bellingham got his first goal for Dortmund as his new club overcame stifling heat in Cincinnati to beat Sundowns 4-3 and move to four points from two matches in Group F.
The South African champions had taken a surprise early lead through a fine solo goal from Lucas Ribeiro.
However, Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams handed Dortmund their equaliser on a plate, passing the ball straight to Felix Nmecha, who stroked home.
Serhou Guirassy gave Dortmund the lead with his 35th goal since the beginning of the season.
English midfielder Bellingham, who this month followed older brother Jude's footsteps in joining the German side from Sunderland, started for the first time for Dortmund and made it 3-1 just before the break.
Khuliso Mudau's own goal made it 4-1 before the hour mark, but Sundowns salvaged some pride by reducing the deficit through Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba.
"I'm sweating like I've just come out of a sauna," said Dortmund coach Niko Kovac when asked about the conditions in a game which started at midday local time.
"It was tough going for both teams, but the opposition are used to it. We certainly didn't give our best performance, but that wasn't possible today."
Sundowns will still go into their final game in Group F with a chance of qualifying for the last 16.
"The boys made a wonderful performance... it was a hell of a match. I'm not happy but very proud," said their Portuguese coach, Miguel Cardoso.
South Korea's Ulsan gave Fluminense a real scare in their Group F clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, leading 2-1 until the 66th minute before the Brazilians ran out 4-2 winners, eliminating the K-League champions in the process.
Colombian striker Jhon Arias put Fluminense ahead with a 27th minute free-kick but goals from Lee Jin-hyun and Um Won-sang gave Ulsan the advantage at the break.
Nonata levelled for the Brazilians in the 66th minute before Juan Freytes put Fluminense ahead in the 83rd minute, slotting home after a scramble in the box.
Keno added a fourth in stoppage time to leave Fluminense on top of the group, level on 4 points with Borussia Dortmund ahead of their final game against South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns in Miami on Wednesday.
A win or draw for the Rio club in their final group game will ensure their passage into the last 16.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dubai Eye
9 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
Bellingham's goal a surreal experience for new Dortmund signing
Jobe Bellingham said his first goal for Borussia Dortmund was a surreal experience as the new signing from Sunderland made an immediate impact at the Club World Cup on Saturday. Bellingham scored the third goal in Dortmund's 4-3 win over South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns at the TQL Stadium and was named man-of-the-match at the end of the Group F encounter. 'It's a little bit surreal really when the ball hits in the net, it's just crazy,' the 19-year-old said. 'Everything happened so slowly but yeah I'm really pleased.' It was a second run out, but first start, for Bellingham since his move from Sunderland to the Bundesliga giants, where he will look to follow in his elder brother Jude's footsteps. Jobe's goal was smartly taken although the Sundowns goalkeeper palmed the ball straight at him. But Bellingham avoided an attempted block by a defender, and sent the keeper the wrong way, by cleverly holding his shot for a split second. Bellingham said it had been a hard assignment in the midday sun in Ohio, where the temperature was 32 degrees Celsius. 'I think the conditions make it so difficult, especially for us being a European team. They (Sundowns) played a fantastic game but I'm sure they're used to this kind of weather, but we definitely aren't. 'But it's something we are going to have to adapt to as the tournament goes on.' Bellingham said he was happy to be playing so soon after signing a five-year deal for what reports said was a 33 million euros ($37.70 million) deal. 'The lads have really helped me settle in and it's been a different experience because rather than signing and then having a summer off, I've got an opportunity to meet everyone and get to grips with how we play and how the coach wants us to play as a team.' Coach Niko Kovac said he was delighted with the form of Bellingham. 'He is among those who are the future of this club,' the Dortmund boss said.
Khaleej Times
11 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Inter Milan, Dortmund claim first wins at Club World Cup
Inter Milan came from behind to beat Urawa Red Diamonds and knock the Japanese side out of the Club World Cup on Saturday, while Borussia Dortmund held off Mamelodi Sundowns to win a seven-goal thriller. Fluminense rallied in the second half to beat Ulsan 4-2 and knock out the South Korean side while Monterrey and River Plate ended goalless. At Lumen Field in Seattle, Ryoma Watanabe got an early opening goal for Urawa Reds, who were backed by a noisy contingent of their supporters. But captain Lautaro Martinez -- who got Inter's equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Monterrey of Mexico in their opening game -- repeated the trick to level matters with a clever overhead kick 12 minutes from time. Valentin Carboni was then the unlikely hero as he grabbed the winner two minutes into injury time. The 20-year-old Argentine had not played a competitive game since early October after suffering a serious knee injury while on loan at Marseille. Carboni had not made an appearance for Inter in over two years, but he was on to hand to sidefoot home when the ball fell to him in the area. "Our opponents play with their hearts and to counter that as a team we need to play with more pride, be humble and know how to suffer," Martinez told broadcaster DAZN. The result left some Urawa fans in tears and Inter level on four points with River Plate with the two teams meeting next. River Plate were let down by their finishing in a scrappy, foul-ridden encounter with Mexico's Monterrey, who sit on two points. Esteban Andrada, Monterrey's Argentine keeper, made a series of saves while River's forwards were unable to put away the few chances that came their way. Monterrey could still make it into the last 16 if they beat Urawa and River or Inter win their game. Earlier Jobe Bellingham got his first goal for Dortmund as his new club overcame stifling heat in Cincinnati to beat Sundowns 4-3 and move to four points from two matches in Group F. The South African champions had taken a surprise early lead through a fine solo goal from Lucas Ribeiro. However, Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams handed Dortmund their equaliser on a plate, passing the ball straight to Felix Nmecha, who stroked home. Serhou Guirassy gave Dortmund the lead with his 35th goal since the beginning of the season. English midfielder Bellingham, who this month followed older brother Jude's footsteps in joining the German side from Sunderland, started for the first time for Dortmund and made it 3-1 just before the break. Khuliso Mudau's own goal made it 4-1 before the hour mark, but Sundowns salvaged some pride by reducing the deficit through Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba. "I'm sweating like I've just come out of a sauna," said Dortmund coach Niko Kovac when asked about the conditions in a game which started at midday local time. "It was tough going for both teams, but the opposition are used to it. We certainly didn't give our best performance, but that wasn't possible today." Sundowns will still go into their final game in Group F with a chance of qualifying for the last 16. "The boys made a wonderful performance... it was a hell of a match. I'm not happy but very proud," said their Portuguese coach, Miguel Cardoso. South Korea's Ulsan gave Fluminense a real scare in their Group F clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, leading 2-1 until the 66th minute before the Brazilians ran out 4-2 winners, eliminating the K-League champions in the process. Colombian striker Jhon Arias put Fluminense ahead with a 27th minute free-kick but goals from Lee Jin-hyun and Um Won-sang gave Ulsan the advantage at the break. Nonata levelled for the Brazilians in the 66th minute before Juan Freytes put Fluminense ahead in the 83rd minute, slotting home after a scramble in the box. Keno added a fourth in stoppage time to leave Fluminense on top of the group, level on 4 points with Borussia Dortmund ahead of their final game against South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns in Miami on Wednesday. A win or draw for the Rio club in their final group game will ensure their passage into the last 16.
The National
12 hours ago
- The National
RB Salzburg talent Adam Daghim out to make his mark against Al Hilal at Club World Cup
Jurgen Klopp sat in the VIP seats, a special observer making his first appearance at an RB Salzburg home match since his appointment as Red Bull Football's head of global soccer. It's a job that prioritises talent development, at which Salzburg are the leaders in the group of clubs Klopp now oversees. Within barely half an hour of April's contest against Sturm Graz, Klopp was looking like the animated, engaged figure who used to patrol the touchlines at Liverpool and Dortmund. Here, in his new gig, he was enthusiastically applauding the game's opening goal. It had been scored by a teenager in whom Salzburg – who on Sunday take on Al Hilal aiming to take a firm step towards the knockout phase of the Club World Cup – have great hopes. Adam Daghim has startling speed, a booming left foot, a strong right foot, imposing height, impressive power in his duelling and evident confidence in his dribbling. 'He's 1.90m tall and left-footed, which is something everybody is searching for, all over the world, and his mentality is also a really big strength,' beams Thomas Letsch, the Salzburg head coach, fully aware that at this club, such talents are bound, sooner rather than later, to move on to grander leagues than Austria's. Daghim's prospects are many. Among those tracking the 19-year-old's progress are Italy's Atalanta. There is reported interest from English clubs. Choices may have to be made about his next destination as early as this summer. Beyond that, he will be confronted with a major decision about where he steers his international career – whether to represent, at senior level, his native Denmark for whom he has been capped at age-group levels, or to follow his elder brother Ahmed or his fellow Danish-Palestinian striker, Al Ahly's Wessam Abou Ali, in playing for Palestine, the land of his heritage. The Daghim brothers grew up in Copenhagen, where his parents had settled after moving from the Middle East. Ahmed, five years older than Adam, acted as a pathfinder for his brother into the upper tiers of youth football in Denmark. Both were natural wingers, both jet-heeled. 'When Adam was four or five, we could see he really had speed,' his father, Arafat, recalled to DAZN. He was soon a prodigious achiever, enrolled in the youth system of FC Copenhagen and, with the promise of accelerated progress to first-team football, he agreed to sign for Aarhus, AGF. He duly became the youngest player in the club's top-division history, at 16, when he made his Super Liga debut. At 17 he was clocking up minutes for AGF in Uefa competitions. Salzburg were by that stage – the summer of 2023 – in contact. And their offer to any up-and-coming footballer tends to be compelling. The club's tried-and-tested model since they came under the well-funded Red Bull umbrella has been to establish a streamlined worldwide scouting network with a high-rate of success for those whose elite potential it identifies. The diverse Salzburg squads reflect that global reach. The club's coaches like to promote young talent rapidly and, in many famous cases, to then wish them well in their path upwards when, still young, they join one of Europe's superclubs. A new recruit can aspire to play in the Uefa Champions League, too. It was RB Salzburg's consistent participation in the competition that earned them their ticket to the Club World Cup. Standards slipped for Salzburg in the 2024-25 Champions League, but for Daghim it marked another landmark. He struck an important goal in their pre-qualifying tie against Dynamo Kiev to ensure Salzburg would make the league phase; he scored his first goal in the Champions League proper, against Atletico Madrid, later in the season. The precedents he can look to are many and illustrious. Daghim cites two. 'When I knew Salzburg were interested, I saw Erling Haaland and Sadio Mane had played there,' he told DAZN. To that list of ex-Salzburg forwards can be added the likes of Benjamin Sesko, now coveted at RB Leipzig, Dominik Szoboszlai, of Liverpool, Noah Okafor of AC Milan or Munas Dabbur, the Nazareth-born striker whose later career took him to La Liga, the German Bundesliga and most recently to Shabab Al Ahli. And that's before you start to catalogue the players involved at the Club World Cup for whom a formative spell at Salzburg was a trampoline to major success in Europa's leading leagues; Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano and Konrad Laimer, Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi and Marcel Sabitzer and above all City's Haaland, who departed Austria aged 19, with 29 goals from his 27 games in Salzburg's colours. Daghim, who spent the first of his two seasons at Salzburg at their feeder club Liefering – he was only 18 then – is entitled to dream of following in those sorts of footsteps. Klopp likes what he sees. He's shown an effectiveness across positions in the attacking line, and a collective ethic. 'He will always work for the team, which is a really important part of our philosophy,' says Letsch. An event like the Club World Cup represents a showcase. Letsch insisted on Daghim's participation ahead of competing interest from Denmark in taking the forward to the European under-21 championship, which is being played simultaneously. Although the Salzburg coach chose to use Daghim as an impact substitute in the opening fixture against Pachuca of Mexico, he did so minded to keep him fresh for the collisions with Al Hilal and on Thursday against Real Madrid. Salzburg, a little unexpectedly, sit at the top of Group H thanks to the 2-1 win over Pachuca. The meeting with Al Hilal looks pivotal. The Saudi Arabian giants impressed in their matchday one draw with Madrid but will sense that Daghim and his young teammates have an upstart swagger about them – and some big dreams for the long-term future.
