🎥Pedro Neto magic, Delap assists, Chelsea cruise, Giroud shirtless?
Chelsea makes its debut in the Club World Cup by opening Group D in the match against Los Angeles FC. For Maresca's Blues, it was a more complicated match than usual, won 2-0 thanks to a goal in each half by Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.
Excellent performance by Cherundolo's Americans who never left the game and repeatedly troubled Sanchez.
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DEBUT AND ASSIST FOR DELAP, ENZO SEALS IT
Chelsea, in a second half well played by LAFC, sealed it only in the 80th minute. Determined action by Delap who from the right sets up Enzo who controls and taps it into the net.
Great debut for the former Ipswich player with an immediate assist and lots of involvement.
GIROUD LOSES HIS SHIRT
A funny episode at halftime just before Olivier Giroud entered the field. The Frenchman, ready to come on, didn't have his shirt. Too hot? No.
Simply, the former Milan player's kit wasn't on the bench. A dash to the locker room and Giroud "dressed" to play.
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Shortly after the hour mark, debut for Delap at Chelsea, a move by the Blues in the mini transfer window,
JACKSON CREATES, PEDRO NETO DAZZLES: WHAT A GOAL BY CHELSEA
Chelsea, after more than half an hour of nothing with good traces from LAFC, scores on a lapse by Cherundolo's team.
Jackson, in his role as an assistman, brilliantly sets up Pedro Neto who in the box sits down his direct opponent and with his left foot beats Lloris.
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Fox Sports
24 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Boca Juniors, Benfica draw 2-2 in Club World Cup match that includes 3 red cards, 21 fouls
Associated Press MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Benfica overcame a two-goal deficit, getting Angel Di Maria's penalty kick in first-half stoppage time and Nicolas Otamendi's 84th-minute goal for a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors on Monday night in a heated Club World Cup match that included three red cards, four yellows and 21 fouls. Boca Juniors played in a home-like environment with the Argentine club's supporters making up most of the 55,574 crowd at Hard Rock Stadium against one of Portugal's premier teams. Both teams finished a man down and one Boca player was sent off after he was substituted from the match due to injury. Heavily armed police were present at checkpoints to ensure order for a Boca supporters' group that is extremely fierce and passionate. But, most of the rough action was on the field, not in the stands, as the game included red cards for Boca's Ander Herrera in the 44th, Benfica's Andrea Belotti in the 72nd and Boca's Nicolás Figal in the 88th. Boca built its lead on goals by Miguel Merentiel in the 21st minute and Rodrigo Battaglia in the 27th. Referee César Ramos awarded the penalty after a video review for Carlos Palacios' kneeing Otamendi. Herrera, who was taken out after 20 minutes, got a red card for protesting the decision. Belotti was sent off for a foul when a high kick caught Ayrton Costa on the back of the head and Figal for knocking over Florentino. Key moment Otamendi's front post header helped Benfica salvage a point. Takeaways Boca Juniors, after underperforming last season in the Argentina first division and disappointing in the Copa Libertadores, used the support of their fans to fuel them and earn a point in group play. Their second match, against Bayern Munich in Miami on Friday night, will prove to be a more challenging game. Benfica, which was imprecise in its play and gave the ball away many times unprovoked, will play Friday as well and take on the only semi-professional team in the Club World Cup, Auckland City, which was badly beaten by Bayern. What they said 'This was a game where there's two really big teams and they're gonna leave it all out there on every ball.' — Alan Velasco, Boca Juniors midfielder. 'It will be a new experience (playing against Auckland City FC), of course we saw the result against Bayern and we will have to do the same.' — Samuel Dahl, Benfica defender. ___ AP soccer:

Miami Herald
26 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Boca Juniors fans rock Hard Rock Stadium during 2-2 Club World Cup tie vs. Benfica
Beachgoers enjoying a relaxing Father's Day at Collins Ave. and 80th Street on Sunday got a taste of the passion for soccer in Argentina when more than a thousand singing, drum-banging Boca Juniors fans took over North Shore Park for a massive 'Banderazo' (pep rally) ahead of Monday's Club World Cup match against Portuguese club Benfica. That was just an appetizer for the party that was to follow Monday at Hard Rock Stadium, which literally rocked, as Boca fans, who made up roughly 90 percent of the crowd of 55,574, sang and bounced from the start to the finish of the entertaining game, which ended in a 2-2 tie. Ten-man Benfica rallied from two goals down to come away with a draw in the Group C match. Bayern Munich leads the group with three points, Boca and Benfica are tied with a point apiece and New Zealand semi-pro team Auckland City is in fourth after a 10-0 loss to Bayern. If you closed your eyes Monday, you would have sworn you were at 'La Bombonera' (Boca Juniors' iconic home stadium in Buenos Aires, affectionately known as the Chocolate Box). Among the Argentina natives in the crowd was Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. A sea of royal blue and gold, and makeshift parties and barbeques, follow Argentina's storied club wherever it goes. They took over a Walmart store in Miami Beach over the weekend. And there were countless social media posts of Boca fans chanting from high-rise balconies up and down the Miami coast. Deafening chants of 'Dale, Dale, Dale, Bo!' could be heard from throngs of fans around the stadium grounds hours before the game kicked off, and they got even louder after each Boca goal. The first came at the 21-minute mark when Lautaro Blanco crossed the ball to Miguel Merentiel, who right footed an angled shot from the left side of the six-yard box. Merential was named Man of the Match. Boca doubled its lead six minutes later on a header by Rodrigo Battaglia, who was waiting at the back post to nod in Ayrton Costa's header across the box after a corner kick. In an interesting twist, it was Argentine players who scored both goals for Benfica. Angel Di Maria, a longtime teammate of Lionel Messi's on the Argentine national team, scored Benfica's first goal on a penalty kick just before halftime after a questionable Boca foul on Benfica's Argentine captain Nicolas Otamendi. Di Maria raised his right hand toward the crowd afterward, as if apologizing to the Boca Juniors faithful. Di Maria, 37, is leaving Benfica after this tournament and heading home to finish his career with his boyhood club Rosario Central. Then, in the 84th minute, came the bigger heartbreaker for Boca's fans. Benfica was down to 10 men after the expulsion of Andrea Belotti for a dangerous high kick, and it appeared Boca was headed to victory. But then Otamandi scored the equalizer on a powerful header from the center of the box to the bottom right corner. There was no apology, just celebration from the defender and his teammates. Boca wound up with 10 men, as well, when former Inter Miami center back Nico Figal was issued a red card in the 88th minute for plowing into Florentino Luis. 'It's a strange feeling because we knew what we were facing, we exceeded expectations, we went ahead twice, had a great team, and thought we could have won,' Merential said, adding that he did not think the foul that led to Di Maria's goal was worthy of a penalty kick. Benfica coach Bruno Lage spoke of the 'fantastic' atmosphere at the game but lamented that his team had to settle for a draw. 'We were the better team, we started well, it's still difficult to accept, but in the end, we get one point and missed an opportunity to win,' Lage said. 'But our team never gives up. They believe until the end.' This is the first big tournament for Boca Juniors under coach Miguel Angel Russo since he returned for his third stint in charge of the club after it parted ways with Fernando Gago. The veteran coach summed up the game: 'There were a lot of good things in the game, and other things we need to improve. It was a very strong opponent. We knew that going in. Ending the first half 2-0 is not the same as 2-1, so we had to just keep going forward…I thought the foul was debatable, but I won't complain about the referee because we have to overcome those situations.' The Argentine team's fans are known as 'Xeneizes', a nickname that dates to 1905, when the club was founded by six men of Italian heritage from the town of Genoa who had emigrated to the Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Geneo, in local dialect, was known as 'Zena' and thus, locals were known as 'Xeneizes.' They are among the most passionate fan bases in South America, and when they sing 'Boca es la alegría de mi corazón' (Boca is the happiness in my heart), they mean it. Boca, coming off a successful 2025 Apertura season, was determined to upset a European team with a rich history. The Argentine team had made one appearance in the Club World Cup in its old format, in 2007, and lost 4-2 in the final to AC Milan. Boca will next face Bayern Munich on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium and Benfica plays Auckland City in Orlando. Hard Rock Café to open at La Bombonera Officials from Boca Juniors and Hard Rock executives announced Monday that a Hard Rock Café will open in 2026 at La Bombonera, one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. President of Hard Rock Cafe and Retail Eric Martino said: 'We've been bringing people together since 1995 in Argentina with six Hard Rock Cafe locations and two new ones to open before year end; we are thrilled to bring our unique brand of world-class cuisine and entertainment to La Bombonera.' Juan Roman Riquelme, president of Boca Juniors, added: 'Over its 120-year history, the passion of its fans has become a defining trait and a phenomenon admired by football supporters around the globe. La Bombonera is its legendary stadium and a true temple of world football and as such we are proud to welcome Hard Rock Cafe to be part of its legacy.'


New York Times
34 minutes ago
- New York Times
Another break in play in Miami
10-man Benfica came from 2-0 down to salvage a point against Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium Getty Images 10-man Benfica came from two goals down to salvage a draw in the best game of the 2025 Club World Cup so far. Boca Juniors raced into a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to well-taken goals from Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia. But they were stung on the stroke of half-time after conceding a soft penalty that was coolly converted by Angel Di Maria. Benfica substitute Andrea Belotti was sent off for dangerous play in the second half but the Portuguese side still found a way to rescue a point. Nicolas Otamendi sent a bullet header into the bottom corner to make it 2-2. And both teams finished the game with 10 men as Jorge Figal was shown a red card for a horrible challenge. GO FURTHER Boca Juniors 2 Benfica 2 – Three red cards, sound and fury in Club World Cup's best game so far Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images 69' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica There has been no real flow to this second half which, as I said earlier, will suit Boca Juniors down to the ground. A lazy foul from Carreras gave another Boca player the chance to roll around on the ground and kill some time. There was also a yellow card for the potentially Real Madrid-bound defender. Giving away stupid fouls is definitely not going to help Benfica back into the game. 67' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica Worth mentioning that Alvaro Carreras has been a starter for Benfica today despite some rumours suggesting he might not play amid interest from Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have an agreement with him on personal terms but have not yet reached the same with Benfica. Carreras remains Madrid's plan to reinforce the left-back position. 66' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica And there will be a pair of substitutions for Boca Juniors. One of them is forced with the scorer of the first goal, Merentiel, unable to continue — Exequiel Zeballos has replaced him. In midfield, Williams Alarcon is on for Palacios. 63' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica There will be no yellow card for Sanches this evening because he has just been substituted. On in his place is Orkun Kokcu, a player with a keen eye for a goal from midfield. There is also a change in the frontline with Bruma being replaced by Kerem Akturkoglu. Two attacking changes made by Lage. 61' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica Compared to the chaos of the first half, this has been a pretty level-headed, quiet second half. And that plays nicely into the hands of Boca Juniors who are protecting their lead very well. Benfica need some inspiration, and it looks as though Bruno Lage is going to his bench to find it... Getty Images 57' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica Renato Sanches has cut a very frustrated figure throughout this match. He was fouled a few times in the first half and squared up to Palacios just before half-time. And he has looked pretty desperate to get his name taken by the referee in this second half, fouling twice and engaging in more afters with his latest victim. One more offence and I'm sure he will be shown a yellow card. 54' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica Given the tempo at which the Boca Juniors snapped into challenges in the first half, you have to imagine fatigue will start to have a say in this match as the second half continues. It is a very warm evening in Miami with temperatures in the high 80s, so managing fitness and legs will be key for the side currently leading in this match. Getty Images 50' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica The beginning of the second half perhaps opened the opportunity for the players to come out in a more relaxed, well-behaved manner. But nope! More play-acting with a Boca player writhing around in apparent agony only to return to his feet in full working order seconds later. And another foul, this time from Sanches, in a full-blooded midfield battle. 47' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica No major surprise to see Samuel Dahl hooked by Benfica manager Bruno Lage. The Swede was out of position on the right flank and never really looked comfortable there. With Andrea Bellotti on, Benfica will presumably now go with two up front. Interesting. 46' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica Just the one of personnel at the break with Andrea Belotti replacing Samuel Dahl for Benfica. Getty Images 46' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica After that much-needed half-time break, the ball is rolling again at Hard Rock Stadium. Can Boca Juniors hold on for a huge victory, or will Benfica come back to salvage a result? Let's find out! Getty Images HT Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica Look at the celebration from Battaglia after giving Boca Juniors a 2-0 lead! Getty Images HT Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica There is no one on the pitch tonight with more big-game experience than Angel Di Maria. And he showed every inch of his experience when he stepped up to take that penalty on the stroke of half-time. HT Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica A two-goal lead for Boca Juniors at half-time would have been tough for Benfica to overturn, but that ice-cold Di Maria penalty has put a spanner in the works. The Portuguese side were big favourites coming into the match and will surely be full of confidence coming out after the interval. It is perhaps the perfect time for half-time to come for the South Americans. Getty Images HT Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica There has been — and will be — lots of criticism for this tournament, and rightly so. But that first half was, I imagine, exactly what Gianni Infantino has had at the front of his mind over the last few years. Players that look genuinely interested by the prospect of playing in a big stadium, fans who are kicking every ball with their favourite players and plenty of drama! Boca Juniors lead 2-1, but that late Benfica penalty has brought them roaring back into it. Getty Images HT Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica I don't know about anyone else, but I need a lie down after that first half! The best half of the tournament so far by a country mile is brought to an end by Cesar Arturo Ramos and boy does everyone need the 15-minute breather. That was a terrific 51 minutes of football. Getty Images 45+3' Boca Juniors 2-1 Benfica No mistake from the veteran from 12 yards, sending Augustin Marchesin the wrong way in very, very cool fashion. Game on at Hard Rock Stadium! Getty Images 45' Boca Juniors 2-0 Benfica As we all expected when the referee went to the VAR monitor, a penalty has been awarded. Ander Herrera, withdrawn earlier with an injury, has been sent off on the sidelines! Di Maria will take the penalty... Getty Images 44' Boca Juniors 2-0 Benfica Palacios could be in trouble here! He kicked Nicolas Otamendi at a corner after the former Manchester City centre-back made first contact at a corner. Referee Cesar Arturo Ramos has gone to the monitor to have a second look...