Women's Champions League and Super League: weekend talking points
Liverpool's Ceri Holland, Arsenal's Manuela Zinsberger, Everton's Sara and Karen Holmgaard.
Composite: Guardian pictures
Did substitution cost Chelsea a goal?
Were Chelsea wrong to make a substitution while preparing to defend a corner? The former England midfielder Fara Williams criticised Chelsea for doing so in the 81st minute, when Nathalie Björn was replaced by Naomi Girma seconds before Barcelona scored their third goal, a far-post header from an unmarked Irene Paredes, with Williams telling TNT Sports, 'You can see that there is a bit of confusion' in Chelsea's organisation for the set piece. Sonia Bompastor said she had been forced to withdraw Björn because of an injury, and played down the incident. 'I don't think the substitution had an impact on the goal we conceded,' the head coach said. 'When I talk about not making mistakes, maybe we didn't have to concede that corner. If you have a better clearance from the goal and don't concede that corner, you don't give Barcelona the opportunity to score. I don't think the substitution had an effect on the goal. I think Naomi [Girma] knew exactly where she had to go and I think everyone knew their role in that.' The header was the first of two late strikes for Barcelona in Sunday's first leg which put the tie in a much more challenging position for Chelsea before Sunday's return at Stamford Bridge. Tom Garry
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Report: Barcelona 4-1 Chelsea
Lyon show value of experience
The importance of experience is never more evident than in the latter stages of the Champions League. At the Emirates on Saturday, it was the seasoned side in Lyon who came out on top with a display that exemplified their maturity. The eight-time European champions put on a display of tactical nous in the face of a boisterous 40,000 home ground and intense attacking pressure from Arsenal in the second half. Joe Montemurro's side began well, taking advantage with their dynamic forward line of their opponents' nerves and slow start. The French team were made to suffer after the interval but where Arsenal rued a host of missed opportunities, they took theirs. The brilliance of Melchie Dumornay restored their lead to ensure they take a 2-1 advantage into Sunday's second leg. Sophie Downey
Report: Arsenal 1-2 Lyon
Leaky Spurs are going backwards
This time last year Tottenham were three weeks from a historic day at Wembley, where they would meet Manchester United in the Women's FA Cup final. Now they languish in the bottom half of the WSL having failed to win since the end of January. With three games remaining, Spurs have conceded 40 league goals – only Crystal Palace have let in more. Although Spurs fought back from 2-0 down at Brisbane Road to level against Aston Villa, defensive frailties then cost them again. In stoppage time Villa's Kirsty Hanson received a pass from Chasity Grantand made her way past Molly Bartrip and Ashleigh Neville with relative ease before slotting home. 'You need to respect that you lost and make sure you get better as we're Tottenham Hotspur,' said the manager, Robert Vilahamn. 'We need to win more games.' Emillia Hawkins
Holmgaard twins double up to thwart City
The Holmgaard twins combined to earn a point for Everton and dampen Manchester City's chances of qualifying for the Champions League. Left-back Sara received the ball out wide and whipped a deep cross towards right-back Karen at the far post. Karen towered above the City defenders to power her header past the onrushing Khiara Keating and mark her first WSL start of the season with a goal. Twin No 28 was quick to embrace twin No 23 and they nearly recreated the goal in the second half when Karen headed over. City created little after Kerstin Casparij put them in front after 13 minutes. The atmosphere at the Joie Stadium typified a team with nothing to play for and 11 players out injured. Xaymaca Awoyungbo
Hammers feeling right at home
West Ham's stellar home form continued as Rehanne Skinner's side held Manchester United to a goalless draw at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. Despite the visitors dominating possession and hitting the woodwork twice through Celin Bizet, West Ham thwarted United's attempt to chase down Chelsea at the top. West Ham are unbeaten in four games and have won five of their past eight WSL home games (the most wins they have recorded at home in a season). West Ham's manager said: 'I thought we were incredibly hard to play against, defended brilliantly and managed their threats. Another clean sheet, two on the bounce at home and another point against a team in the top four.' XA
Holland plays part in Brighton downfall again
Ceri Holland had a big hand in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Brighton on her return from injury. Holland, who has a penchant for punishing Brighton, assisted the goals by Olivia Smith and Leanne Kiernan in a controlled first-half Liverpool display. Four of the Wales international's six WSL goals have come against Brighton, spread across her four previous appearances against the club. 'I really enjoyed the game,' Holland said. 'It was nice to be back after a little injury. The first [assist], we've worked on that with Liv, finding the opposite side, so I was really happy when that one came off.' The win took Liverpool above Brighton into fifth. Renuka Odedra
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The Club World Cup is finally up and running -- and soccer may never be the same
MIAMI GARDENS -- After more than a year of uncertainty and criticism, the Club World Cup kicked off in Miami on Saturday and soccer may never be the same. At least that's what FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been telling anyone who would listen. 'This tournament will be the start of something historic that will change our sport for the better,' he said this week as part of an exhausting schedule of public engagements to drum up interest in the month-long event staged across 11 cities in the United States. Soccer's newest tournament is what the sport has been waiting for, Infantino says, and on Saturday, despite considerable pushback and obstacles, he turned his personal passion project into a reality. The Swiss lawyer, who holds one of the most powerful positions in the world as head of soccer's governing body, was on hand at a largely full Hard Rock Stadium to watch Lionel Messi's Inter Miami draw 0-0 with Egyptian team Al Ahly in the opening game of his super-sized Club World Cup. The match may have been underwhelming, but the occasion — kicked off with a lavish opening ceremony featuring music, dance routines and fireworks — was a moment of immense pride for Infantino and conclusive proof of his influence over the most popular sport on the planet. Despite his assertions, it's not clear how much soccer really wanted another elite tournament. But this was his baby — so much so that his name is etched not once, but twice, onto a giant golden trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co. that will be lifted by the winner on July 13. It has gone ahead against the backdrop of legal challenges in Europe, threats of strike action from players and fears of injury and burnout for the biggest stars. There have been concerns about overreach by FIFA - which has traditionally focused on national team soccer — and the detrimental impact a new club competition would have on domestic leagues. But nothing was going to stand in the way of Infantino's plans to expand the Club World Cup from its previous guise as a seven-team mid-season mini tournament to a 32-team extravaganza that could one day rival the Champions League and Premier League as one of the most popular and wealthiest competitions in the world. Time will tell if it lives up to Infantino's billing, but he has navigated the biggest hurdle of all by getting this inaugural edition off the ground. It is locked into the calendar — every four years — and teams such as Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain have already qualified for the next edition in 2029. "Maybe not now in its first edition, but it will become an incredibly important competition to win,' PSG coach Luis Enrique said. He may have a point. Peculiarly, and despite the global nature of soccer, the club game has largely been restricted to continental competition, aside from the previous guise of the Club World Cup, which was often looked on as little more than a exhibition. Still, it remains unclear how much of an appetite there is for another soccer tournament in a calendar that has reached saturation point. So a crowd of more than 60,000 at the Hard Rock Stadium likely came as a relief to FIFA, though it is not known how many of those in attendance paid anything like the $349 being quoted for seats in December. FIFA has not offered definitive numbers on the amount of tickets sold for the tournament as a whole and prices were slashed as the opening game approached. But there were only pockets of empty seats in the stands, with many red-shirted fans of Al Ahly in attendance. 'We've been looking forward to it for a long time,' said Peter Sadek a fan originally from Egypt and now living in Orlando. 'At least 50 more just from our area (are coming). It's been bubbling up for a long time and you can see how many are here.' Other Al Ahly fans had traveled directly from Egypt, with red shirts outnumbering the pink of Miami in parts of the stadium. If only Messi could have crowned Infantino's big night with a moment of magic. He certainly tried. His stunning curling effort from long range, deep into extra time would have been the perfect finish. Instead, Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy tipped the ball onto the crossbar to deny the Argentine great and Infantino that prize moment. Not even Infantino can have everything, it seems.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
The Club World Cup is finally up and running -- and soccer may never be the same
MIAMI GARDENS (AP) — After more than a year of uncertainty and criticism, the Club World Cup kicked off in Miami on Saturday and soccer may never be the same. At least that's what FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been telling anyone who would listen. 'This tournament will be the start of something historic that will change our sport for the better,' he said this week as part of an exhausting schedule of public engagements to drum up interest in the month-long event staged across 11 cities in the United States. Soccer's newest tournament is what the sport has been waiting for, Infantino says, and on Saturday, despite considerable pushback and obstacles, he turned his personal passion project into a reality. The Swiss lawyer, who holds one of the most powerful positions in the world as head of soccer's governing body, was on hand at a largely full Hard Rock Stadium to watch Lionel Messi's Inter Miami draw 0-0 with Egyptian team Al Ahly in the opening game of his super-sized Club World Cup. Influence The match may have been underwhelming, but the occasion — kicked off with a lavish opening ceremony featuring music, dance routines and fireworks — was a moment of immense pride for Infantino and conclusive proof of his influence over the most popular sport on the planet. Despite his assertions, it's not clear how much soccer really wanted another elite tournament. But this was his baby — so much so that his name is etched not once, but twice, onto a giant golden trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co. that will be lifted by the winner on July 13. It has gone ahead against the backdrop of legal challenges in Europe, threats of strike action from players and fears of injury and burnout for the biggest stars. There have been concerns about overreach by FIFA - which has traditionally focused on national team soccer — and the detrimental impact a new club competition would have on domestic leagues. But nothing was going to stand in the way of Infantino's plans to expand the Club World Cup from its previous guise as a seven-team mid-season mini tournament to a 32-team extravaganza that could one day rival the Champions League and Premier League as one of the most popular and wealthiest competitions in the world. The tournament is now locked in Time will tell if it lives up to Infantino's billing, but he has navigated the biggest hurdle of all by getting this inaugural edition off the ground. It is locked into the calendar — every four years — and teams such as Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain have already qualified for the next edition in 2029. "Maybe not now in its first edition, but it will become an incredibly important competition to win,' PSG coach Luis Enrique said. He may have a point. Peculiarly, and despite the global nature of soccer, the club game has largely been restricted to continental competition, aside from the previous guise of the Club World Cup, which was often looked on as little more than a exhibition. Do fans really want it? Still, it remains unclear how much of an appetite there is for another soccer tournament in a calendar that has reached saturation point. So a crowd of more than 60,000 at the Hard Rock Stadium likely came as a relief to FIFA, though it is not known how many of those in attendance paid anything like the $349 being quoted for seats in December. FIFA has not offered definitive numbers on the amount of tickets sold for the tournament as a whole and prices were slashed as the opening game approached. But there were only pockets of empty seats in the stands, with many red-shirted fans of Al Ahly in attendance. 'We've been looking forward to it for a long time,' said Peter Sadek a fan originally from Egypt and now living in Orlando. 'At least 50 more just from our area (are coming). It's been bubbling up for a long time and you can see how many are here.' Other Al Ahly fans had traveled directly from Egypt, with red shirts outnumbering the pink of Miami in parts of the stadium. Messi magic He certainly tried. His stunning curling effort from long range, deep into extra time would have been the perfect finish. Instead, Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy tipped the ball onto the crossbar to deny the Argentine great and Infantino that prize moment. Not even Infantino can have everything, it seems. ___ ___
New York Times
2 hours ago
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The 12 Premier League players who need a transfer this summer
There is a long list of Premier League players who will make moves this summer. Plenty already have — from Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid to Liam Delap's switch to Chelsea. But who are the players crying out for a new club? Who is out of favour? Who needs a fresh start? Here, The Athletic has chosen 12 players who could benefit from moving clubs when the window opens up again on Monday. Let's start with 'Agent Chaos' himself. Last season, the Uruguayan striker became a Premier League champion with Liverpool, but his contributions on the field were limited. Nunez (top left) played 30 times in the league but only eight of those were as starts. He scored five times and assisted three goals. His late double at Brentford to secure three points was the highlight of his campaign, but it never felt like he had the backing of head coach Arne Slot. Advertisement He might have a bad miss in his locker, but Nunez should still appeal to clubs. He is a boisterous competitor and causes trouble up top. The 25-year-old might suit a club where he will be under less scrutiny, allowing him to relax into his football. Liverpool fans, it should be said, have loved his all-action play, despite his shortcomings. He will need to find a similarly accepting fanbase. Looking back, perhaps Grealish might wonder if he should have walked away after City's treble-winning 2022-23 campaign. He racked up nearly 3,500 minutes on the pitch that season but his impact has waned considerably, with 2,114 minutes in 2023-24 and 1,521 minutes last time out. The 29-year-old has even been left out of City's Club World Cup squad. Off the pitch and on it, the England international has swagger, and it would be good to see him tap into it again. His career has stalled, and he needs to shift himself back into gear. Another player who needs to leave Manchester. A loan to Aston Villa for the second half of last season was a different experience for Rashford (top right), the first time he had played for a team other than England and United since he was seven. Apart from some injury disruptions, the loan spell felt like a positive one. In 10 league games, Rashford scored twice and assisted three times, working out at a goal involvement every other game. For a long time, it seemed Rashford was destined to spend his entire career at United, but this feels like the perfect time for a new adventure. He made his United debut in February 2016 but at 27, there will be a team out there hoping his best attacking years are still ahead of him. There were moments last season during his loan spell at Arsenal from Chelsea when it seemed all of the football had been sucked out of Sterling. As Arsenal battled it out for a title that escaped them and reached the Champions League semi-finals, one big Sterling moment could have put his name in headlines. It did not work out that way. Advertisement Sterling did not provide a single goal across 17 matches in the Premier League. Now he is back at Chelsea, surely thinking through his next move. At 30, there is still plenty to give. Any club looking to sign Sterling will know he comes with trophy-winning experience. This year, Semenyo told The Athletic that he wants to play for the top clubs — 'any team that plays Champions League, Europa League'. This might be his summer to move. He is 25, extremely fast, a good dribbler and can finish off. There aren't many players in the league who make it difficult to guess which foot is their weakest. Who wouldn't want to add Semenyo to their attacking options? Last season, he scored 11 league goals and assisted five. He has the attributes to be even greater. It might be time for Nkunku to blow up his balloons elsewhere. Stamford Bridge has not been the kindest place for him to carry out his trademark celebration since he joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023. If he wants to progress his career and start scoring more goals regularly, then his six-year contract at Chelsea might have to be cut short. Last season, he played 42 games for Chelsea, but it was a bit-part role. His goal tally (14) was respectable but only three came in the Premier League. Chelsea have recently signed another striker, Liam Delap, and it feels like the right time for Nkunku to take his skills and vision to a team who can make him their focal point. He has been around the game for so long that it might feel strange to read Broja is only 23. It has not worked for him at Chelsea, and his loan at Everton last season was also disappointing. This summer is the perfect time for Broja to move on and revive his career. Injury problems limited him to just 11 games for Everton's first team. He needs an injury-free run and a new club to show off the pace and power we have not really seen since his loan at Southampton four years ago. He has his own song to the tune of Sway by Dean Martin and a Premier League winners' medal, but Chiesa might need a new city to call home. The Italy international has said he is happy in Liverpool, but his career at the club has never got going. Injury troubles got in the way. The players ahead of him have also been in top form. He featured six times in the Premier League, one above the Premier League's threshold for a medal. Should he stick around, he will feel he has a lot to prove. A huge Liverpool fan, Elliott gives his all every time he is on the pitch — but fighting for minutes has been an ongoing battle. In Liverpool's title-winning campaign, Elliott contributed one goal and two assists in 18 games. During a rare start against Brighton & Hove Albion in May, he scored and assisted. This proved what he is capable of when given the opportunity. Advertisement Elliott was mostly used as an attacking midfielder or right winger, but Slot overlooked him for the biggest games. Liverpool had a settled midfield trio — Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch — and Mohamed Salah was in arguably the best form of his career. It was always going to be difficult for Elliott. Liverpool fans will not want him to leave permanently, so maybe a loan move would suit Elliott. At 22, he has an exciting career ahead. Ings started just one game in the Premier League for West Ham last season. He scored one goal as a substitute, one of 14 league games from the bench. Wherever he might move, a change of club would surely suit him. He has spent the past 12 years in the Premier League. At 32, this could be a good time for Ings to join a club abroad, experience something new. If he does not leave the United Kingdom, then dropping down a level and bringing his years of experience to a new group of players could be the perfect opportunity. With Newcastle looking to bring in James Trafford and keep Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka is likely to seek a move. He signed a contract extension in January but the arrival of Trafford would drop him down Eddie Howe's list even further. Instead, Dubravka can use the summer to find a new team and be the undisputed No 1 goalkeeper. A key player for Manchester City and Arsenal in the past, Zinchenko's career is stalling. The Ukraine international has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal following the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly and the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori. Even the right-sided Jurrien Timber played ahead of Zinchenko at left-back last season. This summer feels like a good jumping-off point for the 28-year-old to rediscover regular playing time. Advertisement Mikel Arteta occasionally used Zinchenko in midfield last season, showing his versatility. He has the technical skill, game intelligence and willingness to perform wherever he is played. Is your team looking for a versatile player with bucket loads of passion? He can be that player. (Top photos: Getty Images)
