Goalkeeper Andrada denies River Plate to earn draw for Monterrey
LOS ANGELES :Monterrey held on to claim a 0-0 draw with River Plate in Group E of the Club World Cup at the Rose Bowl on Saturday as both clubs maintained their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds.
Goalkeeper Esteban Andrada made vital second-half saves from Franco Mastantuono and Miguel Borja to secure a point for the Mexican side, who had drawn their opening game against Inter Milan on Tuesday.
River Plate's Kevin Castano was sent off in injury time for a second bookable offence as his side moved level on four points with the Italians at the top of standings. Monterrey sit two points behind the Argentinian side.
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Straits Times
31 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Suspensions not a concern for River Plate's Marcelo Gallardo after Monterrery draw
River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo speaking to his players during the 0-0 2025 Club World Cup Group E draw with Monterrey on June 21 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. PHOTO: REUTERS LOS ANGELES – River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo is confident he can still field a team capable of defeating Inter Milan in his side's final Group E game at the Club World Cup, despite losing several players due to suspension. Gallardo saw Kevin Castano sent off in the latter stages of the 0-0 draw at the Rose Bowl with Monterrey on June 21, while yellow cards for Enzo Perez and Giuliano Galoppo mean the pair will also miss the meeting with the Italian side on June 25 in Seattle. River Plate are one of South America's most successful clubs, winning the Copa Libertadores on four occasions, as well as the Intercontinental Cup in 1986. Their draw with Monterrey means the Argentinian side are level on four points with Inter Milan in Group E. The two teams are due to face off in their final group game on June 25. Monterrey are third in the standings, two points behind Inter and River Plate, and a win over already-eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan could see the Mexican side climb into the qualification berths for the knockout rounds. Said River coach Marcelo Gallardo: 'We have some players that we're going to be missing. We, of course, had some yellow cards and there are several players who won't be able to play in the next game, so we will have to see how we organise that. 'But I see the glass as half full because, if you look at the scores, every club, every team has had its problems. It was hard for Inter to win, it was hard for Monterrey too, so for our third game we're going to go with the best we have and we're going to be optimistic. 'Today we deserved to win. Our level was better, and for the next game we will do the same.' Earlier on June 21, Inter came from behind to beat Urawa, 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. Ryoma Watanabe got an early opening goal for Urawa, who were backed by a noisy contingent of their supporters at Lumen Field in Seattle. But captain Lautaro Martinez had got Inter's equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Monterrey in their first match at the tournament, and he repeated the trick to level matters here with 12 minutes to go. Carboni, the 20-year-old Argentine who had not made an appearance for Inter in more than two years, then appeared in the 92nd minute to give the Italians the victory. '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, after Inter were made to work for the victory. Urawa's coach Maciej Skorza added: 'Our emotion is very bad after this game. We are out of the tournament, so now we can only fight in the last game to achieve our one and only win.' In Group F, Jobe Bellingham said his first goal for Dortmund was a surreal experience as the new signing from Sunderland made an immediate impact at the Club World Cup. Bellingham scored the third goal in Dortmund's 4-3 win over South Africa's Sundowns at the TQL Stadium and was named Man of the Match. 'It's a little bit surreal really when the ball hits in the net, it's just crazy,' the 19-year-old said English midfielder said. 'Everything happened so slowly but yeah I'm really pleased.' 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 of the £27 (S$46.7 million) million signing. Dortmund's other goals came via Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy and an Khuliso Mudau own goal. The Sundowns scorers were Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba. South Korea's Ulsan gave Fluminense a real scare 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. Fluminense lead Dortmund at the top of Group F on goal difference. Both are on four points after two matches. Lee Jin-hyun and Um Won-sang's first half goals were sandwiched by Jhon Arias' before a late rally from the Brazilian side produced strikes by Nonato, Juan Freytes and Keno. REUTERS, AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
From attendances to NBA-style walkouts: Club World Cup talking points
Fifa chief Gianni Infantino (left) and a delegation from Juventus meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House on June 18. PHOTO: EPA-EFE PHILADELPHIA – The opening week of the first 32-team Club World Cup in the United States has been played under a political shadow, while South American sides impress and some games struggle to attract fans. AFP Sport looks at some of the main talking points at the tournament so far. Political shadow Fifa have faced criticism for their increasingly close links to United States President Donald Trump and his administration. Ahead of the tournament, Uefa accused Fifa chief Gianni Infantino of prioritising 'private political interests' after he turned up late for Fifa's own congress because he met with Mr Trump in the Middle East. Infantino was in the Oval Office again on June 18 with a delegation from Juventus, as they shared an awkward exchange with Mr Trump as he questioned them on transgender athletes. 'It was a bit weird,' said Juventus and US forward Timothy Weah. 'When he started talking about the politics with Iran and everything, it's kind of, like... I just want to play football, man.' Meanwhile, some fans were worried by reports ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers were providing 'security' at Club World Cup stadiums. Plainclothes ICE officers have been targeting what they say are 'undocumented' migrants. To this point, they do not appear to have apprehended any match-going supporters. European teams not getting it all their own way Europe's leading clubs are the richest in the world and it would be a surprise if the winner of the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup came from a different continent. However, the evidence so far is that Europe's representatives are not having it all their own way. Up to June 20, clubs from Europe had won only half of 16 games against opponents from other continents, with South America showing it can more than hold its own. Paris Saint-Germain lost to Botafogo, while Chelsea were blown away by Flamengo. Real Madrid could not get the better of Saudi side Al-Hilal, but Europe sent far more clubs (12) than any other continent and it still looks likely that over half of the teams in the last 16 will be European. Attendances hold up despite empty seats There has been a lot of talk about empty seats, with the low point being the attendance of 3,412 in Orlando for Mamelodi Sundowns against Ulsan HD. There were also barely 22,000 at Chelsea's win over Los Angeles FC in Atlanta, leaving around 50,000 empty seats in the stadium in Atlanta. Yet the average attendance over the first seven days at the tournament was 36,135. That is higher than the average in La Liga, Serie A or Ligue 1 over the last season. The games featuring South American teams have seen some incredible atmospheres, especially in Miami for the June 20 clash between Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors. 'Amazing, amazing,' said Bayern coach Vincent Kompany when asked about the crowd, with passionate Boca fans making up the vast majority of the 63,587 attendance. 'I t is one of these things: i f you are not here it is sometimes hard to understand, but being here is an experience, a privilege.' Waiting for the weather Several matches have been held up because of inclement weather. Common public safety protocols in the US mandate that outdoor sports events are suspended for at least 30 minutes if lightning or thunder is seen or heard in the nearby area. Two matches in Orlando, a regular location for tropical storms, have been suspended, while games in East Rutherford and Cincinnati have also been interrupted. National team coaches preparing for the 2026 World Cup must consider the best way to prepare their players to cope with such delays. Climate change has been linked to an increase in frequency and intensity of storms and extreme weather conditions. 'Showbiz' NBA-style walkouts Organisers have jumped on the chance to make each game a show in the style of a traditional American sporting event, including having players come out onto the field one by one as their names are announced, like in the National Basketball Association. 'Why not bring it to the Premier League,' replied Chelsea's Romeo Lavia when asked if it could become a thing in England. 'It's a bit of a showbiz thing, isn't it? I quite like it.' Not everyone agrees with Lavia. ' It's a bit slow. I find it a bit strange. It seems like putting on a show for the sake of it. It seems a bit pointless,' said the Porto coach, Martin Anselmi. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Manchester City squad must be trimmed: Pep Guardiola
Manchester City brought in several players ahead of the Club World Cup, leaving manager Pep Guardiola with a large squad. PHOTO: REUTERS ATLANTA – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on June 21 that his club will have to sell players this summer for the stars' own good. The English Premier League side brought in several players ahead of the Club World Cup, leaving Guardiola with a large squad. Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move to Turkish side Galatasaray in recent days. Guardiola said he did not know anything about it, but said several players would have to be sold following the purchases of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri. 'I will love to have the players we have right now all season,' Guardiola told reporters in Atlanta. 'The problem is they will be unhappy during the season, they will be sad, they will be disappointed. 'I don't want that. I do it for them, not for me. For them. We have to see what happens, it's a long time until the transfer window will be closed, we have to see step by step.' Guardiola has said in the past he prefers a squad size of around 20 senior players, whereas City have more than 30 at present. Before trimming the squad, City are hoping to win the Club World Cup in the United States with their new arrivals providing fresh energy. They beat Wydad AC in their first match and face Al Ain on June 22 (June 23, Singapore time) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they can seal qualification to the last 16. Guardiola said Spanish defensive midfielder Rodri was not able to start the game as he continues his comeback from injury. 'He's getting better. He can play 20 minutes, 30 minutes at a time. He wants to play to help but we want to protect his knee,' said the manager. Guardiola said he was keen to take City far in the Club World Cup, adding it was a 'privilege to be here'. The manager dismissed some of the complaints about the competition and pointed towards the attitude of the South American clubs as an example of follow. 'I love when I see Botafogo, all the Brazilian teams, Argentinian teams, how they celebrate, how they are together, I love them,' said Guardiola. 'I'm pretty sure for the South American teams, for the Brazilian teams, for Argentinian teams, this competition is maybe the maximum... 'I like how all the games are tight, except one or two, and people are surprised, European teams lose. Welcome to the real world. Welcome to the real world, my friends.' Guardiola said Brazilian sides would have a 'carnival for one week' if they won the tournament. After Manchester City failed to win a trophy apart from the Community Shield, it would provide a boost heading into the new season. Guardiola said his team and staff, both featuring new arrivals, were enjoying spending time with each other and their facilities in Florida. 'It's a privilege to be here... to be back in four years time you have to win big, big, prizes,' said Guardiola. 'Once we are here, why should not we fight to stay longer and longer and longer... 'We can say it's annoying to come here (but) I want to arrive to the last stages, and that's the truth.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
