João Pedro leaves it to Chelsea fans to celebrate after double against old side
He didn't celebrate either, but there will be another chance soon. He'll be back here on Sunday, Chelsea delivered to the final day. He, perhaps more than any of them, knows what this means. 'I can't stop doing my job,' he had said the day before this semi-final against Fluminense; no one expected him to start doing it quite so quickly, and definitely not quite so well. Yes, he had prepared – 'I was in Brazil with friends but I have a personal trainer; imagine if I didn't train and Chelsea called me to come,' he said – but still. This was something else, certainly compared to the Chelsea strikers who have gone before.
He might not even have had the chance to play at all but for the suspension of Liam Delap, but by the time he walked, his work was done, a case made to start on his own merits. As he departed, João Pedro applauded the Chelsea fans to his left. Then he applauded the Fluminense fans to his right. Please allow me to introduce myself. And: sorry about that. Both applauded back, from Rio de Janeiro to the Metlife and a whole new life, this was his moment.
He had scored two, both of them brilliant strikes, and had been as good as his word. The first bent into the top corner; the second battered off the bar and into the net. No, he had not promised to score, still less like that, but he had promised not to celebrate if he did. And so after each, up went the hands, in apology.
The team he had just defeated was his boyhood club. He joined Fluminense at 10, travelling to live in Rio with his mother. The last of the Brazilian sides that have given this tournament so much, that have made it feel a little like, well, like a World Cup, now he it was who halted their journey. 'It's not about trying to end that,' he had said. 'I know how important it is for Fluminense and I believe it's also very important for us. I'm so grateful for everything Fluminense have done for me, but I can't stop doing my job. May the best team win, and may it be a great spectacle.'
The best team did win, although Marc Cucurella did clear one off the line and Chelsea did need a VAR interception to avoid a Fluminense penalty at 1-0. But in truth it wasn't especially spectacular. The game wasn't, anyway. The goals really were.
Out across the Hudson, in a place that is more parking lot than anything else, supporters had begun occupying the vast, exposed expanses surrounding the MetLife early. Heat rose from the floor, the smell of hot Tarmac mixing with tailgate barbecues the Brazilians brought. Huge great grills of meat under gazebos. Fluminense fans outnumbered Chelsea supporters but there were a lot of blue shirts too. There was no sign of João Pedro's 20 among them yet. Cole Palmer, who looks out over Times Square accompanied by the slogan 'Scary Good', appeared the most popular. Others brought a nostalgic touch – there were lots of Lampards out there.
Sign up to Football Daily
Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football
after newsletter promotion
By the time they had gone through the gates, past the sign warning that no weapons were allowed inside, they had missed the US national anthem, belted out to empty stands an hour before kick-off at every game here. They weren't entirely full by the time the teams came out one player at a time – João Pedro wasn't the most cheered then but he would be – but with tickets on sale 17 times cheaper than for Madrid against PSG on Wednesday, it got quite close. 70,566 came. There was the countdown to kick-off, 3pm on a working day. And then they played.
This wasn't always the fastest game, nor the most dramatic. It was hot down there – that was shown when it wasn't just the players who escaped inside at half-time but the fans too – and it never truly felt like Chelsea would not win. Nor was it a surprise. The identity of the man who carried them there was, and it was written. 'We're the ugly duckling,' the Fluminense coach, Renato Gaúcho, had said, but one of them had grown, and flown, something beautiful celebrated all round this stadium, his moment shared with everyone.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
26 minutes ago
- The Guardian
I played in the NFL. Outrage over male cheerleaders is really about attempts to control masculinity
Of all the existential threats facing professional football – concussions that erode the minds of players, scandals that rot institutions from within, dwindling youth interest in a sport built on collision and control – who could've predicted that what would truly rattle some fans was the sight of two men dancing on the sideline? Earlier this month, the Minnesota Vikings unveiled their newly minted 35-member cheerleading squad with a bold promotional video captioned, 'The next generation of cheer has arrived!' It wasn't just the choreography that caught attention, but the fact that two male performers, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn, were part of the group. Almost immediately, reactions erupted online, from heartfelt support to calls for a boycott, and even a homophobic slur wielded by a former NFL player whose name deserves no mention in this or any other reputable publication. Amid the storm, the Vikings stood firm. And rightly so. After all, Minnesota is no stranger to innovators who challenge convention. This is the home of Prince, a man who wore high heels, embraced gender ambiguity, and redefined masculinity. In an official statement, the Vikings reminded everyone that male cheerleaders –whose number include former US presidents – are nothing new, not only at the amateur and collegiate levels but also in the NFL itself. As of the 2025 season, at least 11 NFL teams include male cheerleaders on their official squads, the first being the Los Angeles Rams back in 2018, when Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies made history on the sidelines and later performed at the Super Bowl in 2019. The Minnesota Vikings also reminded people that Shiek and Conn earned their spots through the same competitive process as their peers, much like we football players compete and earn our spots on the roster. I was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2015, and I've been in those locker rooms where the pressure to perform as an athlete, teammate and man can feel overwhelming. The one thing that wasn't on my mind or any other player's mind was the cheerleaders. Not because they weren't talented. Not because they didn't belong. But because during the game, while they performed on the sidelines or at half-time, we were in huddles, making adjustments on the sidelines, giving our all on the field, or processing and schemes in the locker rooms for the next half. Everyone out there has a job to do, and the cheerleaders are no exception. They're not there for the players. They're there for the fans. Which means they should reflect all the fans. The people expressing outrage over male cheerleaders on the Vikings aren't talking about work ethic, talent or dedication. Their complaints are even more baseless than the Monday Morning Quarterbacks – a term created to address those who criticize players with the benefit of hindsight. This isn't about performance at all. It's about presence. It's about the mere existence and visibility of men on NFL cheer squads who don't conform to the rigid, outdated ideas of masculinity that so many use sport, and football in particular, to defend. What this backlash really reveals is not fear of change, but fear of visibility. The outrage over male cheerleaders isn't about sports. It's about control: over masculinity, over image, and over who gets to be seen and celebrated in public spaces or on the global stage of the NFL. It's the same impulse that drives anti-LBGTQ+ legislation, the same fear that fuels book bans, bathroom bills, and attacks on drag performers. This moment isn't isolated; it's part of a broader cultural backlash to liberation. And just as Christian nationalism has long been weaponized to marginalize queer people, so too has sport. Sport is used to draw lines around what's 'American' and 'man enough'. But those lines were never drawn for protection; they were drawn for power. The truth is, football isn't as rugged as society would like us to believe. The power of sport is in its intimacy; its emotional extremity. In the way players and fans alike grieve, cry, pray, dance, and embrace under the lights and flags, and banners. The locker room is one of the few places in American culture where men are allowed to be vulnerable, broken, weep, and to hug in celebration, speak with peers across all cultures and generations, and build themselves up again. When you peel back the helmets and hits, you'll see what's always been there: joy, vulnerability, brotherhood, and the undeniable truth that masculinity isn't fixed, it's fluid. And that's not changing. Shiek, Conn, and every male cheerleader across the league aren't just cheering for a team. They're cheering for possibility, for the next generation of boys who want to move their bodies with pride, for the kids who don't see themselves in shoulder pads but still belong in the stadium. Sport isn't sacred because it resists change. It's sacred because it brings people together, and the more inclusive that togetherness becomes, the more powerful the game will be.
The Guardian
26 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Brazil aim to make waves at their first Women's Rugby World Cup
Sixteen. That is how many Tests Brazil's women's rugby team has played, just six more than England played in 2024 alone. The Yaras have recorded five wins but one of those was history-making: a first victory against Colombia last June that secured qualification for the Rugby World Cup. They will be the first South American country at the women's tournament and the first Brazil team, male or female, to compete in rugby's global showpiece. 'It is incredible,' says their captain, Eshyllen Coimbra. The remarkable story began in 2008 with their first international match. Brazil lost 10-0 to the Netherlands in what would be their sole fixture before an 11-year hiatus, mainly due to a lack of regional opponents. Brazil's union focused on women's sevens and rugby league before the 15s team was revived in 2019. One of the main reasons for doing so was the potential for World Cup qualification. For the 2021 tournament (staged in 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic) Brazil were beaten by Colombia in a qualifier, the victors going on to lose to Scotland in a playoff. However, for the expanded 2025 tournament, South America was granted a guaranteed qualification spot. That place was decided in a winner-takes-all encounter between Brazil and Colombia. Brazil came away with a convincing 34-13 victory in which Coimbra was one of the try-scorers. The captain was emotional when the full-time whistle blew, but World Cup qualification was not the first thing on her mind. 'It was a very unbelievable thing to win the game against Colombia because we had about six or seven losses before that game, it was the first time we won,' says Coimbra, who has a full-time player contract with Brazil and is also studying journalism. 'I wasn't thinking about the Rugby World Cup, it was the first win, and I couldn't believe it. 'I started to think about the World Cup the next day and I just thought: 'I cannot believe I am in the tournament.' I'm so glad we made it and it is incredible to achieve it.' The playoff was just the second win in the team's history, the first coming against Portugal in December 2023. Emiliano Caffera took charge just after the Portugal victory and the head coach, who is also in charge of the men's team, focused on developing the players' skills for the 15-a-side game, with many of the players transitioning from sevens. He says: 'All of the skills of sevens start the preparation for 15s. I had to work on the weaknesses which were the scrum, maul, defence and kicking game. We really focused there. The scrum-half, the No 10s, didn't have the knowledge of 15s, so we had to start from scratch … that was the key to start making that history that we didn't have.' Many of the squad also bring rugby league knowledge. One of the most experienced players is Edna Santini, who is poised to become the first player to appear at a Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Sevens, Sevens World Series, Olympic Games and a Rugby League World Cup. The 33-year-old says: 'It is a very important personal milestone. Having the opportunity to play each tournament is really meaningful to me. To conquer everything with Brazil rugby, it's so important.' Santini and the rest of squad are keen to make it clear they are not at the 2025 tournament just to make up the numbers. They want to make an impact, while acknowledging the difficulty of their pool. Pool D contains South Africa, Italy and France, three opponents they have never played, all of whom will be favourites. Positive results may be difficult to come by so what will success look like? The message is clear throughout the squad. 'It is an opportunity to show the Brazilian way to play rugby,' Coimbra says. 'We want to do our best, without looking at results. We want to surprise people and make people see what Brazil rugby is about. Each game there are expectations to play the best rugby we can but the main goal is to show Brazilian rugby for the first time.' Santini says: 'Brazil being in the World Cup is new, we have high expectations in terms of doing our best, playing the hardest we can. We want to show we trained really hard to represent the Brazil rugby union in the best way we could.' Performance and pride in the shirt may be the main objectives but the best opportunity for a surprise win will be their opener against South Africa. While the Springboks have far more experience, Italy and France are both another step ahead. Caffera believes his side are capable of causing an upset. The 46-year-old, who played for Uruguay at the men's 2003 Rugby World Cup, says: 'For me it is the game that, if we do all good things and we have an amazing day, maybe we can do it. I don't think it'll happen against Italy or France. But with the weaknesses of South Africa and our strengths, maybe that can be the day.' Regardless of results, the coach believes the tournament will hugely benefit his squad. He explains the experience of playing Tier 1 nations will be significant but to continue to progress, they need more games. The creation of a South American tournament would be the answer for Caffera but he understands the challenges – nations such as Argentina and Chile do not have established women's teams. The coach adds: 'It's [about] playing with big countries and playing in big tournaments. At the moment we don't have that and we don't have that on the continent, it's going to be hard for us growing in the future without a 15s tournament. We really need a South American tournament to grow this team and grow the young players too. If we want to be a good team in the future we need to grow the young players and for me tournaments and games like that are key. 'WXV [World Rugby's annual global women's 15s competition] started some things but it is only one tournament for us. We don't have Six Nations, we don't have a strong club league, we don't have Super Rugby Americas for women, we need to send players to other clubs and countries. That is going to be the start because here we don't have anything. It is going to be really hard for World Rugby to give us more games. Players have to go to other countries like England, Italy, Spain, USA, New Zealand. We have good players, they need to play more.' Brazil will break new ground at this World Cup; the next challenge is ensuring it is not their last. Rachael Burford believes England can have a more powerful impact on body positivity if they win the Rugby World Cup than the Lionesses' Euros victory earlier this summer. Burford, the former England player who won the Rugby World Cup in 2014, adds the entire tournament will positively impact body image but the further the Red Roses go, the bigger their spotlight will be. She says: 'Having seen what the Lionesses have done and not taking anything away from them, it's about what is unique to our sport, which is that it is for any body. Every body type is needed in our game. 'You look to players like Sarah Bern who has spoken about how she struggled with her body image and now she is empowered by it. I think that could have such an impact on young girls' body image which in society is such a challenge for their self-esteem and self worth. Thinking they have to look a certain way. 'They have these powerful role models across all 16 teams where they can say 'she looks like me, she is the same size as me and she is an international rugby player playing on the best stage'. Football has done so much but they are all similar in shape and size. So being able to have that relatability and connection piece [in rugby] could have a massive impact in society.' August 2017: The wing Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scored eight tries against Hong Kong at Billings Park in Dublin in New Zealand's 121-0 victory in the Rugby World Cup pool stage. It's the joint second-highest winning margin in a women's World Cup game, alongside the US' 121-0 win over Japan in 1994 and only beaten by the Black Ferns' 134-6 victory against Germany in 1998. Woodman-Wickliffe said after the game: 'It's all down to the girls on the inside with the ball – they were working in the middle and I just get the glory in the end to finish it off.' 'This World Cup has the potential to change women's rugby for ever': England captain Zoe Aldcroft speaks to Donald McRae. Sarah Rendell chats to Marlie Packer about overcoming losing the captaincy to remain a key part of the Red Roses squad. A definitive guide to the Women's Rugby World Cup pools. Firefighter, mother, tattooist: three rugby part-timers on their sacrifices to live a World Cup dream. And the Wallabies have broken South Africa's aura of invincibility. Is Australian rugby back? Daniel Gallan on a shock result in the Rugby Championship.
Reuters
26 minutes ago
- Reuters
Morecambe appoint Johal as first Sikh professional manager in England
LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Ashvir Singh Johal has become the first Sikh to coach a professional club in England after being named as first-team manager at fifth-tier Morecambe on Tuesday. The 30-year-old is also the youngest manager in the top-five tiers of English soccer. "He arrives at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium with an excellent reputation as a forward thinking coach and leader, bringing a wealth of experience in player development, tactical innovation, and building high-performance cultures," the club said. "His appointment marks an exciting new era for the Shrimps as the Club continues its journey under fresh ownership and renewed ambition." Johal, who worked at Leicester City's academy for 10 years and was part of Kolo Toure's coaching team at Wigan Athletic in the Championship in 2022, replaces Derek Adams who left the club following the takeover by the Panjab Warriors consortium. The club is yet to play a game in the National League this season after being suspended because of its failure to meet financial obligations, including failing to pay staff and uncertainty about the ownership. Following the completion of the sale of the club by the Bond Group to London-based Panjab Warriors, that suspension has been lifted, meaning Johal can begin the task of trying to reverse the decline in the seaside town club's fortunes. "The immediate priority right now is going to be to identify the players that we need in this building to ensure Morecambe Football Club can perform well in the National League," he said. Johal completed his UEFA Pro Licence in June.
