Latest news with #CWC2025
TimesLIVE
14-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Maresca hails Palmer brilliance in Chelsea's Club World Cup triumph
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca praised Cole Palmer's ability to rise to the occasion after the English attacking midfielder was named Club World Cup player of the tournament after their commanding 3-0 victory over Paris St Germain in Sunday's final. 'These are the games we expect Cole Palmer to appear and once again he showed what he is made of,' Maresca said after Palmer scored twice and provided an assist to Joao Pedro in their title-winning performance against the Champions League winners. Maresca revealed his tactical master plan had worked to perfection, with Chelsea pressing PSG high and exploiting direct plays behind their rivals' defence to devastating effect at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ice-cold from Cole Palmer to get the Blues off the mark 🥶🧊 Watch the FIFA #CWC2025 live in various language options on SuperSport 🗣️🎙️ 📺 Stream #CWC2025 on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 13, 2025 'The idea was go man-to-man because if you leave spaces to PSG they will kill you,' Maresca explained. 'So we tried to be very aggressive and suffocate them early on and that intensity was crucial in the first 10 minutes due to the scorching heat that were really difficult conditions to play in as the game progressed.' The Italian coach highlighted how his team had successfully targeted PSG's vulnerable flank, adding: 'We had a lot of success exploring the left side of their defence, things worked perfectly for us due to the effort the players put.' The trophy cabinet at Stamford Bridge just got bigger 😏🏆 #FIFACWC | #CWC2025 | #SSFootball — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 13, 2025 Maresca praised his players for deploying perfectly the gameplan he had in mind, with their high-intensity approach proving decisive in the sweltering New Jersey conditions, saying that he is delighted to win a Club World Cup he thinks will be seen much differently in the future. 'I feel this competition [the Club World Cup] will be as important as or even more important than the Champions League. 'I was lucky enough to be part of a coaching staff [at Manchester City] that won the Champions League three years ago, but this competition features the best clubs in the world. 'That's why we value it as much as the Champions League, or perhaps even more. For us, it was a great triumph. Allowing Chelsea fans to wear that world champion patch on their shirts is a source of pride for us.'
TimesLIVE
06-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Real Madrid survive Dortmund scare to reach Club World Cup semis
Image: Imagn Images via Reuters/Vincent Carchietta Real Madrid edged past Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in a dramatic Club World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday to set up a last-four clash with Paris St Germain. The Spanish giants stamped their authority on the match early at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, dominating possession and opening a two-goal lead thanks to strikes by Gonzalo and Fran Garcia in the 10th and 20th minutes. Gonzalo, the 21-year-old forward continuing his breakout tournament, opened the scoring with a close-range volley from Arda Guler's cross. Ten minutes later, Garcia doubled Real's lead, arriving at the far post to turn in Trent Alexander-Arnold's low delivery after an incisive move down the right. Kylian Mbappé smashes it beyond Kobel 🚀 #SSFootball | #FIFACWC | #CWC2025 — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 5, 2025 Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. squandered chances to extend Real's lead before halftime, while Aurelien Tchouameni came closest in the second half, rattling the crossbar with a curling effort from the edge of the box. Despite the reduced intensity of play in New Jersey's scorching heat, Real comfortably saw out the match, leaving Dortmund unable to mount a comeback until the game exploded into life in 10 minutes of mayhem in added time. Substitute Maximilian Beier pounced on a rebound in the 93rd minute to pull one back for Dortmund, but a minute later Kylian Mbappé restored Real's two-goal cushion with a stunning volley. Dortmund refused to back down, however, and Serhou Guirassy's pace saw him break through Real's defence only to be pulled down in the box by Dean Huijsen. Real Madrid have a special talent on their hands ⚪🙌 📺 Stream #FIFACWC on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 5, 2025 The defender was shown a straight red card, ruling him out of the semifinal, and Guirassy coolly converted the resulting spot-kick to reduce the deficit to 3-2. Dortmund came within inches of forcing extra time when in the ninth minute of added time Thibaut Courtois produced a sensational save to deny Marcel Sabitzer's powerful strike. 'We were doing really well and the match looked under control but then in the last 10 minutes things got crazy,' Real manager Xabi Alonso told DAZN. 'We have lost a little bit our focus and intensity when we didn't have the ball and luckily nothing else happened. But overall we have had good 80 minutes and the last 10 minutes to improve.' Real Madrid now turn their attention to PSG, who defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 to book their place in the semifinals. The winners of that clash will face Fluminense or Chelsea, who meet on Tuesday, in the final.
TimesLIVE
01-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Shock win over City like conquering Everest, says Al-Hilal boss Inzaghi
Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi likened his side's shock 4-3 extra-time win over Manchester City in the last 16 of the Club World Cup (CWC) to 'climbing Mount Everest without oxygen' after the Saudi side booked an unexpected berth in the quarterfinals. Inzaghi's side will face Brazil's Fluminense in the last eight on Friday after Marcos Leonardo scored a 112th-minute winner for the Riyadh-based club to eliminate Pep Guardiola's City at the end of a seven-goal thriller in Orlando. Al-Hilal have been majority-owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund since 2023 and over the last two years have invested heavily in big-name foreign signings including Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Kalidou Koulibaly. Inzaghi said the key to the result 'was the players, and the heart they put on the pitch tonight'. 'We had to do something extraordinary because we all know Manchester City, that team. Marcos Leonardo has just booked Al-Hilal's place in the quarter-finals at the expense of Manchester City! #FIFACWC #CWC2025 #SSFootball — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 1, 2025 'We had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and we made it. All the players were exceptional in everything, in the possession phase, the non-possession phase. 'We were very well organised in possession and we played well from a technical point of view against a team which is really aggressive and strong in possession. 'Guardiola, I believe, is the best coach in the world, but tonight we did our best and I believe we deserve this result.' Hilal pulled off one of the shocks of the CWC. Marcos Leonardo scored his second of the night in the 113th minute as Inzaghi's side saw off the Premier League club, who had taken a ninth minute lead through Bernardo Silva. Quick-fire goals from Leonardo and Malcom in six minutes immediately after the restart put Hilal in front before Erling Haaland equalised for City in the 55th. This is what dreams are made of for Fluminense 😤🇧🇷 #FIFACWC | #CWC2025 | #SSFootball — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 30, 2025 Four minutes into extra-time, Koulibaly headed in Neves' corner to put the big-spending Riyadh-based club back in front and while Phil Foden levelled again for City, Leonardo netted with seven minutes left to take Hilal through. Fluminense reached the quarterfinals with a stunning 2—0 win over Inter Milan as German Cano's early goal and Hercules' stoppage-time strike toppled the Champions League runners-up in sweltering heat on Monday. Inter are Inzaghi's previous club. He steered them to the 2024-25 Uefa Champions League final but left after they were humbled 5-0 there by Paris St-Germain. Fluminense struck after three minutes when Cano pounced on a deflected cross and headed in from close range, putting the ball through goalkeeper Yann Sommer's legs for a dream start. The Italians pushed for an equaliser after the break but were frustrated by a well-organised defence. Stefan de Vrij missed a close-range chance, keeper Fabio denied Sebastiano Esposito with his feet and Lautaro Martinez struck the post. Substitute Hercules sealed the win for Fluminense three minutes into added time, calmly slotting home from the edge of the box to send the Brazilians through.
TimesLIVE
27-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
City thrash Juve, Vinicius sparkles for Real, Mailula scores for losing Wydad
Manchester City produced an impressive display to thrash Juventus 5-2 and underline their title credentials at the Club World Cup on Thursday, advancing to the last 16 with three victories with their 5-2 Group G thrashing of Juventus. The game also saw Rodri make his first start for City since September, playing 67 minutes. City coach Pep Guardiola was pleased with a display more fitting of his team after their battles of the 2024-25 season. 'I liked the way we did it. It has been a long time since we had a performance like this on and off the ball. The players were committed and we are happy to beat a top side. 'This is just one game, but I think the players felt again what it was like to be a good team. The belief always comes from your performances, not your past.' On Rodri's return, Guardiola said: 'We have missed him a lot. He knows exactly what he has to do with the ball, and his personality. I didn't expect him to play as many minutes. He will be ready for the next one.' The South Africans have been pulling strings for Wydad 😤🇿🇦 Cassius Mailula gets his first goal of the #FIFACWC 🔥 📺 Stream #CWC2025 on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 26, 2025 With both teams already through to the knockout stage, City underlined their status as title favourites by becoming the only team to finish the group phase with three wins, showing flashes of their brilliant selves. Guardiola's side, will meet Al-Hilal - coached now by Simone Inzaghi, who steered Inter Milan into the last Uefa Champions League final - in the last 16. City finished three points clear of Juventus, who will face Real Madrid. Vinicius Jr scored one and set up another as Madrid secured a 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg on Thursday to seal top spot in Group H. The Spaniards finished with seven points, two clear of Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, who defeated Pachuca 2-0 in the day's other group fixture. Austria's Salzburg, with four points, and Mexican side Pachuca, who failed to register a point, were eliminated. Real face Juve at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Tuesday, while Hilal met City in Orlando on Monday. Pep Guardiola's super sub pays dividends 💪 That ball control from Haaland though 🤫 📺 Stream #CWC2025 on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 26, 2025 Under steady rain in Philadelphia, Xabi Alonso's Real dominated proceedings against a lacklustre Salzburg, who created few clear-cut chances. Salzburg's 18-year-old goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky was sharp from the outset and denied Vinicius an early opener with a point-blank save. The Brazilian forward squandered further opportunities while Gonzalo Garcia also missed a golden chance from a Vinicius cross near the half-hour mark. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 40th minute with Jude Bellingham threading a perfectly timed pass through to Vinicius, who danced past two defenders and unleashed from the edge of the box to leave Zawieschitzky with no chance. Vinicius played a pivotal role in Real's second during first-half added time, picking up a loose ball in the box and delivering an audacious back-heeled pass to Federico Valverde, who fired home from close range. Real Madrid were deadly on the counter here 🔥 #FIFACWC #CWC2025 #SSFootball — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 27, 2025 Real Madrid maintained control in the second half but continued to waste chances in front of goal and it was not until the 84th minute that Gonzalo Garcia wrapped up the win, chipping the Salzburg goalkeeper in a quick counter. 'I'm very happy with the goal and the assist. But now comes the most important part, the knockouts, and we're looking forward to it,' Vinicius told DAZN. 'The vibes were good. We played very well in the first half, but we were a bit slower in the second. That's normal given the matches coming up, where we can't afford to slip up.' Real should also be able to call on Kylian Mbappe for the knockout rounds after the French forward missed the entire group stage due to illness. Mbappe returned to training on Wednesday after being struck down by acute gastroenteritis last week but Alonso said they decided to leave him out of the Salzburg match to allow him to make a full recovery for the knockout stage. Al-Hilal beat Mexico's Pachuca 2-0 to reach the knockout stage, the big-spending Saudi club's first win of the tournament enough to send them through as Group H runners-up behind Real. Salem Al-Dawsari opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and Marcos Leonardo added the second in stoppage time to send the four-times Asian champions through to a last-16 clash with Manchester City in Orlando on Monday. Kodjo Laba scored just before half time, Kaku broke through just after and Al Ain rallied to a 2-1 victory over Wydad AC. Kaku's goal in a match when VAR played a pivotal role stood as the winner for Al Ain, who notched the win escaped unscathed despite Laba's stunning 76th-minute miss from close range. The UAE side finished third in Group G despite being routed 5-0 by Juventus and 6-0 by Manchester City. Wydad were last without a win.
TimesLIVE
25-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Chelsea cruise past Esperance, to face Benfica, who beat Bayern
Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap and Tyrique George saw Chelsea's second-string side secure a place in the round of 16 at the Club World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Esperance de Tunis in their final Group D match on Tuesday. Group winners Flamengo were held 1-1 by Los Angeles FC to finish on seven points, one ahead of Chelsea. Esperance finished third with three points while LA FC were bottom with one. Chelsea face Group C winners Benfica in the last 16 on Saturday at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, while Flamengo take on Bayern Munich, Group C runners-up, in Miami on Sunday. Despite the stakes, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca opted to rotate his squad once more, resting key players such as Cole Palmer and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. He was missing striker Nicolas Jackson, who will also be unavailable against Benfica as he serves a two-match suspension after his red card in Friday's 3-1 loss to Flamengo. Liam Delap gets off the mark with Chelsea 🫡 #FIFACWC #CWC2025 #SSFootball — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 25, 2025 Delap, a £30m signing from Ipswich Town, came close to opening the scoring in the 20th minute but his header was cleared off the line. The breakthrough finally came in first-half stoppage time when Adarabioyo rose highest to head the ball into the bottom left corner. Moments later Delap doubled Chelsea's lead, capitalising on a loose ball inside the box, cutting inside a defender and finishing neatly into the far corner. The second half saw Chelsea control proceedings without pressing for a third goal. The London side made it 3-0 when substitute George fired home from the edge of the box deep in added time. Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup struck in the first half to seal a 1-0 win over Bayern in sweltering, sending the Portuguese side to the top of Group C. Schjelderup broke the deadlock after 13 minutes with a first-time finish off Fredrik Aursnes' low cross from the right, capitalising on a lapse in Bayern's backline. Benfica stun the German giants in 12 minutes 😤🎯 Watch the FIFA #CWC2025 live in various language options on SuperSport 🗣️🎙️ 📺 Stream #FIFACWC on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 24, 2025 With Bayern already assured of a place in the next round, their rotated line-up lacked urgency. The Germans improved after the break and Joshua Kimmich thought he had equalised, but his effort was ruled out for Harry Kane being offside. Misfiring Flamengo were held to a 1-1 draw by Los Angeles FC in their final group match in Orlando but the Brazilian side still go into the knockout stage with some momentum. Denis Bouanga put the MLS club ahead in the 84th minute but substitute Wallace Yan responded two minutes later to ensure Flamengo would progress unbeaten to their last-16 tie against Bayern. With top spot in Group D already assured, Flamengo coach Filipe Luis made seven changes to his starting side but there was no change to the energetic style that already earned the Rio de Janeiro club wins over Chelsea and Esperance. Joshua Kimmich's celebrations are cut short 🫠❌ 📺 Stream #CWC2025 on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 24, 2025 With a little more accuracy in front of goal, they would have comfortably beaten an LA FC who were already condemned to a group stage exit after losing their first two games without scoring a goal. Boca Juniors were held to a 1-1 draw by Auckland City and failed to reach the knockout stage in steamy Nashville, Tennessee, where the match was suspended for nearly 50 minutes due to stormy weather. Boca came into the game needing both a convincing win against already-eliminated Auckland to overturn a seven-goal difference with Benfica and for the Portuguese club to lose to German champions Bayern. Auckland had just drawn level shortly after the break when lightning in the area forced players off the field. By the time play resumed, Benfica had secured a 1-0 win to qualify top. Boca went ahead in the first half courtesy of an own goal by Auckland goalkeeper Nathan Garrow while Christian Gray drew his side level in the 52nd with a header that sailed inside the right post.
