Connect with us

International Sports

FIFA Club WC: Drama, Goals, and Red Cards

Chelsea’s latest acquisition, Liam Delap, made a memorable debut in their 2‑0 FIFA Club World Cup victory over LAFC.

Published

on

Chelsea FIFA Club WC

The FIFA Club World Cup delivered a night of high drama, stunning scorelines, and breakout performances as Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors, and Benfica clashed across Group C and D fixtures in the U.S.

Chelsea 2–0 LAFC (Atlanta)

Premier League side Chelsea secured a comfortable 2–0 victory over LAFC, with goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández. The Blues, managed by Enzo Maresca, dominated the match from the outset, boasting 65% possession and 17 shots.

Chelsea’s latest acquisition, Liam Delap, made a memorable debut in their 2‑0 FIFA Club World Cup victory over LAFC.

Brought on in the 63rd minute, Delap wasted no time – his intelligent and precise cross set up Enzo Fernández’s decisive goal in the 79th. Manager Enzo Maresca hailed the young striker’s quick assimilation into the team’s style, noting, “he knows the way we want to play, so the process is quite quick”.

Fans and pundits alike were impressed by his confident display, with many calling him “world class” just minutes into his Chelsea career.

Despite the strong on-field showing, the backdrop at Atlanta’s Mercedes‑Benz Stadium was hard to ignore. With a full capacity of roughly 71,000, only about 22,000 supporters were present – leaving more than two-thirds of the seats empty.

Maresca described the atmosphere as “a bit strange,” reflecting the odd environment of playing in such a vast, half-empty venue.

High ticket prices, weekday scheduling, and a lack of regional interest combined to dampen attendance, despite Atlanta’s history of solid support for soccer events, local media reported.

Boca Juniors 2–2 Benfica (Miami Gardens)

In a fiery contest marred by red cards and late drama, Argentine giants Boca Juniors and Portugal’s Benfica played out a 2–2 draw. Boca raced to an early 2–0 lead through Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia, but Benfica clawed their way back with a penalty from Ángel Di María and a late header by Nicolás Otamendi.

The match saw three red cards, including one for Andrea Belotti, as tensions flared in the closing stages.

Bayern Munich 10–0 Auckland City (Miami)

Bayern Munich delivered the most lopsided result of the tournament so far, dismantling New Zealand’s Auckland City 10–0 in a Group C rout. Michael Olise starred with two goals and two assists, while Jamal Musiala made a strong return from injury. Head coach Vincent Kompany praised his side’s discipline and relentless pressing, noting the result could be crucial for goal difference.

What’s Next

Chelsea will face Flamengo next in a high-stakes Group D clash on Friday, while LAFC must regroup ahead of their meeting with ES Tunis on Saturday.

In Group C, Bayern’s next opponent is Boca Juniors, with Benfica set to face Auckland City. The outcomes will decide who progresses to the Round of 16 later this week.

Fans across Afghanistan can tune in to Ariana Television to watch today’s matches live.

First up is Fluminense vs Borussia Dortmund at 8.30pm Kabul time. River Plate will take on Urawa Red Diamonds at 11.30pm Kabul time; and Ulsan will meet Mamelodi Sundowns at 2.30am Kabul time; while Monterrey take on Inter Milan at 5.30am tomorrow.

International Sports

FIFA Club WC: Chelsea to face PSG in title showdown

Published

on

Paris Saint‑Germain and Chelsea will battle it out on Sunday for the trophy at MetLife Stadium, wrapping up the first-ever 32‑team edition of the FIFA Club World Cup.

PSG reached the final in dominant fashion, dismantling Real Madrid 4–0 in the semifinal, with star striker Ousmane Dembélé making a triumphant return from injury — he provided an early assist and scored within nine minutes, prompting praise from manager Luis Enrique.

The French side aims to complete a historic quadruple, having already secured three major titles this year.

PSG clinched their 13th Ligue 1 championship on April 5 this year with a 1–0 victory over Angers. They secured the title with six matches to spare, extending their unbeaten streak to 28 games.

The team also lifted the Coupe de France on May 24 defeating Reims 3–0 at the Stade de France to claim a record 16th French Cup.

In addition, and in an historic European conquest, PSG captured their first-ever UEFA Champions League title on May 31 this year when they thrashed Inter Milan 5–0 at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

It was not only their debut triumph in Europe’s premier club competition but also the largest winning margin in a Champions League final.

Chelsea, meanwhile, advanced past Fluminense with a 2–0 victory, courtesy of a brace from debutant João Pedro.

Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea is seeking to become the first English club to win the Club World Cup twice, with their previous triumph coming in 2021.

Prize Money and Stakes

Each finalist has already earned between $88 million and $113 million in prize and participation fees.

The winning side stands to earn an additional $40 million, with total payouts potentially topping $125 million.

Golden Boot Race

With the semifinalists eliminated, Gonzalo García, Ángel Di María, Marcos Leonardo, and Serhou Guirassy each sit on four goals. However, PSG’s Dembélé (two goals) and Chelsea’s Pedro Neto (three) could still challenge for the top scorer award with strong performances in the final.

Sunday’s final will meanwhile see some high profile spectators, including US President Donald Trump, who was invited to attend the event by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The final will be broadcast live on Ariana Television across Afghanistan. Fans can tune in from 10:30 pm for the pre-show. The match will get underway at 11:30pm.

Continue Reading

International Sports

FIFA Club WC: PSG, Fluminense, Real Madrid, Chelsea head to semifinals 

According to FIFA, fans from more than 70 countries have attended matches, and over 2 million tickets have been sold.

Published

on

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has reached its penultimate stage, with four global heavyweights—Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Fluminense—advancing to the semifinals following a thrilling round of quarter-final matchups that delivered both football brilliance and dramatic setbacks.

In a fiery clash in Atlanta, Paris Saint-Germain overcame Bayern Munich 2–0 despite being reduced to nine men. 

Goals from Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé sealed the win, but the game was overshadowed by a devastating injury to Bayern star Jamal Musiala, who suffered a suspected fibula fracture and ligament damage that could sideline him for months. 

The intensity of the encounter has reignited debate over player welfare in demanding summer conditions.

Over in New Jersey, Real Madrid edged Borussia Dortmund 3–2 in a high-octane match punctuated by a spectacular overhead goal from Kylian Mbappé, reaffirming Madrid’s title ambitions and setting up a blockbuster semifinal clash with PSG.

Meanwhile, Chelsea booked their place in the final four with a 2–1 victory over Palmeiras, leveraging tactical discipline and timely finishing. Brazil’s Fluminense also advanced with a 2–1 win over Al-Hilal, maintaining their strong form and carrying South American hopes into the final rounds.

Upcoming Semifinals

Fluminense vs. Chelsea – Tuesday, July 8

PSG vs. Real Madrid – Wednesday, July 9

Both matches will be played at MetLife Stadium, the same venue set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.

Tournament Highlights and Trends

The expanded Club World Cup, featuring 32 teams for the first time, has seen record attendance and global viewership. According to FIFA, fans from more than 70 countries have attended matches, and over 2 million tickets have been sold. Players from 33 nations are competing, representing a truly global showcase of elite club talent.

However, concerns over player safety have been raised. Following Musiala’s injury and several heat-related incidents, FIFA is reportedly considering scheduling changes and additional hydration breaks. The tournament has also tried new rules, including stricter time-wasting enforcement and the use of body-worn referee cameras.

Prize and Prestige

With $125 million in prize money awaiting the champions, the stakes have never been higher. This year’s tournament not only marks a commercial milestone for FIFA, but also a competitive proving ground ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The grand final is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, also at MetLife Stadium.

Continue Reading

International Sports

FIFA Club WC: Dortmund triumphs as Real Madrid advance in Round of 16

Real Madrid edged Juventus 1–0 to progress to the last eight. Gonzalo Garcia cored the decisive second-half header, marking his third goal of the FIFA Club WC tournament.

Published

on

Real Madrid

The knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup delivered more twists on Tuesday, with Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid securing their quarter-final spots. These victories set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown between the two European heavyweights.

This comes after football fans were treated to high drama on Monday as two of Europe’s biggest clubs—Manchester City and Inter Milan—crashed out of the tournament in a stunning day of round-of-16 action.

Al-Hilal’s extra-time triumph over City and Fluminense’s measured victory over Inter marked a dramatic shift in the tournament narrative, as South American and Asian clubs asserted their strength on the global stage.

Dortmund edges Monterrey 2–1

At Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Borussia Dortmund secured a 2–1 victory over Mexico’s Monterrey, earning their place in the quarter-finals.

Striker Serhou Guirassy sparked the win with two first-half goals in the 14th and 24th minutes. Monterrey responded immediately after the break, as German Berterame pulled one back in the 48th minute.

Despite intense pressure and a near miss by veteran Sergio Ramos, Dortmund held firm. Guirassy was named Player of the Match. However, Dortmund will face Real Madrid without Jobe Bellingham, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Coach Niko Kovac praised his squad and described the upcoming clash with Real Madrid as “a bonus.” He emphasized that matching Tuesday’s performance could give his team “a real chance” to upset Xabi Alonso’s side.

Real Madrid secure 1–0 win over Juventus

In Miami, Real Madrid edged Juventus 1–0 to progress to the last eight. Gonzalo Garcia cored the decisive second-half header, marking his third goal of the tournament.

Superstar Kylian Mbappé, sidelined during the group stage by gastroenteritis, made his long-awaited Club World Cup debut as a substitute, receiving a hero’s welcome from the crowd.

Manager Xabi Alonso commended Mbappé’s recovery. He said: “I think day by day he will get better… by the time of the quarters he should be in much better shape.”

The wins set up a blockbuster quarter-final showdown between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, scheduled for Saturday, July 5, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The result will determine who advances to the semi-finals on July 8 or 9.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2025 Ariana News. All rights reserved!