Auckland stuns Boca, Chelsea progresses at Club World Cup
a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich, as Chelsea advanced from Group D and Auckland City stunned
Boca Juniors with a 1-1 draw.
Flamengo, already assured of a place in the last 16, drew 1-1 with Los Angeles FC in Orlando.
In Charlotte, an early goal from Norway international forward Andreas Schjelderup inflicted Bayern's first blemish of the tournament. Schjelderup timed his run to perfection to sweep home a first-time effort from 12 yards after compatriot Fredrik Aursnes crossed from the right wing.
Bayern enjoyed almost three quarters of the total possession but rarely threatened against a disciplined and compact Benfica defense. The result left the Lisbon-based club a point ahead
of the Bundesliga champions, who also advanced to the tournament's next stage.
"I think this was a very fair and important win, historic really," Benfica manager Bruno Lage said.
"We were as straightforward and assertive as we should be and I think we were very effective in delivering our strategy."
Benfica will meet Chelsea in Charlotte on Saturday while Bayern Munich faces Flamengo in Miami the next day.
In Nashville, Christian Gray struck a second-half equalizer as Auckland City clinched its first point
of the tournament against Boca Juniors.
The Argentine outfit went ahead when Lautaro Di Lollo's header from a corner hit the left post before ricochetting in off goalkeeper Nathan Garrow. But Gray equalized by latching onto a Jerson Lagos corner with a low header beyond Agustin Marchesin.
Garrow repeatedly denied Boca with a series of sharp saves as the semi-professional team from New Zealand bowed out on an encouraging note.
Boca finished third in Group C, joining fourth-placed Auckland City in exiting the competition. "I'm from a small town, a long way from here and a lot different to this environment. So it is somewhat
of a dream," Gray said after the match, explaining that he would go back to his job as a school teacher upon returning to New Zealand.
"We've had some tough results, but I'm just happy for the team and the boys. I think we deserve it," the 28 year-old added.
In Philadelphia, Chelsea secured its passage to the knockout phase with a 3-0 victory over Tunisia's Esperance in Group D. Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring with a looping header into the far corner after Enzo Fernandez's floating free-kick.
Argentina international midfielder Fernandez was again the provider as his lofted pass released Liam Delap, who shook off two defenders before calmly slotting a low finish past goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said.
The Premier League side made it 3-0 in second-half stoppage time when Tyrique George's long-range shot slipped through Ben Said's gloves and rolled into the back of the net.
The result meant Chelsea finished second in Group D with six points, three ahead of the eliminated Esperance.
In Wednesday's other fixture, a late Wallace Yan strike earned Flamengo a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC in Orlando.
Denis Bouanga broke the deadlock against the run of play when he ran onto Timothy Tillman's
long free-kick before nutmegging goalkeeper Agustin Rossi with a composed finish. Wallace
leveled two minutes later for the Brazilian club as he bulldozed his way into the box after
Jorginho's pass and lashed low past Hugo Lloris.
Despite the result, Flamengo topped Group D with seven points while Los Angeles - which entered the match without hope of progressing - finished last, six points further back.
UNI/XINHUA BM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
India's Trailblazing Goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan Announces Retirement From Football
Exactly a decade after becoming the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, the trailblazing Aditi Chauhan has decided to announce her retirement from the game after a career spanning 17 years. The former India women's team goalkeeper, 32, now wants to work off the pitch and build a "stronger pathway and ecosystem" for the next generation. "Thank you, football -- for shaping me, testing me, and carrying me through. After 17 unforgettable years, I'm retiring from professional football with deep gratitude and pride," Aditi wrote in a social media post on Thursday. "This game gave me more than just a career; it gave me an identity. From chasing a dream in Delhi to carving out my own path all the way to the UK, where I pursued my Master's in Sports Management and played for West Ham United – I walked a road with no clear map. "I never had to choose between education and passion. I fought hard to do both, and that balance has defined me," she added. During a successful international career, Aditi, who caught everyone's attention after being signed up by West Ham United for the Women's Super League in England, donned the India jersey 57 times and, among others, was part of the senior teams that won the SAFF Women's Championship in 2012, 2016 and 2019. "I gave everything to the game — my focus, my fire, my body — all in pursuit of that No. 1 jersey for India. But behind the highlights were the quiet battles: the fear of the unknown, the pressure to justify that my path was valid, and the persistent question from society - 'How would you possibly make a living playing football?' "And then, the injuries. Coming back not once, but twice from ACL injuries, I believe I set an example for other players that one could overcome anything with mental courage. The pain, the doubt, the silence - it was a battle I had to win from within." She spent two seasons with West Ham before returning to India in early 2018, before joining Gokulam Kerala FC for the 2019-20 Indian Women's League. At the domestic level, Aditi won the Indian Women's League (IWL) title with Gokulam Kerala FC in 2019-20 and 2021-22 besides reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Women's Club Championship and securing a third-place finish. "What I'm most proud of as a professional athlete is the consistency. Across 17 years, I kept coming back — through setbacks, through injuries, through every doubt — and earned the No. 1 spot time and again." "My parents stood by me, picked me up when I needed, pushed me when I slacked a bit. Everything that I am, the things I've been able to achieve have been possible because of my mom, who's quietly just ridden this crazy ride with me and I can't thank god enough for giving her as my mom." In her final season, she played a key role for the newly-promoted Sribhumi FC, helping the Kolkata-based side to a third-place finish in the IWL. As she steps away from the pitch, Aditi said she still has "plenty left in the tank to give to the sport" that made her the person that she is today. "As I now step into life beyond the pitch, I carry that belief with me – not as a player anymore, but as someone committed to building a stronger pathway and ecosystem for the next generation. "My second half is about giving back to the game that gave me everything," Aditi wrote. "The formula remains the same: dream big, believe in yourself, and put in the work," she signed off.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Canada's Olivia Smith smashes all-time transfer record in women's football after joining Arsenal
The new benchmark in women's football would surpass the £900,000 ($1.1 million) Chelsea paid when signing Naomi Girma from the San Diego Wave in January. Smith's four-year deal highlights the increase in spending in women's football with transfer records regularly broken. read more Canada forward Olivia Smith became the most expensive player in women's football history at a reported £1 million ($1.34 million) when Arsenal signed her from Liverpool on Thursday. The new benchmark in women's football would surpass the £900,000 ($1.1 million) Chelsea paid when signing Naomi Girma from the San Diego Wave in January. Smith's four-year deal highlights the increase in spending in women's football with transfer records regularly broken. Zambia striker Rachael Kundananji joined Bay FC from Madrid CFF for a record $788,000 last year, and that figure was quickly exceeded by Girma's move to Chelsea. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As recently as 2020, the most expensive women's player was Denmark's Pernille Harder, who joined Chelsea from Wolfsburg for $355,000. England's Keira Walsh left Manchester City for Barcelona in 2022 for a deal worth $513,000, and Chelsea broke the record again in 2024 when signing Mayra Ramirez from Levante for $542,000. More from Football 💬 'It's a privilege and an honour. Everything that the club has accomplished is so massive, and for me to now be a part of that, I'm very excited.' Watch Olivia Smith's very first Arsenal interview 📺 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) July 17, 2025 The 20-year-old Smith has rapidly risen since developing in the United States college system. She joined Sporting Clube in Portugal in 2023 and scored 16 goals in 28 appearances in her debut season. She moved to Liverpool last year and scored nine times in 25 games. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Smith is also Canada's youngest international after making her debut at 15 in 2019. 'Olivia is an exciting young player and we believe she can make a big contribution here at Arsenal," head coach Renee Slegers said. 'We've been impressed by her mentality and character, excelling in two European leagues at such a young age.' Arsenal is a 15-time English champion and won the Champions League for the second time in its history last season. Despite Chelsea being the dominant force in women's football in England, Arsenal is the only English team to win the Champions League. 'It's my dream to compete for the biggest titles here in England and in Europe and I'm excited to get started and contribute to doing that here with Arsenal," Smith said.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Flamengo defeats Chelsea in Club World Cup clash, Bayern edges out Boca Juniors
Flamengo produced a brilliant second-half fightback to beat Chelsea 3-1 at the Club World Cup on Friday (June 21, 2025) and qualify for the last 16, while Bayern Munich joined it in reaching the knockout phase with a battling win over Boca Juniors. In Philadelphia, Pedro Neto gave Chelsea an early lead but Flamengo, came roaring back in the second half. Bruno Henrique came off the bench in the 56th minute and quickly equalised before setting up former Real Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus defender Danilo to make it 2-1. Chelsea was stunned, and its hopes of pulling level again were effectively destroyed when substitute Nicolas Jackson was sent off in the 68th minute for a dangerous tackle on Ayrton Lucas. Wallace Yan then sealed the victory for the Rio de Janeiro club, the Brazilian league leader, when he made it 3-1 late on. 'It was a special day for me and our club,' said Flamengo coach Filipe Luis. Flamengo has won both matches in Group D and its place in the knockouts was confirmed later when Esperance of Tunisia defeated Los Angeles FC 1-0 in Nashville. Bayern's 2-1 win over Boca in Miami was the first time either a Brazilian or Argentinian team had lost in 10 matches since the tournament started. Harry Kane opened the scoring in Miami with a clinical finish on 18 minutes. Boca equalised in the 66th minute. Alan Velasco found Miguel Merentiel down the right and he powered goalwards, skipping around Josip Stanisic before producing a brilliant finish past Manuel Neuer. But with six minutes remaining, Michael Olise provided the decisive blow. The results: Group C: Benfica 6 (Di Maria 45+8-pen, 90+8-pen, Pavlidis 53, Sanches 63, Barreiro 76, 78) bt Auckland City 0; Bayern Munich 2 (Kane 18, Olise 84) bt Boca Juniors 1 (Merentiel 66). Group D: Chelsea 1 (Neto 13) lost to Flamengo 3 (Bruno Henrique 62, Danilo 65, Wallace Yan 83); Los Angeles FC 0 lost to Esperance Tunis 1 (Belaili 70).
