Real Madrid beat Salzburg to meet Juventus, Man City face Al Hilal
Real Madrid swept past Red Bull Salzburg with a 3-0 win in their final Group H match to set up a round of 16 meeting with Juventus at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde netted first-half goals for the Spanish giants in the match in Philadelphia on Thursday.
Gonzalo Garcia added the third in the 84th minute for Madrid in a second consecutive multi-goal win following a tournament-opening draw against Al Hilal.
The result eliminated Real's Austrian opponents as Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal leapt above Salzburg with their 2-0 win against Mexico's Pachuca.
Manchester City beat Juventus 5-2 earlier in the day and, as Group H winners, will now face Al Hilal in the next round.
The defeat was Salzburg's second loss to Real Madrid in 2025 after a 5-1 loss in Spain in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.
Madrid, five-time winners of the competition, were more efficient than dominant. The teams had 12 shots apiece, with the victors' four attempts on goal only one more than Salzburg's three.
Madrid again played without Kylian Mbappe, who has yet to feature in the tournament due to a stomach illness that left him briefly hospitalised.
But Vinicius Junior did enough to compensate for the Frenchman's absence on Thursday.
He failed to convert the game's first shot on target, denied on the break by Christian Zawieschitzky after Jude Bellingham had played him into a 20th-minute breakaway.
But two brilliant moments over a five-minute stretch tilted the game squarely in Madrid's favour.
In the 40th minute, the Brazilian ran onto another terrific ball out of the back from Bellingham, before weaving left on the dribble to evade defender Joane Gadou. He drove an early low finish well out of Zawieschitzky's reach and into the bottom right corner.
In the 45th, he reached Arda Guler's deflected pass on the right side of the box before directing a backheel pass to a wide-open Valverde behind him for an equally clinical finish past Zawieschitzky.
Bellingham had the next crucial intervention in the 66th minute, blocking Edmund Baidoo's effort off the line with Thibaut Courtois beaten.
Real will now face Juventus in Miami on Tuesday, while City stay in Orlando for their round of 16 match with Al Hilal on Monday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Jazeera
3 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Chelsea halted only by lightning, beating Benfica as CW quarterfinals await
Chelsea became the first English side to reach the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup following a 4-1 win after extra time against the 10-man Benfica in North Carolina. Reece James scored the opening goal of the game in the 64th minute on Saturday, with a spectacular free kick from a tight angle on the left wing. Angel Di Maria levelled the match in the fifth minute of stoppage time from the penalty spot after a soft handball decision against Malo Gusto. Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and K Dewsbury-Hall restored and sealed Chelsea's advantage in extra time. It was the least the Blues deserved after dominating the match from start to finish. The end was heavily delayed, however, when the players were removed from the field of play at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte by the referee due to a nearby lightning storm. The delay was nearly two hours in length, despite only four minutes remaining of the match when the players left the field. Chelsea's players were visibly annoyed by the decision to halt the game so close to the full-time whistle, and with victory in sight. Unusually high temperatures for the time of year contributed to the inclement conditions. Both the cause and the effect are a concern ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup also being staged by the United States next summer. It is the sixth time a Club World Cup match has been halted due to bad weather. Common public safety protocols in the US mandate that outdoor sports events are suspended for at least 30 minutes when lightning is seen or thunder heard. The Blues dominated the possession and the chances, the best of which in the first half fell to Marc Cucurella whose curling effort from just inside the box was headed off the line by by Benfica's Antonio Silva at the back post, with the keeper well beaten. Cole Palmer drew the finest save from Benfica's Ukrainian keeper, Anatoliy Trubin, when he was slipped into the box and powered a shot at the near post. Trubin was left red-faced by the moment of magic from James to win the match as the wide player drilled his effort in at the near post, with the keeper seemingly more concerned about a potential cross. Benfica's leveller – after the lightning delay – came after Gusto left his arms flailing in the air and, although soft, the Video Assistant Referee had little choice but to call the referee to review the decision. Di Maria coolly slotted home the resulting kick, despite the stormy conditions that surrounded the stadium. The comeback from Benfica, after the heavy delay to the match, was merely a further annoyance to Chelsea, whose job was made all the easier by a second yellow shown to Gianluca Prestianni. The Benfica forward was booked during the celebrations for his side's equaliser and was then shown a second yellow for a late tackle after only two minutes of extra time. Palmeiras first to book CWC quarterfinal spot Paulinho worked his way between a pair of defenders and rolled a shot into the back of the net in extra time earlier on Saturday to put Palmeiras into the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Brazilian league rival Botafogo. Paulinho, who has made one appearance for Brazil's national team, dribbled through the defence with an inside cut from the right wing in the 100th minute. He then sent a left-footed shot into the lower left corner of John's net. Botafogo created multiple chances for an equalizer in the final minutes but could not get a goal. The match at Lincoln Financial Field was full of attacking play, with a combined 35 shot attempts. Palmeiras, however, ended the match with 10 men after defender Gustavo Gomez was given a red card. Gomez received a second yellow card in the 116th minute after tackling Igor Jesus in midfield to prevent Botafogo from starting a counterattack. The 33,657 fans in attendance helped set the tone for the match with incessant cheering, bringing the flavour of a South American game to the United States. 'Coach has been saying this since the start of the season that we have a dream and dreaming costs nothing,' Palmeiras defender Bruno Fuchs said after. 'We follow that dream, one game after another. Always thinking about the present, about the next game… We're very happy, we're pleased to have qualified, and as I said, we have to keep dreaming.'
Al Jazeera
6 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Messi prepares to face former club and European champions PSG
Who: Paris Saint-Germain vs Inter Miami What: FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States When: Sunday, June 30 at 12pm (16:00 GMT) How to follow: We'll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 9am local (13:00 GMT) in advance of our live text commentary stream. FIFA's Club World Cup serves up a treat in the round of 16 as Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentinian international forward joined the French giants, and now first-time European champions, from the club he represented since childhood, Barcelona. PSG's coveted European success was not forthcoming, and Messi headed for new pastures with his 2023 move to Major League Soccer. Now, Messi faces a PSG side shorn of many of the Galacticos recruited to seal European glory, but full of youthful exuberance and riding the crest of their Champions League wave. Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the match. Why does Messi's Miami vs PSG carry such weight? When PSG meet Inter Miami, it will mark a rare reunion of European football greats, all layered with old loyalties, recent regrets and the chance for Lionel Messi to settle a score. Sunday's game features a compelling contrast of eras – a PSG side powered by youth and energy fresh off their maiden Champions League title, and an Inter Miami team built around ageing-but-iconic former Barcelona stars. On the PSG touchline, Luis Enrique comes face to face with four players he once led at Barcelona: Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. They are all now reunited under Miami coach Javier Mascherano, another figure from Luis Enrique's treble-winning era at Camp Nou. 'Luis Enrique is a phenomenon,' Alba said this week. 'I'm excited to see him and will give him a hug, but when the ref blows the opening whistle, we'll try to beat him.' Suarez, now 38, reflected on his former manager's impact: 'I already had a competitive DNA, but he injected even more into me,' he said. Do the Barcelona contingent have history with PSG? In another layer of intrigue, Miami's contingent of former Barcelona players were all part of 2017's 'Remontada' against PSG. That was PSG's darkest night, when Barca thrashed them 6-1 in Spain after losing 4-0 in Paris in their last-16 Champions League tie. That was when Miami's veterans were at their peak. Now, they rely on memory and rhythm, while PSG's core has been reshaped by a rising generation: Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and Vitinha have helped inject fresh energy into Luis Enrique's system, culminating in a Champions League triumph just weeks ago. How did PSG fare in the group stage? The Parisian side arrive in Atlanta after a 1–0 loss to Brazil's Botafogo in the group stage, which raised questions about fatigue following a long European season. Though PSG remain heavy favourites on paper, that defeat showed cracks in a squad that has played more high-stakes matches than most of their rivals. PSG took their group with wins in their opening games against Atletico Madrid and Seattle Sounders. How did Inter Miami fare in the group stage? Inter Miami finished second in their group behind Palmeiras with one win and two draws to their name. The Messi-inspired 2-1 win against Porto was crucial to their progress. Can Miami's Argentina axis take down PSG? 'It will be an honour for me facing a great coach, one of the greatest I've had in my career,' said Mascherano of Luis Enrique. Now in his first major club coaching role, Mascherano brings an emotional edge and tactical sharpness to a Miami side that, while physically limited by age, can still threaten, especially with Messi in form. The Argentina great endured a turbulent two-year stint at PSG after leaving Barcelona in 2021. Though he won domestic silverware, Messi never found peace in Paris and, after his World Cup win in 2022, some fans turned on him. 'I didn't enjoy myself at PSG,' Messi told reporters earlier this year. 'It was a tough period.' Mascherano believes that memory still drives him. 'When something's stuck in his mind, Messi gives a little extra,' he said this week. What went so wrong for Messi at PSG? PSG had made it to the Champions League final and then semifinals in the two seasons prior to Messi's arrival, so he looked like the final piece in the jigsaw. Instead, they went backwards with him in the side, going out of Europe's elite club competition in the last 16 two years running. Having to fit in Messi, with his estimated annual salary of 30 million euros ($35.2 million) after tax, as well as Neymar and Mbappe, may have increased the star appeal, but it weakened them as a team. Towards the end, the Barcelona legend was even being jeered by some sections of the PSG support who felt Messi's commitment to the cause was not what it should have been. Messi was a PSG player when he inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in late 2022, but there were only flashes of his genius at club level in France. His statistics stand up to any scrutiny, with 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances, and he did win two Ligue 1 titles while helping increase PSG's value as a brand. Miami coach Javier Mascherano, meanwhile, believes the unhappy memory of his time in Paris could spur Messi on. 'It's clear that for us it's better if he plays angry, because he's one of those players who, when he has something on his mind, gives an extra effort,' Mascherano told ESPN. How did PSG fare last season? PSG's stunning 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in Munich at the end of last month, which allowed them to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time, completed an incredible treble-winning season for the Qatar-backed side under the coaching of Luis Enrique. How did Inter Miami fare last season? Miami finished as the club with the most points in Major League Soccer's (MLS) regular season, handing them a place at the Club World Cup instead of LA Galaxy, who won the MLS Cup, which is regarded as the highest prize in the MLS. FIFA announced Miami's addition to the Club World Cup in October after they broke MLS's regular-season points record with a 6-2 win over New England Revolution to reach 74 points, one better than the previous record set by New England in 2021. PSG team news Ousmane Dembele has just resumed training after overcoming a hamstring injury, but may not even be fit enough for the bench. Goncalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola are vying to start with Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in. Youngster Senny Mayulu was selected for the match against Seattle in Dembele's role. Inter Miami team news Jordi Alba has returned from injury and will challenge youngster Noah Allen for the left-back position. Drake Callender, Gonzalo Lujan and Yannick Bright are all still sidelined. Veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari will continue to deputise for the former. PSG predicted starting lineup: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Ramos, Doue Inter Miami predicted starting lineup: Ustari; Weigandt, Aviles, Falcon, Allen; Allende, Redondo, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suarez PSG form guide (all competitions): W-W-W-L-W Inter Miami form guide (all competitions): W-W-D-W-D
Qatar Tribune
6 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Pogba joins Monaco on two-year deal
PA Media/dpa London Former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has joined Monaco on a two-year deal, which will make him play in the top flight in his native France for the first time. The 32-year-old became a free agent on November 30 after his contract with Juve was terminated. Pogba had been handed a four-year doping ban - following an initial suspension - in March 2024, but was able to resume playing in March this year after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced his punishment to 18 months last October. He started his senior career at Manchester United before joining Juventus for a first spell in 2012, where he won four successive Serie A trophies along with two Italian Cups and two Italian Supercups. A move back to United followed in 2016 and he spent six seasons with the club, winning the Europa League and League Cup, making 233 appearances during his time at Old Trafford. The France international has been capped 91 times by his country and won the World Cup in 2018, where he scored in his team's 4-2 win over Croatia. Pogba returned to Juventus in 2022 on a four-year deal but was sanctioned in March last year having been provisionally suspended since September 2023 after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Monaco finished third in Ligue 1 last season, behind champions Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille and Pogba joins the club on a deal running until June 30, 2027.
