logo
A star is born: Gonzalo Garcia makes most of Club World Cup

A star is born: Gonzalo Garcia makes most of Club World Cup

CNA15 hours ago
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. :Real Madrid's 21-year-old striker Gonzalo Garcia has gone from virtual unknown to a tournament sensation at the Club World Cup, netting his fourth goal in five games on Saturday to help send the LaLiga side into the semi-final.
At a tournament where organizers were banking on household names to build the excitement, the academy graduate has become the breakout star, seizing his chance to deputize for an ill Kylian Mbappe.
"We've seen him play in the last few games and today he did it again," said manager Xabi Alonso. "He is making the most of this opportunity."
Garcia's terrific run began in Real's opener against Al-Hilal last month, where he scored in a 1-1 draw, as Mbappe was sidelined with acute gastroenteritis.
He recorded an assist in Real's second group-stage affair against Pachuca and added a bit of insurance in Real's 3-0 win over Salzburg to close out the group stage.
He headed another in to clinch their round of 16 win over Juventus 1-0 on Tuesday, where Mbappe came in off the bench for Garcia.
Mbappe was a second-half substitute again on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, but this time came on as veteran forward Vinicius Jr. came off, a sign of just how high Garcia's stock has climbed.
"I think that he is in the right place, right time, and we're very happy with the work he's doing - and he's also scoring goals," Alonso told reporters.
It was hardly what fans expected from the homegrown talent who had made few starts in LaLiga before the U.S.-hosted tournament, but has become the bedrock of the Real attack under manager Alonso.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad
Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Martin Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid. – Arsenal announced the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad on July 6 in a deal reportedly worth around £55 million (S$95.6 million). Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid. Fans in Singapore may get an early glimpse of the Spaniard when the Gunners come to town later in July for the Festival of Football. Arsenal will play friendlies against AC Milan (July 23) and Newcastle (July 27) at the National Stadium. 'This is a huge moment in my career,' said the defensive midfielder, who is understood to have put pen to paper on a five-year deal. 'It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are. 'I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.' The Athletic reported that Arsenal paid above Zubimendi's €60 million (S$90.1 million) buyout clause in order to spread the cost of the fee over a number of instalments. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July HDB launch Singapore Woman on SMRT bus 190 injured after bottle thrown at vehicle leaves hole in window Asia 'Don't be seen in India again': Indian nationals pushed into Bangladesh at gunpoint Asia Two women fatally stabbed at bar in Japan by man Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Asia Malaysian commando dies during military diving exercise off Kuantan coast Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds Zubimendi, 26, made 236 appearances in all competitions for Sociedad after graduating from the club's academy and has played 19 times for Spain. He will reinforce manager Mikel Arteta's midfield options after the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho. Partey was on July 4 charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault after complaints by three women, UK police said. Zubimendi's arrival paves the way for Arsenal's record signing Declan Rice to play a more attacking midfield role alongside captain Martin Odegaard. 'Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team,' said Arteta. 'He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.' Zubimendi is Arsenal's second signing of the summer transfer window, after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga joined from Chelsea. The Gunners are also expected to complete the signing of midfielder Christian Norgaard from Brentford. Arsenal finished second in the English Premier League last season for a third straight year and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League but ultimately ended up without a trophy for a fifth consecutive season. Attention will now turn to the forward line as the Gunners try to see off champions Liverpool and Manchester City and claim a first league title since 2003-04. Arteta's men had to cope without a natural striker for much of last season due to long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Reports on July 6 suggest a deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is on the verge of being sealed to fill the need for a new No. 9. Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Chelsea's Noni Madueke. AFP

‘Rarely been so angry': Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany seethes over Jamal Musiala injury
‘Rarely been so angry': Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany seethes over Jamal Musiala injury

Straits Times

time7 hours ago

  • Straits Times

‘Rarely been so angry': Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany seethes over Jamal Musiala injury

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala was injured in added time before the break following a collision in PSG's penalty area. ATLANTA – Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said he was furious after Jamal Musiala sustained a horrific injury during the first half of their Club World Cup quarter-final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta on July 5. The 22-year-old Germany international was injured in added time before the break following a collision in PSG's penalty area. As Musiala challenged defender William Pacho for the ball, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma inadvertently rolled over Musiala's left ankle, twisting it at an alarming angle and leaving him lying in agony on the pitch. 'I've rarely been so angry at half-time, not against my players. There's many things in life that are important, much more important than this. But in the end, for these guys, it's their life,' Kompany said after the 2-0 loss . 'And someone like Jamal lives for this and he came back from a setback. And then it happens in the way it happens and you feel powerless... 'When I'm sat here next to you now, the thing that gets my blood still boiling at the moment, it's not the result. I understand this is football. But it's the fact that it happened to someone who, one, enjoys the game so much but also very important for us.' Bayern's medical team rushed on to the pitch as Donnarumma, visibly shaken, dropped to the ground with his hands on his head in disbelief at the severity of the injury. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July launch Business High Court orders Instagram seller to pay Louis Vuitton $200,000 in damages over counterfeit goods Singapore MOH studying 18 proposals to integrate TCM into public healthcare Singapore TTSH to demolish century-old pavilion wards, keeping one as heritage marker World Death toll from Texas floods reaches at least 50; dozens still missing Singapore Red Lions and naval divers join forces for Jump of Unity at NDP 2025 Singapore His world crashed when he got F9 in O-level Tamil but PropNex co-founder Ismail Gafoor beat the odds Asia HIV surge in the Philippines amid poor sex education, policy gaps Players from both teams formed a circle around Musiala, who was carried off the field on a stretcher. German daily Bild reported he could be sidelined for up to five months. Bayern goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer said Donnarumma's dive was 'risky' and that he had spoken to his Italian counterpart after the incident. 'You just accept that your opponent might get injured. It could even be a teammate,' he added. 'So I went over to him and said: 'Don't you want – because it was half-time anyway – don't you want to go over there? Jamal is lying there, he'll probably stay in the hospital, he has a serious injury, and I think it's only right to go over there out of respect and wish him well and just say a little sorry.' 'After that, he went over to Jamal... Fairness is always important, and I would have reacted differently.' After the match, Donnarumma posted on Instagram: 'All my prayers and well wishes are with you Jamal.' PSG ended the match with nine men with Pacho and Lucas Hernandez were dismissed late on, but still progressed thanks to goals by Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. SaidL PSG captain Marquinhos: 'It was a game that taught us lessons, a game that brought us out of our comfort zone.' '(It showed) the mentality of our group, it's something we talk about a lot – winning is very hard and to keep winning is even harder. REUTERS, AFP

Gold Cup final a vital stress test for US World Cup preparations, says Pochettino
Gold Cup final a vital stress test for US World Cup preparations, says Pochettino

CNA

time7 hours ago

  • CNA

Gold Cup final a vital stress test for US World Cup preparations, says Pochettino

United States manager Mauricio Pochettino is eager to see how his side fare against Mexico in Sunday's Gold Cup final, saying it may well be the team's final chance to compete under real pressure before next year's FIFA World Cup. Both teams have bypassed the challenging World Cup qualifying rounds that typically help prepare teams for football's grandest event and are already guaranteed a place as hosts. After the final, the U.S. will next host South Korea and Japan in a pair of international friendly matches in September. "It's good for us. It's good because I think it's going to be maybe the last game that we are going to play under pressure, and to play under pressure is what we need, the team need," Pochettino told reporters on Saturday. "Because we are qualified for the World Cup and I think all the games that we are going to play after are friendly games. Those are unofficial games and I think it's important that we have, not a difficult scenario, but feel the pressure, feel the stress. "Because the World Cup is going to be about feeling the pressure and to feel the stress. It's great to have this opportunity." The Gold Cup final will be played at the NRG Stadium in Houston, just a few hours' drive away from central Texas where at least 43 people, including 15 children, have been confirmed dead following flash floods. Pochettino began his press conference by paying tribute to the victims, adding: "First of all I want to send our thoughts to the people in Texas, the tragic situation and for sure the people that were affected.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store