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Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Spain sweep aside Belgium 6-2 at Women's Euros
THUN, Switzerland: Striker Alexia Putellas scored twice for world champions Spain as they shook off a slow start to beat Belgium 6-2 in their Women's Euros Group B clash on Monday, a result that will guarantee the Spaniards' progress to the knockout stage if Portugal fail to beat Italy later in the day. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport


Asharq Al-Awsat
3 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Grumpy Maresca Still Hopeful Chelsea Can Win Club World Cup He Thinks Needs Fixing
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca remains one of the Club World Cup's harshest critics, despite his team reaching the semi-finals, and continued a stream of complaints about everything from the weather to the scheduling ahead of Tuesday's clash with Fluminense. The Italian has repeatedly complained about the heat, the calendar and the toll on his players' fitness at the tournament, while also criticizing FIFA for the weather delay that interrupted his team's round-of-16 clash against Benfica for nearly two hours. On Monday, ahead of the semi-final against Fluminense, the Chelsea boss refused to accept that his Premier League side were favorites, instead arguing that the tournament calendar unfairly benefited South American teams. Maresca said the South American sides had arrived with fresh legs in midseason while the Europeans were exhausted at the end of a long campaign. "It is not that we don't see this tournament as important, it's that teams have arrived in two completely different situations and realities. How many games have the Brazilian team played in their current season? We have played 63 games," Maresca told a press conference. Maresca said Chelsea took the competition seriously, but structural improvements were needed. "I see the Club World Cup as a top competition and we are very happy to be here, we want to win it, but at the same time that are several things I think could be improved probably due to the fact that it is the first time they are organizing it," he said. Maresca also said that "many other things have been done well" but did not specify what those positive things were. The manager praised Brazilian football quality ahead of facing his third Brazilian opponents, after Chelsea lost 3-1 to Flamengo in the group stage and beat Palmeiras 2-1 in the quarter-finals. "The quality from Brazilian players is probably the top, is the best quality," he said, while again highlighting the conditioning gap between fresh South American sides and exhausted Europeans. "There are two things that for me are very clear in the two games that we face (against) Brazilian teams. One is the quality but at the same time it is very clear the energy that they have, for different reasons, and we don't. Top quality and also defensively, they were very good. So it will be a tough game." Despite his litany of grievances with the tournament format and conditions, Maresca's Chelsea remain in contention for the title as they prepare to face the Brazilian underdogs who have defied all expectations to reach the semi-finals.


Al Arabiya
7 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Spain's 6-2 Win Over Belgium Puts It On Brink Of Euro 2025 Quarterfinals
World Cup champion Spain closed in on the quarterfinals of the Women's European Championship with another statement victory, 6–2 over Belgium on Monday. It was surprisingly the first time Spain won back-to-back matches at the Euros after beating Portugal 5–0 in its opener. With 11 goals in two matches, Spain and its star-packed squad is living up to its billing as the tournament favorite. Spain will secure a place in the quarterfinals if Italy avoids defeat against Portugal later – a result that would also eliminate Belgium. Spain laid siege to the Belgium goal from the start. Mariona Caldentey played in a lovely pass from the edge of the area to Vicky López, who cushioned it on for Alexia Putellas to sweep into the far corner. However, Spain's 22nd-minute lead lasted barely two minutes before Justine Vanhaevermaet headed in Tessa Wullaert's corner at the near post. Spain captain Irene Paredes was playing her first match of the tournament after being suspended from the opener, and she made it 2–1 before the break when she headed in a corner. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí was brought on at halftime. She was hospitalized for viral meningitis before the tournament and played only eight minutes against Portugal. Belgium leveled again through Hannah Eurlings shortly after the restart. It was initially ruled out for offside but awarded by the VAR. Less than a minute later Spain led for a third time when Putellas played in Esther González for the veteran forward to score her third goal of the tournament. When a González effort was blocked, the ball was not cleared and Mariona Caldentey fired in Spain's fourth. Claudia Pina curled a sumptuous 20-yard effort into the top right corner, and there was still time for Putellas – another two-time Ballon d'Or winner – to net her second of the match.