Latest news with #Argentinians
Scoop
a day ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland City FC Seek Silver Lining In Nashville
24 June 2025 NASHVILLE, Tennessee - For Auckland City FC, Tuesday's clash with Boca Juniors is more than a final fixture, it's a final stand. After two humbling defeats in Group C, the Navy Blues are out of the FIFA Club World Cup™, but not out of fight. Against the backdrop of a raucous, blue-and-gold-drenched Geodis Park, they'll look to sign off with pride against one of South America's most storied clubs. Spanish midfielder Gerard Garrig24 June 2025a embodies the spirit and determination of the team from Auckland. 'We're gutted after the two losses,' he admitted in the build-up, 'but we know we can do better. We showed that for 60 minutes against Benfica. Now we want to compete for the full 90.' Garriga's words are more than pre-match platitudes. Against Benfica, Auckland held their shape, kept the ball, and even carved out chances. 'We were more confident with the ball,' he said. 'We're a team that's used to playing with the ball in New Zealand and Oceania. Against Bayern, we couldn't get it. But against Benfica, we grew into the game.' Boca Juniors arrive in Nashville with a mountain to climb. They must win, and win big, to have any hope of progressing. With Benfica likely to face a stern test from Bayern Munich, Boca's path to the knockouts hinges on goal difference. Expect Miguel Ángel Russo's side to come out swinging. Garriga knows what's coming. 'They're going to go with everything,' he said. 'They need goals. The challenge is to keep a clean sheet as long as we can, frustrate them with the ball, defend well, help each other. If we do that, we have a lot of possibilities to have a good performance.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading The atmosphere will be electric. Boca's fans have lit up the tournament with their passion, and Tuesday promises more of the same. Garriga, far from being daunted, is relishing it. 'It's going to be amazing. Thousands of Argentinians, so loud. We have to enjoy it. It might be once in a lifetime.' He believes the occasion could even lift his side. 'It's going to be an extra motivation. We're not used to playing in front of that many people. But it's going to be positive. We're buzzing to be in that game.' For Boca, it's a must-win. For Auckland City FC, it's a must-remember. Garriga summed it up best: 'Compete 90 minutes. That's the goal. If we do that, anything can happen. A draw, maybe even a win. That would be a great way to finish this tournament.' MATCH DETAILS FIFA Club World Cup USA 2025™ Auckland City FC vs Boca Juniors Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee KO: Tuesday, 24 June 2025, 4:00PM (Local Time) -Wednesday, 25 June 2025,7:00 AM (NZT) AC SQUAD: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 3. Adam MITCHELL 4. Christian GRAY 5. Nikko BOXALL, 6. Jackson MANUEL 7. Myer BEVAN 8. Gerard GARRIGA 9. Angus KILKOLLY 10. Dylan MANICKUM 11. Ryan DE VRIES 12. Regont MURATI 13. Nathan LOBO 14. Jordan VALE, 15. Jeremy FOO, 16. Joe LEE 17. Jerson LAGOS 18. Sebastian CIGANDA (GK) 19. Dylan CONNOLLY, 20. Matt ELLIS, 21. Adam KANUI BELL 22. Tong ZHOU 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Nathan GARROW (GK) 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, 26. David YOO, 27. Haris ZEB.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Benfica beat Bayern to seal top spot in Club World Cup Group C
Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup (L) celebrates his side's first goal of the game during the FIFA Club World Cup Group C soccer match between Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Bayern Munich at Hard Rock Stadium. Sven Hoppe/dpa Benfica outshone already qualified Bayern Munich 1-0 in the blazing US sun on Tuesday to snatch top spot in Group C at the Club World Cup. Andreas Schjelderup swept home on 13 minutes after passive Bayern defending on the artificial turf and the Portuguese side clung on in the second half. Advertisement "Big win. Through from the group. We can't wait," the goalscorer said. Benfica next return to Charlotte on Saturday to meet the second-placed side from Group D - currently Chelsea, who play Espérance de Tunis later. The Germans needed just a point to secure first place, but instead finished second and must now face Brazil's Flamengo in the last 16 on Sunday in Miami Gardens. "We didn't have the intensity in the first half that we had in the second half. That's out fault. We missed chances too," Bayern captain Manuel Neuer told DAZN. "We don't want to blame the heat and use excuses. It is the same for everyone. But of course it is not easy." Advertisement Benfica's first ever win over Bayern meant Boca Juniors were knocked out, irrespective of the result of their game against tournament whipping boys Auckland City. The match in Nashville was the latest at the tournament to be delayed mid-match due to thunderstorms. The Argentinians crashed out unlike several other South American sides who have so far prospered at the expanded event. Over in Charlotte, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany rotated his squad given they were already through, resting Harry Kane and Joshua Kimmich. He handed a first club start to Tom Bischof and possibly a last club start to Leroy Sané before his July 1 move to Galatasaray. Bayern, with Jamal Musiala on the bench after his latest injury scare, had battered Auckland a record 10-0 in their opener and edged Boca 2-1. Advertisement The stands were half full in a sweltering Charlotte against Benfica but there was an early roar when Neuer tipped Angel di Maria's effort wide. Kompany happy to leave Charlotte The Portuguese looked brighter and Neuer had no luck when Schjelderup slightly mishit a shot into the near corner. Benfica continued to push, with ex-Bayern midfielder Renato Sanchez in the engine room, but the strength-sapping conditions meant the rest of the first half petered out until Bayern had two half chances. Some players visibly struggled in the heat despite the water breaks as the controversy over early US kick-off times for European audiences showed no signs of abating. Advertisement Kane, Kimmich and Michael Olise were introduced at half-time by the Bundesliga champions in a bid to get back into the contest. Sané and Thomas Müller, leaving Bayern after the tournament and possibly moving to the United States, missed good opportunities after the break. Bayern were suddenly in the ascendancy but Kimmich's strike was ruled out because Kane was offside in front of the goalkeeper. Another late miss by Sané summed up his Bayern career and their mood. "I think our first half wasn't good at all," Kompany said, mentioning the heat and the artificial pitch. "I feared this wouldn't go as fluid as normally. Advertisement "But we created so much in the second half. In the second half we played really well. If you don't take your chances, eventually you pay the price." Looking ahead to Flamengo in Florida, he added: "It is going to be a tough game. Maybe a positive is we don't need to play in Charlotte anymore." Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup (R) celebrates his side's first goal of the game during the FIFA Club World Cup Group C soccer match between Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Bayern Munich at Hard Rock Stadium. Sven Hoppe/dpa Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup (2nd R) celebrates his side's first goal of the game during the FIFA Club World Cup Group C soccer match between Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Bayern Munich at Hard Rock Stadium. Sven Hoppe/dpa Bayern Munich's Josip Stanisic (L) and Benfica goalkeeper Samuel Soares battle for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup Group C soccer match between Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Bayern Munich at Hard Rock Stadium. Sven Hoppe/dpa Benfica's Angel Di Maria lies on the pitch during the FIFA Club World Cup Group C soccer match between Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Bayern Munich at Hard Rock Stadium. Sven Hoppe/dpa
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
River Plate frustrated by Monterrey in 0-0 stalemate
River Plate frustrated by Monterrey in 0-0 stalemate Result leaves the group standings finely balanced PASADENA: River Plate were held to a 0-0 draw by Mexico's Monterrey on Saturday, frustrating the Argentinian club's hopes of booking their place in the knockout rounds of the Club World Cup. Poor finishing and a string of saves from Monterrey's Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada—who used to play for River's arch-rivals Boca Juniors—denied the team from Buenos Aires three points that would have sealed their passage to the last 16 from Group E. The result leaves the group standings finely balanced heading into the final round of fixtures on Wednesday, with River and Italy's Inter Milan level on four points each. Monterrey, who are third with two points, face Japan's already eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds. A bright opening in front of 57,393 fans at the Pasadena Rose Bowl saw Monterrey enjoy the better of the early exchanges, with former Spain international midfielder Sergio Canales's run and shot forcing River goalkeeper Franco Armani to save smartly after 13 minutes. But for long periods the game failed to develop into a rhythm, with a series of niggling fouls -- 23 in the first half alone—making for a scrappy opening 45 minutes. River were left to rue missing two gilt-edged scoring opportunities in the closing minutes of the first half. On the stroke of half-time Giuliano Galoppo found himself with time and space in the centre of the Monterrey penalty area, but sent his shot curling high and wide of the top right-hand corner. River's army of noisy fans behind the goal groaned in frustration and were soon howling in disbelief moments later when Lucas Martínez Quarta squandered a glorious chance. A corner on the right was flicked on and fell to the centre-half on the edge of the six-yard box, only for the defender to sidefoot his shot wide of the post. River continued to dominate after half-time, with teenager Franco Mastantuono—who will join Real Madrid after the tournament—denied by Andrada with a 67th-minute effort. The Argentinians wasted another golden chance on 76 minutes, with Colombian international Miguel Borja shooting at Andrada after a sublime through ball by Facundo Colidio had put him clean through on goal. A frustrating night for River ended with Kevin Castano sent off in injury time after picking up his second yellow card. – AFP
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
River Plate frustrated by Monterrey in 0-0 stalemate
PASADENA: River Plate were held to a 0-0 draw by Mexico's Monterrey on Saturday, frustrating the Argentinian club's hopes of booking their place in the knockout rounds of the Club World Cup. Poor finishing and a string of saves from Monterrey's Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada – who used to play for River's arch-rivals Boca Juniors – denied the team from Buenos Aires three points that would have sealed their passage to the last 16 from Group E. The result leaves the group standings finely balanced heading into the final round of fixtures on Wednesday, with River and Italy's Inter Milan level on four points each. Monterrey, who are third with two points, face Japan's already eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds. A bright opening in front of 57,393 fans at the Pasadena Rose Bowl saw Monterrey enjoy the better of the early exchanges, with former Spain international midfielder Sergio Canales's run and shot forcing River goalkeeper Franco Armani to save smartly after 13 minutes. But for long periods the game failed to develop into a rhythm, with a series of niggling fouls – 23 in the first half alone – making for a scrappy opening 45 minutes. River were left to rue missing two gilt-edged scoring opportunities in the closing minutes of the first half. On the stroke of half-time Giuliano Galoppo found himself with time and space in the centre of the Monterrey penalty area, but sent his shot curling high and wide of the top right-hand corner. River's army of noisy fans behind the goal groaned in frustration and were soon howling in disbelief moments later when Lucas Martínez Quarta squandered a glorious chance. A corner on the right was flicked on and fell to the centre-half on the edge of the six-yard box, only for the defender to sidefoot his shot wide of the post. River continued to dominate after half-time, with teenager Franco Mastantuono – who will join Real Madrid after the tournament – denied by Andrada with a 67th-minute effort. The Argentinians wasted another golden chance on 76 minutes, with Colombian international Miguel Borja shooting at Andrada after a sublime through ball by Facundo Colidio had put him clean through on goal. A frustrating night for River ended with Kevin Castano sent off in injury time after picking up his second yellow card.--AFP
Time of India
7 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
River Plate, Monterrey play out goalless stalemate in Club World Cup
River Plate were left frustrated after a 0-0 draw with Mexico's Monterrey on Saturday, missing a chance to secure a spot in the Club World Cup knockout stage. Despite dominating large stretches of the match, the Argentine side couldn't break through, with former Boca Juniors goalkeeper Esteban Andrada producing a string of crucial saves for Monterrey. The result leaves Group E finely poised heading into the final round of matches on Wednesday, with River and Inter Milan both on four points and Monterrey close behind on two. Monterrey will face already-eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds in their final group game. — FIFACWC (@FIFACWC) In front of over 57,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Monterrey started brightly, forcing River goalkeeper Franco Armani into an early save from Sergio Canales. But the match soon became disjointed, with 23 fouls disrupting the flow in the first half. Live Events River missed two golden chances just before the break - Giuliano Galoppo fired wide from a central position, and Lucas Martínez Quarta misfired from close range after a corner fell kindly to him. The Argentinians pushed forward in the second half, with 16-year-old Franco Mastantuono and striker Miguel Borja both denied by Andrada, whose performance proved decisive. River's night ended on a sour note as Kevin Castano received a second yellow card in stoppage time, capping off a disappointing evening for the Buenos Aires club. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
