Latest news with #VAR-awarded
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Business Standard
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
How Chelsea FC booked their place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final
Chelsea's invitation to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held during July's expanded, 32-team format, was secured in Porto over four years ago, rewarding their Champions League victory. Placed into Group D, the Blues faced global competition, drawing Flamengo (Brazil), ES Tunis (Tunisia), and Los Angeles FC (USA). Their journey began against LAFC at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Opening Victory: LAFC 0–2 Chelsea Following a preseason training stint in Philadelphia, Chelsea made a strong start. Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a clever layoff from Nicolas Jackson. Later, summer signing Liam Delap crossed for Enzo Fernández to bolster the lead. A late cameo from debutant Dario Essugo sealed a controlled 2–0 win, earning confidence and momentum. Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea Back in Philadelphia, the intense East Coast heat, peaking at 39°C, put Maresca's squad under pressure. They started brightly: Neto again scored early. But Flamengo fought back in the second half, with Bruno Henrique leveling, Danilo doubling, and a late goal sealing Flamengo's 3–1 victory. Despite the setback, Chelsea retained second place and a spot in the knockout phase. With qualification pending, Maresca rotated his side. Filip Jørgensen, Josh Acheampong, Benoît Badiashile, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall earned starts. Tensions broke as Tosin scored from a Fernández free-kick, and Delap added a second with a composed finish. Tyrique George's late goal rounded off a confident 3-0 win and confirmed Chelsea's progress to the round of 16. Round of 16 Drama: Benfica 1-4 Chelsea In Charlotte, a freekick from captain Reece James punctured the deadlock. Play paused due to a thunderstorm before resuming in extra time. A VAR-awarded penalty brought Benfica within a goal until Prestianni's red card turned the tide. Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Dewsbury-Hall secured a commanding 4-1 win in one of Chelsea's most memorable nights. Quarter-Final Thriller: Palmeiras 1-2 Chelsea Returning to Philadelphia, Chelsea faced Brazilian side Palmeiras. A skilful strike by Cole Palmer set the tone. Palmeiras equalized via a formidable effort from teenage sensation Estevão, but Chelsea's resilience showed when Palmeiras' defender Agustín Giay turned a defensive challenge into an own goal. A hard-fought 2-1 win sealed a semi-final berth. Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea Setting up camp in New York at MetLife Stadium, Chelsea faced Fluminense, again in testing heat reaching 35°C. Blues legend Thiago Silva featured in opposition colours. Chelsea's composed display yielded a 2-0 win and booked a spot in the final. From the group stages to the semis, Chelsea combined youth, rotation, and tactical control under Maresca, tackling weather, travel, and top-tier opponents. Their blend of emerging talents and steady leadership has earned a shot at global glory, and given fans a Club World Cup run to savor. Chelsea FC's road to FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final LAFC 0–2 Chelsea Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea ES Tunis 0-2 Chelsea Benfica 1-4 Chelsea (Round of 16) Palmeiras 1-2 Chelsea (Quarters) Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea (Semi-finals) PSG vs Chelsea
Arab Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al Hilal holds Madrid as coaches make debuts at the Club World Cup
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP): Xabi Alonso got off to a disappointing start at Real Madrid as the Spanish giant was held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the Club World Cup. In his first game as coach of the 15-time European champion, Alonso was denied victory when Federico Valverde's stoppage-time penalty was saved. The VAR-awarded spot kick looked like it would hand Madrid - and Alonso - a late reprieve after being pushed at Hard Rock Stadium by Al Hilal under new coach Simone Inzaghi. But the Group H game ended tied, with Gonzalo Garcia scoring for Madrid in the 34th minute and Ruben Neves equalizing for Al Hilal from the penalty spot seven minutes later. Madrid was given a chance at victory when VAR spotted a foul by Mohammed Alqahtani on Fran Garcia in the box. Valverde stepped up to take the penalty two minutes into added time, but he dropped to his knees after his low effort was saved by Yassine Bounou, sparking wild celebrations from the Al Hilal goalkeeper's teammates. While it was an underwhelming start for Alonso, Inzaghi's Al Hilal made an early statement of its potential by holding its own against Madrid. It might have been even better for Saudi Arabia's most successful team, which was without injured star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, if Marcos Leonardo had taken one of three chances in front of goal.
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Why did Kylian Mbappe miss out on Real Madrid Club World Cup opener? Spanish giants reveal reason
With Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe missing out of their opening Club World Cup fixture against Al Hilal on Thursday, the Spanish giants provided an update on the forward. According to an official statement by the club, Mbappe was hospitalised with an acute case of gastroenteritis. Madrid said Mbappe would 'undergo a series of tests and follow the appropriate course of treatment.' New coach Xabi Alonso had said that he hoped the France international would be available for the team's next game against Pachuca on Sunday but his hospitalization has now thrown a spanner in the Spaniard's plans. With the tournament set to be a month-long affair, it's still unclear if Mbappe can even take part in it. Meanwhile, Alonso got off to a disappointing start at Real as the Spanish giant was held to a 1-1 draw by Al Hilal. Mbappé medical report. — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 19, 2025 In his first game as coach of the 15-time European champion, Alonso was denied victory when Federico Valverde's stoppage-time penalty was saved. The VAR-awarded spot kick looked like it would hand Madrid – and Alonso – a late reprieve after being pushed all the way at Hard Rock Stadium by Al Hilal under new coach Simone Inzaghi. But the Group H game ended tied, with Gonzalo Garcia scoring for Madrid in the 34th minute and Ruben Neves equalizing for Al Hilal from the penalty spot seven minutes later. Madrid was given a chance at victory when VAR spotted a foul by Mohammed Alqahtani on Fran Garcia in the box. Valverde stepped up to take the penalty two minutes into added time, but he dropped to his knees after his low effort was saved by Yassine Bounou, sparking wild celebrations from the Al Hilal goalkeeper's teammates. Gastroenteritis is also known as stomach flu and symptoms can include vomiting and diarrhea. Mbappe's hospitalization comes almost exactly one year after he sustained a broken nose at the European Championship and had to wear a face mask to continue playing in the tournament. (With agency inputs)
18-06-2025
- Sport
Alonso has disappointing start as Real Madrid coach in 1-1 draw against Al Hilal at Club World Cup
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid tenure got off to a disappointing start as the Spanish giant was held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the Club World Cup on Wednesday. In his first game as coach of the 15-time European champion, Alonso was denied victory when Federico Valverde's stoppage-time penalty was saved by Yassine Bounou. The VAR-awarded spot kick looked like it would hand Madrid a reprieve after being pushed all the way at Hard Rock Stadium by Al Hilal under new coach Simone Inzaghi. Gonzalo Garcia scored for Madrid in the 34th minute, but Al Hilal equalized from the penalty spot seven minutes later when Ruben Neves stepped up and sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way. Madrid was given a chance at victory when VAR spotted a foul by Mohammed Alqahtani on Fran Garcia in the box. Valverde stepped up to take the penalty two minutes into added time, but his low effort into the bottom corner was saved by Bounou, sparking wild celebrations from the Al Hilal goalkeeper's teammates. While it was an underwhelming start for Alonso, Inzaghi's Al Hilal made an early statement of its potential by holding its own against Madrid. It might have been even better. Leonardo had three chances in front of goal and failed to hit the target. Had star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic been fit and available, Al Hilal could have been celebrating a win. 'We know that things take time. We know that some things need to change. I saw a good reaction in the second half. We need good results here because it is a tough competition, but everything takes time.' — Alonso.
NBC Sports
18-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Al Hilal draw Real Madrid at Club World Cup as Bounou saves stoppage-time penalty
The Club World Cup is producing high drama, as Al Hilal pulled off a shock draw with Real Madrid thanks to heroics from a familiar face. Longtime La Liga goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved a VAR-awarded penalty in stoppage time to keep the score 1-1 and secure a point for his Saudi-based club on Wednesday. Real took a first-half lead through 21-year-old Goncalo Garcia but Ruben Neves converted a penalty for Al Hilal before halftime and neither team could score in the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The stoppage-time deadlock looked set to be broken when Mohammed Hamad Al Qahtani's careless flailing arm in the 18 caught chasing Fran Garcia in the face. VAR saw the foul, as replays saw Al Qahtani look back for Garcia before swinging his arm toward the player. That's when Bounou, the Quebec-born Moroccan international read Fede Valverde's penalty low and to his right, making the save. Yassine 'Bono' Bounou saves Real Madrid penalty at Club World Cup (video) 90+1' THIS IS INSANE! Penalty to @realmadrid, Valverde from the spot and Bono SAVES IT! We are still level in Miami! 😮 Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RMAHIL
