Friday's briefing: Lionel Messi free-kick lights up Atlanta and PSG shocked

Champions League winners Paris St Germain were stunned by South American champions Botafogo in Group B, while Atletico Madrid proved too strong for the Seattle Sounders.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca faced questions over Mykhailo Mudryk, while Real Madrid revealed star man Kylian Mbappe had been discharged from hospital.
Closer to home, Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson scaled new heights to announce her Euro 2025 squad.
Messi doing Messi things – unreal free-kick! ⚽️
Enjoy it from every angle 👏👀
Watch the @fifacwc | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MIAFCP pic.twitter.com/3qCHOEzF1d
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 19, 2025
Lionel Messi scored a trademark free-kick as Inter Miami beat Porto 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to move a step closer to the last 16 of the Club World Cup.
Porto took the lead in the eighth minute from the penalty spot but Miami equalised just after half-time through a thumping finish from Telasco Segovia.
Messi then gave the Atlanta crowd what they came for when he clipped home a fine 20-yard free-kick in the 54th minute.
Igor Jesus scored the only goal of the game as Botafogo stunned Paris St Germain in Pasadena, with Atletico Madrid beating the Seattle Sounders 3-1 in Group B's other game.
Elsewhere in Group A, Palmeiras beat Egyptian side Al Ahly 2-0 at the MetLife Stadium – with the match interrupted during the second half because of the threat of lightning in East Rutherford.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed he has not yet spoken to winger Mykhailo Mudryk since the Ukrainian was charged with violating anti-doping rules.
The 24-year-old has not played since being suspended last December after testing positive for a prohibited substance, and is facing a lengthy ban after being charged by the Football Association.
Blues boss Maresca fronted questions on Mudryk as he prepared the team for their second Group D match against Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday.
'The last time I spoke with Misha, he was quite good. I didn't see him worried, or at least I didn't see him not good. It was OK,' Maresca said.
'I don't know how he is now, but for sure in the next days, weeks, we're going to have a talk.'
Rhian Wilkinson hiked up Wales' highest peak at Yr Wyddfa before delivering the names of 23 players determined to scale their own summit at Euro 2025.
'It (qualifying) was always going to be an uphill battle with little setbacks,' said former Canada international Wilkinson.
'As we have moved towards the Euros we have talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't.
'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.'
Mbappé medical update.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 19, 2025
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been discharged from hospital after being admitted with 'acute gastroenteritis'.
The 26-year-old France international missed Wednesday night's 1-1 Club World Cup draw with Al Hilal through illness, with head coach Xabi Alonso revealing he had a fever.
Real Madrid subsequently confirmed Mbappe was suffering from 'an acute case of gastroenteritis' and had been admitted to hospital for further tests and treatment, before later being cleared to return to the team's base.
'Our player Kylian Mbappe was discharged from the hospital this afternoon and has returned to the Real Madrid training camp,' a club statement read.
'Mbappe will continue receiving specific medical treatment and will gradually return to team activity.'
MD2 vs the Brazilian giants. 🇧🇷🔜 pic.twitter.com/gqgbPg8JSN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 19, 2025
The Club World Cup continues with Chelsea facing Flamengo in Philadelphia.
The Blues will be looking to build on their opening Group D win over LAFC, who play ES Tunis in Nashville.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

an hour ago

• Daily Mirror

'I went to Slot's house to discuss a transfer - he just told me how bad I was!'

During his Feyenoord days Arne Slot considered signing former Tottenham and Everton forward Arnaut Danjuma - only to tell him how bad he was when they met to discuss the move Former Tottenham and Everton star Arnaut Danjuma was once on Arne Slot's radar and the forward went to his house to discuss a possible move - only to be told "how bad he was" for an hour. That was during his Feyenoord days and a move never materialised. Danjuma, who has won six caps for the Netherlands, was at Villarreal who were competing in the Champions League. Feyenoord came knocking as they sought to bring him back to his homeland, but Slot was scathing in his assessment of the player. ‌ Danjuma played for Bournemouth, Tottenham and Everton during his time in the Premier League. He's now back in Spain with Girona but had numerous conversations with the Liverpool boss as a move was considered. ‌ However in a humbling meeting the forward, who had become one of the leading lights at Villarreal, met Slot but was told in no uncertain terms where his weaknesses were. He told Ziggo Sport: "At that time I had a really good conversation with Arne Slot. That was one of many times that there was contact. It's just to indicate that it's very contextual. At that time I had the luxury of going to Arne Slot's house and listening to him for an hour how bad I was. I'll never forget it." Despite having to face the music Danjuma was mightly impressed by Slot and the way he communicated with him. His prediction for him proved to be true with the Dutchman succeeding Jurgen Klopp and winning the Premier League in his first year despite few tipping Liverpool to land the title. He said: "I actually thought that was very strong. It convinced me of how good he is as a trainer. He opened his laptop and showed his plans and project. Everyone knew that Slot would be a good trainer. He showed me my own game. What I did well, but then also what I did badly, what I could improve. That also appealed to me immediately. "His way of doing things, his way of acting and his way of talking, were all things that made me think: this is someone I could play well under. In the end I didn't do it. At the time, Champions League football was also connected to it. So for me it's very contextual." Slot's composure and smart tactics earned huge praise during his first year in England. The Dutchman made subtle tweaks to aid the team that he inherited from Klopp. Now, after landing the title, he's looked to evolve the team and has been aggressive in the transfer market, breaking the British transfer record to land Florian Wirtz. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Reuters

an hour ago

• Reuters

Chelsea's Jackson apologises for red card at Club World Cup

PHILADELPHIA, June 21 (Reuters) - Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has apologised to his team mates and fans for his red card in the team's 3-1 loss to Flamengo at the Club World Cup on Friday. Jackson had been on the pitch for only four minutes in the second half when he was shown a straight red for a nasty studs-up challenge on Ayrton Lucas, his second red card in four matches. "I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down," Jackson, who turned 24 on Friday, wrote on Instagram. "Another red card... and honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work very hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a football moment that went the wrong way. "No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry." Jackson will serve a minimum one-game suspension. Chelsea next face Esperance Sportive de Tunis on Wednesday. Jackson was sent off against Newcastle in a Premier League game last month for a similar challenge. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said: "It's a little bit of a bad moment for Nico in this kind of things. Unfortunately now he will be out for a while, the time that we are here." Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella said that Jackson had apologised to his team mates after the game. "He's very sad," Cucurella said. "He's a young player with a lot of quality but maybe needs to improve a little bit in these things."

Metro

an hour ago

• Metro

Frank Leboeuf slams 'foolish' Chelsea fans and sends warning after Flamengo loss

Frank Leboeuf branded anyone expecting Chelsea fans to challenge for major honours next season 'foolish' unless the club dramatically changes its transfer policy. After beginning their Club World Cup campaign with a win over Los Angeles FC, the Blues were handed a reality check by Flamengo last night. The Brazilian club recovered from the blow of conceding an early Pedro Neto goal and staged an impressive second half come back, eventually running out 3-1 victors. Chelsea finished last term in encouraging fashion, sealing Champions League qualification and winning the Conference League which sparked a defiant reaction from Enzo Maresca who had been regularly criticised over the course of a turbulent campaign. The arrival of Liam Delap in a 30million deal suggest Chelsea will persist with a policy of signing young, up and coming players which Leboeuf claims will continue undermine hopes of competing with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Speaking on ESPN FC, he said: 'Your main concern should be that we all know, because we've been football players, that they are fragile, they are not consistent. 'You know you don't know where you're going to go. One game is going to be perfect and three days after you're going to get something horrendous. 'You know this because they showed it during the season. They finished fourth because the league wasn't good last season and if you want too much and you expect too much from Chelsea you're a fool. 'You really are a fool because this thing is settled on something very fragile. 'They don't have as I have always demanded one or two experienced players where you can put the basics on. 'You are betting on young players who can do great things but can also suddenly lose it. As long as you are working that way it will go like this. It's hard to say next season is going to be different. 'No, it won't be different unless they buy the players I want and pray for deeply. But it's not going to happen, it's not their way of football.' Chelsea's naivety and impetuosity was summed up against Flamengo by Nicolas Jackson's needless red card. The Senegal striker was shown a straight red card – just four minutes after coming off the bench – for an aggressive studs-up challenge on Ayrton Lucas. That moment of madness came amid a calamitous six-minute spell in the second period in which the Blues also conceded two goals to surrender their half-time lead. It was also Jackson's second dismissal in just four appearances having also been given his marching orders for a forearm crack on Newcastle's Sven Botman in a Premier League match last month. 'I want to say sorry,' Jackson wrote on Instagram on what was a 24th birthday to forget. 'To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. More Trending 'Another red card… And honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. 'I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a moment in football that went the wrong way. 'No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry. Sorry, Sorry.' MORE: Filipe Luis makes huge Nicolas Jackson prediction after Chelsea red card vs Flamengo MORE: John Obi Mikel worried for Chelsea star who keeps 'disappearing' in games MORE: How many games will Nicolas Jackson miss after red card at Club World Cup?