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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Botafogo striker Igor Jesus is modern Didier Drogba who scored winner v PSG and will be at Nottingham Forest next season
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IN the space of the current decade, Botafogo of Rio have gone from Brazil's second division, to reigning national and South American champions, to unlikely conquerors of Paris Saint Germain. The extraordinary rise has been bankrolled by US businessman John Textor, who also owns Lyon in France and is trying to sell his stake in Crystal Palace. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Igor Jesus scored the only goal as Botafogo beat PSG Credit: Getty 11 Nottingham Forest will be delighted they got him before the Club World Cup Credit: Getty 11 The forward has already been playing and scoring for Brazil ahead of his move to the Premier League Credit: AFP But the Botafogo story is now just a tale of the chequebook. It is also about wonderful work by the scouting department - exemplified by the case of centre forward Igor Jesus. The Brazil international scored the only goal as Botafogo shocked PSG with a 1-0 win and joins Nottingham Forest after the Club World Cup. The 24-year-old began his professional career with Coritiba in the south of Brazil, where he showed promise but not much more. And then he found his way to Shabab Al Alhi in the Arab Emirates. This took him off the radar screen of most people - but not Botafogo. He did well in his new surroundings, and even had an offer to take on local citizenship and play for the national team. He declined, declaring that he was prepared to wait for an opportunity to play for Brazil. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK It seemed a fanciful dream but Botafogo were watching and signed him on a free when his contract ran out. They brought him back to Brazil where he was unknown but they unleashed him in July of last year. Watch Lionel Messi's incredible Club World Cup free-kick for Inter Miami as fans say he's 'from another planet' And by September he was playing and scoring for Brazil in World Cup qualification. Amid the recent turmoil of the Brazilian national team he soon lost his place. But he will be back - especially because he gave new coach Carlo Ancelotti a powerful demonstration of his merits. Ancelotti arrived to coach Brazil at the end of May. The next day he called up his first squad - without Igor Jesus. 11 Igor already has two goals in the ongoing Club World Cup Credit: AFP 11 He is regarded as one of the hottest strikers in South America at the moment Credit: Getty And the day after he was in Botafogo's stadium for a crunch game in the Copa Libertadores, South America's Champions League. Botafogo had to win to stay in the competition and defend the title they won last year. They were up against Universidad de Chile who found themselves a man up early in the match. Nottingham Forest's other signing, gangling centre back Jair Cunha, launched himself into a bad tackle and was sent off. Botafogo had to win the game with ten men - and Igor Jesus ensured that they did. Textor has described him as the perfect centre forward. He has a strong physical presence, he can hold the ball up and shrug off defenders. 11 The Brazilian already has a trademark celebration which Forest fans will love Credit: Getty 11 He loves to go to the fans after he scores a goal Credit: Reuters He is quick and mobile, able to work the channels and he has an extraordinary spirit of sacrifice. In the final of last year's Libertadores against fellow Brazilians Atletico MIneiro, Botafogo had a man sent off in the first thirty seconds. Igor Jesus had to dedicate himself to being the first line of defence, and carried out the task tirelessly. In this game against Universidad de Chile he had to be the first line of defence and the cutting edge of the attack - Botafogo had to win. Every time he got on the ball he was a nightmare for the Chilean defenders and he scored the goal that takes his side through to the knock out phase. Against PSG he had to go through his repertoire against much better defenders. 11 He dominated the PSG backline all game Credit: AP 11 He's been compared to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba Credit: Reuters And he worried Lucas Beraldo and William Pacho all through the game, giving options for the besieged Botafogo defenders to clear their lines, combining with his midfielders, and charging towards Gianluigi Donnarumma to score - with the help of a deflection - the only goal in a famous victory. Textor appeared after the match to thank Igor Jesus by pretending to polish his boot. Igor Jesus is looking increasingly like a modern day version of Didier Drogba - a one man forward line capable of performing every function a striker needs to do and able to take on entire defences all on his own. His performance would not have been enough to secure victory without the splendid disciplined defending of his team-mates in which Jair Cunha played the game of his life. The 20-year-old was signed at the start of the season after helping Santos win promotion back to the top flight last year. 11 Forest fans will be delighted with the signing they've made Credit: AP 11 He's got the making of a modern day centre forward who can do it all Credit: Getty Injuries meant that he has been thrown in at the deep end and it has not always been easy. He can struggle for balance and though he scored with a towering header in the opening game against Seattle Sounders, he had plenty of defensive problems. But he rose to the challenge in fine style against PSG. He was well protected, and able to spend the game defending in reduced space. But he kept his head well under pressure and made Forest fans hope that Igor Jesus will not be the only Brazilian signing making an impact next season at the City Ground.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Renovated £1.5billion stadium now generating almost £1million a DAY after incredible transformation
REAL MADRID'S Santiago Bernabeu is reportedly generating nearly £1million a day. The world-class stadium is known around the globe as being one of football's major cathedrals. 3 3 Boasting over 78,000 seats, the Bernabeu has been home to Real since 1947 and has played host to some incredible matches. It was the first stadium in Europe to host both a Euros and a World Cup final. And in 2019 Real decided to modernise the Bernabeu in a stunning £1.5billion rebuild. The major renovation job saw a retractable roof added to the arena, while the surrounding area was boosted by the creation of a shopping centre and hotel. Now, Real are reaping the benefits of their new home thanks to football and non-football events alike. According to Marca, Los Blancos are raking in nearly £1m a day, generating an incredible annual total of £354m. When it comes to matchdays, fans are also able to upgrade their experience by moving to premium seats and boxes scattered throughout the ground. They can also boost their time at the Bernabeu by opting for a plush tour of the ground. And tickets remain accessible for both fans and tourists, with several matches not sold out before the end of this season and tickets made available for FREE. Elsewhere, Real have also boosted revenue with numerous concerts and events. Real Madrid open their Club World Cup campaign with draw against Saudi minnows 3 Last year saw Taylor Swift play three shows to hundreds of thousands. And in November, the Bernabeu will play host to an NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders. There could still be plenty more revenue to come in the future, with Real currently banned from hosting music concerts following noise complaints from local residents after Swift's shows. But the regional Madrid government is working on a reform to current laws about noise pollution, potentially allowing the Bernabeu to start hosting concerts again from next year.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Red-faced Tesco forced to issue an apology after public backlash to this promo stand... but can YOU spot why Welsh shoppers were so angry?
Tesco have been forced to apologise after a promotional stand offering shoppers the chance to meet England's Lionesses was put on display at a Cardiff store. Customers were shocked to see the large Lucozade signage, emblazoned with two photos of the Lionesses in a team huddle, placed front and centre of the store's entrance at Western Avenue just weeks before Euro 2025. The stand featured a large archway and offered shoppers the chance to 'win and meet the Lionesses', as well as the opportunity to take home a Lionesses jersey. The UEFA Women's Euros will get underway on July 2 in Switzerland and England and Wales will face off against each other after being drawn in the same group. Outraged Welsh customers took to social media to voice their anger with the display. One shopper described it as 'deeply offensive' and urged Tesco to 'read the room'. 'I genuinely don't understand how this happens. Surely someone somewhere would have thought it was a bad idea,' they added. 'Do you have these up in Scotland too?' Another customer said it was 'disgraceful', saying: 'Must be lovely for our Welsh women footballers, walking in Tesco and seeing the England women's team.' The chief executive of the Football Association of Wales, Noel Mooney, also shared his frustration with the gaffe, saying: 'We are Cymru. Why is this in our capital?' Tesco confirmed that it has since removed the display from the store and has wished both the Welsh and England sides luck for the tournament. In a statement, they said the advertisement was 'incorrectly' put up. 'Many of our colleagues and customers will be supporting their home nations in the tournament,' the company added.
