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Straits Times
13 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Lionel Messi strikes as Inter Miami stun Porto at Club World Cup
ATLANTA - A Lionel Messi trademark free-kick earned Inter Miami a shock 2-1 comeback win against Porto in the Club World Cup on June 19. The Argentine superstar found the top corner with a second half set-piece to clinch a surprise victory for the MLS side and give them a strong chance of progressing from Group A. Inter Miami and Palmeiras have four points each, after the Brazilian side beat Al Ahly 2-0 earlier on – the Egyptians like Porto have one point. Samu Aghehowa's early penalty gave the Portuguese side the lead as they had the better of the first half and could have scored more. However Telasco Segovia blasted Miami level and then Messi's free-kick helped them claim a noteworthy scalp, in a match many thought would be straightforward for Porto. Co-owned by former England international David Beckham, Inter Miami played their first MLS match in 2020 and signed Messi in 2023, raising their profile significantly. This was the first competitive victory for an MLS side over European opposition, in their second encounter after Chelsea beat Los Angeles FC earlier in the week. 'It's a huge joy, the whole team made a big effort, we worked really well,' Messi told DAZN. 'It's a really important win for us and we have to enjoy it... 'You can see that we want to compete, and today we competed against a really good European team... we knew that today we were weaker, but we had our strengths.' Even with Messi, arguably the face of the tournament, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was under half-full at kick-off, hamstrung by another 3pm kick-off on a working day as it was for Chelsea's opener at the venue. More fans entered throughout the game, keen to get a glimpse of the 37-year-old widely considered to be the game's greatest ever player, with nearly 32,000 present in the end. Messi did not disappoint and was the game's outstanding player, involved heavily from the off. The former Barcelona great clipped a dipping ball in behind for veteran striker Luis Suarez, who could only prod it at the goalkeeper. Porto took the lead in the eighth minute after being awarded a soft penalty after a VAR review, as Miami defender Noah Allen made light contact with Joao Mario in the box. Spain international Samu Aghehowa beat Oscar Ustari, who had saved a penalty in the goalless draw against Al Ahly, even though the stopper got a hand to his low effort. Porto's Samu Aghehowa scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot, past Inter Miami's Oscar Ustari. PHOTO: AFP Uruguayan striker Suarez, 38, might have levelled after Messi threaded him through on goal but, forced to use his weaker left foot, Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos denied him. Javier Mascherano's side almost levelled through US international Benjamin Cremaschi after a charge forward from Suarez broke open Porto's defence, but Ramos made a smart near post stop to thwart him. Maximiliano Falcon brilliantly headed off his own goal-line with Ustari beaten by Rodrigo Mora's effort to keep Inter Miami hopes alive. Ustari denied Aghehowa and then scrambled the ball to safety as it rolled towards his net after Alan Varela crashed a shot off the upright and it hit him on the back, as Porto turned the screw before the break. 'Clutch moment' Inter Miami levelled right at the start of the second half, with Segovia blasting home Marcelo Weigandt's inviting cut-back to stun the Portuguese side. Messi then sent Miami ahead with a goal all of his own making after 54 minutes. The playmaker was brought down outside the area and dusted himself down before arrowing a classic Messi free-kick into the top right corner. Argentine superstar Messi found the top corner with a second half set-piece to clinch a surprise victory for MLS side Inter Miami. PHOTO: REUTERS '(Messi) is a leader, he's the player he is, he's the greatest player in the world,' Inter Miami forward Fafa Picault told DAZN. 'I had a feeling (the free-kick) was going in. That was a great goal, a great show of leadership and coming in a clutch moment for us.' Miami battled hard to keep Porto at bay and groans travelled around the stadium after seven minutes of stoppage time was announced. Mascherano's players thew themselves in the way of shots in a way the former Argentine defensive midfielder would have done himself, and Inter Miami were eventually able to claim their much-craved victory. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
15 minutes ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Auckland City's Club World Cup participation is a privilege with a price
MIAMI: Adam Mitchell knows he is going to lose money this month. The Auckland City defender left his job selling houses in New Zealand to take part in the Club World Cup, where the eventual champions will pocket a staggering US$125 million — while his semi-professional team plays on for pride and an appearance fee still under negotiation. "My business runs on a commission basis only," Mitchell told Reuters on Thursday after his side's humbling 10-0 defeat to European giants Bayern Munich at the expanded Club World Cup. "If I'm not back working, there's no income coming in. But a tournament like this, you have to be willing to make sacrifices and that's what a lot of us have done." The Club World Cup's new, lucrative format has attracted criticism for its schedule congestion at the end of a long European season. Mitchell and his teammates, many of whom work as teachers, delivery drivers, and tradesmen, are effectively paying out of their own pockets for the privilege of competing on this stage. It is not just Mitchell's earnings that are taking a hit. New Zealand's labour laws typically grant around four to five weeks of annual leave per year — most of which, for Auckland's players, was already used up during last year's Oceania qualifying tournament. "The players that went to the qualification for this tournament, well, we played in the Solomon Islands. That was three weeks," Mitchell explained. "Some people have run out of annual leave. People are kind of in negative days and taking unpaid leave. So, it's nice for people to know the sacrifices we make to be here." While the tournament offers prize money tiers based on performance, Auckland City, representing one of football's smallest confederations, will receive the lowest payout - a fraction of the $3.58 million meant for Oceania. Even that amount, Mitchell noted, is still subject to ongoing negotiations between the club and New Zealand Football. NO MERCY On the pitch, the gulf between part-time semi-professionals and global superstars was on brutal display. Bayern Munich, ranked among the world's elite, named a starting 11 packed with internationals, showing no mercy en route to a double-digit victory. "Conceding 10 goals isn't a nice feeling," Mitchell admitted. "But I think we have to realise the calibre of team and calibre of players we were up against. "The fact that they did put their strongest team out and they didn't take the pedal off the metal at all. They just kept going and going and going, which, it's not great for us, but in a way that's a sign of respect." The heavy defeat has not dampened spirits within the Auckland camp. With two more games to play in their group against Benfica and Boca Juniors, Mitchell said he and his teammates are determined to leave their mark. "If you watched the (Bayern) game, you could see we never give up regardless of the scoreline," he said. Back home, Mitchell juggles the demands of a commission-based real estate job with evening training sessions and coaching duties at the club. His typical day starts early, squeezing in gym sessions before work, and ends late at night after training. "It's not ideal for my wife," he joked. "I don't get to see her that often, but she really respects the fact that this is a sacrifice that we have to make and she also has to make. "(For her) just seeing myself and the whole team on the stage and obviously against the best players in the world, I think it's a really proud moment." Mitchell admits that while the financial hit stings, the exposure could pay off in other ways. "Maybe if someone was watching on TV and they realised I was in the industry, maybe they just want to have a chat and that's the way you can build some rapport," he said. To the critics who have questioned the inclusion of Auckland City in a competition of this scale, Mitchell remains unapologetic. "We don't bother too much about critics. We've earned the right to be here. People have to realise we are semi-professionals, but we do treat training and we treat our club like a professional club, with the resources we have," said Mitchell, whose side face Benfica on Friday.
New Straits Times
20 minutes ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Palmeiras ease past Al Ahly in Club World Cup
EAST RUTHERFORD, United States: Palmeiras drew first blood in Club World Cup Group A with a 2-0 victory over Al Ahly on Thursday in New Jersey. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami face Porto later on in the group's other clash after two goalless draws in the first round of fixtures. The match was suspended in the 63rd minute because of a weather warning, with players and fans at the MetLife Stadium instructed to "take shelter" because of a nearby storm. Palmeiras were leading by two goals at the time, with a Wessam Abou Ali own goal sending the Brazilians ahead in the 49th minute before Flaco Lopez doubled their lead on the Egyptians 10 minutes later. Victory took Palmeiras provisionally top on four points, with the other three sides level on one point each. It was the third match at the tournament affected by adverse weather at the tournament. On Tuesday Mamelodi Sundowns game against Ulsan HD was suspended just before kick-off for just over an hour due to a weather alert. Then on Wednesday RB Salzburg' s match against Pachuca was suspended in the second half for 97 minutes because of a storm. Palmeiras, led by talented youngster Estevao Willian, who is set to join Chelsea, played well but were held by Porto in their opening clash. Al Ahly kept them at bay in a tight first half, in which English referee Anthony Taylor sent off Palmeiras midfielder Raphael Veiga for a foul on Ahmed Zizo, before overturning his decision following a VAR review. Palestinian striker Abou Ali headed Anibal Moreno's free-kick into his own net to hand Palmeiras the lead. Lopez finished coolly for the Brazilians' second after Mauricio played him through on goal. After the suspension of around 45 minutes for the weather warning, Palmeiras played out the remainder of the match comfortably without risking their advantage. South American sides have come into the tournament strongly, in good condition given they are in the middle of their domestic seasons, and have stayed unbeaten to this point.--AFP
Irish Daily Mirror
20 minutes ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kylian Mbappe discharged from hospital after gastroenteritis diagnosis
Real Madrid ace Kylian Mbappe has bounced back from a bout of "acute gastroenteritis", released from the hospital after a spell of treatment. The French international forward, aged 26, was sidelined for Wednesday's Club World Cup 1-1 draw with Al Hilal due to illness, with gaffer Xabi Alonso sharing that he had come down with a fever. The LaLiga bigwigs confirmed that Mbappe had been laid up with "an acute case of gastroenteritis" and was rushed to hospital for a thorough check-up and medical care. On Thursday, it was all thumbs up as the Spanish club announced that Mbappe had hoofed it back over to Real Madrid's training digs to kick on with getting better. A statement on Madrid's official website said: "Our player Kylian Mbappe was discharged from the hospital this afternoon and has returned to the Real Madrid training camp. "Mbappe will continue receiving specific medical treatment and will gradually return to team activity." Los Blancos are due to play their second Group H fixture against Mexican side CF Pachuca in Charlotte on Sunday. Real Madrid are second in their group after the opening round of fixtures, two points behind Red Bull Salzburg, who beat Pachuca 2-1 in Cincinnati during the early hours of Thursday morning.
Glasgow Times
21 minutes ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Kylian Mbappe discharged from hospital after case of ‘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. Later on Thursday, the LaLiga club revealed Mbappe had been able to return to the team's training base to continue his recovery. Nuevo parte médico de Mbappé. — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 19, 2025 A statement on Madrid's official website said: 'Our player Kylian Mbappe was discharged from the hospital this afternoon and has returned to the Real Madrid training camp. 'Mbappe will continue receiving specific medical treatment and will gradually return to team activity.' Los Blancos are due to play their second Group H fixture against Mexican side CF Pachuca in Charlotte on Sunday. Real Madrid are second in their group after the opening round of fixtures, two points behind Red Bull Salzburg, who beat Pachuca 2-1 in Cincinnati during the early hours of Thursday morning.
