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The Star
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-PSG go from European glory to Club World Cup woe
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group B - Paris St Germain v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California, U.S. - June 19, 2025 Botafogo's John and Alexander Barboza celebrate after the match as Paris St Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia looks dejected REUTERS/Daniel Cole MIAMI (Reuters) -European champions Paris St Germain arrived at the Club World Cup aiming to be crowned kings of the global game but defeat by Botafogo on Thursday showed the tournament will be a true test of their mettle and not just a celebratory lap of honour. The Ligue 1 winners went down 1-0 to Brazilian champions Botafogo at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, a result that threw Group B wide open and deflated the mood in the PSG camp after their emphatic 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in their opener. Desire Doue, who scored twice in PSG's 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final last month, said failing to take their chances had cost them. "We weren't efficient," the attacking midfielder said. "We had a lot of chances. They only had two or three shots and they scored. They were very efficient in front of our goal." Botafogo's compact, aggressive approach exposed signs of fatigue in PSG's ranks after a long season in domestic and European football. They had adjusted their schedule in California to allow players afternoons off to recover between training sessions. Coach Luis Enrique also rotated his squad, starting without regulars Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz and Marquinhos, who were introduced after halftime in search of a spark. But even with the reinforcements PSG failed to break through a determined Botafogo defence. The decisive moment came in the 36th minute when Igor Jesus beat Gianluigi Donnarumma. Luis Enrique did not look for excuses and praised the Copa Libertadores champions for their approach. "Botafogo were the best defensive side we've come up against all season — both in our league and in the Champions League. They were excellent," the Spaniard said. "They were simply highly efficient, very compact, and always had the threat of hitting us in transition. They scored a great goal through Jesus, and that gave them a real injection of belief. "We didn't create the number of chances we're used to. We're very accustomed to working against teams defending deep — but it's always difficult to break one down. In this case, Botafogo did it very well, and I congratulate them for it." Despite enjoying long spells of possession, PSG lacked their usual sharpness and Doue said the defeat should serve as a wake-up call. "We raised our level in the duels, but it was efficiency that was missing tonight. This match has to help us bounce back. Nothing is finished, we have another match and we're going to win it." PSG face Seattle Sounders in their final group game on Monday and Luis Enrique did not expect things to get any easier. "This is a very difficult competition. Every match will be like this," he added. (Editing by Peter Rutherford;)
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
PSG go from European glory to Club World Cup woe
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group B - Paris St Germain v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California, U.S. - June 19, 2025 Botafogo's John and Alexander Barboza celebrate after the match as Paris St Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia looks dejected REUTERS/Daniel Cole MIAMI - European champions Paris St Germain arrived at the Club World Cup aiming to be crowned kings of the global game but defeat by Botafogo on Thursday showed the tournament will be a true test of their mettle and not just a celebratory lap of honour. The Ligue 1 winners went down 1-0 to Brazilian champions Botafogo at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, a result that threw Group B wide open and deflated the mood in the PSG camp after their emphatic 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in their opener. Desire Doue, who scored twice in PSG's 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final last month, said failing to take their chances had cost them. "We weren't efficient," the attacking midfielder said. "We had a lot of chances. They only had two or three shots and they scored. They were very efficient in front of our goal." Botafogo's compact, aggressive approach exposed signs of fatigue in PSG's ranks after a long season in domestic and European football. They had adjusted their schedule in California to allow players afternoons off to recover between training sessions. Coach Luis Enrique also rotated his squad, starting without regulars Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz and Marquinhos, who were introduced after halftime in search of a spark. But even with the reinforcements PSG failed to break through a determined Botafogo defence. The decisive moment came in the 36th minute when Igor Jesus beat Gianluigi Donnarumma. Luis Enrique did not look for excuses and praised the Copa Libertadores champions for their approach. "Botafogo were the best defensive side we've come up against all season — both in our league and in the Champions League. They were excellent," the Spaniard said. "They were simply highly efficient, very compact, and always had the threat of hitting us in transition. They scored a great goal through Jesus, and that gave them a real injection of belief. "We didn't create the number of chances we're used to. We're very accustomed to working against teams defending deep — but it's always difficult to break one down. In this case, Botafogo did it very well, and I congratulate them for it." Despite enjoying long spells of possession, PSG lacked their usual sharpness and Doue said the defeat should serve as a wake-up call. "We raised our level in the duels, but it was efficiency that was missing tonight. This match has to help us bounce back. Nothing is finished, we have another match and we're going to win it." PSG face Seattle Sounders in their final group game on Monday and Luis Enrique did not expect things to get any easier. "This is a very difficult competition. Every match will be like this," he added. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
BreakingNews.ie
7 hours ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Friday's briefing: Lionel Messi free-kick lights up Atlanta and PSG shocked
Lionel Messi lit up the Club World Cup with a fine free-kick as Inter Milan came from behind to beat Porto in Atlanta. 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. Advertisement 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. Lionel Messi magic for Miami Messi doing Messi things - unreal free-kick! ⚽️ Enjoy it from every angle 👏👀 Watch the @fifacwc | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MIAFCP — 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. Advertisement 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. Enzo Maresca – I'll talk to 'Misha' soon 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. Advertisement 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.' Advertisement Rhian Wilkinson has high hopes for Wales Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson is ready for her side to climb their own Everest at Euro 2025 (Nick Potts/PA) 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.' Advertisement Kylian Mbappe in and then out of hospital 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.' What's on today? MD2 vs the Brazilian giants. 🇧🇷🔜 — 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.
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Botafogo shock PSG 1-0 at Club World Cup
LOS ANGELES - Brazil's Botafogo withstood waves of attacks from Paris St Germain to stun the European champions 1-0 on Thursday and throw Group B at the Club World Cup wide open. PSG dominated possession at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena but Botafogo's resolute defence stood tall in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs. The goal came in the 36th minute when Botafogo gained possession in midfield and Jefferson Savarino slid a pass through for Igor Jesus to run in on goal. Jesus outmaneuvered two defenders and his shot deflected off the leg of PSG's Willian Pacho, the ball changing direction and leaving goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma flatfooted and only able to watch as the ball skipped into the net. Jesus celebrated by hopping over the barrier and was mobbed by delirious Botafogo fans. PSG continued to be the aggressors in the second half as Botafogo were content to protect their lead and try to capitalize on the break. PSG, who had scored 19 goals in their last five matches, had the ball in the net in the 79th minute but the goal was chalked off for offside and Botafogo held for the shock win. The Brazilians became the first team to stop PSG scoring since March when Liverpool defeated them 1-0 in the Champions League. The French side had scored in 19 consecutive games until losing on Thursday. Botafogo coach Renato Paiva said his team had beaten PSG at their own game. "Being a great team, playing together, all the guys defending, all the guys attacking, and that's the big secret of this PSG team, that's why they compete and win," he said. "They are a fantastic team. I said this, PSG are a lesson to everybody nowadays in football. And I told my guys, just be a team, enjoy playing together, attack together, defend together, and enjoy. And they did they did it. Fantastic." PSG were once again without Ousmane Dembele, who suffered an injury while playing for France in the UEFA Nations League earlier this month The victory gives the South American champions a huge boost in their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds after they beat MLS side Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their opener. PSG, who thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in their first match, will look to bounce back against the Sounders on Monday while Botafogo are back at the Rose Bowl again to take on Atletico the same day. Brazil's four teams at the 32-club tournament are unbeaten so far and Paiva said it showed the strength of the game in the South American nation. "I think it's the quality of Brazilian players, the quality of what people are doing in Brazil, especially the coaches," he said. "Brazil will always be Brazil in world football." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Botafogo stun PSG 1-0 at Club World Cup
LOS ANGELES - Brazil's Botafogo stunned European champions Paris St Germain 1-0 on Thursday to throw Group B at the Club World Cup wide open. PSG dominated possession at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena but Botafogo's defence stood tall to withstand waves of attacks from the French side in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs. A turnover near midfield generated an opportunity for Igor Jesus, whose deflected shot left PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma flatfooted and only able to watch as the ball skipped into the net in the 36th minute. PSG continued to be the aggressors in the second half as Botafogo were content to protect their lead and try to capitalize on the break. PSG, who had scored 19 goals in their last five matches, had the ball in the net in the 79th minute but the goal was chalked off for offside and Botafogo held for the shock win. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
