Latest news with #RealMadrid
Leader Live
19 minutes ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Friday's briefing: Lionel Messi stars at Club World Cup and Botafogo stun PSG
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 | | #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. 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 Botafogo, 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. 🇧🇷🔜 — 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.
New York Times
34 minutes ago
- Sport
- New York Times
The Club World Cup Scout, Part 1: Elias Montiel – a versatile midfielder who imposes himself on games
The big storylines from the opening round of group matches at the Club World Cup were the uneven pace of play, which ranged from 'pre-season friendly' to 'World Cup final' depending on the fixture, and existentialism prompted by the awkward sight of some half-empty stadiums. On the positive side, those 16 matches over the tournament's first five days also showcased some of the sport's best young players: Juventus' Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao, Oscar Gloukh of Red Bull Salzburg, Botafogo's Jair Cunha and Gonzalo Garcia of Real Madrid all scored. Advertisement Throughout the competition, The Athletic will use this series to highlight some of the rising stars you may not have noticed, giving you the lowdown on who they are, their key attributes, and what they've done to try to make sure their club are crowned champions of the world after the final on July 13. This week: Elias Montiel. Montiel is a 19-year-old midfielder who plays for Mexico's Pachuca. At 171cm (5ft 7in) tall, he is not the most daunting physical presence but is a versatile operator who loves to impose himself on games, with and without the ball. The teenager is Pachuca through and through, having progressed through their ranks rapidly, moving from the under-18s to the senior team within two years. He has since made 65 appearances for the first team, scoring twice, providing five assists and helping them win the 2023-24 Concacaf Champions Cup — their confederation's Champions League equivalent — last June, the result that qualified Pachuca for the Club World Cup. Montiel has a rare playing profile as he can operate as an individual No 6 or in a double pivot, as well as in more advanced midfield positions. He is comfortable receiving, passing and shooting with either foot. That versatility has seen him deployed as Pachuca's metronome, tasked with bringing the ball out from defence and as a box-to-box midfielder. While not the quickest, Montiel uses a combination of body feigns and side-steps to unbalance defenders, as he does below to get a shot away against MLS side Philadelphia Union in the Champions Cup's round of 16 last year. Montiel loves to win the ball back. His 3.1 tackles per 90 minutes ranked him in the top nine per cent of midfielders in the Mexican league, Liga MX, this season. He has a powerful shot on him too, as he showed when scoring against Necaxa in a 5-3 away win in April. This goal is made possible by Montiel's awareness of where to move without the ball and his unerring finish once he receives it. Pachuca lost their Club World Cup group opener, 2-1 against Austria's Red Bull Salzburg in Cincinnati on Wednesday, but Montiel's performance stood out. He completed 43 of 53 pass attempts and created two chances, while winning all five of his ground duels. As his player dashboard shows, he kept play ticking with his passes, stretched the pitch with switches and carries when possible, and made some important defensive interventions. Montiel was positioned high up the pitch to start the match, often operating just behind lone striker Salomon Rondon. That, combined with Salzburg dominating possession, meant he was crucial to his side's chance creation. One of Pachuca's best opportunities during the first half came in transition, with Montiel receiving the ball and instantly looking to find Rondon with a searching pass over the top. The Venezuela international controlled it and got a shot away, forcing a save from Christian Zawieschitzky. Later in the half, Montiel showcased his ability to read play on the fly, moving behind an opposition defender to meet a deflected cross in the box. He took two touches to control before lobbing this pass to Agustin Palavecino, who chested it down but could only send a volley into the side-netting. As half-time approached with the match still goalless, Salzburg dropped into a more compact shape, baiting Pachuca's defenders to carry the ball forward or try line-breaking passes into their midfielders. With none of Pachuca's other midfielders comfortable in receiving on the turn with the opposition waiting to pounce, Montiel signalled for Pedro Pedraza to slide over into his position on the right of the central axis, then dropped into a holding-midfield position to receive from their defence between the lines. Unfortunately, he gave the ball away shortly after, and Pachuca were caught out, with Gloukh curling in the game's first goal. Montiel was less effective in the second half, despite Pachuca enjoying more possession, as Salzburg's defensive line withdrew deeper. He could not supply the penetrative pass his side needed to find an equaliser before being substituted in the 87th minute. Montiel's willingness to snap into tackles across the pitch, while valuable, works to his detriment on occasion as he gives away cheap fouls. He is also not the most dominant in the air, unsurprising considering his height, losing both aerial duels against Salzburg, having won just 39 per cent during the 2024-25 Liga MX season. His decision-making in the final third requires fine-tuning too, but given he doesn't turn 20 until October, he has time to perfect his craft. Montiel's youth means he is yet to develop the physicality to thrive in one of Europe's top five leagues. His technical ability is sound and also constantly improving, so should he move on after the Club World Cup, a transfer to a mid-table team in the Dutch Eredivisie or Portugal's Primeira Liga, who can give him regular first-team minutes, would be valuable for his development. You can sign up to DAZN to watch every FIFA Club World Cup game for free
Sinar Daily
39 minutes ago
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
Real Madrid star Mbappe released from hospital
Mbappe, who is in the USA at the Club World Cup, had what the club called "an acute case of gastroenteritis" and was taken in for tests and treatment. 20 Jun 2025 11:16am French striker Mbappe missed his team's Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal on Wednesday, a 1-1 draw in Xabi Alonso's first game at the helm. - AFP file photo MIAMI - Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has been released from hospital in the United States after suffering a stomach bug, the Spanish giants said on Thursday. Mbappe, who is in the USA at the Club World Cup, had what the club called "an acute case of gastroenteritis" and was taken in for tests and treatment. French striker Mbappe missed his team's Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal on Wednesday, a 1-1 draw in Xabi Alonso's first game at the helm. - AFP file photo "Our player Kylian Mbappe was discharged from hospital this afternoon and has returned to the Real Madrid training camp," Los Blancos said in a statement. "Mbappe will continue with specific medical treatment and will gradually return to the team's activities," they added. French striker Mbappe missed his team's Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal on Wednesday, a 1-1 draw in Xabi Alonso's first game at the helm. Alonso said on Tuesday the 26-year-old forward had been "feeling a little better" after illness in the run up to the match in Miami. Madrid B-team player Gonzalo Garcia, 21, started in Mbappe's stead and opened the scoring for Real Madrid against their Saudi Arabian opponents. Madrid's second match in Group H is on Sunday June 22 against Mexican side Pachuca in Charlotte. Mbappe finished as the European Golden Shoe winner in his first season at Real Madrid with 31 goals in La Liga, but Los Blancos finished the season without a major trophy. - AFP
The National
44 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Al Hilal show 'power and potential of Saudi football' in Real Madrid draw
On the eve of Wednesday's Fifa Club World Cup tie between Al Hilal and Real Madrid, amid the Art Deco diners that line Miami's South Beach reminiscent of something out of Back to the Future, two men sat debating football in front of a baby blue Cadillac. Both dressed in Al Hilal shirts, both having arrived from Riyadh the previous evening, the pair couldn't agree on their side's hopes of toppling the European behemoth that is Real Madrid. One gave his side a 'less than zero' chance of victory, while the other clung to the idea that 'nothing is impossible'. Yet they agreed on one thing: The result was immaterial, they were here for a week of fun. And they were not alone. Al Hilal took over South Beach ahead of the match, which proved an enjoyable 1-1 draw as the perceived impossible was almost realised by an impressive Saudi side that at times completely dominated their illustrious Spanish opponents in the blistering 32°C heat. Hookah cafes, Hilal tops, and an expansive fan fest that proved so popular prizes ran dry. So too did the nearby sportswear store, which stuck a sign up in its window: 'Al Hilal Sold Out Sorry :)'. Yet inside the Hard Rock Stadium, it was a different story. Fifa is well aware of the biggest draw of its new 32-team Club World Cup. During the opening ceremony earlier this week, its camera lingered uncomfortably on only one club crest: That of the 15-time European champions. And, despite the local organising committee's army of volunteers clad in Hilal-style blue, the stadium was a white hot sea of Madrid shirts. Unsurprising given the temperature, regrettable 3pm kick-off time, and lack of a flux capacitor, there was to be no throwback to the 2022 Club World Cup final when Madrid beat Hilal 5-3. Yet at times this was as much a Madrid performance as we have grown to expect in recent years – riding their luck for large periods, before finding a goal against the run of play. In the end, perhaps the only surprise was they failed to capitalise on a penalty to snare all three points. With new Madrid coach Xabi Alonso handing debuts to both Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right-side of defence, the new-look back-line had appeared shaky. Hilal, also marking their first match under a new coach in Simone Inzaghi, came close to scoring early on through Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Marcos Leonardo, before left-back Renan Lodi slid the ball past Thibaut Courtois only to see it ruled offside. 'We got to see the true level of our team today,' Lodi said. 'We were playing against a club that has dominated Europe, won Champions Leagues, but we held our own. For this, I am very happy. Soon, I'll have been at Hilal for two years and I think everyone is seeing now that we too can play great football. Madrid is a team of the highest level, but we showed the power and potential of Saudi Arabian football.' Watched on by Grammy Award-winning Palestinian-American record producer DJ Khaled, Hilal indeed looked perfectly at home, dominating possession for large spells. Yet the old habits of Madrid are not yet ready to fade like a family photograph, and it was the Spanish side who typically took the lead against the run of play. Rodrygo picked out Gonzalo Garcia, whose first-time finish struck his own planted foot and floated over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Hard luck in the Hard Rock for the ever-popular 'Bono'. Unperturbed, Hilal continued to plug away. Captain Salem Al Dawsari proving a constant threat on the left. The 2021 AFC Asian League winners levelled the tie just before half time when Raul Asencio was judged to manhandle Leonardo in the box and Ruben Neves made no mistake from the spot. They could have added a second soon after too through Al Dawsari, but his well-worked shot took a deflection and curled wide. Madrid grew into the game, with Vinicius Jr exploiting the space behind Joao Cancelo before Inzaghi made a switch – though not before substitute Arda Guler and Gonzalo Garcia both tested Bono. 'There are some positives to take from the match, especially in the second half,' said Alexander-Arnold. 'The coach told us at half time we needed to dominate the ball more. In these games, especially in this heat, you need to dominate the ball otherwise you are chasing shadows.' Hilal managed only two shots in the second half but they were well deserving of a point. It appeared a cruel twist then when Argentine referee Facundo Tello, after an on-field review, awarded a penalty for Mohammed Al Qahtani's clumsy arm connecting with the mouth of Fran Garcia. Bono came to the rescue, throwing himself down to save both Federico Valverde's penalty and what could be a crucial point in the quest to progress to the knock-out stages. 'This was a great test for us,' said Joao Cancelo. 'We were able to compete against one of the best teams in the world, but it's very difficult. To play against Rodrygo, [Jude] Bellingham, [Luka] Modric, Valverde … We competed well and can be proud.'
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Friday's briefing: Lionel Messi stars at Club World Cup and Botafogo stun PSG
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. 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 Botafogo, 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. 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 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.' 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.
