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The National
12 hours 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.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Got to give him a chance' - fans react to Struber
Gerhard Struber has been announced as the new head coach of Bristol are some of your views on the appointment of the Austrian to replace Liam - I love the way the Austrian national team plays, and apparently it's hard coded into Austrian football. So to have an Austrian head coach with a reputation for that style of play, and an academy that's set up for it, makes me quite - One thing I have to say is that any manager at City must have some help with bringing in fresh talent which we lacked in key areas especially in the play-offs as we were not in the same class as Sheffield United. Unless this happens it will be a difficult - Got to give the guy a chance but hope he plays two up - On first impressions very positive. Talks a good game and seems passionate, only time will - No, it's a poor one again from the - My only concern is that owner Steve Lansdown has shown little sign of seriously investing in this team. I only hope that Struber obtained some assurances about strengthening City (particularly up front) before - We as fans don't know how good or bad the new manager will be but after 10 games will have a good idea. The first thing for us as fans will be to see if and who the board allow him to move on from the poor strike force we have and replace them with decent forwards or he will - Struber wasn't first on my list let alone in the top five - Steve Lansdown said we should aim to repeat last season's performance but I'd love to see us finish in the top five and should we end up in the play-offs again we have to go and win it, that's the next logical step. Anything less then a top-six finish will be a disappointing season.
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The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Women's Euro 2025: Predict the results of every game from the group stages to the final
Women's Euro 2025 is almost here – and now, you can join the action with our interactive prediction widget. Think you know how the tournament will play out? Use the tool to pick who you think will top each group, then chart your knockout stage all the way to the final in Basel on July 27. Can England defend their crown? Will debutants Wales pull off a fairytale run? Or is it finally France's time to lift a major trophy? This is your chance to call it all. With Europe's top talent on display – from the Netherlands and Germany to Spain, Sweden, and Norway – the tournament promises big drama across Switzerland. England's blockbuster opener against France, Wales' historic debut, and heavyweight clashes throughout the group stage set the stage for a summer of unforgettable football. Once you've locked in your bracket, keep tabs on your progress with the live leaderboard. Can your selections survive the group stage chaos? Will your dark horse make a deep run? Make your picks, back your favourites, and prove you've got the instincts to predict how Euro 2025 will unfold. Don't forget to share your predictions in the comments, too!
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Wilder was heart and soul of Blades'
Sheffield United's decision to part company with boss Chris Wilder has caused quite the departure puts an end to a second spell as Blades manager for Wilder, a boyhood Sheffield United fan, who has firmly put his name among the greats at Bramall Lane with two promotions and a run to last season's play-off what you had to say about his dismissal:Hazim: Wilder brought us to some dizzying heights but we also, at times, showed a lack of creativity. He did the best with what he could and will always be remembered as one of the greats. Some say build a statue, and I wouldn't be against that. Maybe it's best he leaves now with his head held high. I'm only young so I may be foolishly hopeful, but Selles could find his feet with us if we back Chris Wilder brought passion back to the club and to get 92 points this season after a horrible relegation was incredible. However, I'm inclined to think some poor January signings and the three straight losses taking us out of the top two did for him. On top of that, the poor disciplinary record was probably not an image the new owners want for their club. It's a tough one and I hope it's the right Ray: Best news ever. Wilder should not have been allowed to have a second spell as manager after leaving United before, when the Blades were relegated. A fresh new face was what was needed at the Lane. New owners and now a fresh manager is what is I don't know what to think. Wilder will forever be in our hearts for what he's done for the club. But towards the end of the season it was a big fall off from being top of the league to not being promoted. Adding to the fact the new owners are really pushing AI for recruiting players, I think they want a manager who is adaptable to that. My heart says it's a bad decision, my head is saying it's As a Blades fan, it is a disappointing decision to part ways with Chris Wilder. Was every decision he made perfect? No. But no manager gets it right all the time. What was important to me was his connection and understanding to the club and the fanbase. There are so few connections like this in football now and I do believe it is something that helped us. Severing that means you are not just getting a new manager - all those connections need rebuilding Gutted. The best manager the Blades have ever had. Chris Wilder was the beating heart and soul of Sheffield United. His and the players' achievements last season were truly impressive considering the pre-season issues, injuries and then the tragic loss of George Massive error. He wins football matches, especially at Championship level, and made the connection between the club and the fans stronger and that's a big loss now he has gone. Feels like the new owners don't understand football, the fans, our identity and the Huge mistake. Proven Championship quality replaced with proven Championship relegation fodder. With decisions like this, it is likely to be the end of the good times brought back when Wilder took over in 2015. No faith in the new owners after this.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Brighton fans will travel thousand miles more to away games
Fans of Brighton & Hove Albion will need to travel a thousand miles more to away games this season compared with last Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton relegated to the Championship and Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland promoted to the Premier League, Albion now have an extra 1,064 miles to finance expert Kieran McGuire said it could lead some fans to "pick and choosing" which of the away fixtures they Albion super fan Adrian Newnham said he was not deterred and was looking forward to the challenge. "It's interesting and exciting that there are some new grounds that we're going to be visiting," he said."We moved to an electric vehicle a couple of years ago and we drive to most away games."It's one thing about the distance but it's also the extra logistics that go into making sure we're travelling in the most cost effective and environmentally friendly way." Keen for new grounds But for those without an electric vehicle, it could cost more than £100 extra in fuel this season thanks to an estimated 18 hours extra spent in the McGuire has given his thoughts on which games fans will be most keen to go to."There's an awful lot of Albion fans who haven't been to Sunderland, for example, so I think they'll prioritise that one and also going to Everton's new ground," he said."But, Burnley and some of the others in the north, perhaps not. People will also be looking at kick-off times."Consumer expert Harry Kind said: "If you're making a long trip it's really worth shopping in advance and finding the cheapest fuel on your route."A service station will have more expensive fuel but supermarkets can vary massively, and even towns that happen to be by an oil refinery can be a lot cheaper."If you're travelling by train a lot this season then it's worth investing in a rail card."
