Tag: FIFA Club World Cup

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Ancelotti lauds Madrid stars after Club World Cup win

Carlo Ancelotti

Mueez Ajao

– Carlo Ancelotti praised Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde after both players scored twice — with Vinicius named MVP — in Real Madrid’s 5-3 win over Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup final on Saturday.

– Vinicius opened the scoring in the 13th minute in Rabat, Morocco, before Valverde doubled Madrid’s lead five minutes later. Moussa Marega pulled a goal back for Al Hilal before Karim Benzema and Valverde put Madrid 4-1 up, and a late brace from Luciano Vietto — either side of Vinicius’ second — saw an entertaining game end 5-3.

– “Vini is making progress. It started at the beginning of last year,” Ancelotti said in his post-match news conference. “It’s been the same as the progression of the team, winning the Champions League, becoming a world champion now.

Also Read: Real Madrid win Club World Cup after eight-goal thriller

– “We’re very happy with him, above all because he keeps improving, he’s more efficient, he’s scoring, he makes the difference in every game.”

– Vinicius had been in the spotlight this week after being racially abused by a fan during Madrid’s 1-0 LaLiga loss at Mallorca last Sunday.

– It was the latest incident in which the Brazil forward has been the victim of racist abuse by opposition fans, but coach Ancelotti denied that the player’s form had been affected.

– “Vinicius has had the week we all had, hurt by the loss to Mallorca, but focused on preparing well for this tournament,” he said. “Vinicius won’t play on Wednesday [against Elche in LaLiga] as he’s suspended, I’ll give him a couple of days off. I think that will be good for him but not because he looks tired, not at all.”

– Real Madrid have won a record five Club World Cups, while midfielder Toni Kroos is the most decorated player in the competition’s history, having lifted the trophy six times.

– Valverde’s brace in the final took his total for the season to 11 goals, meaning he has won a bet with coach Ancelotti, who had joked that he would retire if the midfielder didn’t get into double figures.

– “I don’t have to tear up my coaching license!” Ancelotti said. “Federico has had a difficult time, but he’s coming back. He’s scored two goals but it’s also about the energy he brings, with him and Vinicius on the wings, that gives us a lot up front.”

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Real Madrid win Club World Cup after eight-goal thriller

Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde

Mueez Ajao

– Real Madrid beat Al-Hilal in a remarkable eight-goal Fifa Club World Cup final in Rabat to win the trophy for a record-extending fifth time.

– Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde put European champions Real 2-0 up and Moussa Marega gave Al-Hilal hope before Vinicius set up Karim Benzema’s goal.

– Valverde netted again and Luciano Vietto scored before Vinicius’ second.

Also Read: Madrid overcome Al-Ahly to reach Club World Cup final

– Vietto swivelled in the box before firing in a second to for 5-3 but Al-Hilal rarely looked like coming back.

– Carlo Ancelotti’s Real added to their four cups from 2014 to 2018 – and ensured European teams have won the past 10 editions of the tournament.

– They had brushed off Egyptian side Al Ahly 4-1 in the semi-finals, the round the European champions always enter the tournament.

– Asian champions Al-Hilal, who are managed by former Oxford United boss Ramon Diaz, beat Brazilians Flamengo in the semis to become the first Saudi team to reach the final.

– But despite the double from former Fulham striker Vietto they could not become the first Asian team to lift the trophy.

– Chelsea won last year’s final but were not able to defend it as only reigning continental champions – and champions of the host country – are invited.

– Fifa plans to change the format of the tournament from June 2025 to feature 32 teams and be held every four years.

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Madrid overcome Al-Ahly to reach Club World Cup final

Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde

Mueez Ajao

– Real Madrid reached the Club World Cup final after goals from Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Sergio Arribas secured a 4-1 win over Egypt’s Al Ahly in Morocco on Wednesday.

– Playing without several key starters, Real Madrid struggled to break the deadlock against Al Ahly’s well organised defence but opened the scoring right on halftime with a close-range strike by Vinicius.

Vinicius Jr

– Madrid extended their lead just after the break when Valverde tapped into an empty net from a rebound.

Federico Valverde

Also Read: Al Dawsari stars as Al-Hilal stun Flamengo to make Club World Cup final

– The Spanish side wasted opportunities to extend the lead and Al Ahly received a lifeline when Eduardo Camavinga tripped Hussein El Shahat inside the area in the 65th minute and defender Ali Maaloul tucked away the penalty.

– Real Madrid’s Luka Modric missed a penalty three minutes from the end of the game but Rodrygo and substitute Arribas completed a comfortable win in stoppage time.

Rodrygo
Sergio Arribas

– Madrid will face Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the final in Rabat on Saturday after they shocked South American champions Flamengo 3-2 in the first semifinal.

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Al Dawsari stars as Al-Hilal stun Flamengo to make Club World Cup final

Salem Al Dawsari

Mueez Ajao

– Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal stunned South American champions Flamengo to reach Club World Cup final with a 3-2 victory on Tuesday thanks to two penalties from Salem Al Dawsari and a close-range strike from Luciano Vietto.

– Al Dawsari’s perfectly placed spot-kick gave Al Hilal the lead in the first minutes of the match after Matheuzinho tripped Vietto inside the box.

– Pedro equalised for Flamengo with a close-range strike in the 20th minute but Al Hilal regained the lead just before halftime as Al Dawsari again converted from the spot, with Gerson sent off for a second booking after stomping on Vietto in the penalty area.

Also Read: Ancelotti gives injury update on crucial Madrid trio ahead of Club World Cup

– With Flamengo reduced to 10 men for the entire second half, Al Hilal controlled the tempo and eventually scored the third, when Al Dawsari returned the favour to Vietto, putting the ball on a plate for the Argentinian to score with a point-blank strike.

– Pedro’s close-range range effort in added time was too little too late for Flamengo, who became only the sixth Copa Libertadores champions not to advance to the final.

– Al Hilal, the first Saudi side to reach the Club World Cup final, will face the winners of Real Madrid’s semifinal against Al Ahly on Wednesday in Rabat.

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Ancelotti gives injury update on crucial Madrid trio ahead of Club World Cup

Injured Karim Benzema

Mueez Ajao

– Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has a selection headache for the Club World Cup semifinal with Egypt’s Al Ahly on Wednesday as he will be missing several key players due to injury.

– Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, forward Karim Benzema and defenders Eder Militao, Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy did not make the trip to Morocco on Monday but the first three may be available for a possible final on Saturday if Madrid advance.

– Vazquez and Mendy have been out for several games with long-term injuries but Benzema and Militao, who were substituted with leg injuries in Madrid’s LaLiga win against Valencia on Thursday, are not expected to be sidelined for too long.

Also Read: Asensio misses penalty as Mallorca give Madrid ‘real shock’

– Courtois, who suffered a groin injury during the warm-up for Sunday’s surprise defeat at Mallorca, does not have a long-term problem according to medical examinations on Monday.

– Courtois, Benzema and Militao will stay in Madrid for treatment but could join their teammates in Rabat later in the week if their treatment goes as planned.

– Los Blancos are struggling lately, having won only one of their last three LaLiga matches, allowing Barcelona to extend their lead at the top of the standings to eight points.

– Despite all the injuries and a packed schedule over the next few weeks, with the Club World Cup quickly followed by a Champions League clash with Liverpool and Copa del Rey showdown against Barcelona as well as LaLiga matches, coach Carlo Ancelotti said they would go for glory on all fronts.

– However, the Italian did urge the authorities to look at fixture scheduling in the future for the sake of player welfare.

– “We will not throw any tournaments away, we are very close… In the [Spanish] Cup semifinals, last 16 in Europe, Club World Cup semis,” Ancelotti said last week.

– “We don’t ever want to throw matches away… [but] the schedule is just remarkable, it doesn’t stop. LaLiga wants its share, FIFA wants its share, UEFA wants its share, Spanish FA wants its share… They won’t allow us to have a day to rest.

– “I get bored when I get days to rest, but the players get tired… We’re always looking forward to fight for every title but we’re going beyond our limits with the schedule as it is. Between all of us we need to do something to avoid this situation.”

– The winners of the Madrid-Al Ahly game will in the final face either Brazilian side Flamengo or Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, who play the second semifinal in Tangier on Tuesday.

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Referees to announce reason for VAR decisions to stadium at Club WC

Referee and Video Assistant Referee

Mueez Ajao

– Decisions made by the Video Assistant Referee are set to be explained to television viewers and those in the stadium at next month’s Club World Cup.

– International Football Association Board (Ifab) says if the trial in Morocco is a success then it could be rolled out at other Fifa competitions.

– That could include this summer’s Women’s World Cup.

Also Read: Lopetegui blames VAR as camera angle costs Wolves FA Cup win over Liverpool

– Meanwhile, a temporary concussion substitute trial in the Premier League next season has been ruled out.

– It was discussed when Ifab met at Wembley on Wednesday following a request from world players’ union Fifpro and the World Leagues Forum to test the protocol in the English top flight, Ligue 1 in France and Major League Soccer in the United States.

– The current concussion protocols, which allow an additional permanent substitutions to be made, have come in for criticism since they were approved in 2020, with campaigners highlighting instances where a player has been allowed to stay on the pitch before later being substituted.

– However, Football Association (FA) chief executive Mark Bullingham, who supported the idea of a trial, says no consensus could be reached and instead the current permanent concussion substitute trial will continue indefinitely.

– “Myself and others hold the view it would be worth trialling [temporary concussion substitutes] because we think there are instances of players who have appear to have been concussed and have not been taken off,” said Bullingham.

– “The argument is that you learn more in 15 mins than three and there is merit in an evaluation away from the pitch.

– “However, the decision was taken to strengthen the application of the permanent model through more education, more evidence and more impetus, so that the idea of the right decisions being made becomes reality.

– “If permanent substitutes were done right, that is the safest option because at the point there is any suspicion, the player would come off.”

– The Professional Footballers’ Association’s (PFA) Head of Brain Health, Dr Adam White, said it was “extremely disappointing” that a trial of temporary concussion substitutes was not approved.

– “There is a fundamental issue if player unions and leagues feel football’s lawmakers are holding them back from doing what they collectively agree is best to protect the safety of players,” said White.

– “The next step will be for unions and leagues to discuss what this means and what options are available to them.”

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FIFA president Infantino announces new 32-team Club World Cup to begin in 2025

Gianni Infantino

Mueez Ajao

– FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday said that 32 teams will feature in the Club World Cup from 2025.

– “There will be a club World Cup with 32 teams held every four years. And the first edition would be held in the summer of 2025. It will be in the slot of the Confederations Cup,” Infantino said.

– This event has been postponed multiple times, first because of COVID and then in 2021 to accommodate the Copa and Euro. Infantino added.

Also Read: FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Argentina for disorder

– The Club World Cup will be the second FIFA tournament to see an expansion in the number of teams. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted, by USA, Mexico and Canada, was also expanded to 48 teams from the present format of 32 teams.

– The current format features seven teams in a 10-day format. Champions from North America, Asia, Oceania and Africa face off in the quarterfinals. The winners face the champions from Europe and South America in the semifinals before two teams make it to the summit clash.

– USA’s Seattle Sounders (North America), Spain’s Real Madrid (Europe), Morocco’s Wydad (Africa) and New Zealand’s Auckland City (Oceania) are the teams that have sealed their places in the 2022 edition to be played in Morocco from February 1-11.

– The details still need to be discussed, agreed and decided by FIFA. Infantino added that a women’s Club World Cup is also being planned. The football’s governing body also introduced FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup. Apart from FIFA’s club competition, the Under-17 World Cups will also be changed to an annual format.

– Infantino added that FIFA is expected to generate USD 11 billion in revenue for the four-year cycle between 2022 and 2026 excluding the Club World Cup.

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Havertz fires Chelsea to World Cup victory

Mueez Ajao

– Chelsea lifted the Club World Cup for the first time after an extra-time win against Brazilian side Palmeiras.

– A 117th-minute penalty in Abu Dhabi by Kai Havertz – who also scored their 2021 Champions League winner – means the Blues have now won every possible trophy under owner Roman Abramovich.

– Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring with a header in the second half before Raphael Veiga levelled from the spot.

Also Read: Chelsea book place in the Club World Cup final

– Palmeiras defender Luan was sent off in added time as the Blues sealed victory.

– Much like in their semi-final win against Al-Hilal, Chelsea dominated possession but struggled to create chances for much of the final in the United Arab Emirates.

– Their cutting edge looked unlikely to improve when Mason Mount was forced off through injury, just as he was in their FA Cup tie with Plymouth, while Lukaku continued to cut an isolated figure up front.

– Palmeiras were content to make the most of their threat on the counter-attack, with the pace of Rony and Dudu stretching the Blues defence, but clear-cut chances were hard to come by.

– Then nine minutes after the break, Lukaku made the breakthrough when Callum Hudson-Odoi sent in a pinpoint cross for the first time and the Belgium striker powered a header past Weverton.

– Christian Pulisic, Mount’s replacement, went close with a shot from distance after a smart lay-off from Lukaku as the English side looked to cement their control.

– But just past the hour mark, Palmeiras equalised when Thiago Silva was adjudged to have handled in the area and, after a check on the pitch-side monitor, Veiga converted emphatically from 12 yards to send the game into extra time.

– With a penalty shoot-out looming, Chelsea secured the trophy with a spot-kick of their own. Luan’s handball was also checked on the monitor before Germany playmaker Havertz fired home.

– Luan was then dismissed for a foul on the match winner in the final minute, after the referee was told to consult with his monitor for a third time.

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Chelsea book place in the Club World Cup final

Mueez Ajao

– Chelsea will meet Brazilian side Palmeiras in the Club World Cup final after edging past Al-Hilal at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

– Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal in the first half.

– The Blues will now look to lift the only trophy that has evaded them across Roman Abramovich’s 19-year ownership of the club.

Also Read: Alonso and Kepa save the day for Chelsea

– Boss Thomas Tuchel missed the game as he was isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

– Chelsea dominated from the start against the Saudi Arabian side, and their breakthrough came from Lukaku just after the half-hour mark.

– Kai Havertz’s left-wing cross was inadvertently headed into the Belgian’s path by Yasser Al Shahrani, and he rifled home from point-blank range.

– It was Lukaku’s ninth goal of the season and ended a six-game drought, after he missed a couple of opportunities earlier in the match.

– Two minutes after the break, Havertz burst through on goal and clipped the post from a tight angle, despite having Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech for support in the area.

– Asian Champions Al-Hilal barely threatened until Mohamed Kanno shot over from distance after combining well with former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Matheus Pereira.

– Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga then denied Moussa Marega from eight yards out, while Odion Ighalo and Kanno saw shots blocked as Chelsea struggled to put the game to bed.

– But the European Champions held on in the end and, in Saturday’s final, will have the chance to avenge defeat in this competition a decade after their last appearance.

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FIFA Club World Cup: Egyptian giants Al Ahly win bronze medal

FIFA Club World Cup: Egyptian giants Al Ahly win bronze medal

Egypt’s Al Ahly equalled their best-ever finish at the FIFA Club World Cup when they defeated South American champions, Palmeiras, after their third-place play-off ended goalless on Thursday in Qatar.

Egyptian Captain and goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy, was Al Ahly’s hero in the shootout, saving Felipe Melo’s penalty to ensure that the African champions won 3-2 in Qatar.

El Shenawy had earlier saved Rony’s tame effort while Luiz Adriano missed the target, with Ahly also missing through Amr El-Sulaya and Marwan Mohsen.

Junior Ajayi thought he had made the breakthrough in the second half only for his goal to be narrowly ruled out for offside, while El-Sulaya could have done better with a first-half effort dragged wide.

There was no extra-time at the end of the game, meaning the match went straight to penalties.

“From the start of the tournament, we all promised that every player will give his maximum effort in order to achieve a good position,” El Shenawy said after the game. “Thankfully, all our efforts paid off and we managed to win the bronze medal.”

“We had a great game and we fought very hard to win the bronze medal. Our coaching staff analysed Palmeiras very well. Every player in the team only focuses on doing what is best for the whole team. Everyone fought very hard to win the bronze medal.”

Al Ahly, who performed creditably in their semi-final against Germany’s Bayern Munich to earn widespread praise, enjoyed great support from the stands, thanks to Egypt’s sizeable expatriate community in Qatar.

“The players’ spirit and determination to please our fans are the secrets behind the bronze medal,” added El Shenawy.

The record nine-time African champions’ previous best performance at the Club World Cup came in 2006, when they also finished third.

Al Ahly’s display is Africa’s best at the tournament since 2013 when Morocco’s Raja Casablanca – one of only two teams from the continent to finish runners-up, along with DR Congo’s TP Mazembe in 2010 – reached the final on home soil.

Later In the day, a 59th-minute Benjamin Pavard goal earned dominant FC Bayern München a 1-0 victory over Tigres UANL of Mexico in the final and their second FIFA Club World Cup™ triumph.

It also completed a magnificent outing for the Bavarian behemoths, emulating the achievement of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2009/10.