Paulinho the hero as Palmeiras edge Botafogo

Sun, 29 Jun, 2025

Paulinho the hero as Palmeiras edge Botafogo

Philadelphia: Substitute Paulinho scored an extra-time winner to settle a Brazilian battle of attrition as Palmeiras edged Botafogo 1-0 on Saturday to win through to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter-finals.

The winger came on at the same time in the second half as Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira withdrew teenage sensation Estevao Willian, a move that appeared baffling at the time but ultimately proved inspired.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3096742

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3096744

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3096746

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3096748

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3096975

Chelsea overcome weather chaos to advance

Sun, 29 Jun, 2025

Chelsea overcome weather chaos to advance

Charlotte: Chelsea defeated Benfica 4-1 in extra time in a weather-disrupted last-16 clash to book their place in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter-finals on Saturday.

Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all scored in extra time to send Premier League side Chelsea into a quarter-final clash against Brazil's Palmeiras.

Chelsea's late burst of scoring settled a game that took four hours, 39 minutes to complete at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina after a near two-hour weather delay.

Al Hilal thriving as Inzaghi makes his mark

Sat, 28 Jun, 2025

Al Hilal thriving as Inzaghi makes his mark

Nashville: It may still be early days but Simone Inzaghi is slowly but surely getting his message across with Al Hilal SFC advancing to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 knockout stage.

The Italian, who has been in charge less than a month, called for greater efficiency inside the box going into the final Group H tie against CF Pachuca on Thursday and his players delivered.
 
Salem Al Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo struck as Al Hilal won 2-0 to advance to a last 16 showdown with Manchester City on Monday.

Al Dawsari, Leonardo power Al Hilal through

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

Al Dawsari, Leonardo power Al Hilal through

Nashville: Al Hilal SFC defeated CF Pachuca 2-0 in their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group H tie to qualify for the last 16 on Tuesday.

Goals from Salem Al Dawsari and Marcos Leonardo earned all three points for the Riyadh-based side to finish as the group runners-up behind Real Madrid.

The Saudi Arabian  will meet Group G winners Manchester City in Orlando on Monday, while Spain's Real, who defeated FC Salzburg, face Group G runners-up Juventus FC of Italy in Miami on Tuesday.

Real sail past Salzburg to finish top

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

Real sail past Salzburg to finish top

Philadelphia: Vinicius Junior scored one goal and made another with a touch of class as Real Madrid sealed their place in the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 with a 3-0 win over Salzburg on Thursday.

The Brazil star opened the scoring after a superb defence-splitting pass by Jude Bellingham on 40 minutes and then set up Federico Valverde for the all-important second goal in first-half stoppage time.

Gonzalo Garcia wrapped up the win late on with his second goal of the tournament, and the result means Xabi Alonso's team end the first round of FIFA's new tournament unbeaten.

They go through to the knockout stage as Group H winners on seven points, setting up a last-16 tie against Juventus in Miami on Tuesday.

Impressive Man City turn on the power against Juventus

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

Impressive Man City turn on the power against Juventus

Orlando: Manchester City turned on the style to seal top spot in Group G at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 with an emphatic 5-2 win over Juventus on Thursday.

The third straight victory for Pep Guardiola's side increases the chances of City avoiding a meeting with Real Madrid in the last 16 - a fate that may now await Juventus. City and Juve will not know their opponent until the final pair of games in Group H conclude later on Friday.

Laba spurs Al Ain to winning end

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

Laba spurs Al Ain to winning end

Washington D.C.: Kodjo Laba scored one and had a hand in another as Al Ain FC came from a goal down to finish their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Wydad AC.

Though both sides had already been ruled out of the Round of 16 running, pride and a piece of Club World Cup history proved more than sufficient motivation to produce a compelling, keenly-contested clash in the USA capital.