The 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup is off and operating, and has produced loads of speaking factors and storylines already. Let’s catch you up on what’s occurring, what you’ve got missed and what’s nonetheless to return.
We’ll replace this file all through every matchday with the most recent reporting, evaluation and enjoyable from the competitors, so test again recurrently for the most recent information as we comply with the enjoyable main as much as the event remaining at MetLife Stadium on July 13.
The lead: Group B drama as PSG advance, Atletico Madrid go house early
When the objective lastly got here, it was too late.
Atletico Madrid had pushed and pushed in opposition to Botafogo in Pasadena, taking 23 photographs and creating 5 “massive probabilities,” with an xG (anticipated targets) of three.03. However they hadn’t scored, till Antoine Griezmann — on at halftime — slotted Julián Alvarez’s cross previous goalkeeper John Victor on the far submit. It was the 87th minute.
On the touchline, coach Diego Simeone urged his workforce on, asking them for one final effort. However even one other objective would not be sufficient.
At Lumen Subject, Paris Saint-Germain have been 2-0 up in opposition to Seattle Sounders, which meant PSG, Botafogo and Atletico have been all tied on six factors. Group B could be selected objective distinction — and Atletico wanted two extra targets to progress.
When the fourth official signalled six minutes of added time, there was one other cheer from the Atletico followers scattered across the Rose Bowl, nevertheless it was their final. As a substitute, on the full time whistle, it was Botafogo’s followers — gathered behind one of many targets, in the one a part of the huge stadium which seemed near full — who have been celebrating of their black-and-white shirts.
Truthful play to them, too: Botafogo had defended nicely. Atletico felt that some massive selections, notably two penalty appeals, hadn’t gone their method, however regardless it was Botafogo — a workforce used to punching above their weight, from successful the 2024 Copa Libertadores, to upsetting PSG in sport two — who have been into the final 16.
Atletico would possibly think about themselves unfortunate to be eradicated, and justifiably so. They’ve gained two of their three video games, in a troublesome group — they’ve performed the reigning champions of Europe and South America, and a Seattle Sounders workforce that loved house benefit. Provided that problem, there will likely be questions on Atletico’s resolution to not strengthen their squad forward of this event, after a poor finish to the LaLiga season.
“I wish to congratulate the opponent,” mentioned Simeone post-match. “[Botafogo] performed very nicely, with braveness and honesty: they defended as it’s essential to defend, and if you defend and assault nicely, in fact you might have extra probabilities of successful.”
What Atletico had wasn’t fairly sufficient. It was the size of their 4-0 opening defeat to PSG which value them, mixed with Botafogo’s shock win over the identical opposition. Atletico’s exit did not seem to harm their gamers an excessive amount of — Griezmann might be seen smiling as he chatted with Botafogo gamers and workers after the whistle on the Rose Bowl — however for Botafogo, that is significant.
“Brazil is a huge nation, with particular soccer, and many good gamers,” coach Renato Paiva mentioned. “Brazil has superb coaches. We’re all serving to to indicate what Brazil is. Numerous individuals suppose Brazil is weaker than it’s. We’re very proud to characterize the nation, and our membership.” Now they’re going to the possibility to do this within the final 16.
At this time’s prime Membership World Cup information
• Man Metropolis’s Lewis has ban prolonged
• Membership World Cup: How groups can attain final 16
• Chelsea really feel no strain to win $130m Membership World Cup prize
Sights and sounds round FIFA Membership World Cup
Chelsea proceed to really feel the warmth
PHILADELPHIA — It has been 13 years since temperatures in Philadelphia hit 100 levels fahrenheit, however Monday was anticipated to push near that determine as native authorities declared a “Warmth Well being Emergency.”
The impression on Chelsea’s remaining coaching session earlier than Tuesday’s must-not-lose Group D conflict with Esperance de Tunis (9 p.m. ET) was apparent. Giant pitchside followers blew cool water into the air, and the gamers went by way of their opening warm-ups huddled in a single strip of Philadelphia Union’s Subaru Park stadium the place the primary stand supplied some shade.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca mentioned afterwards: “It’s virtually unimaginable to coach, to make a session, due to the climate. Now we’re simply attempting to avoid wasting vitality for the sport. This morning’s session has been very, very, very brief. It has simply been a few plan for tomorrow’s sport, and that is it — not more than that as a result of as you’ll be able to see, it isn’t simple with these temperatures, however we’re going to attempt to do our greatest.
“It isn’t about excuses, it’s about actuality. It’s an excuse when it isn’t scorching and we are saying it’s scorching. However whether it is scorching, it’s scorching.”
The intense temperatures will proceed into Tuesday, however each groups ought to in principle get a small consolation from the 9 p.m. native kick-off time … besides present forecasts counsel the temperature will nonetheless be 91 levels F at kick-off. — James Olley
Man Metropolis’s Jenga obsession
ATLANTA, Ga. — Gamers at worldwide World Cups usually complain of being bored throughout tournaments. There could be lengthy days to fill after coaching, normally spent across the workforce resort, and Manchester Metropolis try to maintain their gamers occupied with video games and actions.
At their resort in Boca Raton, Florida there’s an out of doors area with a basketball hoop and desk tennis. The squad have additionally been allowed to go to the seashore, whereas some have hung out watching different video games within the Membership World Cup. Nevertheless, one exercise proving notably standard is Jenga: Metropolis have gotten a large model of the sport at their resort, and there is been fierce competitors between the gamers. (Metropolis flew proper again to Florida after Sunday evening’s sport as a way to be in comfier environment, a distinction from their practices within the UEFA Champions League, after they’d keep over and return house the following day.)
In the event that they attain the ultimate in New York on July 13, Pep Guardiola and his gamers may have spent greater than a month in the USA. With a spot within the knockout rounds already secured, that may imply a number of extra video games of Jenga forward earlier than they fly house. — Rob Dawson
Botafogo’s fairy story continues
PASADENA, Calif. — Nothing has been simple for Botafogo at this FIFA Membership World Cup. Regardless of dropping 1-0 to Atlético Madrid on Monday, the reigning CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions secured a spot within the subsequent spherical by ending second in Group B, organising a spherical of 16 sport in opposition to the Group A winner in Philadelphia on Saturday.
In opposition to the Spanish aspect, Renato Paiva’s workforce had good probabilities to attain within the sport on the Rose Bowl, however wasted them. The Colchoneros, managed by the ageless Diego Simeone, had their finest probabilities within the second half, particularly with Antoine Griezmann, however the Frenchman did not have probably the most impressed day. He did rating within the remaining minutes, however the Brazilian aspect held agency to advance.
Group B
| GP | W | D | L | GD | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – Paris Saint-Germain (Q) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +5 | 6 |
| 2 – Botafogo (Q) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
| 3 – Atlético Madrid (E) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 6 |
| 4 – Seattle Sounders (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 0 |
| Prime two golf equipment qualify for spherical of 16 | ||||||
The group was not like in different video games in Pasadena to this point this summer time — with simply over 22,000 in attendance, the bottom for a Brazilian workforce on this event — however the Botafogo followers celebrated rather a lot! Goodbye, Atleti! The “fairy story of the Glorioso” continues. — Antônio Chamorro, ESPN Brazil
Sergio Canales a doubt to face Urawa RD
LOS ANGELES — Spanish midfielder Sergio Canales skilled individually on the UCLA facility on Monday from his teammates and is uncertain for Monterrey’s remaining group stage, in opposition to Urawa Crimson Diamonds on the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
The influential playmaker is affected by discomfort in his proper leg and did separate coaching on the sidelines, together with different gamers like Johan Rojas, Héctor Moreno, and Carlos Salcedo. The teaching workers, led by Domenec Torrent, will resolve on Wednesday morning if the Spanish will likely be benched or reserved for a attainable Spherical of 16 match: ought to they advance, they’re going to both play subsequent in Charlotte on Sunday or Atlanta on July 1. — Ricardo Cariño, ESPN Mexico
Star participant of the day
To be named later…
Match previews, odds for Monday
Auckland Metropolis FC vs. Boca Juniors (Group C; Nashville, Tenn., 3 p.m ET)
Odds (by way of ESPN BET): Auckland Metropolis FC (+4000), Draw (+2900), Boca Juniors (-50000)
Even with Edinson Cavani prone to miss the sport with harm, all indicators level to a convincing Boca win contemplating how the event’s been for the New Zealanders, the Membership World Cup’s solely beginner workforce: two video games performed, zero targets scored, 16 conceded. Boca want a victory as a way to guarantee they advance to the spherical of 16, organising a possible conflict with Brazilian giants Flamengo in Miami on June 29. First issues first: Miguel Merentiel will wish to comply with up his high-quality solo objective vs. Bayern Munich with extra on Tuesday. — James Tyler
Benfica vs. Bayern Munich (Group C; Miami, Fla., 3 p.m. ET)
Odds: Benfica (+300), Draw (+225), Bayern Munich (-105)
Michael Olise was instrumental in Bayern’s 2-1 win over Boca Juniors although with qualification to the spherical of 16 already assured, supervisor Vincent Kompany would possibly decide to rotate his aspect given the wilting warmth up and down the east coast for the reason that Membership World Cup started. That mentioned, prime spot is barely secured in the event that they keep away from defeat to a Benfica aspect that is bought greater than sufficient veteran canny (ageless defender and set-piece menace Nicolas Otamendi, trickster Angel Di Maria) and flamable expertise to trigger the Bavarians bother.
The equation is easy for Benfica too: do not lose, and a spot within the last-16 is yours. It is tempting to go for broke, although the winners of Group C will doubtless face Chelsea within the subsequent spherical. Maybe a 90-minute detente performs out at Laborious Rock Stadium as an alternative, with temperatures set to achieve a tropical 87 levels F on Tuesday. — Tyler
Esperance de Tunis vs. Chelsea (Group D; Philadelphia, Penn., 9 p.m. ET)
Odds: Esperance de Tunis (+850), Draw (+450), Chelsea (-400)
Chelsea must keep away from defeat to seal their place within the last-16 and arrange a conflict with Bayern Munich or Benfica in Charlotte on Saturday. Esperance’s 1-0 win over LAFC was solely their second-ever win at a Membership World Cup — that is their fourth look. Nevertheless, their opening Group D defeat to Flamengo was Tunis’ solely loss since Feb. 22.
The Blues will likely be with out Nicolas Jackson attributable to suspension, that means new £30 million summer time signing Liam Delap is ready to steer their assault. Supervisor Maresca mentioned Monday that he’ll rotate his beginning line-up attributable to fatigue all through his squad. — Olley
LAFC vs. Flamengo (Group D; Orlando, Fla., 9 p.m. ET)
Odds: LAFC (+350), Draw (+280), Flamengo (-135)
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