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Al-Hilal oust Manchester City from Club World Cup in extra time

Al-Hilal oust Manchester City from Club World Cup in extra time
Malcom and Kalidou Koulibaly also scored for Al-Hilal, who got 10 saves from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. (AFP)
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Updated 7 min 26 sec ago

Al-Hilal oust Manchester City from Club World Cup in extra time

Al-Hilal oust Manchester City from Club World Cup in extra time

Marcos Leonardo scored his second goal of the match in the 112th minute to give Al-Hilal a 4-3 upset victory over Manchester City on Monday night in Orlando, sending the 黑料社区n side into the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup.
Malcom and Kalidou Koulibaly also scored for Al-Hilal, who got 10 saves from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Al-Halil will meet Fluminense on Friday at Orlando. The Brazilian side beat Inter Milan 2-0 earlier Monday.
Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden were the goal-scorers for Manchester City.
The decisive goal came after Sergej Milinkovic鈥檚 header was stopped by Ederson for the Manchester City goalie鈥檚 second and final save of the match.
The ball then hit off Leonardo to the left front of the goal line, and he knocked the ball into the open net with his right foot to give Al-Hilal the lead.
Koulibaly scored on a header to give Al-Hilal a 3-2 lead in the fourth minute of extra time.
Al-Hilal鈥檚 Ruben Neves took a corner kick, and Koulibaly leaped and flicked the ball to the left of Ederson.
Manchester City had two strong chances late in the second half of regulation time.
Off a corner kick in the 84th minute, Manuel Akanji sent a header that hit off the right goalpost. Haaland was there for a potential tap-in, but Al-Hilal鈥檚 Ali Lajami cleared the ball before it crossed the line.
One minute later, Ruben Dias delivered a hard fight-footed blast from outside the box that Bounou knocked over the crossbar with his right hand.
Al-Hilal received goals from Leonardo and Malcom in the first seven minutes of the second half to turn a one-goal halftime deficit into a 2-1 lead.
It took just 42 seconds into the half for Al-Hilal to get the equalizer.
City goalkeeper Ederson stopped a left-footed shot from Nasser Al Dawsari, and a rebound attempt by Malcom was blocked by a defender. The ball went directly to Leonardo, who easily headed it into the net.
Al-Hilal moved ahead in the 52nd minute on a breakaway. Former City player Joao Cancelo cleared the ball ahead from deep in his own end up to Malcom, who dribbled in and drilled a left-footed shot past Ederson and inside the far post to give Al-Hilal a 2-1 lead.
Just three minutes later, Manchester City tied the match off a corner kick. Haaland attempted a header that barely glanced off him, but the ensuing scramble led to the ball coming back his way, and Haaland sent a left-footed shot through Bounou鈥檚 legs.
Manchester City dominated the first half and had a 7-0 edge in shots on target while holding the 1-0 halftime lead.
Silva鈥檚 goal in the ninth minute was controversial as the ball hit off the right biceps of teammate Rayan Ait-Nouri. An ensuing pass saw the ball deflected, and it caromed in the direction of Silva, who sent a left-footed shot into the left corner of the net.
Al-Hilal players vehemently argued to no avail as the goal stood up.
Bounou repeatedly made big saves to keep Al-Hilal in the game. He was sprawled on the ground when he made a save with his left hand on Savinho in the 24th minute, and he thwarted Josko Gvardiol鈥檚 header six minutes later.


Monaco sign former teen prodigy Fati on season鈥檚 loan from Barcelona

Monaco sign former teen prodigy Fati on season鈥檚 loan from Barcelona
Updated 5 min 2 sec ago

Monaco sign former teen prodigy Fati on season鈥檚 loan from Barcelona

Monaco sign former teen prodigy Fati on season鈥檚 loan from Barcelona
Monaco said the loan deal for the 22-year-old forward includes an option to buy at the end of the season
Fati burst onto the scene with Barcelona in 2019-20 season

MONACO: Monaco signed Ansu Fati on a season-long loan from Barcelona on Tuesday, offering the former teen prodigy another chance to resurrect his career.

Monaco said the loan deal for the 22-year-old forward includes an option to buy at the end of the season.

Fati burst onto the scene with Barcelona in 2019-20 season. At the age of 16 years and 304 days in August 2019, he became the club鈥檚 youngest scorer in the Spanish league.

Nearly four months later, at the age of 17 years and 40 days, he became the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history.

Fati would set other records 鈥 he previously held the record as Spain鈥檚 youngest ever scorer 鈥 with his reputation growing as a quick and tricky right winger with an eye for goal. He was predicted to become a world superstar in much the same way as 17-year-old Lamine Yamal is now with Barcelona and Spain.

Like Yamal, he also had great versatility, offering him the possibility to operate as a second striker or by dropping deep in the 鈥渇alse nine鈥 role.

But the Guinea-Bissau born forward then experienced a series of injuries which impacted his confidence and form.

He played only a handful of games for Barcelona in the past two seasons and spent part of the 2023-24 season on loan to Premier League club Brighton, scoring four goals in 27 games.

Fati netted 29 goals in 123 games overall for Barcelona and scored twice for Spain in 10 matches. He appeared fleetingly at the 2022 World Cup and has not played for the national team since 2023.

Fati鈥檚 arrival follows the signing of former France midfielder Paul Pogba on a two-year deal and strengthens coach Adi H眉tter鈥檚 attack.

Pogba and Fati should add more versatility and extra firepower to an attack containing the prolific Mika Biereth and skilful US forward Folarin Balogun.

Al-Hilal climb 鈥楳ount Everest鈥 Manchester City and shock world with stunning win at FIFA Club World Cup

Al-Hilal climb 鈥楳ount Everest鈥 Manchester City and shock world with stunning win at FIFA Club World Cup
Updated 7 sec ago

Al-Hilal climb 鈥楳ount Everest鈥 Manchester City and shock world with stunning win at FIFA Club World Cup

Al-Hilal climb 鈥楳ount Everest鈥 Manchester City and shock world with stunning win at FIFA Club World Cup
  • Epic 4-3 win in Orlando prompts widespread acclaim for Simone Inzaghi鈥檚 tactics and players鈥 never-say-die attitude

DUBAI: Al-Hilal proved once again that few clubs in Asia, or even the world, are capable of hitting seemingly unreachable heights after a stunning 4-3 win against Manchester City in the round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Simone Inzaghi鈥檚 team trailed at half-time in Orlando to Bernardo Silva鈥檚 opener, but stormed back after the break to take the lead with strikes from Brazilians Marco Leonardo (46 minutes) and Malcolm (52).

Erling Haaland leveled the score minutes later to ensure the match went into extra time. Then Kalidou Koulibaly鈥檚 94th-minute third for Hilal was cancelled by substitute Phil Foden 10 minutes later.

The stage was set for Leonardo to score an emotional winner with 8 minutes left on the clock.

In the aftermath of the victory, Al-Hilal鈥檚 official account on X posted a video clip of the players celebrating in the dressing room with club President Fahad bin Nafel.

 

 

Al Jazeera commented that 鈥満诹仙缜檚 Al-Hilal have sent English giants Manchester City crashing out of the Club World Cup, snatching a shock 4-3 victory in extra time in the biggest upset of the tournament so far.鈥

For 鈥渁ll City鈥檚 depth, Al-Hilal had a deep well of spirit to draw upon,鈥 Al Jazeera added, highlighting the Riyadh club鈥檚 powers of recovery against one of the world鈥檚 best teams.

The BBC reported that the former Premier League champions had been 鈥渟tunned in extra time by 黑料社区 side Al-Hilal in an incredible seven-goal thriller.鈥 And that Leonardo had delivered a 鈥渕onumental result for the 2021 AFC Champions League winners.鈥

In his match report for the UK鈥檚 The Guardian newspaper, Jamie Jackson highlighted the job the new Hilal coach has done in such a short period and in challenging circumstances.

鈥淚nzaghi took over four days after Inter鈥檚 5-0 Champions League thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain,鈥 the report said.

鈥淗e left an Italian giant for a Saudi one but before taking on Real Madrid in the group opener had only two weeks to implement his ideas, a central plank of which is the favored five-man backline he fielded here.

He added that the 1-1 draw against 鈥渢he European aristocrats in his first game was an eye-catching calling card鈥 but here Inzaghi was without his captain, Salem Al-Dawsari, and No. 9, Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Inzaghi himself said the key to the result was 鈥渢he players, the heart they put on the pitch.鈥

鈥淭onight we had to do something extraordinary because we knew how good Manchester City are,鈥 the Italian coach said. 鈥淲e knew we had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and we were great.鈥

 

 

鈥淲e played with a strong determination and we are really feeling the game. They deserved it,鈥 Inzaghi added. 鈥淭hey fought for every ball and it gives satisfaction to the family of Al-Hilal, 黑料社区 and the fans here with us.鈥

The former Inter Milan coach鈥檚 tactics were lauded by fans and pundits on social media.

On X, football analyst Roger Bonet wrote: 鈥淗ats off to Simone Inzaghi again. Only a few weeks of work, yet Al-Hilal looks sharp and confident.鈥

One X account, @sportsdokitor, posted that 鈥淪imeone Inzaghi is one of the best managers in the world and he鈥檚 proving it again at Al-Hilal,鈥 while another was even more effusive with praise.

@ChelseaWay_  posted: 鈥淚 genuinely don鈥檛 think (I鈥檝e) ever seen a manager put his stamp on a team as quick as Simone Inzaghi did with Al-Hilal. This is (genuinely) ridiculous.

鈥淚 am watching them this tournament, and their patterns of play, movements, pressing structure, link up in small spaces.鈥

Meanwhile Al-Hilal match winner Leonardo received praise across the board for his return to form after a difficult recent period at the club.

鈥淚鈥檝e had a difficult time in the last two months. My mother spent 70 days in the ICU,鈥 he said at the final whistle. 鈥淭oday, she鈥檚 fine, thank God. When I scored those two goals, I thought of her. She was able to watch the match.鈥

 

 

Arab football fans and accounts hailed the result and Al-Hilal鈥檚 performances at the Club World Cup.

Bilal Haddad (@bilalhd91), with 4.1 million followers on Instagram, posted an Arabic-language video in which he disbelievingly says 鈥渁m I dreaming or is this real.鈥

Also on Instagram, Arab football fan @fayadzinho did not hold back his joy.

鈥淭he Saudi league just embarrassed the Premier League, yes Al-Hilal have done it. I鈥檝e been waiting for this day for more than 11 years,鈥 he said in an emotional video clip.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Even Hilal鈥檚 greatest rivals Al-Nassr joined in.

鈥淎l-Hilal is demonstrating to the world the strength and quality of the Saudi Pro League,鈥 @TheNassrZone, with almost 69,000 followers, posted on X.

鈥淭heir performance reflects the league鈥檚 rising prominence and commitment to excellence. A well-deserved salute to them for elevating Saudi football even more on the international stage.鈥


NBA free agency opens with Spurs, Rockets, Hawks, Magic and Mavs among those making early moves

NBA free agency opens with Spurs, Rockets, Hawks, Magic and Mavs among those making early moves
Updated 01 July 2025

NBA free agency opens with Spurs, Rockets, Hawks, Magic and Mavs among those making early moves

NBA free agency opens with Spurs, Rockets, Hawks, Magic and Mavs among those making early moves
  • The Rockets added veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith on a four-year, $53 million deal shortly after free agency opened
  • The NBA announced Monday that it has set the salary cap for the coming season at $154.647 million, the maximum allowed 10 percent increase over the level for this past season

NBA NEW YORK: Victor Wembanyama has another big man to help him out in San Antonio. The Houston Rockets continued their offseason overhaul. And Orlando and Atlanta made moves with eyes on contending this coming season as the NBA鈥檚 free agency period got underway Monday.

The Spurs lured center Luke Kornet away from Boston with a four-year, $41 million deal, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team cannot announce the deal until the league鈥檚 signing moratorium for most contracts is lifted on Sunday.

Kornet was part of Boston鈥檚 2024 NBA title team and has shot 68 percent from the field in 205 games, mostly off the bench, over the last three regular seasons. He figures to add frontcourt depth to the Spurs, who are hoping to have Wembanyama 鈥 the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year and an All-Star this past season 鈥 back and ready to go after he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in a shoulder back in February.

The Rockets, meanwhile, added veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith on a four-year, $53 million deal shortly after free agency opened. ESPN first reported the deal, and a person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed the terms to AP.

Houston becomes Finney-Smith鈥檚 fourth team after stints with Dallas, Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Lakers. He鈥檒l be added to a Rockets club that earlier this summer landed Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade with Phoenix, though that deal cannot receive formal approval from the NBA until next week.

Finney-Smith averaged 8.7 points and was a 41 percent shooter from 3-point range this past season.

ESPN also reported that the Rockets鈥 run on free agents continued with the addition of center Clint Capela, who spent the first six years of his career in Houston before playing for the last five seasons in Atlanta. Capela agreed to a three-year deal with the Rockets, ESPN said.

Dallas, which needed some point guard help especially because the newly re-signed Kyrie Irving 鈥 rehabbing from an ACL tear 鈥 may not be ready to play until about midseason, agreed with D鈥橝ngelo Russell on a two-year contract worth nearly $13 million.

Russell would be part of the backcourt depth on a club with an imposing front line that, if healthy, would include No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis and promising young center Dereck Lively II.

Hawks, Magic eyeing moves in East

Atlanta added Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Minnesota on what will be a four-year, $62 million deal following a completion of a sign-and-trade with the Timberwolves. Minnesota will get a draft pick, cash considerations and will create a trade exception once the deal is finalized, a person with knowledge of the move told AP.

The Magic, meanwhile, added Tyus Jones on a one-year deal. He joins an Orlando roster that already landed Desmond Bane from Memphis in a trade, and the Magic 鈥 who played long stretches last season without Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs because of injuries 鈥 should be a legit East contender this season if healthy.

It was a big night for the Jones family: Tyus Jones鈥 brother, Tre Jones, agreed Monday on a three-year deal to return to the Chicago Bulls.

Free agency 鈥榦fficially鈥 starts

The free agency period officially opened at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, but in actuality, was rolling long before that.

LeBron James has already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for this coming season, the Rockets traded for Durant 鈥 not a free agency move, obviously 鈥 and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise. There was even a surprise addition to free agency, with Portland announcing it has bought out the contract of former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton, allowing him to sign with any team he chooses.

And on Monday, even before the shopping window officially started, more deals: Nicolas Batum will come back to the Clippers, his agency said, on a two-year deal, while Joe Ingles agreed to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Deals like those could get done before the official start time because teams are allowed to negotiate with their own free agents once the NBA Finals are finished.

Other deals

In other deals confirmed by AP on Monday night:

鈥 The Los Angeles Clippers added Brook Lopez 鈥 most recently of Milwaukee 鈥 on a two-year deal worth about $18 million.

鈥 Veteran guard Bruce Brown returned to the Denver Nuggets, a team he helped win the 2023 NBA title.

鈥 Center Kevon Looney agreed to a two-year deal with New Orleans, after he spent his first 10 seasons with Golden State.

鈥 Guard Caris LeVert will sign a two-year deal worth nearly $15 million annually with the Detroit Pistons, a team that won 14 games in 2023-24 and then won 44 games to earn the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference this past season.

鈥 Luka Garza joined Boston, after the Celtics lost Kornet, on a two-year, $5.5 million deal, agent Mark Bartelstein said.

Salary cap set

The NBA announced Monday that it has set the salary cap for the coming season at $154.647 million, the maximum allowed 10 percent increase over the level for this past season.

The tax level for the 2025-26 season is $187.895 million, the league said.

What鈥檚 already happened

鈥 Julius Randle returns to the Timberwolves with a potential $100 million deal.

鈥 Bobby Portis stays with the Bucks, keeping the popular sixth man in Milwaukee.

鈥 Duncan Robinson terminates his contract with the Heat, though he may return.

What鈥檚 next

In very specific situations, teams can announce signings when completed. But in most situations, and this even applies to some draft-related trades (such as the one involving Durant going to Houston), teams won鈥檛 be able to announce those until at least July 6.


Real boosted by Mbappe鈥檚 return for Juventus clash at Club World Cup

Real boosted by Mbappe鈥檚 return for Juventus clash at Club World Cup
Updated 01 July 2025

Real boosted by Mbappe鈥檚 return for Juventus clash at Club World Cup

Real boosted by Mbappe鈥檚 return for Juventus clash at Club World Cup
  • Mbappe鈥檚 return comes as Real Madrid look to build on a squad boosted by the recoveries of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao
  • Alonso, who took over earlier this month, said the team鈥檚 priority was forging a collective identity

MIAMI: Kylian Mbappe looks set to make his Club World Cup debut when his Real Madrid side face Juventus in the last 16 at the Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday, in a major boost for the 15-time European champions.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a big possibility,鈥 Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso told a press conference on Monday when asked if the France forward, who missed all three group matches with acute gastroenteritis, would feature.

Mbappe鈥檚 return comes as Real Madrid look to build on a squad boosted by the recoveries of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.

鈥淏oth Dani and Eder are coming back after a long recovery. It鈥檚 an advantage for them and the whole team to feel they鈥檙e close and involved,鈥 Alonso said.

鈥淎t this decisive stage, everyone 鈥 starters and those supporting 鈥 has an important role.鈥

Alonso, who took over earlier this month, said the team鈥檚 priority was forging a collective identity.

鈥淲e want a team that works as one, with the 11 players fully committed, whether we have the ball or not. Our collective strength will allow individual talents like Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrigo, and Bellingham to shine,鈥 he added.

Juventus coach Igor Tudor, meanwhile, acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge but insisted his side had come to compete, not just to prepare for next season.

鈥淲e鈥檝e got a top-level team. The draw wasn鈥檛 the best possible, but it must be accepted,鈥 Tudor told a press conference.

鈥淲e have to believe, run a lot, sacrifice, make no mistakes, and also have a bit of luck. I believe, the players believe, and we鈥檒l see what happens when the match starts.鈥

Tudor praised Real Madrid鈥檚 recent tactical evolution under Alonso, comparing it to Alonso鈥檚 successful work at Bayer Leverkusen.

鈥淭heir last match looked a lot like what Leverkusen were doing 鈥 similar plays, systems, and style. Xabi Alonso has quickly implemented these ideas,鈥 he said, noting that Madrid still have 鈥渟ome weaknesses we can exploit.鈥

The winners will take on the victors of the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey, who will face off in Atlanta on Tuesday.


Fluminense shock Inter 2-0 to reach Club World Cup quarter-finals

Fluminense shock Inter 2-0 to reach Club World Cup quarter-finals
Updated 01 July 2025

Fluminense shock Inter 2-0 to reach Club World Cup quarter-finals

Fluminense shock Inter 2-0 to reach Club World Cup quarter-finals
  • Coach Renato鈥檚 decision to line up a three-man defense paid off, catching Inter off guard and leaving the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions largely untroubled throughout the match

CHARLOTTE: Fluminense reached the Club World Cup quarter-finals with a stunning 2鈥0 win over Inter Milan as German Cano鈥檚 early goal and substitute Hercules鈥 stoppage-time strike toppled the Champions League runners-up in sweltering heat on Monday.
Coach Renato鈥檚 decision to line up a three-man defense paid off, catching Inter off guard and leaving the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions largely untroubled throughout the match.
鈥淚 put it in their heads that it would work. Inter is a great team. They have much more money than us, but on the field it鈥檚 11 against 11,鈥 Renato told DAZN.
鈥淭he team believed, fought, and stayed focused for the 90 minutes.鈥
Fluminense struck after three minutes when Cano pounced on a deflected cross and headed in from close range, putting the ball through goalkeeper Yann Sommer鈥檚 legs for a dream start.
Inter dominated possession, but Fluminense created the better chances, with Colombian forward Jhon Arias causing all sorts of trouble for the Italian side鈥檚 defense and Sommer.
Ignacio thought he had doubled their lead in the 39th minute as he nodded in from close range after a series of headers in the box, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The Italians pushed for an equalizer after the break but were frustrated by a well-organized defense, while Stefan de Vrij missed a glorious chance after Lautaro Martinez set him up in the six-yard box after 69 minutes.
The 44-year-old Fluminense keeper Fabio also had a stellar performance, pulling off some key saves including denying substitute Sebastiano Esposito with his feet before Martinez struck the post late on.
Hercules sealed the win for Fluminense three minutes into added time, calmly slotting home from the edge of the box to send the Brazilians through to a last-eight clash with either Manchester City or Al Hilal on Friday in Orlando.
鈥淭he coach told us it was going to be a very difficult game, we knew that,鈥 midfielder Hercules said. 鈥淏ut we were very focused on the game, that鈥檚 what we work for. And that鈥檚 it. The result is there.鈥