Benfica seek maximum points against Auckland City

After battling back to draw their opening Club World Cup match, Benfica will seek nothing less than maximum points today, when they meet Group C minnows Auckland City in Orlando.

The Portuguese giants stole a point from Boca Juniors on matchday one, while Auckland City suffered a record-breaking loss and looked well out of their depth.

Having trailed by two goals just before the break, Benfica valiantly rallied in their first Club World Cup fixture, with plenty of help from two experienced Argentinians saving the day, Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi.

Aiming to advance from a three-way battle for qualification from Group C, Benfica certainly possess a potent attack: though they narrowly lost out to city rivals Sporting Lisbon for the title, they scored 84 goals in Portugal’s Primeira Liga last season.

So, they should be confident of ending a rare four-game winless streak by putting several goals past brave but brittle Auckland City.

Part-timers Auckland suffered the heaviest defeat in Club World Cup history in their tournament opener, losing 10-0 to German giants Bayern Munich.

The plucky New Zealanders were ruthlessly pulled apart by the six-time European champions in Cincinnati, conceding four times in the first 20 minutes of a one-sided contest.

In last year’s Intercontinental Cup, Auckland were thumped 6-2 by Al-Ain in the first round, so being drawn in such a strong group this summer was always going to prove a test too far.

It will surely be a case of damage limitation, then, when they take to the field on Friday.

As goal difference could prove crucial in determining who finishes inside Group C’s top two, Benfica cannot afford to miss this chance to fill their boots.

Auckland City may have learned from their chastening double-figures defeat last week, but they will still be powerless to halt the red tide.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Chelsea target another victory when they face Flamengo

After dispatching Los Angeles FC on matchday one, Chelsea will be targeting another victory when they face Flamengo in Friday’s Club World Cup clash in Philadelphia.

The Brazilian side are also looking to claim back-to-back victories after seeing off Esperance de Tunis in their opening match.

Flamengo are one of four teams competing at the Club World Cup after securing qualification via their 2022 Copa Libertadores triumph.

The Brazilian side are coached by former Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis, who has made a remarkable start to his senior managerial career, having overseen 32 wins, 11 draws and three defeats in 46 competitive matches since he took over the reins last September.

Flamengo have put their title bid on hold to focus on their Club World Cup campaign, which began with a 2-0 win over Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis.

The Brazilian giants have also recorded four successive clean sheets, although they will be aware that their sturdy backline will be severely tested in Friday’s contest.

Chelsea entered the expanded Club World Cup in a confident mood after they produced a strong finish to the 2024-25 campaign to win a trophy and secure a top-five finish.

The Blues came from behind to hammer Real Betis 4-1 in last month’s Conference League final, just days after they secured fourth spot in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest to seal a place in next season’s Champions League league phase.

Enzo Maresca is now tasked with leading Chelsea to their second Club World Cup, after the club previously won the 2021 competition following a 2-1 extra-time victory over Palmeiras.

As a result of the victory, the West London club have now won nine of their last 10 competitive matches, showcasing their defensive strength with three clean sheets in their previous four outings.

Flamengo have proven to be a tough team to beat under Felipe Luis, and we think they will run Chelsea close in Friday’s meeting in Philadelphia, but we believe the Premier League side will have the cutting edge required to claim a narrow victory on matchday two.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Real forward Mbappe in hospital

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is in hospital with gastroenteritis after missing their Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal. The France captain, 26, missed training on Tuesday with a fever and did not play in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against the Saudi Arabian side.

A Real statement on Thursday said Mbappe has “an acute case of gastroenteritis” and was admitted to hospital for “a series of tests”.

Gastroenteritis is an infection in the gut which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

Real’s next game is against Pachuca on Sunday at 20:00 BST.

There is no indication whether Mbappe could be available for the game.

Mbappe scored 43 goals in 56 games in all competitions for Real in his first season after joining on a free transfer from Paris St-Germain.

This is Real’s first competition under Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti as manager at the end of the La Liga season.

Real won the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Intercontinental Cup in Mbappe’s first season in Spanish football.

Credit: bbc

 

Man City fined £1m for repeatedly delaying kick-off

Manchester City have been fined over £1m by the Premier League after repeatedly kicking-off or restarting matches late last season.

Nine of City’s matches last season started or restarted late, with the longest delay coming before the second half of the Manchester derby in December 2024 which resumed two minutes and 24 seconds later than billed.

The Premier League said City had accepted and apologised for the breaches, external, with the fines totalling £1.08m. They have 14 days to pay.

Last season the club were fined £2.09m for delaying 22 matches, and manager Pep Guardiola said he would try and make his team talks shorter.

A Premier League statement said: “Rules relating to kick-offs and restarts help ensure the organisation of the competition is set at the highest possible professional standard and provides certainty to fans and participating clubs.

“It also ensures the broadcast of every Premier League match is kept to schedule.”

City are awaiting a verdict on 115 charges of alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.

City were charged and referred to an independent commission in February 2023 following a four-year investigation.

It is alleged City breached its financial rules between 2009 and 2018.

City strongly deny all charges and have said their case is supported by a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence”.

 

Credit: bbc

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