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PSG inflict humiliating defeat on Real Madrid to reach Club World Cup final

PSG inflict humiliating defeat on Real Madrid to reach Club World Cup final
Paris Saint-Germain's Fabian Ruiz celebrates with team mate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after scoring his side's opening goal during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between PSG and Real Madrid in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 10 July 2025

PSG inflict humiliating defeat on Real Madrid to reach Club World Cup final

PSG inflict humiliating defeat on Real Madrid to reach Club World Cup final
  • Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele scored inside the opening nine minutes to stun Real and silence the majority of the 77,542 crowd

EAST RUTHERFORD, United States: Fabian Ruiz scored twice as European champions Paris Saint-Germain turned on the style in their reunion with Kylian Mbappe on Wednesday, thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 in the semifinals of the Club World Cup to set up a final showdown with Chelsea.
Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele scored inside the opening nine minutes to stun Real and silence the majority of the 77,542 crowd who were wearing white at the MetLife Stadium outside New York.
The Spanish midfielder added another before half-time and Goncalo Ramos got a late fourth as Luis Enrique’s side moved one game away from glory at FIFA’s new tournament.
Victory against Chelsea on Sunday would complete a campaign of unparalleled success for the Parisians, who won the French title and then the first UEFA Champions League in their history in May.
After blowing away Inter Milan 5-0, the biggest victory in European Cup final history, PSG began their Club World Cup bid by putting four past Atletico Madrid and the ease with which they disposed of Real here was striking.
PSG’s fluidity contrasted starkly with Madrid, who are a work in progress under new coach Xabi Alonso. Meanwhile Mbappe struggled to make any impact on his first start at the tournament and in his first game against PSG since leaving the French club a year ago.
The France captain was hoping for a different outcome against the team for whom he scored a club record 256 goals, and the defeat is a real blow to Real as they hoped to win the first 32-team Club World Cup to add to their record tally of 15 European Cups.
But PSG have improved without Mbappe and are now such a well-oiled machine that they appear unstoppable — it would be a big surprise if they failed to beat Chelsea.
Luis Enrique was without imposing center-back Willian Pacho due to suspension following his sending-off against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, but that did not matter.
Lucas Beraldo slotted into the defense with ease, and the rest of PSG’s first-choice line-up was there.
Real were missing central defender Dean Huijsen through suspension, while the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold was an added blow.
The return to the starting XI of Mbappe, who missed the entire group stage through illness, did not prevent young striker Gonzalo Garcia from keeping his place.
But the Spanish giants’ front line, completed by Vinicius Junior, made no real impact, such was the extent of PSG’s domination.
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made two superb saves inside the opening five minutes, the first to tip away a Ruiz shot, and the second to deny Nuno Mendes from point-blank range.
Yet Courtois could not prevent Paris from scoring in the sixth minute, as Dembele pounced on slack defending by Raul Asencio. The Real ā€˜keeper saved at the forward’s feet but Ruiz converted the loose ball.
Three minutes later and the contest was effectively over when Antonio Rudiger failed to control a simple pass from Jude Bellingham, allowing Dembele to run through before finishing low into the corner.
Like his friend Mbappe, Dembele was starting for the first time at the competition having been injured. That was a 34th club goal since August for a player who is a serious candidate for the Ballon d’Or.
It was turning into a humiliating afternoon for Real as PSG got their third midway through the first half.
A deflected shot by Mbappe was easily held by Gianluigi Donnarumma, and no Madrid player touched the ball again before they were picking it out of their own net a minute later.
Dembele released Achraf Hakimi on the right and he squared for Ruiz, the Spain star taking a touch to hold off Fede Valverde before finishing.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could have got a fourth before the interval, while Desire Doue had a goal disallowed for offside early in the second half.
But Real were not coming back, and Alonso opted to take off Bellingham and Vinicius just after the hour mark in a clear sign of surrender.
PSG then got their fourth after 87 minutes when Ramos controlled a pass from fellow substitute Bradley Barcola, turned and fired in.


Paraguay’s World Rally Championship debut heralds ā€˜exciting era’ for rallying, says FIA president

Paraguay’s World Rally Championship debut heralds ā€˜exciting era’ for rallying, says FIA president
Updated 20 sec ago

Paraguay’s World Rally Championship debut heralds ā€˜exciting era’ for rallying, says FIA president

Paraguay’s World Rally Championship debut heralds ā€˜exciting era’ for rallying, says FIA president
  • Mohammed Ben Sulayem hails historic moment for host country, South America, and global motorsport, with ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ next to enter world championship stage

DUBAI: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, said Paraguay’s debut in the FIA World Rally Championship this weekend and the season finale in ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ point the way toward an exciting new era for rallying at the highest level.

Ben Sulayem was present at the FIA’s ceremonial opening of the inaugural FIA WRC Rally del Paraguay 2025 on Friday, along with the President of Paraguay, Santiago Pena.

Taking place in Encarnacion, in the Itapua region, the country’s maiden appearance on the WRC calendar marks a historic moment for Paraguayan motorsport, building on a united passion for racing and rich rally heritage.

With the new WRC Rally ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„ rounding off the 2025 season in November, and the process to secure a new WRC commercial rights holder under way, Ben Sulayem believes the championship will continue to grow and reach new heights. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the FIA president said: ā€œThis is a historic moment for Paraguay, for South America, and for global motorsport. Over the coming days the eyes of the world will be on Encarnacion, and on Paraguay. That is the power of motorsport, of collaboration, and of the FIA.

ā€œThere is no doubt Paraguay has a profound love for motorsport. Here, rallying is more than a sport. It is part of the national identity. It is a passion built on resilience, courage, and dedication.

ā€œThe FIA WRC is entering an exciting new era. With another new event to follow in ŗ£½ĒÖ±²„, millions of fans worldwide following the action, and younger audiences driving global growth, the championship is ready to rise to the next level.

ā€œThank you, President Pena for your warm welcome, your generous hospitality, and your true friendship. Your leadership and support for this sport we love has made this moment possible,ā€ he added.

ā€œThank you to the Touring y Automovil Club Paraguayo. Your work reflects the very values of the FIA. Thank you to the drivers, the teams, the organizer — Comite Olimpico Paraguayo, the officials, the volunteers, and to all the rally fans. Without you none of this would be possible.ā€

With the ceremonial opening completed, the FIA WRC Rally del Paraguay moved onto its multi-stage competition, with drivers facing a mix of smooth red-earth stages and trickier technical sections through dense vegetation.

Earlier this month the FIA, the governing body for world motorsport and the federation for mobility organizations worldwide, announced that a tender process will be run for a new commercial rights holder of the FIA WRC.

It followed an extensive period of discussions by the FIA with Red Bull and KW25, the current commercial rights holders, who have taken the decision to commence the process.

The FIA World Rally Championship has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, attracting a cumulative television audience of 1.3 billion and more than 4 million on-site visitors in 2024.


Chelsea’s Delap may be out for weeks after injury during Fulham win, Maresca says

Chelsea’s Delap may be out for weeks after injury during Fulham win, Maresca says
Updated 30 August 2025

Chelsea’s Delap may be out for weeks after injury during Fulham win, Maresca says

Chelsea’s Delap may be out for weeks after injury during Fulham win, Maresca says
  • Delap went down clutching his thigh 13 minutes into the home game
  • Three key Chelsea players have now suffered injuries this month

LONDON: Chelsea striker Liam Delap may be out for weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Fulham, manager Enzo Maresca said.

Delap went down clutching his thigh 13 minutes into the home game and walked straight into the tunnel after the medics had looked at it.

Three key Chelsea players have now suffered injuries this month, with attacker Cole Palmer also absent due to a groin injury and center back Levi Colwill ruled out for most of the season with a cruciate ligament tear.

ā€œInjury doesn’t look good. He was full speed, hamstring, so that requires weeks,ā€ Maresca told a press conference.

Maresca, who said Chelsea would look to sign another defender after Colwill’s injury, did not rule out going into the market for another striker.

ā€œWhen you have two strikers, it is enough. When one of them is injured for weeks, it is probably not enough,ā€ he said.

The manager said he could not tell if this summer’s Club World Cup campaign, which Chelsea won, played any role in the injuries.

Maresca, however, was happy to have two league wins in a row after being held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace in their opening league game.

ā€œI’m very happy. We have seven points, it’s important. I wasn’t happy after the first half because we didn’t play on the ball in the way we prepared. Second half, we were very good on the ball and good with second balls. We dominated the second half,ā€ he added.


Oscar Piastri beats McLaren teammate Lando Norris to end his wait for pole at F1’s Dutch GP

Oscar Piastri beats McLaren teammate Lando Norris to end his wait for pole at F1’s Dutch GP
Updated 30 August 2025

Oscar Piastri beats McLaren teammate Lando Norris to end his wait for pole at F1’s Dutch GP

Oscar Piastri beats McLaren teammate Lando Norris to end his wait for pole at F1’s Dutch GP
  • Piastri set the pace at the start of the final part of qualifying for Sunday’s race and Norris couldn’t quite match it
  • ā€œThat was the definition of peaking at the right time,ā€ Piastri said

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands: Oscar Piastri found new pace to beat his teammate Lando Norris by just over one-hundredth of a second and take Formula 1 pole position for the first time in three months at the Dutch Grand Prix in qualifying on Saturday.

Piastri set the pace at the start of the final part of qualifying for Sunday’s race and Norris couldn’t quite match it, ending up .012 of a second off the pace as the title battle between the two McLaren teammates intensifies.

ā€œThat was the definition of peaking at the right time,ā€ Piastri said. ā€œIt was looking like a little bit of a tricky weekend so far.ā€

It was the Australian’s fifth pole position of the year but his first since the Spanish Grand Prix, six races ago.

Norris, who won last year’s Dutch Grand Prix and was fastest in all three practice sessions this week, said it was ā€œnot the end of the worldā€ to start second, and suggested small changes in the wind could have decided the result.

Piastri leads Norris by nine points in the standings with 10 races left of the season. Norris has closed the gap in recent months with wins in three of the last four races.

Verstappen improves

Defending champion Max Verstappen is set to start third for his home race. He’s third in the standings but a 97-point gap to Piastri means his title chances are remote.

Verstappen said it was ā€œalways very specialā€ to compete in front of his home crowd and he was pleased with the improvement after a ā€œtrickyā€ time in practice.

ā€œThis is a really good step forward,ā€ he said. ā€œI hope that we can keep that up also going into the race tomorrow.ā€

Hadjar’s surprising fourth

Isack Hadjar was a surprise fourth for Racing Bulls in a career-best qualifying result for the French rookie, who is considered a contender for promotion to Red Bull next season as Verstappen’s teammate.

George Russell is fifth for Mercedes, while Charles Leclerc in sixth again outqualified his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton, who was seventh.

It’s going to be another difficult race for Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli after he qualified 11th. The Italian started his debut season strongly but has only been in the points in two of his last eight races.

Yuki Tsunoda was 12th in a result that doesn’t help his efforts to show he can stay on for next season at Red Bull.

Lance Stroll spun and crashed heavily into the barriers after getting two wheels on the grass. The Canadian was able to return his damaged Aston Martin to the pits but couldn’t continue and qualified last.


Besiktas reappoint former player Yalcin as manager

Besiktas reappoint former player Yalcin as manager
Updated 30 August 2025

Besiktas reappoint former player Yalcin as manager

Besiktas reappoint former player Yalcin as manager
  • The 52-year-old Turk has agreed a deal until the end of the 2026-2027 season
  • The club sacked Solskjaer on Thursday following their exit from the Conference League

ISTANBUL: Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas have appointed former leading player and manager Sergen Yalcin at their new boss, the club announced on Saturday.

The 52-year-old Turk, who will be making his second stint as the club’s manager, has agreed a deal until the end of the 2026-2027 season.

Besiktas, who have won the Turkish Super Lig title 16 times, finished fourth in the league last season.

The club sacked Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the former Manchester United manager, on Thursday following their exit from the Conference League.

Besiktas had already been knocked out of the Europa League by Shakhtar Donetsk in the qualifying rounds and defeat by Swiss side Lausanne-Sport in the Conference League playoffs brought an end to Solskjaer’s time at the club after seven months.

During Yalcin’s first term as manager, Besiktas won a domestic double in the 2020-2021 season.


Man City face mid-winter trip north of the Arctic Circle in Champions League

Man City face mid-winter trip north of the Arctic Circle in Champions League
Updated 30 August 2025

Man City face mid-winter trip north of the Arctic Circle in Champions League

Man City face mid-winter trip north of the Arctic Circle in Champions League
  • City will play an away match at Norwegian champion Bodo/Glimt on Jan. 20
  • Pep Guardiola and his team of mega-stars will face harsh temperatures at the 8,000-capacity Aspmyra stadium

NYON: Manchester City face a trip north of the Arctic Circle in the middle of the European winter after the dates of this season’s Champions League games were published on Saturday.

City will play an away match at Norwegian champion Bodo/Glimt on Jan. 20, meaning Pep Guardiola and his team of mega-stars will face harsh temperatures at the 8,000-capacity Aspmyra stadium — a venue farther north than soccer’s top club competition has ever been.

Bodo/Glimt are a tournament debutant like Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty, whose first-ever Champions League match — at Sporting Lisbon — is the longest away trip in the competition’s history.

Kairat will have to travel across three time zones and more than 6,500 kilometers (4,000 miles) to Lisbon from Almaty, near Kazakhstan’s border with China, for the Sept. 18 game on the Champions League’s first matchday.

Almaty can have temperatures as low as minus-20 C (minus-4 F) in January — chillier even than Bodo/Glimt — so Club Brugge’s visit to Kairat on Jan. 20 could be the coldest game in Champions League history.

Paris Saint-Germain open the defense of their title at home to Atalanta on Sept. 17.

Kevin De Bruyne won’t have long to wait before his match against Man City, his former long-time club. He will make his return to Etihad Stadium on Sept. 18.