The 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup is off and working, with three robust days of enjoyable and drama already within the books. So let’s get you caught up with what you missed and what’s forward in the present day and tomorrow.
Verify in with ESPN all through the event as we convey you the newest from the event all the best way as much as the ultimate at MetLife Stadium on July 13.
The lead: PSG decide up the place they left off
PASADENA, Calif. — Atlético Madrid boss Diego Simeone fell to his knees on the Rose Bowl touchline, head in his arms, as striker Alexander Sørloth missed a golden alternative — alone on the far put up, with Paris Saint-Germain keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma crushed — to place his aspect again within the match. It was the sort of likelihood Sørloth buries in LaLiga, the place he ended the season on hearth, scoring seven targets in 4 video games. However right here in Pasadena, his shot flew over the bar, and with it went Atlético’s probabilities of getting one thing from this opening sport in Group B.
Atlético had been 2-0 down at that time; it ended 4-0. A match that was billed as the primary “massive conflict” of the Membership World Cup — maybe a bit of Eurocentrically — was as an alternative a stroll on the Rose Bowl for PSG. The UEFA Champions League winners had been far superior: controlling possession (74.2%), working relentlessly arduous off the ball, and creating higher possibilities (13 in complete, to Atlético’s 4). Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha scored two stylish first-half targets, exploiting some slack defending, earlier than substitutes Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-In made positive the ultimate scoreline mirrored PSG’s true dominance.
A noon kickoff and troublesome stadium entry meant many followers had been nonetheless making their manner into the huge, concrete area within the nineteenth minute when Ruiz put PSG forward. Crowds of over 90,000 have stuffed the stadium for FIFA World Cup finals. Right here, the official attendance, finally, was a formidable 80,619. Strolling across the concourse pre-match, seeing the variety of PSG shirts, and listening to the noise inside, it felt like lots of them had been supporting the European champions.
It was sizzling: 29 levels Celsius at midday, and 32 by half-time. PSG boss Luis Enrique stated it was a sport “outlined by the warmth” however, as Simeone admitted, that utilized to each groups, and solely Atlético’s efficiency was sluggish. From kick-off, there have been grumbles from Atlético-supporting Spanish journalists within the press field, questioning the group’s lack of depth. It felt extra preseason pleasant than season-defining event.
One of the best of Atlético got here at both finish of the pitch: from Julián Álvarez, who had a purpose disallowed, and goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who stored the scoreline considerably respectable, tipping one shot from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia onto the crossbar. The worst was defender Clément Lenglet, who inexplicably backed off player-of-the-match Vitinha as he superior to attain PSG’s second, and was later despatched off.
PSG’s victory was collective; one other demonstration of Luis Enrique’s triumph in molding a brilliantly cohesive, seamless group. Each participant delivered and the injured Ousmane Dembélé was not missed.
“The membership is hungry, the followers are hungry, and the gamers are hungry,” Luis Enrique stated postmatch. They have not been sated by profitable the Champions League. And this was a outcome that — in the event that they weren’t already — immediately put in them among the many favorites to win this competitors. — Alex Kirkland
At the moment’s prime Membership World Cup information
• PSG wish to make ‘extra historical past’ at Membership World Cup
• Estêvão: Chelsea transfer ‘a dream’ however centered on CWC
• Inter Milan’s Taremi caught in Iran, will miss Membership World Cup
Sights and sounds round FIFA Membership World Cup
Man Metropolis flying underneath the radar in Florida
BOCA RATON, Florida — Manchester Metropolis are maintaining a low profile at their coaching base in Boca Raton. Utilizing the amenities at Lynn College, there’s nothing to counsel a Premier League group are there apart from a couple of membership crests round one of many soccer fields.
Gamers and workers aren’t utilizing marked buses to get to and from the group lodge, and as an alternative the membership have employed coaches from FloridaTours.com. There have been solely a handful of cameras current for Metropolis’s first coaching session on Friday morning they usually had been outnumbered by native police who arrived on bikes to make sure safety was in hand.
On the opposite aspect of the Lynn campus, kids of varied ages are taking up actions as a part of a summer time camp, blissfully unaware that Phil Foden and Erling Haaland are just a few toes away. Metropolis are flying underneath the radar in Florida. In all probability simply how Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola likes it. — Rob Dawson
Star participant of the day
Jamal Musiala
It might not have been the hardest sport he’ll ever play, however the Bayern Munich playmaker scored a 23-minute hat trick after coming in as a second half sub in Sunday’s 10-0 rout of Auckland Metropolis. Musiala is the current and future for Bayern Munich, committing to a brand new contract again in February that may maintain him on the Allianz Area by means of 2030, and is the person who will lead this ongoing rebuild of a titan in transition.
Sunday’s cozy win confirmed the very best of the 23-year-old and — whereas more durable trials and tribulations are inevitably in his future — you are able to do worse than having fun with the right here and now. Having torn his hamstring in April and lacking the run-in, Sunday marked an instantaneous return to health and kind for Musiala. His first purpose was a neat curving effort far too good for keeper Conor Tracey, with a penalty and opportunistic end rounding out his day. Although a number of Bayern gamers stood out on a sunny afternoon at Cincinnati’s TQO Stadium, Musiala deserves his flowers particularly after a bumpy finish to the 2024-25 season. — James Tyler
1:16
Did Bayern Munich disrespect Auckland Metropolis with 10-0 win?
Frank Leboeuf reacts to Bayern Munich’s 10-0 win in opposition to Auckland Metropolis on the Membership World Cup.
Match previews, odds for Tuesday
Chelsea vs. LAFC (Atlanta, GA; 3 p.m. ET)
Odds (through ESPN BET): Chelsea (-550), Draw (+550), LAFC (+950)
Neither group has had a lot preparation time, given LAFC solely certified for the event on June 1 after profitable a play-off in opposition to Membership America. The place turned accessible when FIFA kicked out Membership Leon as a consequence of being a part of the identical possession group as one other group within the competitors: Mexican aspect Pachuca. Chelsea arrive on a excessive having completed fourth within the Premier League earlier than profitable the UEFA Convention League. New striker Liam Delap will wish to impress after finishing a £30 million transfer from Ipswich City and is aiming to guide Chelsea’s assault, following within the footsteps of, amongst others, LAFC ahead Olivier Giroud. The 38-year-old spent three years at Stamford Bridge as much as 2021. LAFC are underdogs however can take confidence from a 10-game unbeaten run throughout all competitions. — James Olley
Boca Juniors vs. Benfica (Miami, FL; 6 p.m. ET)
Odds (through ESPN BET): Boca Juniors (+380, Draw (+280), Benfica (-140)
Boca Juniors enter the Membership World Cup with a brand new head coach as Miguel Angel Russo returns for his third stint with the Argentine giants. He beforehand led the group in 2007 and 2020-21, inspiring Boca to the Copa Libertadores trophy and three different titles. Although Boca are coming off a second-place end within the first section of the Argentine league and a quarterfinal exit within the playoffs, Benfica ought to be the favorites heading into the match after concluding the 2024-25 season in second place with 80 factors in 34 video games.
The Portuguese group could also be stronger all through the 90 minutes, however 1000’s of Boca followers have made the journey to Miami to guarantee the Argentine membership see a bonus off the sector. — Lizzy Becherano
Flamengo vs. Esperance de Tunis (Philadelphia, PA; 9 p.m. ET)
Odds (through ESPN BET): Flamengo (-300), Draw (+425), Esperance (+700)
Eighteen years after leaving Brazil for Italy, Jorginho returns to the nation of his beginning in type, on the greatest membership of all: Flamengo. The previous Arsenal star can be handed the keys to a midfield with loads of creativity and technical capability, with the likes of Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Gerson. Flamengo are traditionally Brazil’s hottest membership and their mix of veterans (lots of them hardened in Europe, akin to Danilo, Alex Sandro and Luiz Araujo) make them one of many hardest South American groups within the competitors. They tackle Esperance aspect who haven’t been shy about attracting expertise from throughout Africa (South Africa ahead Elias Mokwana and Nigeria midfielder Onuche Ogbelu) in addition to Brazil itself: Yan Sasse, who has been a revelation, and goal man Rodrigo Rodrigues. — Tyler
