CWC knockout round, Leicester reboots and USMNT advances on PKs
Kick off your Monday with all the action from this past weekend
The endless summer of soccer marches forward.
This week’s newsletter focuses on several things, headlined by tbe FIFA Club World Cup. The pet project of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the tournament has become a symbol for why June has been so busy.
At the same time, we have the Gold Cup and the highs and lows that have come with watching the United States just a year out from the World Cup.
If there isn’t enough soccer on TV to satisfy your appetite, add the Women’s European Championship to your calendar. That tournament kicks off on Wednesday.
Here’s a look at the biggest stories from this past weekend:
Club World Cup: Mighty PSG routs Inter Miami
European champions Paris Saint-Germain turned in a dominating performance at the Club World Cup on Sunday, brushing aside Lionel Messi and Inter Miami with a first-half blitz. The 4-0 win allowed PSG to advance to the quarterfinals.
Also on Sunday, Harry Kane scored twice and Bayern Munich capitalized on a quick start to down Flamengo 4-2 in the round of 16.
The Germans regrouped quickly from its only defeat of the tournament last week against Benfica, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and then holding off Flamengo’s comeback attempts to advance to the quarterfinals.
Also, Chelsea needed extra time, following a long weather delay, to defeat Benfica 4-1 on Saturday. The Premier League club will play Palmeiras, who also needed extra time to eliminate Brazilian rivals Botafogo 1-0.
Click here for all the latest results from the Club World Cup knockout rounds.
Premier League: Van Nistelrooy departs Leicester after relegation
Ruud van Nistelrooy has agreed to terminate his contract as coach of Leicester.
The former Dutch striker took over at Leicester last November on a contract through June 2027, but he couldn’t prevent relegation as the team finished the Premier League in 18th place.
The club thanked van Nistelrooy for his “dedication and hard work,” while the former Manchester United star wished the team well in the second-tier Championship.
The 48-year-old Van Nistelrooy previously coached Dutch side PSV Eindhoven and acted as an interim coach for United.
This comes as Leicester faces the possibility of a points deduction next season as a result of a possible breach of financial rules.
Gold Cup: USMNT advances to Gold Cup semifinals
Damion Downs scored in the sixth round of a shootout after three saves by Matt Freese, sending the U.S. to the Hold Cup semifinals with a 4-3 penalty-kick win over Costa Rica after a 2-2 tie on Sunday night.
The U.S. advanced to a Wednesday matchup in St. Louis against Guatemala, which upset Canada on penalty kicks in the opener of the quarterfinal doubleheader.
Freese saved three shootout attempts by Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo and Andy Rojas. His performance quelled, at least for now, talk that the USMNT has a starting goalkeeper problem.
“Penalties are my thing,” Freese said. “On the plane ride over here to Minnesota I was studying the penalties and I’ve been studying them all week.”
Mexico plays Honduras in the other semifinal on Wednesday in Santa Clara, Calif. The championship is scheduled for July 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
In other news: Cristiano Ronaldo ended uncertainty about his future, signing a two-year contract extension with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s latest deal means he will play on until at least the age of 42 and gives him the chance to add to his record-breaking career. “Let’s make history together,” Ronaldo said in a social media post, along with a photo of him holding up a shirt that read “Ronaldo 2027.” … The stage is set for the Women’s European Championship, where some of the world’s top teams will battle for continental glory starting Wednesday. Switzerland will host the tournament, which will conclude with the final on July 27. Defending World Cup winners Spain will aim to secure a first-ever European title. Standing in their way are defending champions England and contenders Germany. … The United States women’s national team defeated Ireland 4-0 in a friendly on Sunday at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium. Izzy Rodriguez, Lynn Biyendolo, Yazmeen Ryan and Alyssa Thompson also scored for the United States, which beat Ireland by an identical score this past Thursday. It marked the 600th win in USWNT history, now in its 40th year.