Tragedy in Algeria, USMNT beats Haiti and 'Gianni Cup'
Kick off your Monday with all the action from this past weekend
Soccer has had its share of tragedies over the years. This past weekend, a new one was added to that long list.
Three fans in Algeria died when a stand collapsed, leaving another 81 injured. The tragedy marred what would have otherwise been a wonderful celebration.
At the Gold Cup, the United States got past Haiti 2-1 to finish first in Group D.
Meanwhile, the FIFA Club World Cup continues to generate lots of buzz — and not all of it good.
Here’s a deeper look at the biggest stories from this past weekend:
Algeria: Stadium collapse kills 3, injures 81
Three people died and 81 were injured following the collapse of a stand after soccer club Mouloudia Club d’Alger won a ninth league title, Algerian authorities said.
An earlier toll was one dead and 50 injured, but two fans subsequently died from their injuries following Saturday’s incident at the Stade Olympique du 5 Juillet 1962, according to a statement issued by the country’s Ministry of Health.
Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune offered his condolences.
According to the website La Gazette du Fennec, a security barrier broke just as fans were getting ready to celebrate the title following a 0-0 draw between MC Alger and NC Magra.
The trophy presentation ceremony was postponed in light of the tragedy.
Gold Cup: USMNT defeats Haiti, tops Group D
Patrick Agyemang scored 15 minutes from time as the United States overcame Matt Freese’s goalkeeping gaffe to beat Haiti 2-1 on Sunday night at at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Malik Tillman put the U.S. ahead in the 10th minute with his third goal of the tournament, but Freese, who has displaced Matt Turner as the starter, highlighted the Americans’ goalkeeping issues a year ahead of the World Cup with a botched clearance that led to Louicius Don Deedson’s 19th-minute goal.
After Tillman came close three times in the second half, Agyemang scored after taking a long pass from John Tolkin. Agyemang touched the ball past goalkeeper Johny Placide and slotted into the open net for his second of the tournament.
The U.S., which opened with victories over Trinidad and Tobago and invited guest Saudi Arabia, won its group for the 17th time in 18 Gold Cups.
Using a B squad at this tournament, the Americans had already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals.
FIFA Club World Cup: Infantino defends expanded tournament
Appearing at Fanatics Fest in New York on Saturday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the expanded Club World Cup, noting that some early challenges were to be expected.
“So, maybe some criticize it a little bit, but it’s something new. It’s something special,” Infantino said. “It’s a real World Cup with the best teams and the best players.”
The 32-team tournament has faced backlash on several fronts. Global players’ union FIFPro has voiced strong concerns about the increased burden placed on players, while numerous matches have struggled to fill seats, with ticket sales across the U.S. falling short of FIFA’s expectations.
Infantino’s comments came during a wide-ranging discussion with Jordan Schultz at the Jacob Javits Center. Before laying out his broader vision for soccer’s growth in the U.S., he responded to Schultz’s lighthearted reference to the Club World Cup being known as the “Gianni Cup.”
“It was about time that somebody invented a World Cup for club teams,” Infantino replied. “Since 100 years, we know which is the best country in the world, but, until today, we do not really know which is the best team in the world. So, we thought it might not be a bad idea to create a World Cup for teams to decide.”
In other news: With veteran Santi Cazorla leading the way 20 years after he left the club, Oviedo made it back to the first division of the Spanish league. The club owned by Mexico’s Grupo Pachuca since 2022 secured its return to the top flight with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Mirandes in the final of the promotion playoffs on Saturday night. After a 1-0 first-leg loss, it won 3-1 in extra time with Cazorla scoring one of the goals. … Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has been rewarded with a contract extension for leading the club to its first European qualification for almost 30 years. The 51-year-old Nuno signed a three-year deal to stay at the City Ground until at least 2028, the Premier League club said on its website Saturday. … NBA star Kevin Durant has purchased a minority stake in Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain. Qatar Sports Investments, PSG’s majority shareholder, signed an investment and strategic partnership agreement with Durant, the club said in a statement. Financial terms were not disclosed.