PSG win the French Cup and the double in Kylian Mbappe’s last game

PSG win the French Cup and the double in Kylian Mbappe’s last game
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (C) lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates on the podium after winning the French Cup final against Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France on May 25, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 26 May 2024
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PSG win the French Cup and the double in Kylian Mbappe’s last game

PSG win the French Cup and the double in Kylian Mbappe’s last game
  • Mbappe: Now, I have nothing left with PSG. But I’m very happy to have been able to finish with a trophy
  • PSG won the league and cup for the first time since 2020 when they achieved a domestic treble by also lifting the now defunct League Cup

VILLENEUVE D’ASCQ, France: Paris Saint-Germain beat Lyon 2-1 in the French Cup final and completed the domestic double in Kylian Mbappé’s last game for the club on Saturday.

France winger Ousmane Dembele and Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz scored for PSG in the first half.

Lyon defender Jake O’Brien got a consolation goal in the second half.

PSG won the league and cup for the first time since 2020 when they achieved a domestic treble by also lifting the now defunct League Cup.

Mbappe celebrated with a big roar after the final whistle. With an equally big smile on his face, he hugged and high-fived his teammates. The ecstatic PSG staff lifted Mbappe and threw him in the air.

“You feel a bit more the weight of things because you realize that it’s really over,” Mbappe told broadcaster beIN Sports. “When I said goodbye to the Parc des Princes, there were still some games left, so you are still focused on what awaits you. Now, I have nothing left with PSG. But I’m very happy to have been able to finish with a trophy.”

Despite losing in the final, Lyon still qualified for the Europa League by finishing sixth in the league.

Dembélé opened the scoring in the 22nd minute by heading home a cross from Nuno Mendes.

Ruiz doubled the lead by converting a rebound in the 34th after his header was blocked by O’Brien.

Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri pulled off some outstanding saves in the opening minutes, denying Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery, but misjudged the flight of the ball when Mendes made the cross for the opener.

O’Brien cut the deficit to 2-1 by heading in a corner in the 55th.

PSG has struggled in the air this season and nearly conceded from another corner in the 64th, but goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma tipped a header from Lyon left back Nicolas Tagliafico over the bar.

“The players are disappointed but let’s not forget that we must also be proud of what we have done,” Lyon coach Pierre Sage told broadcaster beIN Sports.

Lyon was bottom of the league in December but racked up more points than any other club in the second half of the season to finish sixth.

Mbappe tried hard to find the net in his last outing for PSG. A curling shot from the edge of the box didn’t trouble Perri in the 20th and he volleyed over the bar in the 41st.

In seven seasons with PSG, Mbappe has won 15 trophies, including four French Cups.

Although Mbappe did not add to his tally, he leaves as PSG’s all-time top scorer in all competitions with 256 in 308 appearances.

“I’m happy to have been part of its history and to have made it a bit,” Mbappe said.

The French Cup final was marred by violence as Lyon and PSG supporters clashed on a highway leading to the venue a few hours before kickoff.

Supporters threw flares and windows were smashed on buses full of supporters. Some buses were set on fire.

The match was relocated to Stade Pierre Mauroy in the north of France because of preparations for the Olympic Games.

Villeneuve d’Ascq became the first city outside the Greater Paris area to host the French Cup final since the competition’s inception in 1917.


Musiala strikes twice to help Bayern end mini-skid without the injured Kane

Musiala strikes twice to help Bayern end mini-skid without the injured Kane
Updated 2 min 11 sec ago
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Musiala strikes twice to help Bayern end mini-skid without the injured Kane

Musiala strikes twice to help Bayern end mini-skid without the injured Kane
  • Dayot Upamecano put Bayern ahead in the 18th minute
  • Vincent Kompany sent on Musiala for Thomas Mueller moments after Heidenheim made it 1-1 against the flow of play

BERLIN: Jamal Musiala came off the bench to score twice and help a Bayern Munich side without the injured Harry Kane beat Heidenheim 4-2 in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Bayern were playing their second full game without their top-scoring Kane since he strained his right hamstring in Bayern’s 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund last weekend.
Bayern then lost in the German Cup to Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 without the England striker on Tuesday.
Dayot Upamecano put Bayern ahead in the 18th minute with a goal from a corner kick, but the Bayern center back also helped the visitors level in the 50th when Mathias Honsak pounced on his bad pass with only goalkeeper Daniel Peretz to beat.
Vincent Kompany sent on Musiala for Thomas Mueller moments after Heidenheim made it 1-1 against the flow of play.
The Germany international put Bayern back in front in the 56th when he rifled a shot from just inside the area under goalkeeper Kevin Mueller.
Bayern looked ready to close out the relatively easy win when Leon Goretzka made it 3-1 in the 83rd.
But Niklas Dorsch scored a second goal for Heidenheim in the 85th to keep the result in doubt until Musiala struck again in injury time.
Musiala’s eight goals make him the top scoring midfielder in the competition.


Liverpool’s Premier League clash at Everton postponed due to high winds

Liverpool’s Premier League clash at Everton postponed due to high winds
Updated 07 December 2024
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Liverpool’s Premier League clash at Everton postponed due to high winds

Liverpool’s Premier League clash at Everton postponed due to high winds
  • High winds and heavy rain have battered western parts of the United Kingdom, causing widespread travel disruption
  • Everton said the fixture had been postponed on safety grounds

LIVERPOOL: Premier League leaders Liverpool’s Merseyside derby trip to Everton on Saturday was postponed due to adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Darragh.
High winds and heavy rain have battered western parts of the United Kingdom, causing widespread travel disruption.
In a statement, Everton said the fixture had been postponed on safety grounds following a meeting between both clubs, local police and Liverpool City Council.
“Whilst we appreciate this will be deeply disappointing for supporters, the safety of fans, staff and players is of paramount importance,” Everton’s statement added.
The fixture will be the final Merseyside derby in the league at Everton’s Goodison Park, home to the club since 1892, before they move to a new 53,000 capacity stadium next season.
Liverpool lead the Premier League by seven points after 14 games of the 38-match season.
Manchester United said their match later at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest (1730GMT) is still scheduled to go ahead.
“The club will continue to consult the relevant authorities throughout the day and will update supporters immediately if anything changes,” United said in a statement.
Three other Premier League games are also due to go ahead at 1500GMT, including Manchester City’s trip to Crystal Palace.
Cardiff against Watford in the Championship has been postponed, along with every football and rugby match in Wales.
Plymouth’s meeting with Oxford has also been called off in the second tier.


Neuer and Gnabry join Bayern’s long injury list

Neuer and Gnabry join Bayern’s long injury list
Updated 06 December 2024
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Neuer and Gnabry join Bayern’s long injury list

Neuer and Gnabry join Bayern’s long injury list
  • “Serge won’t be there, Manu won’t be there,” Kompany told reporters, explaining “Manu has rib pain“
  • Neuer and Gnabry join Bayern’s long injury list, which includes England captain Harry Kane, Joao Palhinha, Josip Stanisic and Hiroki Ito

MUNICH: Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer and forward Serge Gnabry will miss Saturday’s clash with Heidenheim, coach Vincent Kompany said Friday.
“Serge won’t be there, Manu won’t be there,” Kompany told reporters, explaining “Manu has rib pain.”
The 38-year-old goalkeeper failed to take part in training on Friday, and Kompany did not indicate when he would return.
Neuer and Gnabry join Bayern’s long injury list, which includes England captain Harry Kane, Joao Palhinha, Josip Stanisic and Hiroki Ito.
Neuer picked up the first red card of his 866-game career in Tuesday’s German Cup loss to Bayer Leverkusen after a first-half collision with Jeremie Frimpong.
Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz replaced Neuer in the 17th minute, making his Bayern debut.
With usual back-up goalie Sven Ulreich still missing due to personal leave, Kompany confirmed Peretz would take the field on Saturday.
Kane injured his hamstring in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund and missed the loss to Leverkusen, but returned to individual training on Thursday.
“It looks good,” Kompany said of Kane’s recovery.
“The way it’s going now, it looks like he could play one or two games in the calendar year, if everything goes well.”
Before going down with injury, Kane scored 20 goals in 19 games in all competitions for Bayern this season.
Despite Tuesday’s German Cup elimination, Bayern are unbeaten in the league and are currently four points clear of second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt at the top of the Bundesliga table.


Tottenham joins list of top Premier League teams to lose at Bournemouth as fans jeer Postecoglou

Tottenham joins list of top Premier League teams to lose at Bournemouth as fans jeer Postecoglou
Updated 06 December 2024
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Tottenham joins list of top Premier League teams to lose at Bournemouth as fans jeer Postecoglou

Tottenham joins list of top Premier League teams to lose at Bournemouth as fans jeer Postecoglou
  • Bournemouth climbed to ninth — a point and a place above Tottenham in the standings
  • Alex Iwobi scored goals early and late in the game to lead Fulham to a 3-1 win over Brighton

LONDON: Manchester City, Arsenal, and now Tottenham.

The list of top Premier League teams beaten at Bournemouth this season is growing.

Dean Huijsen took advantage of Tottenham’s weakness at set pieces to head home a 17th-minute winner in Bournemouth’s 1-0 victory on Thursday.

After the game, some Spurs fans appeared to vent their frustration at manager Ange Postecoglou when he went over to the away contingent following his team’s insipid display.

“They are pretty disappointed, rightly so, and I got some pretty direct feedback as to how we are going,” the Australian coach said, “and that’s fair enough.”

Bournemouth climbed to ninth — a point and a place above Tottenham in the standings — and underlined its penchant for surprising high-profile visitors to Vitality Stadium.

Man City’s remarkable four-game losing run in the Premier League started with a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth, while fellow title contender Arsenal’s first loss of the season also came at the Vitality, 2-0 on Oct. 19.

This was Spurs’ sixth defeat of the campaign. They now have as many wins as losses, highlighting the inconsistency blighting their season, and their seven away results so far make remarkable reading: aside from a 3-0 win at Manchester United and a 4-0 thrashing of Man City, Tottenham has lost four and drawn the other at relegation candidate Leicester.

“We’ve got to get out of this space we’re in at the moment where we’re just not able to get a real grip on our season,” Postecoglou said.

An inability to defend set plays continues to hurt Postecoglou’s team. A week after Roma scored twice from them in a 2-2 draw in the Europa League, Huijsen roamed free in the area at a corner and headed home unmarked.

Postecoglou said in May said he “wasn’t interested” about his side’s fallibility while defending set pieces, and said after losing 1-0 to Arsenal in September — after a goal from Gabriel at a corner — that “it’s my burden to carry and I’m happy to do that.”

“We started well and conceded a really poor goal,” Postecoglou said after the Bournemouth game. “It’s a difficult place to come when giving the opposition the opportunity to play in the manner they want.”

Iwobi double

Alex Iwobi scored goals early and late in the game to lead Fulham to a 3-1 win over Brighton.

The Nigeria winger intercepted a stray pass out from the back by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and slotted into an unguarded net for the opener in the fourth minute and curled home Fulham’s clinching goal in the 87th.

Carlos Baleba equalized for Brighton in the 56th before Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley – a former Fulham academy player – deflected the ball into his own net from a corner to put the home side back in front.

Fulham climbed to sixth in the standings, a point and a place behind Brighton.


Messi and Inter Miami to open Club World Cup against Egypt’s Al-Ahly, while Real Madrid face Saudi club Al-Hilal

Messi and Inter Miami to open Club World Cup against Egypt’s Al-Ahly, while Real Madrid face Saudi club Al-Hilal
Updated 05 December 2024
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Messi and Inter Miami to open Club World Cup against Egypt’s Al-Ahly, while Real Madrid face Saudi club Al-Hilal

Messi and Inter Miami to open Club World Cup against Egypt’s Al-Ahly, while Real Madrid face Saudi club Al-Hilal
  • Real Madrid will face the Saudi club Al-Hilal in Group H
  • Emirati club Al-Ain and Morocco’s Wydad AC will face English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City and Juventus in Group G

MIAMI: Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will open the Club World Cup against Egyptian club Al-Ahly, with Palmeiras and Porto also part of that group for the tournament that will take place in the US next year.
Real Madrid will face the Saudi club Al-Hilal in Group H — a showdown of superstars, with Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid and Neymar for Al-Hilal.
The draw was held Thursday in Miami, with the 32 teams finally finding out their first three opponents in the newly expanded event.
Emirati club Al-Ain and Morocco’s Wydad AC will face English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City and Juventus in Group G.
The tournament will be held in the US from Jun. 15 to Jul. 13, using 12 stadiums in 11 different cities. The final will be at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the same stadium that will play host to the 2026 World Cup final.
Among the powerhouse clubs in the field are: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.
There’re also the four highest-ranked teams from South America: Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and Fluminense.
And Messi’s team, as a representative of the host nation, get the distinction of playing the first match. It’ll happen at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
“It’s about inclusivity, it’s about bringing clubs from all over the world, the 32 best clubs and best players from all over the world together,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
Some would argue it’s not the 32 “best” clubs. Inter Miami’s selection was widely panned by critics, the volume of that only rising after the team that won the Supporters Shield as the best MLS team in the regular season — with a record-setting point total — lost in Round 1 of the MLS Cup playoffs.
“There’s no controversy,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said.
Major League Soccer got two teams: Seattle and Inter Miami. The Sounders qualified for the field, and Inter Miami was placed into it as the host nation’s representative.
Other opening matchups include: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atletico Madrid and Brazilian club Botafogo playing at Seattle in Group B, Monterrey against Inter Milan in Group E, and Real Madrid facing Al-Hilal in Group H.
The club competition uses the traditional 32-team format used by the World Cup from 1998 to 2022. Eight round-robin groups of four teams each were drawn Thursday, with the top two from each group advancing to a knockout bracket of 16.
Europe got 12 spots and South America six to lead the field, while Africa, Asia and North America all got four — with Inter Miami essentially a fifth from North America since it has host status. Oceania got one spot.
“There is no rule that said the MLS Cup winner needs to be in the Club World Cup,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “I have no interest in anything other than what I think is going to be best for the showcase, best for our league. I am supportive of the decision that FIFA made and I’m excited to put Miami and Seattle in a global media deal and be shown around the world.”
Mas said Inter Miami getting the privilege of playing the opening match of the tournament at home is “a testament to our community, the soccer culture that’s here.”
“Who would have told us five years ago, with no club, that we’d be here today at a draw with the best teams in the world,” Mas said. “That’s what we aspire to. That’s what we dream of.”
The groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.