Football

Liverpool and Chelsea emerged victorious in their pre-season friendlies, while Manchester United narrowly edged Real Betis.At the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Liverpool secured a 2-1 win over Arsenal. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 13th minute, showcasing his pace and finishing ability. Fabio Carvalho doubled the lead in the 34th minute with a clinical volley. Arsenal's Kai Havertz pulled one back just before halftime, but Liverpool held on for the victory.In San Diego, Manchester United overcame Real Betis 3-2. Iker Losada gave Betis an early lead, but Marcus Rashford equalized from the penalty spot. Amad Diallo and Casemiro added goals for United, while Diego Llorente scored a consolation for Betis.Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 victory over Club America in Atlanta. Christopher Nkunku converted a penalty in the third minute, followed by a header from Marc Guiu in the 21st minute. Noni Madueke sealed the win with another penalty in the 79th minute.In Chicago, AC Milan defeated Real Madrid 1-0. Samuel Chukwueze scored the lone goal in the 55th minute, giving Milan a morale-boosting victory over the European champions.These pre-season matches provide valuable opportunities for teams to prepare for the upcoming season. They allow managers to experiment with tactics, assess player fitness, and build team chemistry. The results should not be taken as definitive, but they offer glimpses of the teams' potential and areas for improvement.

Bengaluru FC kicked off their Durand Cup campaign with a resounding 4-0 victory over Indian Navy FT in a Group B encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Argentine striker Jorge Pereyra Díaz was the star of the show, scoring a brace in the second half to seal the win.The Blues took the lead in the 10th minute through Rahul Bheke, who headed home a cross from the left flank. Bengaluru doubled their advantage in the 41st minute when captain Sunil Chhetri converted a penalty after Indian Navy defender was sent off for a red card.After the break, Díaz came on as a substitute and made an immediate impact. He scored his first goal in the 79th minute, finishing off a cross from Udanta Singh. The Argentine striker then added his second in the 90th minute, tapping in from close range after a good run by Chhetri.In another Group B match, Mohammedan Sporting Club defeated TRAU FC 2-0. Trinidadian striker Willis Plaza scored both goals for the Kolkata-based club.In Group D, Indian Army FT pulled off a surprise 1-0 victory over former ISL champion Chennaiyin FC. Liton Shil scored the only goal of the match in the 42nd minute.The win puts Indian Army FT level on points with host Jamshedpur FC at the top of the Group D standings.

Legendary Brazilian footballer Marta's illustrious Olympic career came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday as she was sent off in Brazil's final group game against reigning world champion Spain at the Paris Olympics 2024.The six-time women's world player of the year, playing in her sixth Olympics, received a straight red card in the blockbuster clash between Brazil and Spain. The 38-year-old star had already announced that the ongoing Paris Games would be her last major tournament with the national women's football team.Marta's dismissal came in the first-half stoppage time after a harsh tackle on Spain's Olga Carmona. The Brazilian captain was visibly distraught as she walked off the field in Bordeaux, her Olympic dream shattered.Brazil, one of the most successful teams in women's football history, has come close to a historic gold twice, winning silver medals in the 2004 and 2008 editions of the women's tournaments at the Olympics.Marta, better known just by her first name, has smashed a record 119 goals in 200 international appearances with Brazil in her glittering career. In addition to her six Olympic appearances, she has also featured in six FIFA women's World Cups, netting the most FIFA World Cup goals (17).The Brazilian icon also has 13 Olympic goals to her name, one away from matching fellow Brazilian Cristiane's all-time record at the Games.Marta's red card was a cruel blow to Brazil's hopes of reaching the quarterfinals. The Selecao will now face a daunting task against the Netherlands in the knockout stage.

Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager, has emphatically ruled out a return to coaching in the near future, including for the vacant England job. Speaking at a German Football Coaches Association meeting, Klopp declared, "As of today, that's it for me as a coach."Klopp's decision to step down as Liverpool boss at the end of the 2023-24 season was met with surprise and speculation about his next move. However, the 57-year-old has made it clear that he is not interested in returning to the dugout anytime soon."I didn't decide to stop on a whim, it was a general decision," Klopp explained. "I'm looking for peace and quiet, I'm one hundred percent in the here and now and I'm enjoying it."Klopp emphasized that his decision was not a reflection of any specific job offer or opportunity. "It was just time to step aside and put the whole thing to rest," he said. "Making a special exception for a club or country would be a great loss of face."Despite his retirement from coaching, Klopp expressed his desire to remain involved in football in some capacity. "I'm too young to just play padel tennis and spend time with my grandchildren," he said. "Will I be a coach again? I would actually rule that out at the moment. Let's see how it looks in a few months."Klopp's illustrious coaching career began at Mainz, where he played 325 games before taking over as coach in 2001. He moved to Dortmund in 2008, winning two league titles and reaching the 2013 Champions League final. In 2015, he joined Liverpool, where he ended the club's 30-year wait for the Premier League title and led them to three Champions League finals, winning one.Klopp's decision to step away from coaching has been met with respect and understanding from the football world. His legacy as one of the most successful and influential managers of his generation is secure.

Kylian Mbappe, the French football superstar, has made a bold move by acquiring a majority stake in Ligue 2 club Caen. Through his company Interconnected Ventures, Mbappe has purchased 80% of the club's shares, replacing Oaktree as the primary shareholder. The acquisition fee is estimated to be between 15-20 million euros.This strategic move marks a significant milestone in Caen's history. The club aims to leverage Mbappe's resources and expertise to enhance its sporting policy, modernize its infrastructure, and pursue innovative projects. Mbappe's close friend, Ziad Hammoud, will assume the role of chairman.Mbappe's connection to Caen dates back to his youth. He was courted by the club at the age of 13 before joining Monaco and eventually Paris Saint-Germain. His decision to invest in Caen is seen as a testament to the club's potential and his desire to contribute to its growth."We are determined to create an environment where young talent can flourish and where the club can defend its identity with strength and ambition," Hammoud stated.Mbappe's acquisition of Caen makes him one of the youngest owners of a professional football club. His involvement is expected to bring a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose to the club.Caen, founded in 1913, has a rich history in French football. The club has achieved notable success, including a fifth-place finish in Ligue 1 in 1992 and a League Cup final appearance in 2005. However, the club has been playing in Ligue 2 since 2019.Mbappe's investment is seen as a catalyst for Caen's resurgence. The club's management is confident that his leadership and vision will guide them towards a brighter future.

Barcelona's new manager, Hansi Flick, made a triumphant debut on Tuesday, leading the Spanish giants to a penalty shootout victory over Manchester City in a pre-season friendly in Orlando. The match ended 2-2 at full-time, with Barcelona emerging victorious 4-1 in the shootout.Toni Fernandez, a 16-year-old who recently signed with Barcelona, scored the winning penalty, flicking a left-footed shot past Manchester City's reserve goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega. The victory marked a strong start for Flick, who took over as Barcelona's manager this summer after a successful stint at Bayern Munich.The match was played in front of a sellout crowd of 63,237 spectators, who witnessed a thrilling contest between two of the world's top clubs. Barcelona took an early lead through Pau Victor in the 24th minute, but Manchester City equalized through Nico O'Riley in the 39th minute. Pablo Torre restored Barcelona's lead in stoppage time of the first half, but Jack Grealish equalized for Manchester City in the 60th minute.Both teams made numerous substitutions in the second half, giving reserve players a chance to impress. Barcelona held on to their 2-2 lead, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. Barcelona converted all four of their penalties, while Manchester City missed two, giving the Spanish giants the victory.The victory was a positive start for Barcelona's pre-season tour of the United States. The team will continue their tour with matches against Real Madrid and AC Milan. Manchester City, who have lost their previous two pre-season matches in the US, will face Chelsea in their final match of the tour on Saturday.

Argentine soccer star Angel Di Maria has expressed his reluctance to return to his hometown of Rosario due to escalating safety concerns. The 36-year-old, who triumphed with Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, had previously expressed his desire to end his career at his boyhood club, Rosario Central. However, a recent incident involving a bullet-pierced pig's head thrown at a family business has shattered his hopes.Di Maria revealed that his sister's business was targeted with a box containing the pig's head and a bullet, accompanied by a chilling note threatening his daughter's life if he returned to Rosario Central. "I am not going to return to Rosario in this way," Di Maria declared. "They touched my family, and I will not allow that."The incident is not an isolated one. Di Maria has faced previous threats, including a note thrown into a family property in March warning of dire consequences if he joined any club in Rosario. Argentine authorities have acknowledged the presence of "criminal organizations" in the city, but Di Maria remains skeptical of their ability to provide adequate protection."It is disrespectful to talk about security and protocols for me when people from Rosario cannot go out to work or wait for the bus without being robbed or killed," Di Maria said.The escalating violence in Rosario has also affected other high-profile South American footballers. Last year, gunmen opened fire on a shop belonging to the family of Lionel Messi's wife, leaving a threatening message for the footballer. In Colombia, guerilla fighters kidnapped the father of Liverpool's Luis Diaz, holding him for 12 days before releasing him.Di Maria's decision to prioritize his family's safety over his desire to return to his hometown highlights the growing threat posed by organized crime in South America. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by athletes and their families in regions plagued by violence and instability.

Arsenal has bolstered its defense with the acquisition of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. The 22-year-old joins the English Premier League club on a five-year contract, reportedly for a fee of £42 million ($54 million).Calafiori is a versatile defender who can play as both a center back and a left back. He has been a regular for Bologna in recent seasons and has also represented Italy at the international level, including at the recent European Championship.Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at the signing, saying, "He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defense. Riccardo is a big personality and character, with specific skills, which will make us stronger as we push to win major trophies."Calafiori's arrival is seen as a significant boost to Arsenal's defensive options. The club has struggled defensively in recent seasons, conceding a high number of goals. Calafiori's versatility and experience will provide Arteta with more flexibility in his team selection.The Italian defender is expected to slot into Arsenal's starting lineup immediately. He will compete with Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, and Rob Holding for a place in the center of defense, while he can also provide cover for Kieran Tierney at left back.Calafiori's signing is a clear indication of Arsenal's ambition to challenge for major honors in the upcoming season. The club has already made several high-profile signings this summer, including Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City.With Calafiori now on board, Arsenal's squad looks well-equipped to compete for the Premier League title and other trophies. The Italian defender's arrival is a major coup for Arteta and could prove to be a key factor in Arsenal's success in the coming season.

Punjab FC kicked off their Durand Cup campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over CISF Protectors in a Group C match at the Kishore Bharati Stadium on Tuesday. The Punjab-based club controlled the game from the start and took the lead through their captain, Luka Majcen, in the 29th minute. The Slovenian forward doubled the advantage in the 58th minute with another impressive finish. Vinit Rai sealed the win for Punjab FC by converting a penalty in the 76th minute.In another Group C match, Sudeva Delhi FC played out a goalless draw with Army Green. Both teams had chances to win the game, but neither could find the back of the net.Meanwhile, in Group E, NorthEast United FC secured a 2-0 victory over local side Bodoland FC at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar. Jithin M.S. opened the scoring for NorthEast United in the 49th minute, and Ankith Padmanabhan added a second in the 90th minute to seal the win.In other Group E action, TRAU FC defeated Kenkre FC 2-1. Bidyashagar Singh gave TRAU FC the lead in the 10th minute, but Kenkre FC equalized through Aniket Jadhav in the 25th minute. TRAU FC regained the lead in the 55th minute through Salam Ranjan Singh, and they held on to secure the victory.