Fluminense and Al Hilal are out; Inter and Citizens are out.

▲ Fluminense (in white) defeated the Italian team 2-0. Photo AFP

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, p. a12

The prevailing idea is that European football is above the rest of the world. But in Brazil, things are played to a different tune: Fluminense delivered another upset of that South American country at the Club World Cup in Charlotte, knocking out Champions League runner-up Inter Milan to reach the quarterfinals. So did Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, who pulled off a surprise by knocking out the mighty Manchester City in a 4-3 extra-time duel in a carnival of goals. The Saudi team, however, is not a weak team with a meager payroll; in recent years, they invested $530 million in signings, which is reflected in the players who stood up to Pep Guardiola's squad.

Now Fluminense and Al Hilal will face off next Friday in Orlando to seek a spot in the semifinals of this tournament.

The first to make a splash in this Club World Cup was Botafogo, the Copa Libertadores champions, who defeated European champions Paris Saint-Germain (1-0) on June 19, and the following day Flamengo defeated Chelsea (3-1). Before these victories, no South American team had beaten another from that continent in this tournament since Corinthians (1-0) against the London Blues in December 2012.

In this latest victory for the Brazilians, an early goal from Argentine striker Germán Cano set up Fluminense for a 2-0 victory over Inter. Hércules sealed the result with his goal in stoppage time.

Europeans hire the best players in the world, but with attitude and dedication to the team, they knew how to defend themselves , said Renato Gaúcho, the Fluminense coach.

Flu managed to nullify Inter, who seemed incapable of getting off the offensive and seemed cornered, waiting for a counterattack opportunity that never came. Barely at the end of the match, the Champions League runners-up managed to react a bit, but it was useless.

Colombian Jhon Arias was a real headache for Inter, who were stunned and didn't know how to offer a counterproposal to the South American team.

Brazil brought four teams to the United States for the tournament, whose format was changed by FIFA to 32 participants. All four advanced past the group stage.

Palmeiras and Fluminense made it into the top eight, while Flamengo and Botafogo were eliminated in the round of 16.

I put it in their heads that it would work , Renato said. Inter is a great team. They have a lot more money than us, but on the pitch it's 11 against 11. The group believed, fought, and stayed focused throughout the 90 minutes .

Al Hilal was also a marvel of will, coming back from behind in a match that went into extra time. Although they led in regular time, Norwegian Erling Haaland forced the match to be extended.

With the game tied 2-2, the Saudi club took the lead again in extra time, and City equalized in a chasing duel. But Brazilian Marcos Leonardo, scorer of Al Hilal's first goal, appeared to score his brace and make it 4-3, with the entire Orlando stadium completely on the verge of madness.

City were unimpressed, but Al Hilal's will was stronger than ever, allowing them to pull off the feat of ousting one of the giants of the English Premier League.

With information from Ap

▲ Sergio Ramos will be an important part of Monterrey's defense and attack against the German team. Photo AFP

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, p. a12

Atlanta. Monterrey has the possibility of being among the top eight teams in the Club World Cup, but first they must overcome Borussia Dortmund, the 2024 Champions League runner-up. Domènec Torrent, Rayados' coach, commented that to aspire to the next round, his team must remain competitive until the end against the German team, whom he urged not to be underestimated.

We have to make the game go all the way, push the team to the limit, and maintain a balanced performance in every phase. Sometimes the small details make the difference, so we have to control them. We know how we want to play against them, but that doesn't guarantee anything , said the Catalan coach at a press conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Torrent acknowledged the Germans' superiority and favoritism in the match that will close out the World Cup round of 16 and said he had a plan for the match, which he declined to detail, but he related it to the strategy used to draw 1-1 with Inter Milan in the group stage.

"We're wrong if we think Borussia Dortmund is inferior to the European teams here. The club reached the Champions League final a year ago, and many teams, without naming names, didn't make it. I think it's disrespectful to say that the weakest club, so to speak, is Dortmund," he noted.

The Spanish coach considered it an advantage to know Dortmund well after his time as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Bayern Munich, although he was emphatic in saying that knowledge is not synonymous with being able to beat the Black and Golds.

We all have to compete as a team. I have to replace anyone who doesn't defend, otherwise we won't be able to compete against these teams ," he said. "Let's see if we can counter them ."

Torrent took a moment to thank Italian world champion Alessandro del Piero for his support, who selected the Mexicans as favorites to advance to the quarterfinals.

He's a legend in the world of football, a benchmark. We appreciate it, but we don't take it seriously. We know who we are and, on paper, who the favorites are , the Catalan manager stated. "I hope our players haven't heard [Del Piero's] words, because what I want to make clear to my players is that we have to fight for every ball, every second; that's the only way we can compete ," he added.

▲ Members of the Mexican national team celebrate one of their four runs scored in the All-Star Game. Photo: LMB

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, p. a31

Art Charles went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs in the Mexican national team's 4-3 victory over the Estrellas LMB team in the 91st edition of the game between the best players in the Mexican Baseball League.

In the All-Star Game, which began Sunday and resumed yesterday, the tricolor team threatened by placing two runners on base with two outs ; however, Esmil Rogers got Ricardo Valenzuela to fly out to left field to secure the title.

In the fourth inning, Robinson Canó beat reliever Alemao Hernández with a solo home run.

The LMB Stars increased their lead in the fifth inning with consecutive doubles by Ángel Reyes and Francisco Mejía, the latter driving in one run. Connor Hollis capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.

The Mexican national team began its spectacular comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run home run by Art Charles, a shot that found Jesús Fabela on the bases to make it 3-2, still giving the LMB Stars the advantage.

In the top of the seventh, the Stars loaded the bases with one out , but Juan Gámez came in to reliever to dominate Connor Hollis with a grounder to third base, which became a double play : a spectacular play that unleashed the madness of the fans at the Alfredo Harp Helú stadium and that set the table for the return of the selection.

Víctor Mendoza tied the game with a free walk, and Jesús Fabela finished the game with a grounder to shortstop, which sent Jasson Atondo home with the winning run.

Art Charles was named Most Valuable Player by the specialized press.