HOUSTON, Texas: Edson Álvarez scored a tiebreaking goal in the 77th minute after a video review reversed an offside call, and Mexico beat the United States 2-1 on Sunday night for its record 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title.
Chris Richards put the US ahead in the fourth minute, heading in a Sebastian Berhalter free kick for the second time in the tournament, but Raúl Jiménez tied the score in the 27th with his third goal of this Gold Cup.
Mexico was awarded the free kick when Diego Luna fouled Alexis Vega on a flank. Johan Vásquez flicked the restart across the goal mouth and Álvarez burst past the defense, redirecting the ball from 3 yards just inside Matt Freese’s far post. While the play was initially called offside, the goal was awarded by the VAR, and Mexico defended its title from 2023 while improving to 6-2 in Gold Cup finals against the US
Patrick Agyemang had a chance two minutes into stoppage time but he didn’t make good contact on his short-range shot that was blocked by goalkeeper Luis Malagón.
A sellout crowd of 70,925 at NRG Stadium was about 70 percent pro-Mexico and booed US players when they walked out for pregame warmups. Mexico dominated with 60 percent possession and had 12 corner kicks to none for the Americans.
This was the last competitive match for the US and Mexico before co-hosting next year’s World Cup with Canada.
The US, which has seven Gold Cup titles but none since 2021, used a starting lineup with only a handful of players currently projected as World Cup starters, missing regulars due to vacation, injuries and the Club World Cup.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino used their absence to evaluate players who could push for starting jobs during the friendlies this fall and next spring, and Luna and Agyemang emerged as contenders for World Cup roster spots.
Richards out the US in front when he headed Berhalter’s free kick from about 40 yards off the crossbar. The ball bounced straight down and just crossed the goal line.
Jiménez scored his 42nd international goal, third-most in Mexican history. He burst past the defense and one-timed the pass from Marcel Ruiz, beating Freese from about 10 yards on a shot that might have nicked defender Tim Ream.
Jiménez celebrated by grabbing a Mexico No. 20 jersey with “DIOGO J” in honor of Diogo Jota, his former Wolverhampton teammate who died in a car crash Thursday in Spain. Jiménez ran to a corner, sat down with the jersey and mimicked playing a video game.
Mexico defeat USA 2-1 to retain CONCACAF Gold Cup
https://arab.news/jbh4b
Mexico defeat USA 2-1 to retain CONCACAF Gold Cup
- Win gives Mexico its record 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title
- Mexico improved to 6-2 in Gold Cup finals against the US
After stadium delays, African Nations Championship kicks off
- The CHAN tournament acts as a precursor to the continent’s main event, the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027
- CHAN features only players from domestic clubs, and cannot include anyone playing for teams abroad
NAIROBI, Kenya: After severe delays in stadium renovations, east Africa is finally ready to co-host the much-awaited African Nations Championship (CHAN), kicking off on Saturday.
It is a historic moment for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, whose “Pamoja” — meaning “together” in Swahili — bid two years ago gave birth to the first Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament in the region since 1976, and the first to be jointly hosted by three countries.
The CHAN tournament, which runs to August 30, acts as a precursor to the continent’s main event, the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, also co-hosted by the three countries.
CHAN features only players from domestic clubs, and cannot include anyone playing for teams abroad.
Getting the five stadiums ready has been a struggle, with CAF delaying the tournament from its planned dates in February to give them more time to prepare.
On a final inspection tour in Nairobi last week CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba celebrated the three nations’ progress and co-operation.
“I think we in Africa need to learn from this model. Three countries have pooled their efforts and resources to successfully deliver,” he told reporters.
Tanzania will get the 19-team competition underway when they play Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium in the economic capital Dar es Salaam on Saturday.
Favourites Morocco pulled out of the last competition in Algeria in February 2023, but have returned with one of the tournament’s strongest teams, featuring six players from the winning CAF Confederation Cup — including Olympian goalkeeper Rachid Ghanimi.
The two-time champions have been drawn in Group A, alongside hosts Kenya, as well as Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kenya are making their debut under South African head coach Benni McCarthy, part of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United coaching staff.
“Honestly, it is a great challenge,” the 47-year-old said.
“When you play football and then convert to become a coach, to get what you want to be the best, the difficult teams will always be in your path. You have to beat them anyway.”
Co-hosts Uganda have competed in six of the previous seven CHAN tournaments without ever qualifying for the knockout phase, but they hope to break the jinx, beginning with the home group matches against Algeria, Guinea, Niger and South Africa.
They have tapped former national team captain Denis Onyango to join the technical bench and help improve their goalkeeping.
Meanwhile, defending champions Senegal begin against fellow west African rivals Nigeria at Zanzibar’s Amaan stadium on August 5.
Napoli’s Osimhen completes 75mln euro move to Galatasaray
- Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 26 goals in 30 league games
- Negotiations with Galatasaray had been ongoing for several weeks
ISTANBUL: Napoli striker Victor Osimhen on Thursday completed his permanent move to Turkish champions Galatasaray in a 75 million euro ($87.5 million) four-year deal.
A key figure in Napoli’s 2023 title triumph, Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 26 goals in 30 league games as the Istanbul club claimed their 25th Super Lig crown.
He was absent as Napoli, the freshly crowned Serie A champions, resumed training at the start of the week as the finer details of the deal were concluded.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte seemingly did not have the 26-year-old in his plans for his side’s Scudetto defense next term.
Negotiations with Galatasaray had been ongoing for several weeks but up to Thursday had stalled over the terms of payment for the transfer.
Napoli recently recruited Kevin De Bruyne from Premier League club Manchester City.
Osimhen becomes Galatasaray’s most expensive ever player.
Portugal’s Sousa named as Kuwait national team coach
- The 55-year-old succeeds Juan Antonio Pizzi
- Local media reported that Sousa has signed a contract with the KFA until 2027
KUWAIT: Portuguese Helio Sousa has been appointed as coach of the Kuwait men’s team, the country’s football association (KFA) announced on Thursday.
The 55-year-old succeeds Juan Antonio Pizzi, whose contract expired earlier this year.
“Helio Sousa is the coach of the Kuwait national football team. Welcome to Kuwait,” KFA said on X without providing further details.
Local media reported that Sousa has signed a contract with the KFA until 2027, reportedly worth $1.6 million per year.
Sousa previously enjoyed a successful stint with Bahrain, guiding the nation to the West Asian Football Federation Championship title in 2019 before securing their maiden Gulf Cup later that year.
West Ham forward Lucas Paqueta cleared of spot-fixing charges
- The English Football Association confirmed Thursday that an independent panel had found the charges unproven
- The ruling brings to an end a long-running case against the Brazil international
LONDON: West Ham forward Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of alleged spot-fixing after being accused of deliberately receiving yellow cards to influence betting markets.
The English Football Association confirmed Thursday that an independent panel had found the charges unproven.
“Lucas Paqueta denied the charges against him, and the Regulatory Commission found them to be not proven following a hearing,” the FA said in a statement.
The ruling brings to an end a long-running case against the Brazil international, who was charged in May 2024.
The FA had claimed the 27-year-old Paqueta intentionally sought to be booked in four separate games — against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth between November 2022 and August 2023 “in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.”
Blackstone Chambers, representing Paqueta, said it was understood to be the longest case in FA history.
Paqueta was charged with breaches of FA Rule E5 related to integrity of matches and competitions.
The rule sates a participant “shall not, directly or indirectly, seek to influence for an improper purpose the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in or in connection with, a football match or competition.”
The panel did uphold two charges against Paqueta for failing to answer questions and provide
information to the FA’s investigation. The governing body said it would determine an appropriate sanction at the earliest opportunity.
Full reasons for the verdict have not yet been published.
Wirtz opens Liverpool account in friendly win in Japan
- Wirtz equalized after Yokohama opened the scoring early in the second half
- “I am really happy that I could score my first goal,” said Wirtz
YOKOHAMA, Japan: Florian Wirtz scored his first Liverpool goal as the Premier League champions beat Yokohama F. Marinos 3-1 in a pre-season friendly in Japan on Wednesday.
French forward Hugo Ekitike made his debut for Liverpool, one week after joining from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported 69 million pounds ($92 million).
Wirtz equalized after Yokohama opened the scoring early in the second half, the German slamming home a right-foot shot from inside the box in front of over 65,000 fans.
“I am really happy that I could score my first goal. I hope there are more to come,” said Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a blockbuster deal.
Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha also scored for Liverpool, who announced the sale of Colombian forward Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he was happy to see his team come from behind to win but was not pleased with their missed chances.
“It could be with a tough training camp and it could be with the heat circumstances,” said the Dutchman.
“But that’s something that we definitely have to improve.”
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker missed the match after traveling home to Brazil “for private reasons,” Liverpool said.
Shortly before kickoff, an emotional tribute was given to Diogo Jota, who passed away this month in a car crash.
Liverpool dominated throughout but Yokohama opened the scoring when Asahi Uenaka pounced in the 55th minute to beat Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Wirtz levelled when he latched onto a Mohamed Salah pass.
Nyoni volleyed home a Jeremie Frimpong cross to put Liverpool in front, before Ngumoha dribbled from the halfway line and fired in a shot from the edge of the box.
