The race for the title heats up in the USA as the FIFA Club World Cup advances to the semifinal stage. Our feature columnist, John Newsome, dives into the latest clashes with his signature wit and sharp insight. Don’t miss his latest Club World Cup Highlights and Predictions. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here.
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Be sure to check out John’s new book, entitled “Three Days At Anfield“, a riotous and heartfelt tribute to Barnsley FC that blends football nostalgia, fan memoir, and a love letter to the beautiful game. Available on Amazon now.
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Club World Cup (CWC)
Semi-Finals
Tuesday 08th
FLUMINENSE v CHELSEA
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
20.00 in England
DAZN and Channel 5
Before one starts this Club World Cup Semi-Final Preview, EveryTip and John Newsome want to pay respect to the sad loss of the Liverpool Striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Rest in Peace boys.
The first Semi-Final pits Fluminense against Chelsea for a place in the Final.
The ex-Chelsea Defender and Brazilian Legend Thiago Silva is still going strong at 40 and will be buzzing to face his old mates.
Goals from Martinelli and Hercules gave Fluminense the victory over Al-Hilal in the Quarter-Finals by a 2-1 scoreline.
Al-Hilal did score to equalise Martinelli’s opener.
Martinelli isn’t to be mistaken for the Arsenal Striker Gabriel Martinelli.
The Fluminense player just uses the one name.
Same with Hercules.
The Fluminense Defender Juan Freytes and the goal scorer Martinelli did pick up a Yellow Card and a 2nd of the tournament so they will miss this Semi-Final against Chelsea.
Luckily for Thiago Silva, although the Old Boy was booked against Al-Hilal, this was only the lad’s 1st of the tournament, hence he gets to play against his old mates and also has the card wiped out so will be able to play in the Final if he picks up another booking tonight.
This is Chelsea’s third outing against a Brazilian team in this Club World Cup, with a loss against Flamengo in the Group Stage and then a victory over Palmeiras in the Quarter-Final.
Cole Palmer scored the opener against Palmeiras to give Enzo Maresca’s Blues a lead at the break.
Palmeiras scored an equaliser just after the restart before the Brazilians Goalkeeper Weverton palmed a Malo Gusto shot into his own net and was credited with Chelsea’s 2nd that ultimately proved to be the Blues (who were wearing a White Shirt on the night) winner, giving Chelsea the victory by a 2-1 scoreline.
As predicted in this EveryTip column.
The new signing Joao Pedro got around 40 minutes of action coming on as a substitute in the 54th minute, replacing the other new signing Liam Delap.
Liam had picked up a Yellow Card before the half-time break, which was his 2nd of the tournament so he won’t be available to play in this Semi-Final which could possibly see Joao get a start.
Betfred offer Fluminense at 9/2, the Draw at 11/4 and slight Odds On 7/10 for Chelsea to progress to the Final.
Betfred offer 9/2 that Cole Palmer Scores First.
It’s 8/5 for Cole Palmer to score Anytime.
Chelsea Win 1-2- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Wednesday 09th
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v REAL MADRID
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
20.00 in England
DAZN and Channel 5
What a Semi-Final that throws up the winners of the last 2 Champions League.
With Chelsea in the other Semi, it means that 3 of the last 5 winners of Europe’s Elite Competition are in the last-4.
2020/21- Chelsea
2021/22- Real Madrid
2022/23- Man City
2023/24- Real Madrid
2024/25- Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain booked their place by gaining a victory over Bayern Munich.
In truth, Bayern played well and could have been considered the better team but just couldn’t get past the PSG defence a score any goals.
Desire Doue scored in the 78th minute to give the Parisians a lead, then the fun started.
Willian Pacho was shown a straight Red Card by the English referee Anthony Gordon, leaving PSG a man down for the last 8 minutes.
Anthony then sent Lucas Hernandez off in the 92nd minute, however, despite only having 9 men, PSG scored a 2nd with Ousmane Dembele getting on the scoresheet.
Both PSG players will miss this Semi-Final.
There was still time for one last bit of drama when Mr Taylor awarded Bayern a penalty in the 98th minute, however, the dreaded VAR got involved and informed Anthony that there was no foul on the Bayern player, so no penalty.
That was that, a victory by a 2-0 scoreline, sets up this clash with Real Madrid.
There was a sad moment towards the end of the 1st-half when the PSG Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma accidentally collided with Jamal Musiala.
Whilst watching the incident live, one could see that Jamal’s leg was bent the wrong way.
The TV company decided not to show any replays as it was a horrendous incident.
Mr Musiala suffered a fractured fibula and will be out for at least four months.
There was no blame attributed to the Goalkeeper, it was just an unfortunate coming together.
Get well soon, Jamal.
Real Madrid got the better of Borussia Dortmund in the last Quarter-Final with goals from Goncalo Garcia and Fran Garcia giving Real a comfortable lead at the break.
In the 92nd minute, the score was still 2-0 in favour of Madrid before the game exploded into life.
Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier scored in the 93rd to halve the deficit.
Kylian Mbappe then scored Real’s 3rd in the 94th minute before Serhou Guirassy added a 2nd goal for Dortmund in the 98th minute, giving the faithful in attendance hopes of extra time.
Between Kylian’s goal and Serhou’s goal, Real’s ex-Bournemouth Defender Dean Huijsen was shown a straight Red Card, meaning Dean will miss this showdown with PSG.
A bizarre last 10 minutes of a pulsating game.
Kylian Mbappe has been ill for the first part of this tournament but has made a couple of cameo appearances in the last 2 games, scoring 1 goal and will more than likely start this Semi against his old mates.
It should be a good one, regardless of who gets the victory.
Betfred offer Paris Saint-Germain at 11/8, the Draw at 11/4 and 15/8 for Real Madrid to progress to the Final.
Betfred offer 9/2 that Kylian Mbappe Scores First.
It’s 5/4 that Kylian Mbappe Scores Anytime.
Real Madrid Win 1-3- Get 18/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
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