Sports
Chelsea hammer Benfica in extra time after 2-hour storm 4-1
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Chelsea beat 10-man Benfica thanks to three late extra-time goals in an extraordinary Club World Cup last-16 match that lasted more than four hours and included a near two-hour delay for extreme weather.
Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the second half of extra time in Charlotte, North Carolina eventually saw Chelsea through to the quarter-finals.
The Premier League side had been heading for an uneventful victory, with Reece James’ brilliant near-post free-kick in the 64th minute looking like the winner.
However, with just four minutes left, players were taken off the pitch due to thunderstorms in the area and, when the teams eventually returned after nearly two hours, Benfica scored with their first shot on target to take the game into extra time.
Angel di Maria, playing his final game for Benfica, converted from the penalty spot in the 94th minute after a Chelsea handball to make it 1-1.
Two yellow cards in the 96th minute and first minute of extra time saw youngster Gianluca Prestianni sent off, the latter for a late challenge on Levi Colwill.
And Chelsea made the man advantage pay eventually, as they set up a Friday quarter-final in Philadelphia against Brazil’s Palmeiras.
There was a crowd of only 25,929 in the 74,867-capacity Bank of America Stadium for the game, which saw Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile injured – he left the ground on crutches – and star midfielder Moises Caicedo pick up a second booking of the campaign to earn a one-match suspension.
What was the main talking point?
Thunderstorms are commonplace in the local Charlotte area and the threat of one kickstarts a ‘seek cover protocol’.
It is reset by a further 30 minutes every time another lightning strike occurs within an eight-mile radius.
This is, however, not something the majority of the football audience or the players involved in the match are used to – and Chelsea’s squad looked furious when they were dragged off.
Who stood out and who did not?
Aside from the weather experts, both full-backs James and Cucurella were outstanding at both ends of the pitch in a new system being rolled out by manager Enzo Maresca in the Club World Cup.
But the problem with the match was that there was a before and after the stoppage with a chaotic-looking Chelsea eleven and Benfica’s red card impacting the match with substitute Malo Gusto struggling.
The standout statistics
Two of James’ three goals in 2025 have been on direct free-kicks (also v Bournemouth in January), with those being Chelsea’s only two direct free-kick goals this calendar year.
Chelsea had not faced a shot on target in consecutive Club World Cup matches until Di Maria’s late penalty.
Benfica are winless in their past eight games against English opponents (three draws, five defeats) since a 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League in March 2014.
What’s next for these teams?
Chelsea next face Palmeiras in the quarter-final in Philadelphia on Friday (kick-off 20:00 BST) but Benfica now turn their focus to a Champions League play-off while the Portuguese season begins with the Supertaca – their domestic Super Cup – against Sporting on 31 July.
Sports
Mo Salah takes over from Osimhen as the highest paid player in Turkish league
Egyptian sensation Mohamed Salah has reportedly become the highest-paid footballer in the Turkish Super Lig following his move to Trabzonspor, with his weekly salary surpassing that of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
According to salary data published by Capology, the former Liverpool star is earning £342,500 per week after signing a two-year contract with the Turkish club, making him the league’s top earner.
Salah’s reported wages place him ahead of Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen, who previously occupied the top spot with an estimated weekly salary of £307,795.
Former Chelsea and France midfielder N’Golo Kante, now with Fenerbahce, ranks third on the list, taking home £225,716 every week.
The Super Lig’s growing financial strength is further reflected in the salaries of several other international stars who now ply their trade in Turkey.
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, who recently joined the Turkish top flight, reportedly earns £225,716 per week, matching Kante’s salary.
Former Bayern Munich and Germany winger Leroy Sane is also among the league’s highest earners, with reported weekly wages of £184,677.
Three other high-profile players Mason Greenwood, Milan Skriniar, and Marco Asensio are each said to receive £164,157 per week.
Brazilian attacking midfielder Anderson Talisca reportedly earns £153,980 weekly, while Belgian international Leandro Trossard takes home £133,460.
Rounding off the list are Nathan Ake and Matteo Guendouzi, who are each reported to earn £123,118 every week.
Salah’s arrival is widely seen as another major statement of intent by the Turkish Super Lig, which has increasingly attracted established European stars through lucrative contracts and ambitious transfer deals.
Sports
English FA withdraws support for Infantino – Reports
The English Football Association has withdrawn its support for under-fire FIFA president Gianni Infantino after his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, according to reports on Thursday.
The BBC and Sky said the FA has sent a letter underlining its refusal to back Infantino, who wanted to sell a 20 percent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through his FIFA Forward Enterprise.
The plan sparked a cascade of criticism for Infantino and was rejected by European body UEFA and two other continental confederations, forcing him to scrap the scheme last week.
Amid growing calls for his resignation, the 56-year-old received the backing of senior FIFA directors at an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.
But UEFA turned the heat back up on Infantino on Thursday when it said it would maintain its plan to boycott the men’s and women’s World Cups in protest at his “shabby” plot.
UEFA said in a statement that FIFA’s support of Infantino “changed nothing”.
According to British media, the English FA has joined the chorus of disapproval by refusing to support his bid for re-election as FIFA president next year.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who now works for FIFA, and ex-Portugal star Luis Figo are among the leading names from the football world to condemn Infantino’s plan.
As Infantino clings to his role, global players’ union, FIFPRO on Thursday condemned FIFA and its president for their “abuse of power”.
FIFA had said during Wednesday’s meeting that “mistakes” were “acknowledged”.
World football’s governing body insisted it was “not the intention” for the FIFA Council and member associations to “feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently”.
Sports
Newcastle Appoints Matthias Jaissle As New Head Coach
Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of Matthias Jaissle as the club’s new head coach following the departure of Eddie Howe.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the English Premier League club announced the appointment on Wednesday, with the 38-year-old German taking over at St. James’ Park after a successful spell with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.
Although Jaissle has built an impressive coaching résumé in recent years, he is yet to manage a club in one of Europe’s top-flight leagues.
Reacting to his appointment, Jaissle expressed delight at joining Newcastle, describing the opportunity as one of the biggest moments of his coaching career.
“It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United.
“This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand.
“When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice. The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be. I have followed the club’s journey closely in recent years and the progress that has been made is clear for everyone to see,” he said.
Jaissle’s playing career ended prematurely at the age of 25 after he suffered an injury.
He moved into coaching and got his first managerial opportunity with Austrian club Liefering, where he guided the team to a second-place finish in the second division, matching the club’s best-ever league performance.
In 2021, he was appointed head coach of Red Bull Salzburg and enjoyed immediate success, leading the Austrian giants to back-to-back league titles as well as lifting the Austrian Cup.
He later joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in 2023, where he further enhanced his reputation by leading the club to consecutive AFC Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026.
Jaissle takes charge of a Newcastle side looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.
His predecessor, Eddie Howe, transformed the Magpies during his five-year spell at the club after replacing Steve Bruce in November 2021.
Howe guided Newcastle back into the UEFA Champions League in 2023 before securing qualification again in 2025.
His biggest achievement came in March 2025 when Newcastle defeated Liverpool in the League Cup final to win their first major trophy since 1969.
Despite his earlier successes, Howe came under increasing pressure last season as Newcastle struggled in the Premier League.
The uncertainty surrounding striker Alexander Isak’s prolonged transfer to Liverpool affected the team’s campaign, with the Magpies finishing 12th after suffering 17 defeats in 38 league matches.
Newcastle also reached the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 but were convincingly beaten 8-3 on aggregate by Barcelona.
The club has since lost more key players during the summer transfer window, with midfielder Sandro Tonali joining Tottenham Hotspur and England international Anthony Gordon completing a move to Barcelona.
Jaissle will now be expected to rebuild the squad and restore Newcastle’s challenge for European qualification and domestic honours.
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