News
Atletico Madrid Eliminated As Botafogo Progress
Botafogo booked their place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup at the expense of Atletico Madrid, despite a 1-0 defeat by the Spanish side.
Atletico knew they needed to win by a margin of at least three goals to qualify and struggled to break down a resolute Brazilian team for much of the game.
After a first half of limited chances, Atletico manager Diego Simeone opted to introduce veteran striker Antoine Griezmann for the second period in a bid to spark some magic into his team’s attack.
The Frenchman nearly had an immediate impact when he got in down the left but he fired against the post from a tight angle.
Alexander Sorloth, who had the highest xG of any player in the tournament going into the game, headed a glorious chance wide from six yards.
Atletico finally found the net when Griezmann fired home from inside the area in the dying minutes, but it was too little too late.
Botafogo will play the winners of Group A in the last 16, while Simeone’s side are out.
What were the main talking points?
Atletico Madrid and forward Julian Alvarez had a number of half-hearted penalty appeals throughout the game and looked to be getting one in first-half stoppage time.
The video assistant referee (VAR) recommended on-field official Cesar Ramos to head to the monitor after Alvarez was allegedly tripped in the box.
After the review, Ramos said it was a foul and would have been a penalty. However, a free-kick was awarded to Botafogo for a push by Sorloth that occurred immediately prior to the foul on Alvarez.
An honourable mention almost must go to legendary rapper and producer Snoop Dogg, who was among the Botafogo supporters in the Rose Bowl.
The 53-year-old was spotted wearing the black and white shirt of the Brazilian side and was snapped dancing with fellow supporters pre-match.
Which players stood out?
Despite missing a few half-chances, Alvarez was a constant menace for Atletico and always looked the most likely to create something.
He linked up well with strike partner Sorloth throughout and was unfortunate not to win his side a penalty following that VAR decision.
Griezmann made a difference after his introduction at half-time and will be wondering how he did not start the match.
The entire Botafogo team stood out from one to eleven for their valiant defensive display. They worked tirelessly for each other throughout and always looked a threat on the break.
The standout stats
Atletico had an xG of 3.05 over the 90 minutes but were only able to find the net once.
They had 23 shots to Botafogo’s seven, with 17 of them from inside the box.
What’s next for these teams?
Paris St-Germain’s victory against Seattle combined with Botafogo’s loss means the Brazilian side finished second in Group B and will face the winners of Group A in the last 16. As things stand, that looks likely to be one of Inter Miami or fellow Brazilian team Palmeiras.
Atletico Madrid have been eliminated.
Bbc.com
News
Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw
Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.
Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.
And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.
“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots
After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.
According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.
Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.
He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.
In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.
Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”
Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.
While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:
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United lost control after scoring
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They failed to win second balls
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They should have killed the match earlier
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The inconsistency is becoming a real problem
For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.
West Ham Deserved Their Point
To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.
United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.
Where Do United Go From Here?
Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.
Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.
What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.
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Local News
Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania
Beckham Links Up With The New Generation
Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.
The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.
It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.
How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon
In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.
Thanks to players like:
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David Beckham
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Zinedine Zidane
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Steven Gerrard
…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.
Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.
And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.
A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns
The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.
Adidas describes it as:
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“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
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Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
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And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold
Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”
Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.
Engineered For Today’s Game
While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.
The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.
Key enhancements include:
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Upgraded comfort
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Subtle structural refinement
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Increased responsiveness
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Modern fit for today’s style of play
In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.
Back On The Bernabéu Grass
The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.
From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.
Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.
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