Ustari saves a draw for Miami in a cold debut for Messi
FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Ustari saves a draw for Miami in a cold debut for Messi
▲ The Argentine star failed to unleash his magic with the ball, and the match ended scoreless. Photo by AFP
From the Editorial Staff
La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 15, 2025, p. a10
Amid a tense atmosphere over Donald Trump's immigration policies, the Club World Cup kicked off under its new 32-team format. With Lionel Messi unable to unleash his magic, Inter Miami relied on goalkeeper Óscar Ustari to salvage a goalless draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly in the opening match of one of the flagship tournaments of Gianni Infantino's tenure at the helm of FIFA.
Not even the frenzy experienced by the fans managed to awaken the potential of players like the Argentine Messi or his Uruguayan teammate Luis Suárez. The lackluster result leaves both clubs with just one point in Group A, so now Inter Miami will have to go in search of crucial points when they face Porto on Thursday, while Al Ahly will do the same against Palmeiras.
The tightening of immigration measures imposed by Trump seemed like they would affect the Club World Cup, but just minutes before the match began at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami—one of the cities with a large Latino population—the outlook changed, at least during the match.
Everything was uncertain a few days ago. After Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced they would be present at the stadium, ticket sales began to slow, prompting organizers to lower prices as low as $60, when the lowest starting price was around $300, while also pursuing promotions and partnerships with universities, according to The Athletic.
An hour before the game, attendance seemed sparse, but minutes before kick-off, the stadium was nearly filled with fans wearing Inter Miami's pink jersey – most of them sporting Messi's number 10 – as well as a large section wearing Al Ahly's red jersey.
The match was a surprise given the expectations surrounding an Inter Miami side that boasts players like Messi, Sergio Busquet, and Luis Suárez, who are approaching retirement but were once the driving force behind a historic, multi-champion Barcelona team.
Now, the protagonist of the Miami team was the Argentine Ustari – former player of Pachuca of the Liga Mx – by stopping several attacks from the rival and, above all, saving a penalty from Trézéguet (43).
In the stands, the fans tirelessly roared Messi's name, hoping the striker would display the ease on the pitch that had brought him success. But those moments from Leo never came; he only managed to fire a free kick, though he was unable to capture much of an accurate shot.
Thus, Inter Miami—coached by former Barcelona player Javier Mascherano—had a lackluster performance at the Club World Cup, a competition whose prize pool is at least $125 million for the winner and which, for now, is raising concerns given the tense climate facing migrants in the United States.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
PSG looks to extend its run of glory
AFP
La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 15, 2025, p. a10
Los Angeles, still savoring their first Champions League title, Paris Saint-Germain will look to extend their run of glory at the Club World Cup, where they will share Group B with fellow favorites Atlético Madrid, a reinforced Botafogo side, and the home side Seattle Sounders.
The Parisian club arrives in the United States as the first contender for the title of this unprecedented FIFA tournament after being crowned champions of Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and for the first time, the Champions League , a treble that rounded off its best season in its 55-year history.
Luis Enrique's team not only boasts impressive credentials, but also displays spectacular football based on speed, mobility, and dedication, with players already claiming their weight in gold, such as Vitinha , Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Amid the tense atmosphere in Los Angeles due to recent immigration raids, PSG will debut today at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, against Atlético Madrid, a duel of consistent European teams, as both have qualified for the World Cup thanks to their strong performances in the last four seasons.
For its part, Atleti continues to add appearances in the Champions League , but since its most recent Spanish league title in 2021, it has not been able to cope with the local dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
However, Diego Simeone's team consistently beat Barça to qualify for the World Cup and are back in form after nearly a month of absence.
Their star player, striker Julián Álvarez, has played almost 180 minutes after playing for Argentina in the penultimate double round of the South American qualifiers.
The Colchoneros will have the opportunity to shake off the disappointment of not having won an intercontinental trophy in 50 years.
On the other hand, Bayern Munich, the recent Bundesliga champions, are bringing stars like Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala, making them the scarecrow of Group C against Benfica, a Boca Juniors team undergoing reconstruction, and the unknown Auckland City FC of New Zealand.
The Bavarian giants have dominated the German league this season and are one of the favorites to lift the trophy in this new format of the club competition. Despite the departure of one of their key players, Leroy Sané, they have plenty of talent across the board to put on a show in the United States, where they will face Auckland City today at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
With a roster of amateur players that includes students, teachers, and real estate agents, the New Zealand team will try to defeat a club that boasts some of the best footballers in the world.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Inter Milan player stranded in Iran
From the Editorial Staff and Ap
La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 15, 2025, p. a10
Inter Milan's Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States after being trapped in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.
Flights from all Iranian airports have been suspended following an exchange of military attacks between the two countries over the past two days.
This meant the Iranian international was unable to take his scheduled flight this Saturday to join his Inter teammates in Los Angeles.
Taremi will therefore miss the Italian team's World Cup debut against Rayados de Monterrey next Wednesday at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles.
The striker was in Tehran due to playing for Iran in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Qatar, which they lost 1-0, and North Korea, where his team recovered to win 3-0. In the latter match, the Inter player contributed a goal.
Although the Italian club remained in constant communication with Iranian authorities to facilitate the forward's departure from his home country, the situation became complicated after the bombings, which prevented his transfer to the United States. According to reports, Taremi is being held in a secure location.
According to Italian media reports, the 32-year-old will also not participate in his team's other matches in the tournament, regardless of whether Iranian airspace reopens.
▲ In a race marked by several crashes, the Monterrey-born driver overcame a collision and delivered a historic run. Photo by Víctor Camacho
Joshua Reyes Samano
La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 15, 2025, p. a11
A black car with the number 9 awaited the starting flag at the back of the grid. It looked like just another one of the 39 competing in the race, but behind the wheel, it was a different story. Hours earlier, Mexican Daniel Suárez (JR Motorsports) destroyed his lead car in qualifying, but adversity didn't stop the Monterrey native, who rallied from last place to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series and become the first tricolor to win this category at the Hermanos Rodríguez racetrack. He was joined on the podium by Taylor Gray (Joe Gibbs Racing) and Austin Hill (Richard Childress Racing), who finished second and third, respectively.
There are stories in motorsport that are written like novels. Suárez once again embodied his name in gold letters in the series, after overcoming one of the drivers' greatest fears: a collision that could put everything at risk. The incident occurred this morning at Turn 11 of the track, before the entrance to the GNP stadium, where the tricolor driver lost control of the brakes and crashed into a retaining wall, destroying the front of his vehicle.
"I told my wife after the incident, 'They'll put my back against the wall, and I'm going to come back stronger.' That's what I did, and coming from behind and winning the race feels better," he declared at the end of the competition.
The circuit was chaotic from the start. Yellow flags set the pace after several crashes that halted the roar of the engines on each lap of the historic venue. Suárez was aggressive from the start and made up more than 10 places in the opening five laps.
"What the hell! It's already 14!" exclaimed a man when he realized the driver of the black car was putting on the show he'd promised. That fan in the stands could barely contain his excitement, as he wrapped his arms around his compatriot's car with each lap, shouting his support, as if the man traveling at over 200 kilometers per hour could hear him over the roar of the engines.
It's the first time in my life that, under the yellow flags, I heard the entire crowd screaming as if they were right next to me. I'll always remember that feeling, because it was incredible to have the support of my fans at every moment. Now it's time to celebrate for an hour or two, and tomorrow I'll face what's next.
The categories are fundamental in motorsports to determine the skill and ability of drivers. Suárez demonstrated the qualities that have earned him a place in the NASCAR Cup, the championship's premier category, with the Trackhouse Racing team.
With five laps remaining, he was already leading a lower-level competition, but various circumstances put him in a difficult position. Suárez's most recent Xfinity victory came at Homestead-Miami in 2016, the season finale where he won the championship before moving to the top flight.
The climax of the final stage came as Suárez beat American Tyler Gibbs to the start, while a multi-vehicle accident brought out another yellow flag. At the finish, Christian Eckes challenged the Mexican for first place, but the latter had no problems and crossed the finish line with the other escort vehicles.
Having already won the race, the Mexican performed a series of maneuvers in front of the GNP stadium that left tire marks on the grass. That black car at the end of the starting grid was now at the center of the track.
Suárez climbed onto the awning and celebrated with his hands in the air. "Did you like it? Viva México, cabrones!
" said the Monterrey native, who will race today in the NASCAR Cup, where he'll start from tenth place.
Gold for Monterrey native Kenia Lechuga in Italy
▲ The 30-year-old athlete earned her fourth World Cup medal and her first gold medal. Photo @COM_Mexico
From the Editorial Staff
La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 15, 2025, p. a11
In her return to competition after participating in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Kenia Lechuga won gold in the lightweight single scull at the World Rowing Cup in Italy.
The 30-year-old Monterrey native crossed the finish line in 7:34.5 minutes, dominating the competition held in Varese.
We congratulate the lieutenant for her effort, discipline, and determination; she is an example and inspiration for the great naval family
, posted the Navy, the institution to which the rower belongs.
Lara Tiefenthaler of Austria and Maia Emilie Lund of Norway took second and third place, respectively.
For Kenya, it was her fourth World Cup medal and her first gold. Her trophy cabinet also includes silver at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, gold at the Pan American Games in Santiago the same year, and bronze at the third World Cup in 2024 in Poznan, Poland.
The Italian competition is part of their preparation for the World Championships in the specialty, scheduled for September 21-28 in Shanghai, China.
Citlali is also crowned
Mexican boxer Citlalli Ortiz was crowned champion in the 80-kilogram category at the 2025 World Boxing Challenge in the Czech Republic.
After a couple of close rounds against Canada's Victoria Penney, the tricolor landed more punches in the third to take the victory. Norway's Sofia Sorensen took the bronze.
After participating in the Paris Games, Bellatrix decided to remain in the amateur category for one more cycle and seek a medal at Los Angeles 2028.
The World Boxing Challenge is eligible to accumulate points toward the Olympics. By winning gold, Ortiz earned 50.
Portillo takes the bronze
Meanwhile, Olympic athlete Erick Portillo won the bronze medal at the Mityng na Rynku in Bialystok, Poland, after clearing 2.20 meters in the high jump.
The 22-year-old competitor improved his record, finishing fifth just a few days ago at the City of Lucca Athletics Meeting with a jump of 2.10 meters.
The competition in Poland is part of the athlete's preparation for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, the mixed technical duo of Joana Jiménez and Diego Villalobos placed fourth at the Artistic Swimming World Cup in Xian, China. In the team free routine, Mexico finished fourth with a total of 282.4225 points.
Russell snatches pole position from Verstappen
The Independent and AFP
La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 15, 2025, p. a11
After snatching pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix, George Russell threw down the gauntlet to Max Verstappen.
Russell put in a brilliant final lap of qualifying to take his first pole of the season, beating Verstappen by 0.160 seconds, while championship leader Oscar Piastri sits in third.
Russell and Verstappen, arch-rivals after their dispute last year, clashed on track last time out in Spain. The Dutchman was penalized for causing a collision, dropping him from fifth to tenth and earning him three F1 penalty points.
Verstappen is now one penalty point away from a suspension and Russell couldn't help but provoke the Red Bull driver before the grand prix and the first corner on Sunday.
The Dutchman, however, was satisfied with his performance, overtaking the two McLaren drivers and reaching the front row. He has a total of 11 penalty points over a consecutive 12-month period, leaving him one point shy of a one-race ban. He will be out of danger after the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of the month, when he will be docked two points. Until then, he faces a suspension.
Russell's teammate, Kimi Antonelli, will start fourth. Lewis Hamilton will start fifth, Fernando Alonso sixth, and Lando Norris seventh.
Meanwhile, Mexican Pato O'Ward (Arrow McLaren) qualified third for the Bommarito IndyCar race, to be held today in Madison, Illinois.
jornada
