The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is underway in the United States, but while goals are flowing freely in that tournament, the same can't be said for England's Under-21s at the European Championship, as the Young Lions were held to a frustrating draw, and Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain had dominant wins in their opening Club World Cup matches.
England's Under-21s suffered a setback in their quest for European Championship glory, drawing 0-0 with Slovenia. The result leaves their qualification for the knockout stage hanging in the balance. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, the Young Lions were unable to find the back of the net, leaving manager Lee Carsley visibly frustrated. Ethan Nwaneri and Harvey Elliott were among those who squandered golden chances. Carsley expressed his disappointment, stating, "I definitely think we had enough chances to win, though, so the frustration is that we didn't take those opportunities." He added that he expects a better performance against Germany in their crucial final group match, suggesting that he might "freshen the team up." James Beadle, the England goalkeeper, played a crucial role in securing the draw, making important saves to deny Slovenia's Svit Seslar.
In stark contrast to the Young Lions' struggles, the Club World Cup has witnessed a goal glut. Newly crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) launched their campaign with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Atlético Madrid. Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha scored in the first half, while substitutes Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in added late goals to seal the win. PSG's dominant performance served as a warning to their rivals in the competition.
Bayern Munich also showcased their attacking prowess, thrashing Auckland City 10-0. Jamal Musiala stole the show with a second-half hat-trick, while Kingsley Coman, Michael Olise, and Thomas Muller each scored twice. Sacha Boey also found the net in the one-sided affair. The result highlighted the gulf in quality between the European giants and the amateur New Zealand side, whose players had to take unpaid leave to participate in the tournament. Bayern Munich's coach, Vincent Kompany, acknowledged the disparity but emphasized the importance of taking the game seriously. Michael Olise, when asked if he felt sorry for Auckland City, offered a candid response, underlining the difference in quality.
The Club World Cup is featuring top clubs from around the world, with matches being held at various venues across the United States. The tournament features 32 teams, including clubs from Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and North and Central America. The tournament's final is scheduled for July 13.
Other Club World Cup action saw Inter Miami held to a 0-0 draw by Al Ahly in their opening match.
