Esmeraldas salvage a 1-1 draw against Xolas

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, July 13, 2025, p. a10

León managed to secure a valuable 1-1 draw against Xolas de Tijuana yesterday in the debut of both teams in the 2025 Apertura tournament of the Liga MX Femenil.

In the matchday one match at the Nou Camp stadium, the Mexican side took the lead in the 25th minute through Kassandra Ceja. Meanwhile, Luciana García, a member of La Fiera, leveled the score with a penalty in the 68th minute.

Thanks to this result, both teams earned their first point in the competition.

León, led by Alejandro Corona, made the most of their home advantage at the start of the match, creating some dangerous chances, but their lack of decisiveness in their final touches prevented them from invading Alexa Madueño's goal in the opening minutes.

For their part, the Xolas were unable to push the Esmeralda goalkeeper Natalia Acuña to the limit; however, they surprised their opponent in the 25th minute, when Ceja took control of the ball in the center of the area and, without hesitation, shot straight into the opposing goal to make it 1-0.

The goal motivated Juan Romo's team, who from that moment on had greater possession, although they were unable to score again and had to go into the break with a minimal advantage.

In the second half, both teams took to the field with great intensity, especially the Green Bellies, as they sought to salvage at least a draw on their own court.

That goal was achieved in the 65th minute, after referee Itzel Hernández awarded a penalty for a strong stamp in the area by Xolas' Emili Bautista on Sindia Arteaga. Luciana García was in charge of taking the penalty, leveling the score (1-1) after placing the ball just inside the left post of the Xolas' goal.

After the draw, both coaches made several changes to their lineups, which ultimately proved fruitless, as the score remained unchanged and the two teams had to settle for a split of points.

Matchday one of the 2025 Liga MX Femenil Apertura tournament will conclude this Sunday with the following matches: Puebla-Pachuca, Pumas-Monterrey, San Luis-Chivas, América-Cruz Azul, and Tigres-Toluca.

▲ Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will be looking for his second title in the tournament when they face Luis Enrique's PSG today. Luis Enrique is aiming for four trophies after his triumphs in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League. Photo @chelsea and @psg

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, July 13, 2025, p. a11

New York., Although the Club World Cup was criticized for its lack of attendance, damage to players, and tensions over Donald Trump's anti-immigration policies, FIFA President Gianni Infantino asserted that the first edition of the tournament with an expanded 32-team format was a success .

"They told us no one would watch this competition, and tomorrow (today) we'll have between 2 and 3 billion viewers around the world ," the executive said hours before today's final between PSG and Chelsea, to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. "It's already the most successful competition in the world ."

While there were games in the group stage with attendances of fewer than 10,000 fans, Infantino said the U.S.-based tournament generated nearly $2.1 billion over 63 matches, equivalent to an average of $33 million per game .

Regarding matches with a small audience, he indicated that he would prefer to host 35,000 people in a stadium with 80,000 seats than 20,000 in one with the same number of seats .

No other club competition in the world comes close , he added, referring to the UEFA-organised Champions League, which has forecast revenues of €4.4 billion ($5.1 billion) for its four club competitions in 2024-2025 (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and Super Cup).

Trump will be at the stadium

The tournament began in a tense atmosphere due to the raids ordered by US President Donald Trump against undocumented migrants. However, Infantino thanked the president and his team , who have been fantastic . The executive also confirmed that the tycoon will be in the final today.

The Club World Cup, held in the United States, was a test run for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament sparked discontent due to the overcrowding of the players' schedule and the high temperatures.

Infantino acknowledged that heat is a real problem , especially ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Most of the World Cup matches were played in scorching temperatures, forcing organizers to introduce a break between halves for players to cool down, as well as fans on the technical bench.

In the decisive duel, PSG, under the command of Spaniard Luis Enrique, will be looking for four titles after their triumphs in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League, while Chelsea—whose coaching staff includes Mexican Bernardo Cueva—are looking to surprise with their second title in the tournament.

▲ The Swedes were relentless on offense and are heading in as one of the favorites for the title. Photo AFP

Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, July 13, 2025, p. a11

Bern. Sweden confirmed their status as one of the favorites at the Women's Euro Cup by advancing undefeated and leading Group C to the quarterfinals of the tournament after thrashing Germany, the competition's all-time record winner, 4-1. Poland bowed out with a 3-2 victory over Denmark, who had already been eliminated.

The Swedes qualified with nine points, while the Germans, European runners-up, reached six points to move into second place in the group. Poland finished with three points, while Denmark finished with a clean sheet.

Both Sweden and Germany will learn their quarterfinal opponents after the final round of Group D, where current group leaders France will face the Netherlands this Sunday, and reigning champions England will face Wales.

The victory is historic for Sweden, as it was the first time in its history that it beat Germany at the European Championship, a record eight titles in the continental competition. The duel in Zurich between the two powerhouses was exciting from the start, physical, and featured quick transitions from one area to the other.

The match became easier for the Swedes after German forward Carlotta Wamser was sent off – just half an hour into the game – for deflecting a ball off the goal line with her arm.

By then, Sweden were already leading 2-1 after goals from Stina Blackstenius and teenager Smilla Holmberg cancelled out Jule Brand's early opener for Germany.

Fridolina Rolfö calmly converted the penalty after Wamser's red card, and substitute Lina Hurtig completed the scoring to cap a miserable night for Germany.

In the other match, Natalia Padilla scored a goal and was instrumental in the other goals as Poland beat Denmark 3-2, marking the first victory for the Poles in the history of the European tournament after making their debut in this edition.

Padilla, born in Spain, opened the scoring in the 13th minute and also contributed to the goals of Ewa Pajor (20) and Martyna Wiankowska (76).

The Danes pulled one back with goals from Janni Thomsen (59) and Signe Bruun (83), a response that was of little use, as both teams were already eliminated after suffering defeats in the first two rounds.