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Thursday Kickoff: Chelsea cruise past Monterrey, USWNT crush China and more

By FRANCO PANIZO

Chelsea’s dreams of finishing the year with some more hardware are one step closer to becoming a reality.

Chelsea defeated Mexican club Monterrey, 3-1, on Thursday to advance to the FIFA Club World Cup final. Two goals in the first three minutes of the second half paved the way for the win, with Fernando Torres scoring in the 46th minute and Juan Mata adding another in the 48th.  Chelsea went up 3-0 thanks to an own goal by Darvin Chavez, but the Mexicans spoiled the cleansheet when Aldo De Nigris netted in injury time.

The UEFA Champions League winners will face Brazilian club Corinthians in the tournament final on Sunday.

Here are more stories from around the globe:

USWNT ROUT CHINA IN PENULTIMATE 2012 MATCH

The U.S. Women’s National Team just continue to roll in their Fan Tribute Tour. Playing in the penultimate match of the tour, the Americans defeated China, 4-0, at BBVA Compass Stadium on Wednesday night, with two goals coming from Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd and Amy Rodrgiuez adding one each. The U.S. faces China one last time in the tour finale at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. on Saturday.

SAO PAULO WINS COPA SUDAMERICANA AMID UGLY SCENES

The Copa Sudamericana final was supposed to be a showcase of some of the best talent South America has to offer. It instead proved to be soccer at its worst. Sao Paulo were crowned champions of the Copa Sudamericana at home on Wednesday night, but only because Argentinian club Tigre refused to come out for the second half of the game after they accused Brazilian security officials of beating and pulling guns on them during halftime. The ugly scenes gave Brazil a black eye just 18 months away from hosting the 2014 World Cup, and raised questions about security in the country.

MESSI ADDS TWO MORE GOALS TO RECORD

Leo Messi’s goal-scoring record in a calendar year is now at 88. Messi scored twice to lead Barcelona to a 2-0 win over second-tier club Cordoba on Wednesday, with the goals coming just days after he broke Gerd Mueller’s long-standing record. Messi scored on each side of halftime.

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Think Chelsea will win the FIFA Club World Cup against Corinthians? Do you see the USWNT ending their Fan Tribute Tour undefeated? Concerned over Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup after hearing about the ugly scenes in the Copa Sudamericana final?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. “with two goals coming from Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd and Amy Rodrgiuez adding one each”

    Abby Wambach has now scored 150 goals for the national team (only the second woman to do so), and is now only 8 goals behind the all-time record-holder, Mia Hamm. Amazing.

    Reply
  2. The Monterrey right back got abused by Hazard all game long.

    I remember him playing against RSL and with the Mexican NT against Brazil last year. Coincidentally, he got abused by Marcelo in that game as well where Mexico missed a PK to go up 2-0 on Brazil and Ronaldinho and Marcelo overturned the deficit in the second half. It was the first loss for Chepo de la Torre in over 15 games I believe.

    Aldo deNigris was a stud though, great hold up play and technique along with the youngster Corona who was a threat to both Cole and Azpilicueta.

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    • yeah i was impressed by them in the 1st half before i stopped watching. chelsea played all their startes and were too much. they willbeat out corinthins too although they will push chelsea a bit more.

      it is unfortunate all the off field stuff that has been going on in brazil this year. WC fans will have to be extra careful so as not to get robbed/kidnapped/assaulted. a shame really.

      Reply
  3. I read yesterday that Zico from Brazil has claimed to score 89 goals, so Messi will likely pass that in his next game (which in itself is outrageous that it is just assumed). But there is a Zambian player, Godfrey Chitalu who scored 107 goals in 1972, that the Zambian FA will submit to CAF & FIFA for the record.

    Reply

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