Pachuca Dominates Intercontinental Cup, Central Córdoba’s Historic Title, AFF Cup Starts, and more
Plus: FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host
👋🏻 Welcome to Starting 11! Your ultimate guide to the biggest stories and moments in football this week. From Pachuca’s dazzling victory in the Intercontinental Cup to Malaysia’s thrilling AFF Cup comeback, and everything in between, we’ve got you covered. Dive into dramatic finals like Monterrey vs. Club América in the Apertura, the Colombian classic Atlético Nacional vs. América de Cali, and the unfolding battles in UEFA’s tournaments. Plus, a closer look at Saudi Arabia’s controversial bid to host the 2034 World Cup and the ongoing evolution of Syrian football post-Assad. Let’s kick off!
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Mexican champions Pachuca dismantled Botafogo 3-0 in Doha, storming into the next stage of the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Goals from Oussama Idrissi, Nelson Deossa, and Salomon Rondón sealed the North Americans’ dominant performance at Stadium 974. The victory sets up a showdown with Al Ahly on December 14, with Real Madrid waiting in the wings for a potential clash. Botafogo’s defeat ends a stellar fortnight, overshadowing their recent Copa Libertadores and Serie A triumphs.
Barcelona edged Dortmund 3-2 with Ferran Torres netting twice, moving them to second in the league phase. Arsenal cruised past Monaco 3-0, thanks to a Bukayo Saka double, joining the 13-point cluster trailing leaders Liverpool. Elsewhere, Juventus shocked Manchester City 2-0, Bayern München thrashed Shakhtar 5-1, and Aston Villa ousted Leipzig 3-2, confirming Leipzig’s elimination. Real Madrid returned to form with a 3-2 win over Atalanta, while Brest stunned PSV 1-0 with a heroic defensive display.
Liverpool and Barcelona lead the charge in the Champions League’s new league format, securing spots in the knockout phase play-offs. As the competition heats up, sides like Leipzig, Slovan Bratislava, and Young Boys have already faced elimination, highlighting the fierce battle for survival in this revamped tournament.
In a night of high drama at Santa Fe’s Estadio 15 de Abril, Central Córdoba made history by defeating Vélez 1-0 to win their first-ever top-flight title and secure a place in the 2025 Copa Libertadores. The decisive moment came from Mauro Godoy’s mis-hit cross, which surprisingly found the back of the net, sparking wild celebrations across Santiago del Estero.
Vélez, the heavy favorites, dominated possession but failed to convert their chances, including a stunning long-range effort that struck the crossbar late on. For Central Córdoba, this was a Cinderella story for the ages—a gritty performance against all odds to etch their name into Argentine football folklore.
Unbeaten Manchester United face a stern test in Czechia against Viktoria Plzeň, where Ruben Amorim aims to maintain his spotless European record. Meanwhile, Rangers host Spurs in a clash dripping with history and a dash of Ange Postecoglou nostalgia from his Celtic days. Elsewhere, Lyon looks to Lacazette's firepower against Eintracht Frankfurt, Ajax hopes to rebound at home against table-topping Lazio, and Galatasaray travels to Sweden seeking knockout phase security.
With tight races across groups and standout individual performances—like Ferencváros’ Barnabás Varga chasing a sixth goal—the final Europa League round of 2024 promises high stakes and drama aplenty.
Chelsea and Legia Warszawa aim to preserve their perfect UEFA Conference League records as the league phase nears its end. Chelsea, fresh off a 2-0 win over Heidenheim, travel to Kazakhstan to face Astana, who boast a 13-match unbeaten home streak in European competitions. Meanwhile, Legia host Lugano in a battle between the tournament’s best defense and a Swiss side surging after a 2-0 triumph over Gent.
Elsewhere in the UEFA Conference League, Mladá Boleslav seeks to build on their first win against Real Betis, while TSC’s Miloš Pantović, with four goals in two matches, looks to shine against Gent. With plenty of high-stakes fixtures, the push for the knockout phase intensifies.
The 2024 Apertura final pits Monterrey against Club América in a clash of Mexican football heavyweights. Monterrey returns to the final for the first time since 2019 after back-to-back five-goal thrillers in the Liguilla. Club América, meanwhile, seeks their third straight final victory under André Jardine, chasing a record-breaking 16th Liga MX title.
Key players include Monterrey's prolific German Berterame, with four Liguilla goals, and América’s goalkeeper Luis Malagón, a defensive pillar. With América forced to host at Estadio Cuauhtémoc due to construction, Monterrey might see an opening to secure their seventh title. Will Los Rayados rise, or will Las Águilas soar to new heights?
Colombia’s most iconic rivalry takes center stage as Atlético Nacional and América de Cali meet in the 2024 Copa BetPlay final. Nacional, with seven finals and an equal number of titles, faces América, making their debut in this competition’s decisive stage. The first leg unfolds at Medellín’s Atanasio Girardot Stadium on Thursday, with the second leg set for Sunday at Pascual Guerrero.
Nacional carries momentum after their Liga semifinal triumph over Santa Fe, while América arrives strong, having eliminated Bucaramanga. Recent history favors Nacional, with eight wins in their last 12 encounters across competitions. Fans can tune in on Win Sports+ or Win Play for live coverage of this highly anticipated showdown. Will Nacional extend their dominance, or can América script a historic upset?
Singapore opened their AFF Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Cambodia at the National Stadium. Goals from Faris Ramli and Shawal Anuar, both capitalizing on errors by goalkeeper Dara Vireak, gave Singapore an early advantage. Cambodia fought back with a second-half goal from Sieng Chanthea but couldn’t find an equalizer.
Malaysia, meanwhile, staged a thrilling comeback to beat Timor-Leste 3-2. After taking an early lead through Syafiq Ahmad, Malaysia trailed 2-1 at halftime following strikes by Olagar Xavier and Joao Pedro. Second-half heroics from Paulo Josue, including the match-winning header in the 83rd minute, sealed Malaysia’s first win of the tournament. Next, Malaysia faces Thailand, while Group B action continues on Thursday with the Philippines taking on Myanmar and Indonesia hosting Laos.
FIFA has officially awarded the 2034 men’s World Cup to Saudi Arabia. The decision follows Spain, Portugal, and Morocco being selected as joint hosts for the 2030 tournament, with centenary matches set to take place in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The bidding process has sparked controversy, with nations like Norway abstaining due to concerns about FIFA's procedures. While supporters like England’s FA expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia's capability and commitment to fan safety, critics have raised issues about human rights and "sportswashing." Of the proposed 15 stadiums for 2034, only four are currently built, highlighting the scale of the project ahead. Saudi Arabia’s selection marks another step in the kingdom’s ambitious push to establish itself as a global sporting hub.
"Fields of Freedom" is a must-read article that brilliantly explores the intersection of sports and politics in post-Assad Syria. Karim Zidan provides an insightful narrative on how Syrian football is transforming after decades of exploitation by a tyrannical regime. From the symbolic rebranding of the Syrian Football Association to players celebrating newfound hope, the piece captures the complexities and aspirations of a nation in flux. It’s a compelling portrayal of resilience and the role of sports in shaping societal change. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the power dynamics of football and geopolitics.
Embark on a captivating journey with Brazil in the World Cup: The Story of the Seleção on Football’s Greatest Stage. This book delves into the unparalleled history of Brazil’s national team, chronicling their five World Cup triumphs and the challenges that have shaped their legacy.
Explore the Seleção’s evolution from their first tournament in 1930 to their aspirations for 2026, meet the iconic figures who’ve defined Brazilian football, and discover how the sport intertwines with national identity. A perfect read for fans gearing up for the next World Cup, this narrative is a celebration of triumphs, struggles, and the enduring passion for football.
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