SOCCER

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Salem Al-Dawsari’s first-half strike provided the catalyst for Al Hilal to progress to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC), as the 2022 edition’s runners-up beat Pachuca 2-0 at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Juventus are on the verge of the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) knockout rounds after Kenan Yıldız netted a brace to condemn Wydad AC to a 4-1 defeat at Lincoln Financial Field, leaving the Moroccan side on the brink of an early exit.  After conceding early in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, Wydad would have been desperate to make a better start in their second group encounter.

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Cristiano Ronaldo inked a two-year extension with Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr, the club announced Thursday, following months of speculation over which team he would sign for next season. "Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at @AlNassrFC until 2027," the club wrote in a post on X. Minutes before the official confirmation, the team posted a teaser video, with the 40-year-old Ronaldo walking along a beachfront and saying: 'Al Nassr forever'.

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The court case against England goalkeeper Khiara Keating has been dropped nearly a year after she pleaded not guilty to possessing nitrous oxide canisters. The 20-year-old Manchester City player was charged with possession of a Class C drug on 18 June last year following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police. In July, she appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court with her mother, Nicola Keating, who also denied the same charge. Both were released on unconditional bail.

Manchester United Women will face Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in the second round of qualification for the UEFA Women's Champions League. The second-round fixtures will be played in the format of a mini-tournament, with the semi-finals scheduled for 27 August and the final, along with a third-place play-off, set for 30 August.

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Lionel Messi’s 50th Inter Miami goal in only his 61st appearance for the club sealed a 2-1 comeback win over FC Porto in their FIFA Club World Cup Group A clash, securing a first-ever victory in the competition. Both sides contested goalless draws in their respective opening matches, but the deadlock was broken after only eight minutes in Atlanta through a controversial Porto penalty.