Archive July 5, 2025

Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala looks set for another prolonged spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle injury in the side’s 2-0 Club World Cup quarter-final defeat by Paris St-Germain.

It was Musiala’s first start in months as, since early April, he had been recovering from a hamstring injury that had kept him out of the final month of Bayern’s Bundesliga campaign.

At the end of an entertaining but goalless first half at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Musiala was caught by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma while chasing down an overhit Michael Olise pass near the byeline.

Germany international Musiala emerged from the challenge screaming in agony and clutching his left ankle, while several players – including the distraught Donnarumma – had to avert their eyes as the Bayern physios sprinted on to the pitch.

“He has had to go to hospital,” Bayern manager Vincent Kompany told DAZN. “It didn’t look good. The overwhelming feeling is hopefully it’s not as bad as it looks and he gets through this one. “

Kompany added in his post-match news conference: “I’ve rarely been so angry at half-time, not against my players.

“There are many things in life that are much more important than this, but in the end, for these guys, it’s their life. He came back from a setback, and then it happens in the way it happens and you feel powerless.

“You try and get strength out of it because you want to do it for Jamal. The thing that gets my blood still boiling at the moment, it’s not the result.

“I understand this is football, but it’s the fact that it happened to someone that, for one, enjoys the game so much, but also is very important for us. “

German football expert Raphael Honigstein said: “The Bayern Munich players were evidently rattled and you could see maybe it took some time, when they came out from half-time, to readjust and find their focus again.

Despite missing 11 games through injury this season, Musiala was still one of Bayern’s most influential players in 2024-25, registering 29 goal involvements – 21 goals and eight assists – in 44 competitive appearances.

The club recently confirmed he will inherit Bayern’s iconic number 10 shirt from the departing Leroy Sane next term, giving him the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of club legends such as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Lothar Matthaus and Arjen Robben.

Having scored a hat-trick off the bench in Bayern’s 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City in their opening Club World Cup group game, Musiala was hoping to kick on against PSG in Atlanta – but the 22-year-old’s evening was cruelly cut short.

“It’s important we talk about Musiala,” said PSG and former Dortmund right-back Achraf Hakimi. “I want to give my support to him. We hope to see him back on the pitch soon. “

Ousmane Dembele – who netted PSG’s second goal after Desire Doue’s opener – also said his thoughts are with the Germany international.

“Shout out to Jamal Musiala,” he said. “[The injury] is something you don’t want to see on the field. “

Saturday’s game also marked the end of Thomas Muller’s trophy-laden career with boyhood side Bayern.

The 35-year-old, who made a club-record 756 appearances, won 13 league titles and two Champions Leagues during his time in Bavaria, was due to leave on 30 June but had his contract extended so he could participate at this summer’s Club World Cup.

He scored his 250th and final goal for Bayern – a trademark close-range finish – in the 10-0 victory over Auckland last month.

Muller has yet to decide his next career move, telling US broadcaster CBS Sports recently that he will “figure out” his future “in the next couple of weeks”.

“If there’s no perfect solution for me, maybe I’ll decide to end my career,” he said. “Let’s see what happens. “

Kompany paid tribute to Muller after Saturday’s defeat, saying: “Bayern Munich is a club of so many legends – and he ranks at the very top.

“He got a send-off in front of the fans [at Bayern’s last Bundesliga match] and he lived every moment of this tournament. You see his performances [in games] but also in training. He is a legend.

Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala looks set for another prolonged spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle injury in the side’s 2-0 Club World Cup quarter-final defeat by Paris St-Germain.

It was Musiala’s first start in months as, since early April, he had been recovering from a hamstring injury that had kept him out of the final month of Bayern’s Bundesliga campaign.

At the end of an entertaining but goalless first half at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Musiala was caught by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma while chasing down an overhit Michael Olise pass near the byeline.

Germany international Musiala emerged from the challenge screaming in agony and clutching his left ankle, while several players – including the distraught Donnarumma – had to avert their eyes as the Bayern physios sprinted on to the pitch.

“He has had to go to hospital,” Bayern manager Vincent Kompany told DAZN. “It didn’t look good. The overwhelming feeling is hopefully it’s not as bad as it looks and he gets through this one.

“I’ve rarely been so angry at half-time, not with the players. For these youngsters [like Musiala], it’s their life. A guy like Jamal lives for this.

“My blood boils at that moment, the fact that it happened to a guy who loves this sport and is very important to our team. “

German football expert Raphael Honigstein said: “The Bayern Munich players were evidently rattled and you could see maybe it took some time, when they came out from half-time, to readjust and find their focus again.

Despite missing 11 games through injury this season, Musiala was still one of Bayern’s most influential players in 2024-25, registering 29 goal involvements – 21 goals and eight assists – in 44 competitive appearances.

The club recently confirmed he will inherit Bayern’s iconic number 10 shirt from the departing Leroy Sane next term, enabling him to follow in the footsteps of club legends Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Lothar Matthaus and Arjen Robben.

Having scored a hat-trick off the bench in Bayern’s 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City in their opening Club World Cup group game, Musiala was hoping to kick on against PSG in Atlanta – but the 22-year-old’s evening was cruelly cut short.

“It’s important we talk about Musiala,” said PSG and former Dortmund right-back Achraf Hakimi. “I want to give my support to him. We hope to see him back on the pitch soon. “

Ousmane Dembele – who netted PSG’s second goal after Desire Doue’s opener – also said his thoughts are with the Germany international.

“Shout out to Jamal Musiala,” he said. “[The injury] is something you don’t want to see on the field. “

Saturday’s game also marked the end of Thomas Muller’s trophy-laden career with boyhood side Bayern.

The 35-year-old, who made a club-record 756 appearances, won 13 league titles and two Champions Leagues during his time in Bavaria, was due to leave on 30 June but had his contract extended so he could participate at this summer’s Club World Cup.

He scored his 250th and final goal for Bayern – a trademark close-range finish – in the 10-0 victory over Auckland last month.

Having now played his final game for the German giants, Muller says he will “figure out” his future “in the next couple of weeks”.

“If there’s no perfect solution for me, maybe I’ll decide to end my career,” he said in a recent interview with US broadcaster CBS Sports. “Let’s see what happens. “

Kompany paid tribute to Muller after Saturday’s defeat, saying: “Bayern Munich is a club of so many legends – and he ranks at the very top.

“He got a send-off in front of the fans [at Bayern’s last Bundesliga match] and he lived every moment of this tournament. You see his performances [in games] but also in training. He is a legend.

Women’s Irish Open third-round leaderboard

-17 L Woad (Eng*); -10 M Sagstrom (Swe); -9 K Rudgeley (Aus); -8 C Tamburlini (Swi), C Hull (Eng), B Fernandez (Esp), A Garvey (NZ), A-C Mora (Fra)

Selected others: -7 A Foster (Ire); -6 E Hamilton (Eng); -4 M Rhodes (Eng), H Screen (Eng), A Hewson (Eng), G Hall (Eng), M MacLaren (Eng); -3 D Harry (Wal); -2 L McClymont (Sco*), L Maguire (Ire), C Williams (Wal); Level E Fleming (Ire*)

* denotes amateur

English amateur Lottie Woad fired a bogey-free six under 67 to hold a seven-shot lead going into the final day of the Women’s Irish Open.

The 21-year-old, who is bidding to become the first non-professional to win on the Ladies European Tour since 2022, went into the day three shots ahead.

She made a birdie on the first and third before increasing her advantage with birdies on the sixth, eighth, 15th and 16th. A par save on 17 saw her finish the day six under par, sitting on top of the leaderboard with a score of 17 under par.

The amateur said she was “very happy” with her display and “wants to win” the tournament.

She added: “The front nine I played really nicely and it was stress-free, the back nine I had to make a few par saves, but I chipped in pretty well and made some up and downs, which kept the momentum.

“I want to win it. I’m going to keep playing my game and see where it puts me and keep playing well. I think you can still be pretty aggressive on this golf course. “

Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic said he is “blessed” to have sealed his 100th victory at Wimbledon with a statement third-round win over compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic.

Serb Djokovic was in no mood to delay his near-fated ton at the All England Club and secured the 6-3 6-0 6-4 victory in just one hour and 50 minutes.

It is a feat achieved only by Martina Navratilova and eight-time champion Roger Federer, who holds the record with 105.

If Djokovic wins the trophy at the end of the fortnight, he will still be one shy of the record.

But it would land him an even bigger accomplishment – the record 25th Grand Slam title he has been chasing since last winning a major at the 2023 US Open.

“Wimbledon is a favourite and a dream tournament of not just myself but the majority of players,” he said.

“Growing up, most kids dream of winning here and I’ve been blessed to do that many times here. Any history I make in my favourite tournament… I’m blessed. “

Djokovic celebrated the milestone by performing a ‘pumping’ dance which has become a tradition between him and his children after each win this tournament.

He demonstrated the dance with his daughter – who was sitting in his coaching box – during his on-court speech after the match.

As Centre Court’s Royal Box hosted ‘Sporting Saturday’ with a plethora of stars in attendance, it was perhaps fitting that Djokovic continued his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title in such devastating fashion.

Djokovic was brimming with confidence after his second-round victory over Briton Dan Evans, saying he played “almost flawless tennis” with his serve in particular impressing.

It was the serve that was once again the focal point as he breezed to victory, facing just one break point all match.

World number 49 Kecmanovic knows only too well what his Davis Cup team-mate is capable of and was largely unable to stem the flow from a free-hitting Djokovic.

Numerous rallies were met with gasps from the crowd as Djokovic demonstrated his still-sublime movement and prowess as one of the best returners in the sport.

A lengthy point which ended with Djokovic sat on the turf having fired down a brilliant backhand winner while off balance was met with a standing ovation from a crowd enthralled by the veteran’s capabilities.

Having needed just one break of serve to seal the opener, Djokovic immediately put his opponent on the backfoot in set two and swiftly wrapped up a triple break without giving Kecmanovic a sniff.

The only blemish on a near-flawless performance from Djokovic came as he tried to serve out the win.

One fan shouted “Don’t panic Novak! ” as he went 15-30 down on serve, ironically poking fun at what had largely been a demolition.

Sure of the inevitable outcome, the crowd began to get under his skin in an attempt to prolong the match and Djokovic suffered his only break of the match.

But it was not enough to turn the tide and Djokovic served out at the second opportunity, delivering a message to his peers that he remains someone to beat here.

If he continues on this trajectory, a semi-final meeting with Italian top seed Jannik Sinner feels inevitable, with the world number one producing an equally dominant performance on Centre Court earlier on Saturday.

Not since 2017 has Djokovic suffered defeat by someone other than Carlos Alcaraz at SW19, losing to the defending champion in the past two finals having won the previous four.

Georgia (5) 5

Tries: Jalagonia

Ireland (14) 34

Tries from debutant Tommy O’Brien and first-time captain Craig Casey helped an inexperienced Ireland earn an ultimately comfortable Test victory over Georgia in Tbilisi.

O’Brien crossed twice early to put the Irish in the ascendancy before back row Tornike Jalagonia’s try brought Georgia back into the contest before half-time.

However, Casey’s tidy finish within a minute of the restart and Nick Timoney’s try pushed Ireland beyond Georgia’s reach and handed Paul O’Connell victory in his first game as interim head coach.

There will be concerns over Jacob Stockdale’s fitness, however, after the Ulster wing was forced off in the first half with a shoulder injury.

Persistent rain in the Georgian capital could have made life difficult for an inexperienced Ireland side which featured debutants O’Brien and Darragh Murray in the starting line-up and just 12 caps worth of experience in the front row.

But having scored tries in two Champions Cup knockout games for Leinster in the latter stages of the 2024-25 season, Test rookie O’Brien showed no signs of nerve while crossing twice in the opening eight minutes.

In the second minute, the 27-year-old latched on to Sam Prendergast’s chip over the Georgian defence to cross unchallenged before finishing in the corner on eight minutes after an Irish scrum five metres out from the home side’s tryline.

While O’Brien’s early double had Ireland smiling in the Georgian rain, the hosts shook off a shaky start and thought they had scored through Akaki Tabutsadze, who dove over the line despite Jamie Osborne’s last-ditch tackle.

While the home players celebrated, the winger’s try was ruled out after he was adjudged to have lost control of the ball before touching it down.

From there, the first half descended into a series of scrums, one of which led to an altercation between the two sets of players after Georgia won a scrum penalty.

When Ireland did get moving again, they looked dangerous, with O’Brien turning provider for Prendergast to finish athletically in the corner. The fly-half’s joy at scoring his first international try was short-lived, however, as his foot was correctly ruled to have been in touch before he grounded the ball.

Jalagonia’s score perhaps should have jolted the home side into life, but instead their challenge faded as Ireland pulled clear.

Within a minute of the restart, Calvin Nash – who replaced Stockdale – sent Ryan Baird through the Georgian defence and the back row’s clever offload to the onrushing Casey gave Ireland their third try.

It was a satisfying way for Munster scrum-half Casey to mark his first game as an Ireland captain, with regular skipper Caelan Doris out injured and several experienced campaigners with the Lions in Australia.

Prendergast, preferred to Jack Crowley in the number 10 jersey, converted Casey’s try and slotted over two penalties to extend Ireland’s advantage before Timoney chipped in with the game’s final try when he collected a Prendergast kick and bulldozed his way beyond two Georgian bodies.

Timoney’s score survived a television match official check for a double movement, but O’Brien was unable to complete his hat-trick when he let the ball slip through his grasp in the corner.

In the build-up to the game, O’Connell warned that Ireland would not deliver a “perfect” performance.

Replacements: I Kvatadze, G Tetrashvili, B Gigashvili, G Ganiashvili, I Spanderashvili, T Abzhandadze, T Kakhoidze

Ireland: J O’Brien; T O’Brien; J Osborne, S McCloskey; J Stockdale; S Prendergast, C Casey (capt); J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson; C Izuchukwu, D Murray; R Baird, N Timoney, G Coombes.

Replacements: T Stewart, M Milne, J Aungier, T Ahern, M Deegan, B Murphy, J Crowley, C Nash.

Sin-bin: McCloskey (77)