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The Chelsea star played a part in several goals as the U.S. put seven past the opposition on Friday night.

It went exactly as you expected in would. A team loaded with players capable of playing at the highest levels absolutely battered a team of players that certainly aren't of the standard.

The U.S. men's national team completely dominated Grenada on Friday night to resume their Nations Legue campaign. That word is thrown out often in sport, "dominated", but it fits here. They crushed them 7-1, and that scoreline may actually be somewhat flattering.

Still, though, this game was exactly what the USMNT needed. In the first match since the World Cup, the USMNT's stars got a chance to show their stuff. Christian Pulisic was totally unplayable. Weston McKennie was a menace. Brenden Aaronson popped up with a goal. Gio Reyna, after everything that's happened, was back in the team and had some bright moments in a new position.

Ricardo Pepi will likely be happiest of all, though. After missing the World Cup after his club form cratered, Pepi is back scoring goals for Groningen and, now, back scoring goals for the national team. He had two of them on this night, his first two for the USMNT since 2021 and, regardless of opposition, that'll always feel nice.

Alejandro Zendejas will smile, too, having scored his first USMNT goal, while Auston Trusty and Taylor Booth showed good signs in their USMNT debuts.

Overall, we didn't learn much about the USMNT. They're a class above Grenada, and we knew that coming in. But that won't make the result any less sweet as the 2026 World Cup cycle is now truly underway

GOAL rates the USMNT's players from Kirani James National Stadium…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defense

Matt Turner (6/10):

Not too much he could have done on the goal and, other than that, not too much to do. One of the easier games of his national team career.

Joe Scally (7/10):

Extremely active and led the USMNT in touches in the first half. Still, we'll need to seem him on his preferred right-hand side sooner or later.

Mark McKenzie (6/10):

A few awkward moments, but nothing too bad. Still a little bit nervy on the ball, so that's something to keep an eye on going forward after his infamous Nations League final mishap.

Auston Trusty (7/10):

The better of the two centerbacks, partially due to his assist on McKennie's second. A pretty solid USMNT debut, all things considered, for a player that should get more looks in the future due to his good form with Birmingham.

Bryan Reynolds (7/10):

Came into his own as the game wore on. Made some dangerous runs, especially in the second half, and helped create a few chances in the second 45.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Luca de la Torre (8/10):

Fantastic in the second half as he set up both USMNT goals. He's perfect for this type of game, as his ability on the ball can help the U.S. unlock some of these lesser CONCACAF teams that can only play bunker ball. De la Torre got hot towards the end of last cycle, but should be a regular for this one.

Weston McKennie (8/10):

Two goals on the night, both coming from set pieces. A+ Harry Potter wand-waving form from the USMNT star as well. He remains so, so dangerous from dead ball situation. Why haven't Leeds been able to utilize that just yet?

Gio Reyna (6/10):

One of the few USMNT starters that didn't have a signature moment at some point in this one. Still, not a bad performance by any stretch. Played in a central role rather than on the wing, but just didn't quite impact the game.

GettyAttack

Brenden Aaronson (7/10):

Some sweet feet to get the second goal of the game, setting the tone for what turned out to be a blowout. His energy and pressing are often lauded as his best attributes, but he can finish, too, as evidenced by Friday's goal. He's still progressing as a player in the final third but, if he ever becomes more dangerous, look out.

Ricardo Pepi (8/10):

Welcome back, El Tren. The hype train is back on the tracks as Pepi scored twice to lead the line. The first was a simple header from a perfect Pulisic cross, the second a near post smash. Goals are goals, though, and Pepi will be glad to have some on his resume once again.

Christian Pulisic (10/10):

Yes, you have to consider the competition a bit, but Pulisic was absolutely unplayable. The Chelsea star looked absolutely world class, playing a part in each of the USMNT's first four goals before scoring one his own in the second half. A truly dominant performance on a night he wore the armband. Captain America, indeed.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Yunus Musah (6/10):

Typically smooth in midfield, but nothing to write home about. You know what you get from Musah, especially in a game like this where the U.S. have the ball.

Daryl Dike (6/10):

Created a few chances but couldn't quite get his goal. Encouraging, for sure, even if he'll be a bit overshadowed by Pepi's goals.

Alejandro Zendejas (9/10):

Welcome to the USMNT! He's officially cap-tied and he's officially a goalscorer. Came off the bench in the second half and curled one in moments later. A better goalkeeper keeps it out, but who cares? You never forget your first, and the he USMNT will hope its the first of many for their new winger and, given the fact that he created chance after chance in the second half, the program has a reason to be excited.

Taylor Booth (6/10):

A lot to like on the ball. Booth played a few very, very dangerous balls, showing some set piece delivery that had been lacking for much of last cycle. A positive debut for the Utrecht star, overall.

Johnny Cardoso (N/A):

Came on to lock things down for the final 15 minutes, but what was there to lock down? Would be nice to see him as a No. 6 against tougher opposition.

Anthony Hudson (9/10):

Lots of goals, no injuries. All Hudson could have asked for. Will have to make some changes for Monday's match in Orlando but, for this one, a job well done.

Everything you need to know about Napoli's Mexican forward Hirving Lozano.

Hirving Lozano, also known as "Chucky," is a professional footballer from Mexico who currently plays for Italian Serie A club Napoli and the Mexico national team. Lozano was born on July 30, 1995, in Mexico City, Mexico. Lozano played for local clubs before being scouted by Pachuca, one of the biggest clubs in Mexico. He joined the Pachuca youth academy in 2009 and quickly rose through the ranks.

Lozano made his professional debut for Pachuca in 2014, at the age of 18. He quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in Mexican football, helping Pachuca win the Liga MX Clausura championship in 2016 and being included in the Best XI for his amazing performances.

In 2017, Lozano signed for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of €8 million. The Mexican quickly became a key player for PSV, helping them win the Eredivisie title in his first season. Lozano was also the top scorer for the Mexican national team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, scoring the winning goal against Germany in their opening match of the tournament, bringing him further under the limelight.

His strong performances caught the eye of Italian side Napoli, who signed him for a club-record fee of €42 million at the time. He made his debut for Napoli in September 2019, scoring a goal in his first game against Juventus. Since then, he has become an important player for the team, helping them win the Coppa Italia in 2020 and the Serie A title in 2023.

Lozano made his debut for the Mexican national team in 2016 and has since become a key player for the team. He has represented Mexico at the 2017 Confederations Cup, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He has scored 17 goals in 64 appearances for the national team, including important goals in World Cup qualifying matches.

Lozano is known for his speed, agility, and technical ability. He is a versatile attacker who can play on either wing or as a forward. He is a skilled dribbler who can beat defenders with ease and has a powerful shot from distance. Lozano is also known for his work rate and defensive contribution, making him a valuable player for both his club and national team.

Here are 11 interesting facts about 'Chucky' Lozano that you absolutely need to know.

@GettyHis antics earned him his nickname

Lozano is widely recognized by his nickname Chucky, after the doll of the horror film series. He reportedly got the moniker during his youth career, as he used to hide under team-mates' beds and scare them.

"It was approximately two months ago that I arrived in Pachuca. I was living with my coworkers," he explained, "where I used to hide under the bus seats and beds and scare my coworkers."

“At the time, two coworkers approached me and asked, ‘Would you like us to call you Chucky?' And I said 'yes, no problem, it doesn't bother me'. And that's how Chucky Lozanor was born, and they've been calling me that ever since."

AdvertisementFather as the guiding light

Lozano grew up in Mexico City. His mother was Ana Maria Bahena and his father was Jesus Lozano. Hirving Lozano was brought up in a white Mexican family who had Spanish linkages.

About 90 kilometers north of the capital, in Pachuca city, is where his football skills were honed. He grew to prominence in this city, developed a strong will to succeed, and rose through the ranks of his youth club.

His father made sure that Hirving and his brother were introduced to football early to stir up their desire to become professional footballers. Football finally succeed through Lozano and lifted the entire family out of poverty.

GettyHot headed as a youngster

Although Lozano’s career is still young in the football world, he has picked up seven red cards already during his short time in senior football, that’s besides one he got while in his country’s under-23 competitions.

Lozano has been criticized for a lack of discipline: railing against authority during his time with Pachuca, being involved in on-field incidents with little provocation.

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Getty ImagesDebut goals galore

Lozano's talent has made waves ever since his Pachuca days. The Mexican attacker has a habit of making his mark on his debuts. He is the first Mexican player to score in his debut match in the Eredivisie, Serie A, and the Champions League.

He marked his Eredivisie debut against AZ Alkmaar, on his Serie A debut against Juventus and his Champions League debut against BATE.

The Galatasaray right-back has been linked with the Gunners after an impressive campaign from the 22-year-old Frenchman

Sacha Boey is a player in demand this summer, with several Premier League clubs believed to be in the running to land the young right-back from Galatasaray. Boey has seen his star rise dramatically during the past season and the 22-year-old looks ready to make the next step in his career.

Galatasaray are open to letting the former Rennes full-back leave if the price is right, and representatives from the newly-crowned Turkish champions travelled to England recently to meet with clubs, including Arsenal, to discuss a potential move.

But who is the young Frenchman, and why is he so highly-rated? GOAL takes a closer look at what makes the £20-million-rated full-back so special…

Where it all began

Boey was born and raised in Montreuil, France, although he is of Cameroonian descent. He started out playing youth football with Romainville before joining Paris-based Red Star, the fourth-oldest professional club in France.

Boey spent two years in the youth ranks at Red Star before he was picked up by the Rennes academy, moving there at the age of 14.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe big break

Boey's big break came as an 18-year-old, when he was handed his senior debut for Rennes towards the end of the 2018-19 season. After impressing within the academy, the young defender was brought on as a second-half substitute during a a 2-2 draw at Toulouse in Ligue 1.

After that, he was on the bench for the final two games of the campaign and then went on to become a more established member of the squad the following season, although a series of injuries did disrupt his progress slightly.

Getty ImagesHow it's going

Boey is coming off the back of a hugely impressive season with Galatasaray. He made the move to Turkey in 2021 after taking the decision to leave France following a successful loan spell away from Rennes with Dijon.

Boey's first season with Galatasaray was one of adaptation. He started well before an injury towards the end of September saw him sidelined for more than three months. It was a blow for him and for the club, but he returned in the New Year and produced some fine performances during the second half of his debut season in Turkey, most notably against Barcelona in the Champions League.

There were then suggestions Boey could leave Galatasaray last summer, with a potential move to Italy lined up. But after starting the season in fine fashion, he kept his place in the team and went on to become one the most influential players in the starting XI from the right-back role.

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Getty ImagesBiggest strengths

Boey is known for his ability in one-on-one situations. He is excellent when it comes to winning his duels and the rapid recovery pace he possesses means he can recover exceptionally whenever a winger does manage to get the better of him.

He is physically strong and good in the air, while he also reads the game well and likes to get forward on the overlap. He's very much out of the traditional full-back mould. Someone who will look to hug the touchline when attacking and get down to the byline before putting a ball in.

He certainly has all the attributes of a player who could succeed in the Premier League.

Without some key players for the opening game in Argentina, coach Mikey Varas has some key selection decisions to make

At each of the last three Under-20 World Cups, the U.S. has reached the quarter-final stage. And, at each of the last three U20 World Cups, the U.S. has stumbled at that same hurdle.

The U.S. U20 men's national team will hope things will be different this time around as they head to Argentina for this year's tournament with a squad loaded with experience. Several players already have USMNT camps to their name, while several others have emerged as big contributors for clubs all over the world.

Still, Mikey Varas' squad is far from full strength. Key players like Paxten Aaronson and Jalen Neal saw their potential participation blocked by their clubs, while several other stars won't be available for the start of the tournament. In fact, the U.S. will only have 15 outfield players for their first match against Ecuador, giving Varas some difficult decisions to make for what might be his side's toughest group test.

With that in mind, GOAL breaks down how the U.S. should line up in the first game of the U20 World Cup:

GettyGK: Gaga Slonina

No questions here. With his USMNT debut already behind him despite his age, Slonina is the starter without a doubt. The Chelsea starlet is the USMNT's next great goalkeeper, and the next step of his development will come in Argentina, where he should play every minute if all goes to plan.

AdvertisementGettyLB: Jonathan Gomez

He's still waiting for his debut at Real Sociedad, but Gomez is another player that has already logged minutes with the USMNT. A solid left-back that came up with Louisville City, Gomez's development has come in Real Sociedad's youth teams, where he was briefly under the tutelage of Xabi Alonso. Competition for spots on the left will be fierce, but Gomez should be steady at left-back.

Getty ImagesCB: Josh Wynder

American soccer's next big export, Wynder should be a go-to player for the U20s before heading to Benfica. The Louisville City star has been compared to Virgil van Dijk and, while those comparisons are very premature, it does show just how good the teenager is. He's playing up an age group, so there could be difficult moments against better teams, but Wynder should be just fine.

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Getty ImagesCB: Brandan Craig

The first of several Philadelphia Union starlets, Craig should be a reliable starter in central defense. He was a constant during CONCACAF qualifying and, even with Neal out, the U.S. should feel fine about the partnership between Craig and Wynder, at least as individuals.

Bayern Munich have reportedly seen a third offer for Harry Kane rejected, with Tottenham refusing to compromise in transfer talks.

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German giants eager to sign a strikerSpurs talisman in their sightsInto final year of contract in north LondonWHAT HAPPENED?

The Bundesliga champions have made the England captain their top target for the summer window as they seek to bring another proven No.9 on board. They have been met by stubborn resistance from those in north London, with no agreement put in place.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Spurs are understandably reluctant to part with their all-time leading goalscorer despite seeing him enter the final year of his contract. An initial approach from Bayern that was said to be worth €70 million (£60m/$77m) plus add-ons was knocked back. A second offer from the Allianz Arena was also shunned, with the two clubs reportedly some £25m ($32m) apart in their respective valuations.

AND WHAT'S MORE

reports that a renewed bid from Bayern has been given the same treatment, with Tottenham’s asking price still not being met. As a result, Kane remains part of Ange Postecoglou’s plans, with four goals recorded in his most recent friendly outing against Shakhtar Donetsk.

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Spurs are still hoping to see Kane sign a new deal, with Dejan Kulusevski revealing that the talismanic striker’s team-mates are doing all they can to talk him around. The Swedish winger has said, with the start of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign fast approaching: “He's unbelievable. Honestly, his mentality, I can learn from him like everybody. He just goes out and performs day in day out. He's a true professional. Of course we want him to stay and we'll do everything to make him stay.”

The club that was once run with an iron fist by Sir Alex Ferguson keeps on making headlines for all the wrong reasons

What would Manchester United give just for a bit of peace and quiet? Since the end of last season, a memorable campaign which saw the team return to the Champions League and win a first trophy for six years, the club has been entangled in a spiral of negative story after negative story.

From the mishandling of the Mason Greenwood situation, to staying silent about the allegations against Antony, to haphazard dealing in the transfer market and the saga around Jadon Sancho, there has been a never-ending stream of reports coming out of Old Trafford that paint the club in a bad light.

GOAL looks back on three months of chaos at United which has left to yet more questions about the club's ownership and Erik ten Hag's ability to handle his squad…

GettyDe Gea U-turn

The first big story of the summer to come out of United was when the club decided to reverse their decision to hand David de Gea a new contract. The Spaniard waved goodbye to the squad after the disappointing FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City in June and said he would see his team-mates again for pre-season, having verbally agreed to extend his contract with the club.

However, United never signed the deal themselves, and it was then withdrawn, replaced by another offer on significantly reduced terms.

United had their reasons for not wanting to keep De Gea as the goalkeeper's form declined as the season went on, despite keeping more clean sheets than any other Premier League 'keeper. And replacing him with Andre Onana, arguably the best in the world with the ball at his feet, was definitely the right thing to do.

However, the club should have decided to part ways with De Gea months previously. They could have given him the send-off he deserved after 12 years of service. Instead, they showed huge disrespect to a modern club great and made themselves look like an indecisive mess.

AdvertisementGettyMaguire stays put

United seemed to be taking a positive step when they agreed to sell Harry Maguire to West Ham in July. Ten Hag had already stripped the defender of the captaincy due to his diminished standing in the squad, having been relegated to the fifth-choice centre-back last season, even behind Luke Shaw.

The Red Devils agreed a £30 million ($37m) fee with West Ham, way below the £80m ($99m) they had paid for Maguire in 2019, but at least they were moving on, giving the much-derided defender the chance to do likewise.

However, Maguire refused to join the Irons, demanding he received his full wages from United before he left, which the club would not agree to. Now the club are left with a player whom they openly wanted to get rid of, who is facing unprecedented abuse on social media and mocking by rival fans, prompting his mother to speak out in his defence.

GettyHorrible handling of Greenwood

The biggest decision United faced all summer was what they did with Mason Greenwood following their internal investigation into the striker after all charges against him were dropped. And they made a huge misjudgment of the public mood by leaning towards reintegrating the England international into the squad, only to change their minds following a fierce backlash to reports of their decision.

United eventually facilitated Greenwood's loan move to Getafe on transfer deadline day, but the striker remains on their books and they are paying a large chunk of his salary. And even though he is no longer part of the squad – for this season at least – the public have not forgotten United's initial stance.

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GettyVan de Beek move falls through

As if the failure to sell Maguire was not bad enough, United's hopes of parting ways with Donny van de Beek were also dashed after Lorient were unimpressed with the Dutch midfielder's attitude.

The Ligue 1 side had shown interest in signing the out-of-favour midfielder in mid-August, but according to the player preferred to wait for a better move. With time running out in the transfer window, his representatives made contact with Lorient, only to be told their offer was no longer on the table.

Van de Beek had struggled to get game time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and Ten Hag, his former manager at Ajax, and now has little choice but to try and get back into the side following a serious knee injury in January. That, though, has been made more difficult after he was left out of United's squad for the Champions League group stages.

Nicolas Dominguez has revealed what Lionel Messi said ahead of Argentina’s historic victory over Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final.

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Continental glory savoured in 2021Lifted global title the following yearAll-time great inspires everybodyWHAT HAPPENED?

That contest saw seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi claim his first senior honour at international level. After several near misses with the Albiceleste, the all-time great finally got his hands on major silverware with his country and saw a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Argentina would go on to savour Finalissima glory in a meeting with European champions Italy, before then claiming the grandest of prizes at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Dominguez has said of how that process was started, with Messi leading from the front: “The story I’ll keep with me forever was his team talk before the Copa America final before we beat Brazil in the Maracana. The basic message was that we had come through so much and now had the chance to support the Argentina people who had suffered so much. There was so much at stake because we had gone so long without winning and Messi captured that for us. The Spanish say ‘you have a rucksack on your back’ when you are playing under big pressure – but that weight was lifted off us when we won the Copa America. It was a weight that the players in that squad did not really deserve to be carrying, given what they had achieved in other ways in their careers.”

WHAT THEY SAID

Dominguez – who is now playing his club football in England at Nottingham Forest – had to watch on from afar as Argentina claimed a global crown in Qatar, as he failed to recover from injury in time, but he was delighted for Messi and the rest of his triumphant team-mates. He added: “There is no negativity about the World Cup because it just came too soon and being self-critical and honest with myself, I probably wasn’t ready to take on something so challenging. I was still really pleased we won. I was pleased for all my team-mates and for the entire nation. But I am keen to play for Argentina again and coming to Forest and playing in the Premier League will hopefully help me to get the call again.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Dominguez has earned 11 caps for Argentina and joined Forest from Serie A side Bologna during the summer transfer window, with the 25-year-old midfielder committing to a five-year contract at the City Ground.

The Colombian attacker has had to deal with the kidnap of his father, but he showed supreme mental strength to spare his side's blushes.

Liverpool left it late to salvage a 1-1 draw at Luton Town as Luis Diaz scored an emotional equaliser at Kenilworth Road.

Liverpool failed to convert 23 attempts, as Darwin Nunez endured a night to forget that was capped off by an open-goal miss.

It looked like Luton had made the visitors pay the price for wasteful finishing when former Manchester United youth player Tahith Chong finished off a sharp counter-attack with 10 minutes remaining.

That goal cued Luis Diaz's introduction off the bench, and in the fifth minute of injury time he repaid his manager's faith by heading home Harvey Elliott's cross. He celebrated by revealing his undershirt with the message "Freedom for papa", in reference to the kidnapping of his father in Colombia.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Kenilworth Road…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Alisson Becker (6/10):

Had a quiet first half but commanded his area well to collect crosses in the second. Could do nothing about Luton goal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):

Once again dazzled with passing vision and technique, and was unlucky not to get an assist when Darwin smacked the crossbar after latching onto his superb through ball. Struggled to contain Chiedozie Ogbene.

Ibrahima Konate (6/10):

Made a few silly fouls in the first half but escaped a booking. Went close with a late header.

Virgil van Dijk (6/10):

Little to do defensively and made himself a nuisance attacking set-pieces. Caught up the pitch when Luton countered and scored.

Joe Gomez (6/10):

Didn't really put a foot wrong but contributed little in attack. Withdrawn for Tsimikas with 25 minutes left.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Ryan Gravenberch (6/10):

Enjoyed a few bright moments of link-up play but struggled to create much in the channels.

Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

Like Gravenberch, he failed to have much impact on proceedings in the centre of midfield.

Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):

Not put under much pressure by Luton but struggled to assert himself. Produced a couple of good free-kick deliveries.

GettyAttack

Mohamed Salah (6/10):

Unusually quiet night but created a few chances in the second half. Just his presence sends defenders into panic.

Darwin Nunez (7/10):

Should have continued his scoring run but missed open goal out after Salah knockdown. Forced good saves out of Kaminski. Build-up play needs work.

Diogo Jota (6/10):

Should have scored in the first half but shot too close to Kaminski. Struggled to have much impact thereafter.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Cody Gakpo (6/10):

Couldn't sort his feet out when Elliott's cross found him unmarked six yards out. Should have scored.

Harvey Elliott (7/10):

Made a positive impact off the bench and provided a great cross for Diaz's equaliser.

Kostas Tsimikas (6/10):

Provided more attacking impetus down the left flank than Gomez.

Luis Diaz (7/10):

Showed great mental strength to overcome his family situation and equalise with a brilliant header.

Jurgen Klopp (6/10):

Offensive substitutions made sense but left his side vulnerable to counter-attacks. Good call to bring on Diaz.

The right-back scored a thumping header to rescue a point for Real, after Alaba scored an unfortunate own goal that evaded Kepa's reach.

Real Madrid twice thought they had taken the lead in the opening 10 minutes against Sevilla, but both Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham saw goals ruled out by VAR, for offside and a foul in the build-up respectively.

The game was something of a feisty encounter, with few chances, but Sevilla found a way through as a cross into the box was diverted into his own net by David Alaba just after the 70 minute mark. Kepa Arrizabalaga could only push the ball into the roof of his own net.

Real hit back almost instantly, as Dani Carvajal powered a header into the back of the net from a superb Toni Kroos delivery.

Carlo Ancelotti's side struggled to find any rhythm throughout the game, and were perhaps fortunate to leave with a point, such were the home side's chances throughout the 90 minutes.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Kepa Arrizabalaga (5/10):

Beaten by Alaba's own goal, and one has to think he could have done better, as he merely pushed the ball into the roof of his own goal. Then made a superb save to deny Real old boy Sergio Ramos and keep the scores at 1-1, but the damage was done.

Dani Carvajal (7/10):

Brilliant goal-line clearance to deny Ocampos in the first-half and levelled things up with a thumping header. Constantly got up and down the line and was the most composed of Real's backline.

Antonio Rudiger (6/10):

Clashed with Sergio Ramos in the first half, squaring up to the Real legend, but defended well and his distribution was good.

David Alaba (4/10):

Defended excellently against the threat of Youssef En-Nesyri until the striker forced him into a calamitous error, as he inadvertently sent a cross into his own goal while wrestling with the striker. A decisive mistake.

Ferland Mendy (6/10):

Clashed with Jesus Navas in the second half, as he barged the full-back off the pitch, to Sevilla's chagrin. Rarely beaten, such is his pace, but he was substituted late on.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Federico Valverde (6/10):

Thought he had opened scoring but his goal was ruled out by VAR. Some excellent deliveries when he drifted wide. Replaced by Modric just after the hour.

Aurelien Tchouameni (4/10):

Often sat as the deepest midfielder but seemed overawed by Sevilla's press. No surprise that he was substituted, to be replaced by Camavinga.

Toni Kroos (5/10):

Passing radar seemed weirdly awry at times as he continually gave the ball away, stunting Real's ability to build up from deep, but then provided the assist for Carvajal's header. A mixed evening.

Jude Bellingham (6/10):

Had the ball in the net early on but saw it ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Always willing to carry the ball but Sevilla often crowded him out, ensuring he could not repeat his previous late goal heroics.

Getty ImagesAttack

Vinicius Junior (4/10):

Up against Jesus Navas, who used all of his experience to try to keep the Brazilian quiet, and couldn't find a way to carve out a chance. Cut a frustrated figure at times before his late substitution.

Rodrygo (5/10):

Playing in a duo up front with Vinicius. Forced a good save from Nyland in the Sevilla goal in the second half but struggled to make inroads, and was substituted for Joselu with the score at 1-1.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Luka Modric (6/10):

On for Valverde. Kept the ball moving as he always does, and restored some calm to the midfield.

Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):

On in midfield, his preferred position, to replace Tchouameni. Had to deal with a determined Sevilla press but did so well.

Joselu (5/10):

On for Rodrygo. Barely had a sniff at goal.

Brahim Diaz (N/A):

On for Vinicius late on.

Fran Garcia (N/A):

On for Mendy late on.

Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):

It's hard to see what Ancelotti is achieving with a diamond formation. Real struggled to create any clear-cut chances from open play and were fortunate to come away with a point.

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham says Lionel Messi is “our gift to America and MLS” as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner “changes the game”.

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Argentine superstar now in the StatesImmediate impact on and off the fieldMan Utd legend made deal possibleWHAT HAPPENED?

Beckham once did likewise when making his own move to the United States. The Manchester United and England legend linked up with the LA Galaxy when leaving Real Madrid in 2007. Part of that deal allowed the ex-Three Lions captain to build his own expansion franchise.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

That project has been pieced together in Florida, with Messi now the star attraction at DRV PNK Stadium. Beckham spent 10 years putting a stunning coup in place, with the Argentine superstar having helped to raise the profile of U.S. soccer as more household names and a new audience are attracted to the game.

WHAT THEY SAID

Beckham has told of pulling off a remarkable transfer agreement: "It's still hard to believe that when someone turns around to me and says Inter Miami have Lionel Messi in their team, you know. It's a very proud thing for me to have as an owner, to have a player like that, the best player in the world, in our team.

“We always knew that bringing Leo to America, not just to Miami, it was our gift to America and MLS. Because someone like that changes the game. You know, someone like that inspires another generation of soccer players. And that's why we wanted to bring Leo to the team. Of course, we want to win championships. Of course, we want to be the best team in the league. But one of the reasons why we bought him was to also inspire the next generation of soccer players in America. To want to be soccer players. So bringing him does that and it's an important thing for us.”

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Messi made an immediate impact in the States, as he inspired a historic Leagues Cup triumph for Inter Miami within weeks of his arrival, and is said to be looking to “win everything” in 2024 despite already being the most decorated player in history.