There are eight teams remaining in the FIFA Club World Cup as several traditional powerhouses will be joined by a few surprising entries into the quarterfinals.

The reigning UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, the most popular soccer team worldwide in Real Madrid, German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and English standouts Chelsea have expectedly reached this point.

The others – Brazilian clubs Fluminense and Palmeiras, and Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal – have brought awareness to themselves and their respective leagues by reaching the quarterfinal.

Let’s break down the four quarterfinal matchups on July 4 and 5, and rank how intriguing they’ll be/how much we want to watch them:

4. Real Madrid vs. Dortmund

• When: July 5, 4 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: TNT/TruTV/Univision/DAZN
• BETMGM betting odds: Real Madrid (-160), Draw (+333), Dortmund (+375)

While you never know what could happen in a stage like the Club World Cup quarterfinals, Real Madrid has won the last four matchups in this series. The intrigue for a matchup we’ve seen before doesn’t strike the same as some of the others.

Kylian Mbappe is back, but how is new coach Xabi Alonso going to work him back into the front line with Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham? Here’s the reason why it’ll be tough: 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia has scored three goals in four games, including the game winner against Juventus that punched Real Madrid’s ticket into the quarterfinals.

Alonso could use a rotation to keep his best players on the pitch, but it might be difficult to pull Garcia, Real Madrid’s breakout player at the Club World Cup, even with Mbappe – the French World Cup champion waiting in the wings.

Dortmund has three wins and a draw, like Real Madrid, at the Club World Cup. They were led by two goals from Serhou Guirassy to beat Monterrey 2-1 in the round of 16.

Sadly, this matchup won’t feature Bellingham facing his younger brother, Jobe, for Dortmund. The younger Bellingham is suspended due to yellow card accumulation and won’t play against Real Madrid.

3. Palmeiras vs. Chelsea

• When: July 4, 9 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: DAZN
• BETMGM betting odds: Chelsea (+105), Draw (+230), Palmeiras (+275)

Is Chelsea’s time in the Club World Cup going to end thanks to a relatively unknown team? Or could we see a traditional power take care of business handily? The intrigue for an upset here is fascinating, but this is the third-best match to watch in the quarterfinals.

Chelsea was nearly on the brink of elimination when Argentine star Angel Di Maria of Benfica tied their Round-of-16 match to force extra time until Christopher Nkunku (108′), Pedro Neto (114′) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (117′) secured their quarterfinal berth.

Palmeiras reached the quarterfinal after beating fellow Brazilian side Botafogo, overcoming a club that beat them four of the last five times they played before the matchup.

Keep an eye on the No. 10s in this one: Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has been relatively quiet since he started the tournament wearing his new number, while Palmeiras’ Paulinho has come off the bench to score against Inter Miami and Botafogo.

2. Fluminense vs. Al-Hilal

• When: July 4, 3 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: TNT/TruTV/DAZN
• BETMGM betting odds: Al-Hilal (+145), Fluminense (+175), Draw (+240)

This was supposed to be a quarterfinal between Inter Milan and Manchester City. Now, Fluminense and Al-Hilal have a chance to reach the semifinals. In a battle of relatively unknowns, this is the second-best matchup in the quarterfinals.

Al-Hilal is a Saudi Arabian club with international flair: Brazilian Marcos Leonardo scored two goals in their 4-3 win against Man City, celebrating his last by taking off his jersey, putting onto the corner flag, and waving it in the air after his game-winner in the 112^th minute.

Brazil’s Malcom, Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly also scored against Man City, while Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari is known for scoring the game-winner for Saudi Arabia against Lionel Messi and Argentina at the Qatar World Cup.

Meanwhile, Fluminense has had six different players score a goal during the Club World Cup, along with one of the best traveling fanbases in the tournament. Along with their 2-0 win against Inter, they played to a scoreless draw against another quarterfinalist, Dortmund in the group stage.

1. PSG vs. Bayern Munich

• When: July 5, 12 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: TNT/DAZN
• BETMGM betting odds: PSG (+120), Bayern (+200), Draw (+270)

This will be the best matchup in the quarterfinals: The reigning Champions League winners, and the Bundesliga champions who have played like one of the best teams at the Club World Cup.

Harry Kane scored twice in the Round of 16, while Michael Olise scored three goals during the tournament for Bayern.

PSG lost to Botafogo in the group stage, but are back on track after a 4-0 win over Messi and Inter Miami in the last round. They also welcomed Ousmane Dembélé back into the lineup after he missed the group stage with a quadriceps injury.

Bayern has won the last four matchups against PSG, considered the best in the world at this moment. Can Bayern pull off another, or will PSG continue its recent dominance?

Welcome to the 3,000 career strikeout club, Clayton Kershaw.

In the sixth inning of an interleague game against the Chicago White Sox at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, the 6-foot-4 veteran southpaw struck out Vinny Capra looking to unlock perhaps the greatest achievement of his Hall of Fame-bound resume and career.

The World Series champion is the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach one of baseball’s hardest feats. He entered the night three strikeouts away from joining the 3,000 club,

His first strikeout of the night came in the third inning when White Sox first baseman Miguel Vargas went down swinging at a curveball in the top of the third inning. Second baseman Lenyn Sosa struck out swinging on a curveball in the top of the fifth and Capra struck out looking on a slider in the sixth.

The three-time National League Cy Young winner is the first pitcher to join the exclusive 3,000 career strikeout club since Max Scherzer did so vs. the San Diego Padres in 2021 when he was a teammate of Kershaw’s following a trade deadline move by the Dodgers from the Washington Nationals.

Noted by USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale, Kershaw’s first career strikeout came on May 25, 2008 against then-St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Skip Schumaker at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw would strike out seven Cardinals hitters that night in six innings of work where he gave up just two runs on five hits and a walk.

‘I figured I was going to ambush him and welcome him to the big leagues,’ Schumaker told USA TODAY Sports. ‘The first pitch was an elevated fastball. It was harder and faster than I thought, and I swung and missed. Then he threw a curveball. It was something different. It was like nothing I had ever seen before.’

Watch Clayton Kershaw record career strikeout 3,000 vs. White Sox

Here’s a look at Kershaw’s 3,000th career strikeout in the sixth inning at Dodgers Stadium against Vinny Capra on July 2:

MLB pitchers with 3,000 strikeouts

Note: Ordered in numerical order of career strikeouts

1. Nolan Ryan: 5,714 career strikeouts
2. Randy Johnson: 4,875 career strikeouts
3. Roger Clemens: 4,672 career strikeouts
4. Steve Carlton: 4,136 career strikeouts
5. Bert Blyleven: 3,701 career strikeouts
6. Tom Seaver: 3,640 career strikeouts
7. Don Sutton: 3,574 career strikeouts
8. Gaylord Perry: 3,534 career strikeouts
9. Walter Johnson: 3,515 career strikeouts
10. Justin Verlander: 3,416 career strikeouts
11. Max Scherzer: 3,407 career strikeouts
12. Greg Maddux: 3,371 career strikeouts
13. Phil Nierko: 3,342 career strikeouts
14. Fergie Jackson: 3,192 career strikeouts
15. Pedro Martinez: 3,154 career strikeouts
16. Bob Gibson: 3,117 career strikeouts
17. Curt Schilling: 3,116 career strikeouts
18. CC Sabathia: 3,093 career strikeouts
19. John Smoltz: 3,084 career strikeouts
20. Clayton Kershaw: 3,000 career strikeouts

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LOS ANGELES – Clayton Kershaw has joined an exclusive club.

The longtime Los Angeles Dodgers ace is the 20th pitcher in baseball history to strike out 3,000 batters.

Kershaw, a 37-year-old lefty, reached the milestone when he struck out Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, July 2 at Dodger Stadium.

A 10-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner, Kershaw entered the game with 2,997 strikeouts. Kershaw didn’t register a strikeout in the first two innings, but got Miguel Vargas swinging for the first out in the third. But Kershaw struggled through those first three innings, giving up four runs including Austin Slater’s two-run homer in the third.

He didn’t strike anybody out in the fourth inning either, heading to the fifth at 80 pitches, adding drama to what was expected to be a coronation.

Kershaw got Lenyn Sosa for strikeout No. 2,999 to end the fifth, but was then at 92 pitches. Manager Dave Roberts sent Kershaw back out for the sixth. With two outs – after third baseman Max Muncy was injured applying a tag at third base – Kershaw struck out Vinny Capra looking for the magical No. 3,000.

He becomes the fourth left-handed pitcher to join the 3,000 strikeout club, joining Steve Carlton, Randy Johnson and CC Sabathia. Kershaw is only the second player to accomplish the feat all with one club, following in the footsteps of Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson.

Kershaw gave up four runs in six innings, picking up No. 3000 on his 100th pitch of the night. He was on the hook for the loss until the Dodgers rallied to win on Freddie Freeman’s walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.

On May 25, 2008, Kershaw struck out his first batter as a 20-year-old rookie making his major-league  debut with the Dodgers. The strikeouts began to pile up as his 18-year career has unfolded.

He led the National League in strikeouts three times – 2011, 2013 and 2015 – and he recorded a career-high 301 in 2015.

Nolan Ryan holds the all-time record with 5,714 strikeouts.

Before Kershaw’s history-making start, Roberts said the club icon had this milestone in mind when he decided to come back for an 18th season.

“He loves competing,’’ Roberts said. “Certainly wants to see it all the way through October and be a viable integral part in this season. … I think that to be able to come back and essentially go out on his own terms is important and not many people get that opportunity.’’

Said Roberts: ‘It’s the last box for Clayton to check in his tremendous career.”

Clayton Kershaw’s wife, family celebrate 3,000th strikeout

Dodgers game paused to honor Clayton Kershaw hitting 3,000 strikeouts

There will be no penalty – or complaint – for this delay of game. The Dodgers paused the action a few minutes after Kershaw recorded strikeout No. 3,000. After joining his teammates in the dugout, Kershaw came back onto the field and acknowledged the cheering fans.

He also pointed to his family, as the video boards congratulated Kershaw on ‘3,000 STRIKEOUTS.’

Kershaw gets No. 2,999 in the fifth

Kershaw got Lenyn Sosa swinging to end a scoreless fifth inning for strikeout No. 2,999, but is at 92 pitches through five innings. Will Dave Roberts send him back out to start the sixth?

White Sox not cooperating for Kershaw

The chances of Kershaw notching his 3,000th strikeout tonight are dimming. He needs only two, but he’s already thrown 80 pitches through four innings and the White Sox are not cooperating.

In the fourth, he got two a two-strike count for the 12th time of the night, but the White Sox refused to whiff. They also failed to get a hit or run – but maintained a 4-2 lead over the Dodgers. 

Kershaw notches strikeout No. 2,998

Never mind Kershaw that gave up a two-run homer to Austin Slater to put the White Sox up 3-2. The Dodgers crowd roared when Kershaw struck out the next batter, Michael Vargas for No. 2,998.

Kershaw gave up a total of three runs and four hits before getting out of the inning. The game heads to the bottom of the third with the White Sox leading 4-2 and Kershaw needing two more, already at 63 pitches through three.

This is beginning to feel like one of Kershaw’s postseason debacles.

Kershaw settles down in second: Still no strikeouts

After struggling in the first first inning, Kershaw retired the White Sox players in order in the second inning – but none on strikeouts. Kershaw got Vinny Capra to ground out to short to end the frame.

Kershaw got out of the inning with 10 pitches, increasing his total to 39 through two innings.

Clayton Kershaw off to rocky start and remains at 2,997

Clayton Kershaw labored through a first inning that ended without a strikeout and with him wiping his brow in relief.

He faced six White Sox batters and gave up a run on three hits. Dodgers left fielder Michael Conforto contained the damage when he made a leaping catch at the wall for the third out. Kershaw threw 29 pitches in the first inning, 19 for strikes.

Catcher Will Smith hit a home run in the bottom of the first to tie the game at one.

Is Clayton Kershaw the greatest Dodgers pitcher ever?

Before the game, Roberts was asked if Kershaw is the greatest pitcher in Dodgers history. In other words: is Kershaw better than Dodgers pitching legends Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale?

“That’s a tough one,’ Roberts said, indicating he had not compared the three pitchers’ accomplishments. But then he referenced Kershaw’s 18-year career.

“It’s hard to not say Clayton is the greatest Dodger (pitcher) of all time, as far as you’re talking about body of work. … Yeah, he’s a unicorn.’

Clayton Kershaw’s first strikeout victim remembers debut

The Cardinals didn’t have any tape of the 20-year-old kid who was going to make his major-league debut on May 25, 2008. No one had any scouting reports. No one faced him in the minors. So, they began asking each other if anyone knew anything about the Dodgers’ prized prospect.

Skip Schumaker was leading off for the Cardinals and stepped to the plate with a game plan.

“I figured I was going to ambush him and welcome him to the big leagues,’ Schumaker told USA TODAY Sports. “The first pitch was an elevated fastball. It was harder and faster than I thought, and I swung and missed. Then he threw a curveball. It was something different. It was like nothing I had ever seen before.

“And then, well, I struck out.’

Schumaker finished his career 0-for-7 against Kershaw with six strikeouts – and grounded into a double play.

“Clayton Kershaw,’ Schumaker says, “is the most dominant pitcher I’ve ever played against in my career. I’ve never seen anybody like him.”

– Bob Nightengale

How many strikeouts does Clayton Kershaw have?

Kershaw enters his start on July 2 with 2,997 career strikeouts – in 2,781 ⅓ innings.

White Sox lineup vs. Kershaw

1. Chase Meidroth (R) SS
2. Austin Slater (R) LF
3. Miguel Vargas (R) 1B
4. Andrew Benintendi (L) DH
5. Edgar Quero (S) C
6. Lenyn Sosa (R) 2B
7. Mike Tauchman (L) RF
8. Michael A. Taylor (R) CF
9. Vinny Capra (R) 3B

Dodgers lineup tonight

1. Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
2. Mookie Betts (R) SS
3. Will Smith (R) C
4. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
5. Andy Pages (R) RF
6. Max Muncy (L) 3B
7. Michael Conforto (L) LF
8. Tommy Edman (S) CF
9. Hyeseong Kim (L) 2B

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The United States Men’s National Team is advancing to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final after defeating Guatemala 2-1 on Wednesday, July 2. 

American star Diego Luna got the USMNT on the board early by scoring two goals in the fourth and 15th minute of the semifinal match, which was enough to seal the win. Luna was named the Man of the Match for his efforts.

“I think it’s just finding the rhythm and being able to get the freedom from the coaching staff and from the team,’ Luna said after the match. ‘I know that they are going to have my back and trust of the defensive responsibilities lets me do what I do on the ball.’

Guatemala made it close in the end. Olger Escobar cut Guatemala’s deficit in half with a goal in the 80th minute, and José Morales nearly scored the equalizer in stoppage time, but American goalie Matt Freese blocked the shot to hold the Guatemalans off and secure the win.   

With the victory, the USMNT will face Mexico in the final. Mexico defeated Honduras 1-0 in the other semifinal.

Gold Cup semifinal highlights: USMNT 2, Guatemala 1

Olger Escobar scores: USMNT 2, Guatemala 1

Guatemala’s Olger Escobar has cut the U.S. men’s lead in half with a goal. Escobar scored in the 80th minute on an assist by Arquímides Ordóñez to get Guatemala on the board. It marked Escobar’s second goal of the tournament.

Yellow cards are flying

Here’s all the yellow cards assessed so far. It’s worth noting that a second yellow card would lead to a suspension in Sunday’s Gold Cup final:

• USA’s Matt Freese | 77′
• USA’s Diego Luna | 51′
• Guatemala’s Stheven Robles | 49′
• USA’s Chris Richards | 45’+1′

First half ends: USMNT 2, Guatemala 0

The USMNT has a two point advantage heading into halftime. USA’s Chris Richards heads into the locker room with a yellow card after picking it up in the first minute of stoppage.

Diego Luna scores again: USMNT 2, Guatemala 0

Diego Luna strikes again. Malik Tillman found a wide-open Luna up the middle. Luna then juked a defender and scored the ball with a clean strike in the fifteenth minute to put the USMNT up 2-0 over Guatemala. Luna pointed to his last name on the back of his jersey in celebration of his second goal of the night.

Diego Luna scores goal: USMNT 1, Guatemala 0

The U.S. men’s national team is off to a great start in the Gold cup semifinals. Diego Luna got the Americans on the board first after finding the back of the net in the fourth minute, marking his second goal in as many games.

How to watch USMNT Gold Cup semifinals

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals will feature two matches on Wednesday: the United States will face Guatemala at 7 p.m. ET on FS1, followed by Mexico battling Honduras at 10 p.m. ET on FS1.

How to watch USMNT vs. Guatemala

The United States will face Guatemala in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals on Wednesday, July 2at 7 p.m. ET.

• Date: Wednesday, July 2
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1, Univision
• Stream: Fox Sports, Fubo, Sling TV
• Location: Energizer Park, St. Louis, Missouri

Watch Gold Cup action with Fubo

USMNT lineup for Gold Cup semifinal

Liverpool soccer player, Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother died in a car crash in northwestern Spain, according to the Portuguese Football Federation.

The federation confirmed Jota’s death on Thursday, after the regional fire department of Castile and Leon, stated on its website that a car crashed early on Thursday, shortly after midnight.

Two men, aged 28 and 26, were found dead in the car, which burst into flames near Zamora, the capital of the Zamora province, which is in the Castile and León region.

‘We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day,’ the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement.

Spanish police told Reuters they could not yet officially confirm the names of the deceased, but everything pointed to it being Jota and his brother. The Lamborghini they were travelling in veered off the road, the spokesperson said.

The bodies have been taken to a forensics unit in Zamora, where autopsies will be performed, they said.

Who was Diogo Jota?

Jota, who got married in June, helped Liverpool win the Premier League last season and also won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Merseyside outfit.

‘He just won the Prem, Nations League, and got married all within a month,’ wrote one user on Instagram. ‘And his life has been cut short. RIP’

Jota arrived at Anfield, Liverpool’s football [soccer] club, from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club in all competitions.

He also made 49 appearances for Portugal, twice winning the UEFA Nations League.