Ten-Goal Thrillers And A New Transfer Window: Football Park’s Weekend Roundup

With an action-packed weekend of football having come to a close, it's time to review the standout moments from both the on and off field drama. From the Club World Cup getting underway, to a new transfer window doing the same, there’s plenty of talking points to dive into from this weekend.

The Start Of The Club World Cup

The FIFA Club World Cup got underway on Sunday the 15th of June, when Al Ahly faced Inter Miami in Group A at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Despite the match ending in a 0-0 draw, the opening games in Group C were, as a whole, far from dull, as Bayern Munich defeated Auckland City 10-0 to break the record for the biggest win in Club World Cup history. The New Zealand based side have a team full of part-timers, with their captain Mario Ilich being a supermarket salesman. The midfielder has taken of all his annual leave to make sure he could play in the prestigious tournament.

Vincent Kompany’s side found themselves 6-0 up at half-time, a sign that the German outfit weren’t going to hold back against their counterparts. The gulf in class between the two sides illustrates how doubts over the change of format are justified, with the competition seeing an increase from seven teams to 32. This significant rise in clubs has resulted in a mammoth gap in quality between the European giants and the rest of the teams around the world.

Unsure of where to watch the Club World Cup? Make sure to check out our article for a full breakdown of the TV schedule and format of the competition.

Despite the apparent fluctuating levels in quality, Brazil’s Palmeiras managed to hold Porto to a 0-0 draw in Group A, showing that we shouldn’t jump to conclusions too quickly. Elsewhere in Group B, PSG and Atlético Madrid faced off in an all-European tie, which saw the French side thump the Spanish outfit 4-0. The reigning Champions League winners look hungry to extend their European dominance to a global stage by trying to win their first ever Club World Cup.

To find out which stadiums will host the tournament, take a look at our article for your ultimate stadium guide.

🚨: BAYERN MUNICH HAS DEMOLISHED AUCKLAND CITY TO SECURE A VICTORY. 👀 pic.twitter.com/htAWoejPyd

— FÚTBOL HUB (@futbolhub7) June 15, 2025

Summer Transfer Window

This year’s transfer window has been slightly different compared to recent years, as the Club World Cup has altered the traditional system. The first transfer window, called the exceptional registration period, opened on Sunday 1st June and closed at 7pm Tuesday 10th June. This extra window was put in place by FIFA in October 2024 to allow teams competing in the Club World Cup to make signings before the tournament. This allowed Chelsea, who are playing in the Club World Cup, to sign Liam Delap in time for the competition.

However, the window was open for everyone, and not just those competing in the World Cup. This meant that signings such as Matheus Cunha to Manchester United were able to get over the line too, despite United having no involvement in the summer tournament.

Why Is The Window Shut For Six Days In Between?

The summer transfer window opened on Monday 16th June and closes at 7pm Monday 1st September. But why is the window shut for six days in between? This is because the rules state that the summer transfer window can only be open for a maximum of 12 weeks.

As a result of this, the exceptional registration period cannot join up with the summer transfer window because this would breach the Premier League Handbook 2024/25. This is why the first window has been given the name ‘exceptional registration period’ as it is separate from the summer transfer window and guidelines in the rulebook.

Why Do The Transfer Windows Close At 7pm?

The transfer window normally closes at 11pm, however this year both windows will close at 7pm. This means that clubs will have to submit their paperwork to the FA by 7pm on 1st September to ensure the transfer can go through. Clubs are normally given a two-hour window to finalise deals if they manage to meet the transfer deadline. The conditions are slightly different when signing a player from abroad, as they have until midnight to meet FIFA regulations.

🚨 The summer transfer window has now re-opened and will remain open until 7PM BST on September 1st. pic.twitter.com/UZBgsveCWq

— Transfer Sector (@TransferSector) June 16, 2025

Transfer News

AS Monaco are looking to complete the double swoop of signing Barcelona outsider Ansu Fati and free agent Paul Pogba. A deal for the Spanish winger is imminent, as talks with Barcelona are approaching the final stages.

The French outfit have also offered a two-year contract to Pogba, with the 2018 World Cup winner being eligible to play after serving a doping ban that was cut short on appeal. With the illustrious opportunity to play in the Champions League, alongside being a pivotal player within Adi Hütter’s side, it provides the perfect opportunity for the Frenchman to make a bid for a place in the national squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Elsewhere in the managerial department, Italy have appointed national icon Gennaro Gattuso as their new manager. The 2006 World Cup winner has a straightforward yet complex mission; get Italy to the World Cup in 2026. Gattuso has been cherry-picked as the right man for the job, with Luciano Spalletti receiving the sack after being defeated 3-0 by Norway in a World Cup qualifier match.

🚨🇲🇨 AS Monaco will insist this weekend to get both Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati deals over the line.

Negotiations underway. pic.twitter.com/Jcz41teHZj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 14, 2025

Soccer Aid

Soccer Aid 2025 proved to be another successful year off and on the pitch. Over £15m was raised for Unicef in the match between the England XI and World XI, which ended in a 5-4 win to the World XI.

The England XI had roared into a dominant position at Old Trafford, with Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney opening the scoring at his old haunt, swiping into an empty net after a clever flick from actor, and fellow Liverpool man, James Nelson-Joyce.

Over the years I’ve gotten used to the surreal battles of Soccer Aid, but Bella Ramsey chasing down Nemanja Vidic is really sending me

— Clive Martin (@clive_mart1n) June 15, 2025

The World XI came inches away from equalising through Brazilian legend Rivaldo ten minutes later, with the former Barcelona forward lobbing Manchester City icon Joe Hart, but influencer Angry Ginge, a boyhood Manchester United fan, produced a fantastic clearance off the line.

England would soon make the World XI pay for the missed chance, with former Manchester United midfielder, and Middlesbrough manager, Michael Carrick playing a great ball in behind for former England Women's striker Toni Duggan, who produced a clinical effort to slot home past Edwin van der Sar.

At what point does Ruben Amorim realise Angry Ginge is better than any CB @ManUtd have #SoccerAid pic.twitter.com/AnmbCmVu3O

— DerbyLAD95 (@DerbyLAD95) June 15, 2025

England almost got themselves a third in the second half, as former Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon played former colleague Jermain Defoe a fine ball into the middle, but Westlife singer Nicky Byrne, a celebrity goalkeeper brought on at half-time, as per tradition, produced a great close range save. The rebound fell to influencer and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, but Byrne somehow managed to deny him as well.

Those representing The Three Lions would get their third, and what they would have assumed to be the win, through Defoe after 55 minutes. A corner from Duggan was flicked on brilliantly by Ginge, and Defoe was on hand to blast home from close range to seemingly wrap things up.

World XI finally rang the alarm bells with the introduction of Carlos Tevez, much to the dismay of the Old Trafford crowd. The Argentina icon swept in his first goal after being set well by former Tottenham man Robbie Keane, before dancing through several challenges shortly after to get a second for both himself and his side.

I don’t know what got more boo’s from the Old Trafford crowd… me coming on to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” or this fella bagging 4 in front of the Stretford End 😂 #SoccerAid #Tevez pic.twitter.com/EOehC7wTeK

— Sam Quek (@SamanthaQuek) June 15, 2025

England did have a response in them, though, and it came with a second for Defoe. With the ball bouncing between numbers on the edge of the area, Defoe took over and fed a neat one-two with Lennon, before dispatching a fourth for England beyond Byrne.

Tevez, however, remained a thorn in the side of England, and would get his hat-trick in the 68th minute of play, expertly curling past comedian Paddy McGuiness in the England net with a fine free-kick. Just minutes later, Tevez (who didn't seem to understand the expected pace of a charity match) drove once more past challenges from Ginge and Everton man Phil Jagielka before equalising the game with his fourth of the match, drawing plenty of jeers from Old Trafford.

Tevez is an absolute joker. Came on at Half-Time at Soccer Aid and treated it like a World Xup smashing in 4 goals in 25 minutes. pic.twitter.com/qorlgfEgMk

— Wilz (@wilztweets) June 15, 2025

Chances continued to flow at both ends, with Olympian Sam Quek, former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, influencer Noah Beck and Sir Mo Farah all being denied, amidst Angry Ginge sliding clean through Tevez (something that would likely have felt good for the influencer).

There would be a winner though, through an unlikely scorer perhaps. YouTuber and Sidemen member Tobi Brown picked up possession on the right wing before supplying Irish legend John O'Shea. The former defender laid one back for musician and television personality Big Zuu, who had helped present the match before kick-off, who caught McGuiness out with an incisive finish into the near bottom corner, before celebrating proudly with Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic "siuu" celebration.

Big Zuu hit Ronaldo’s ‘SIUUU’ celebration after scoring the winner at Old Trafford in Soccer Aid 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/boanoDsXtW

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 15, 2025

There would be no twists in the charity tale, and World XI set their comeback in stone to win the Soccer Aid event for the 5th time since the event's inception in 2006, raising a mighty amount of money in the process.