The top eight competitors in Philadelphia Union’s FIFAdelphia Tournament presented by Subaru battled for their spot in the final Wednesday night. After countless goals and highlights, check out who is headed to the Finals on Friday night.
Manutdfc1958 (3) vs. HAYDADDY26 (2)
ManutdFC1958 and Manchester United took HAYDADDY26 and Liverpool down 3-2 in a 2-match series on a fine goal by Anthony Martial. After a scoreless first half in which Mohammed Salah had a goal chalked off due to offside, Manchester United drew first blood in the 52nd minute when Daniel James fired home a rebound from a well-saved Martial effort. Liverpool responded in the 63rd minute, Giorginio Wijnaldum finishing a nice cutback from Sadio Mane. After a huge last-gasp save from David de Gea on Roberto Firmino, the first match ended 1-1.
The first half of the second match was as cagey as the first half of the first match, until a mazy Martial run led to a goal in the 44th minute that is. Liverpool again responded in the second half, this time through a Salah near-post finish after beating multiple defenders off the dribble. The series looked primed to head to extra time until Martial unleashed an unstoppable curler into the corner from the top of the box in the 71st minute. From there the United defense stood firm, with Liverpool perhaps guilty of overcomplicating on one or two occasions.
Monkeyhunter542 (8) vs. TimothyHalter (3)
Olivier Giroud played the role of match winner with three goals over the course of an 8-3 victory in a 2-match series for Monkeyhunter542’s France over Timothyhalter’s PSG. Giroud opened the scoring with a fine header from a corner in the 23rd minute. France’s set pieces proved dangerous again in the 35th minute with Kylian Mbappe finishing off a second ball from another corner. Eric Choupo-Moting pulled one back for PSG in the 42nd minute, thumping home a volley from a deflected cross. Wissam Ben Yedder, on as a substitute, restored France’s two-goal advantage after a nice French buildup in the 76th minute. Mauro Icardi scored late with a nice curler from the penalty spot to send the series to the second match finely poised at 3-2.
France, however, put any thoughts of a PSG comeback to bed early in the second match, Giroud’s lovely volley from a deep cross and smashed finish at the end of a counterattack staking France to a 5-2 series lead at halftime. More misery for PSG followed, courtesy of another Mbappe goal and two goals for substitute Nabil Fekir. Choupo-Moting scored from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to make the series score 8-3, but it was far too little and far too late.
cisseSZN (13) vs. Eaglesownage (4)
After a 5-0 win in leg one, CisseSZN stuck with Philadelphia Union and swaggered past Eaglesownage's Everton in leg two. Jamiro Monteiro's goal opened the floodgates and Sergio Santos added a third minutes later. Richarlison pulled one back through a penalty before Monteiro struck again, this time from the spot. Bedoya added one late in the first half as Cisse rolled into the final. The final goal of the night, a Kacper Przybylko penalty, finished off an exciting night that highlighted CisseSZN's talent as he looks to claim a crown in the first ever FIFAdelphia tournament, presented by Subaru.
Chefboyrmob (3) vs. Brunchboi900 (5)
Bayern and Dortmund faced off in the final match of the night, with BrunchBoi900 selecting Dortmund and Chefboyrmob using rival Bayern Munich. Dortmund wanted the ball and Erling Haaland scuffed a big chance inside the first half hour as the visiting side looked to control the match.
Emre Can and Robert Lewandowski traded goals early in the second half before Ivan Perisic cut in from the left in the 71st minute, found Leon Goretzka unmarked and celebrated as the German international lashed the ball into the top right corner. Thomas Muller and Lewandowski both had opportunities to double the lead before the final ten minutes, but Dortmund hugn on and pushed for a late equalizer with Witsel driving play forward. Goetze's 87th minute chance was the final big moment for the visitors.
In the second match, Chefboyrmob switched to France but Brunchboi900 controlled the first half while taking a 3-0 lead. Antoine Griezmann pulled one back early in the second half to finish off an elegant move through the center, but Mario Gotze put the match to bed just before the final ten minutes.
