Giroud Scores in His Last AC Milan Match on a Night of Farewells at San Siro

AC Milan's French forward #09 Olivier Giroud (C) makes a heart sign as he celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Salernitana at San Siro Stadium, in Milan on May 25, 2024. as the last match by coach. (AFP)
AC Milan's French forward #09 Olivier Giroud (C) makes a heart sign as he celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Salernitana at San Siro Stadium, in Milan on May 25, 2024. as the last match by coach. (AFP)
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Giroud Scores in His Last AC Milan Match on a Night of Farewells at San Siro

AC Milan's French forward #09 Olivier Giroud (C) makes a heart sign as he celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Salernitana at San Siro Stadium, in Milan on May 25, 2024. as the last match by coach. (AFP)
AC Milan's French forward #09 Olivier Giroud (C) makes a heart sign as he celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Salernitana at San Siro Stadium, in Milan on May 25, 2024. as the last match by coach. (AFP)

Olivier Giroud scored in his final match for AC Milan as the Rossoneri drew with bottom club Salernitana 3-3 on a Saturday night of farewells at San Siro.

The 37-year-old Giroud, who helped Milan to the Serie A title in 2022, is leaving after three years and will join Los Angeles FC.

Giroud was given a standing ovation when he was substituted off six minutes from time, hugging all of his teammates and coach Stefano Pioli as the crowd sang his name.

Milan’s last match of the season was also Pioli’s final match in charge, bringing to an end a five-year stint that included the Champions League semifinal last year as well as the Serie A title.

There were emotional scenes before the match as Pioli was encircled by his players. He had tears in his eyes as he embraced each of them individually as they applauded, while the whole stadium gave him a standing ovation.

Rafael Leão immediately went over to celebrate with Pioli after scoring the opening goal in the 22nd minute following a howler by Salernitana goalkeeper Vincenzo Fiorillo, who dropped the ball at his feet. They were joined by the rest of the Milan team.

Five minutes later it was Giroud’s turn as he acrobatically struck home a corner for his 15th league goal of the season. The France forward has 49 goals for Milan in his three seasons.

Simy pulled one back for Salernitana in the 64th but Davide Calabria restored Milan’s two-goal advantage 13 minutes later.

However, goals from Junior Sambia and Simy in the last three minutes rescued a draw for already-relegated Salernitana in its last top-flight match.

It was also Milan defender Simon Kjær's last match for the club. Pioli, Giroud and Kjær were all celebrated in a special ceremony after the match, and all three struggled to hold back tears.

RECORD-EQUALLING

Alex Sandro made his 327th and final appearance for Juventus as the Brazilian equaled Pavel Nedved’s record for the most matches by a foreign player for the Bianconeri.

Alex Sandro headed in Juve’s second in a 2-0 win over Monza. Federico Chiesa claimed the opener two minutes earlier.

Nicolò Fagioli hit the crossbar in the 16th minute on his first start for Juventus since returning from a seven-month ban for betting violations.

Monza forward Alessio Zerbin was sent off in the final minute following a second yellow card.



No Thoughts of Revenge as France Start World Cup Against Senegal, Says Deschamps

Didier Deschamps, Head Coach of France, attends the press conference of France one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 15, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Getty Images/AFP)
Didier Deschamps, Head Coach of France, attends the press conference of France one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 15, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Getty Images/AFP)
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No Thoughts of Revenge as France Start World Cup Against Senegal, Says Deschamps

Didier Deschamps, Head Coach of France, attends the press conference of France one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 15, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Getty Images/AFP)
Didier Deschamps, Head Coach of France, attends the press conference of France one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 15, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Getty Images/AFP)

France ‌coach Didier Deschamps said his side were not out for revenge in their World Cup opener against Senegal on Tuesday, 24 years after an opening loss to the African powerhouse preceded a calamitous group-stage exit and a bitter memory for their fans.

The holders in 2002, Les Bleus were stunned when they lost their opening match 1-0 to Senegal in Seoul. France never righted the campaign, with a 0-0 draw against Uruguay and a 2-0 defeat by Denmark in a final humiliation sealing an early exit.

"Listen, this was history but even (midfielder) N'Golo (Kante) ‌I'm not ‌sure he saw the game. Nearly most of ‌my ⁠players weren't born ⁠in 2002," Deschamps told reporters via a translator in East Rutherford on Monday, where the 2022 runners-up play Senegal in Group I at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

"I know that you like this word 'revenge' but there's no revenge in football."

The 2018 champions will be under the spotlight in swampy New Jersey, with prodigious striker Kylian Mbappe - ⁠a bona fide celebrity even in the soccer-ambivalent ‌United States - playing under scrutiny from ‌critics after he drew a blank in warm-up games against Ivory Coast and ‌Northern Ireland.

Playing Senegal for the first time since that 2002 ‌loss adds to the drama as France hunt a third straight trip to the final.

"(Senegal have) got excellent players who play in the best clubs," said Deschamps. "They've got an offensive capacity, their midfield is excellent. When you're ‌part of the best teams, you've got everything."

The 35-year-old Kante, a key piece of France's triumphant 2018 ⁠campaign who ⁠is back in the mix after missing 2022 with an injury, said he expected a tough fight with Senegal's midfield.

The Fenerbahce player added that beating Senegal was important to set the right tone for the tournament, not for revenge.

"We want to be part of this squad and to have everyone on board, everybody counts, everybody is important," he told reporters.

"I do believe that it's important to have trust in our team. We need to go as far as possible in the competition ... Of course, our main opponent is ourselves. We need to stay together, concentrated."

France play Senegal on Tuesday before facing Iraq and Norway.


Tunisia Fires Coach Sabri Lamouchi After World Cup Loss

 Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi watches during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP)
Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi watches during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP)
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Tunisia Fires Coach Sabri Lamouchi After World Cup Loss

 Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi watches during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP)
Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi watches during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP)

Tunisia fired head ‌coach Sabri Lamouchi on Monday after a lopsided loss in their first World Cup game.

The Tunisian Football Federation announced his dismissal on its Instagram account.

"An agreement has ‌been officially ‌reached to dismiss ‌coach ⁠Sabri Lamouchi," the statement ⁠read.

"Plans are underway to appoint Mondher Kebaier as the national team coach (on an interim basis) to complete the World Cup qualifying matches."

Sweden ⁠routed Tunisia 5-1 ‌in Sunday ‌night's Group F opener in ‌Guadalupe, Mexico.

Tunisia are scheduled to ‌face Japan in the same stadium on Saturday night before finishing group play on June 25 ‌against the Netherlands in Kansas City.

Lamouchi, 54, was ⁠hired ⁠in January and was already under fire following a 5-0 loss to Belgium in a pre-tournament friendly on June 6 in Brussels.

The Frenchman previously managed the Ivory Coast squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup but failed to advance beyond the group stage in Brazil.


Former Captain Says 2026 World Cup Continues Saudi Arabia’s Historic Journey

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Former Captain Says 2026 World Cup Continues Saudi Arabia’s Historic Journey

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Former Saudi national team captain Majed Abdullah said the Saudi team's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues a journey that began with their debut in 1994 in the United States, stressing the enduring support of Saudi fans throughout their international campaigns, SPA reported.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, he said, “Thirty-two years after leading the Saudi national team in the 1994 World Cup, I feel proud to see a new generation carrying the nation’s flag in football’s biggest tournament.”

He recalled the team’s confident debut in 1994, highlighting courage and team spirit as key factors in their success, and called for continued fan support, expressing confidence that the current squad can continue to make history.