Jude Bellingham's goal helped Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 to win a tense Clasico and move five...

Jude Bellingham's goal helped Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 to win a tense Clasico and move five points clear of their bitter rivals at the top of La Liga on Sunday.Champions Barcelona won all four times the teams were pitted against each other last season but in his first Clasico as Real Madrid coach, Xabi Alonso snapped that run.Kylian Mbappe, who later missed a penalty, fired Madrid in front and although Fermin Lopez levelled for the visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bellingham netted a second for the hosts before half-time which proved decisive.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Barca playmaker Pedri was sent off in the final stages for a second yellow card as tensions spilled over in the Spanish capital.Madrid's victory means they have won nine of their opening 10 league games and Alonso's side proved against Barca they can triumph on the big occasion, following their derby humbling by Atletico Madrid in September.Hansi Flick's team were led on the touchline by his assistant Marcus Sorg, as the German coach was suspended following a red card last weekend as they scraped a victory over relegation-battling Girona.Barcelona were without several regular starters, including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo among others, while Lamine Yamal still does not appear fully fit after a groin injury but started.The teenager wound up Madrid fans in the week by claiming Los Blancos "steal" and "complain" and his name was greeted with a chorus of jeers when read out before kick-off.Barcelona had more of the ball in the first half but it was largely sterile possession and Madrid created the most dangerous opportunities.The hosts were awarded an early penalty when Yamal appeared to bring down Vinicius Junior. However it was cancelled after a VAR review as it was the Brazilian initiated the contact.Madrid fans' ire at the officials grew when Mbappe blasted home from outside the area but the goal was ruled out for a milimetric offside against the French superstar.Mbappe did not have long to wait before he could celebrate in earnest, after superb work by Bellingham sent him through on goal.The forward, the division's top goalscorer, netted his 11th league goal of the campaign with a lethal low finish past Wojciech Szczesny.The goalkeeper made a good save from Dean Huijsen while Bellingham and Fede Valverde went close as Madrid took control.Szczesny stopped efforts from Vinicius and Bellingham again, and it was against the run of play when Barcelona equalised.Arda Guler gave away possession in a dangerous area and Marcus Rashford, playing in his first Clasico, crossed for Lopez to blast the visitors level in the 38th minute.Bellingham struck Madrid's second five minutes later to give Los Blancos a deserved advantage at the interval.The England international, who scored his first goal at the Bernabeu since April in midweek against Juventus, gleefully tapped home after Eder Militao nodded Vinicius's cross back into his path.<h3>Mbappe penalty saved</h3>Madrid should have extended their lead at the start of the second half but Szczesny made a fine save to push out Mbappe's penalty, after Eric Garcia was penalised for handball.Yamal, frustrated and struggling to make an impact on the game, sent a long-range shot high over the bar as Madrid closed ranks and kept the Catalans at a safe distance from their goal.Madrid looked the more threatening in the final stages despite Barca needing to score, able to bring on Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz, while Barca had little in the way of attacking reinforcements.Sorg sent defender Ronald Araujo up front during nine minutes of stoppage time after he netted the winner as a makeshift striker against Girona, but the centre-back could not trouble Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.Pedri was sent off in the final seconds for a second yellow card for a late foul on Aurelien Tchouameni, sparking a brief sideline shoving match, while players from both sides rowed after the final whistle.

Players of Real Madrid (from left to right) Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham celebrate a goal during the LaLiga EA Sports football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, on October 26, 2025.

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Real Madrid beat Barca in tense Clasico to extend La Liga lead

Liverpool slumped to a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat as Brentford bullied the defendin...

Liverpool slumped to a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat as Brentford bullied the defending champions in a 3-2 win on Saturday.Goals from Dango Ouattara, Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago secured victory for the Bees, who climb to 10th in the table.Liverpool slip to sixth and could be seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal by Sunday as their title defence has collapsed in spectacular style over the past month.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Reds have lost five of their last six games in all competitions as Arne Slot appears lost for answers in how to develop a cohesive team from a Premier League record spend of nearly £450 million ($600 million) in the transfer window.One of Slot's big decisions was taken out of his hands as Alexander Isak missed out due to a groin injury, but Mohamed Salah did return from the side that thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday to snap a four-game losing streak.Brentford have long been exponents of the long throw-in tactic that has become popular across the Premier League this season.Liverpool struggled to deal with the flight of Michael Kayode's throw-ins all night and it was the source of the opening goal.Kristoffer Ajer flicked on the Italian's wicked delivery and Ouattara volleyed in.Liverpool showed flickers of life and Florian Wirtz should have netted his first goal for the club when the £100 million signing fired wide from inside the area.<h3>Liverpool's implosion</h3>But despite Brentford's lack of possession they continued to pose the greater goal threat.Giorgi Mamardashvili tipped over Mikkel Damsgaard's dipping strike.Damsgaard then created Brentford's second with a brilliant through ball that saw Schade leave Ibrahima Konate trailing before firing low past Mamardashvili.Liverpool have now conceded at least twice in six of their nine league games so far this season.Milos Kerkez's struggles since a £40 million move from Bournemouth have played a major part in Liverpool's implosion.The Hungarian made amends for another shaky display when he turned in Conor Bradley's cross five minutes into first half stoppage time.Brentford were furious as the referee had signalled for only three minutes to be added.However, the home side benefitted when a VAR intervention awarded a penalty for Virgil van Dijk's kick on Ouattara on the hour mark.A free-kick had initially been given but replays showed the Liverpool captain made contact just inside the area.Thiago sent Mamardashvili the wrong way and there was no way back for Liverpool after another disjointed and dispirited display from the defending champions.Salah was denied by Sepp van den Berg's desire to throw his body in the way of his shot with the chance to pull a goal back immediately.The Egyptian did eventually end his six-game goal drought at club level in spectacular fashion by controlling Dominik Szoboszlai's cross and smashing in off the underside of the bar in the 89th minute.But it was too little, too late to slow Liverpool's dramatic decline since the disruption of a squad overhaul in the summer and the grief caused by the shock death of Diogo Jota in a car accident in July.

Brentford's Jordan Henderson (left) celebrates after the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday October 25, 2025.

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Liverpool fall at Brentford for 4th straight Premier League loss

Ruben Amorim hailed Manchester United's 4-2 win against Brighton on Saturday as a "more complete"...

Ruben Amorim hailed Manchester United's 4-2 win against Brighton on Saturday as a "more complete" performance than their impressive victory Premier League champions Liverpool.After going eight games in all competitions without a goal following his close-season move from Wolves, Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha netted in the first half at Old Trafford to start repaying his £62.5 million ($83 million) transfer fee.Casemiro doubled United's lead before the interval and Bryan Mbeumo was on target in the second half.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Danny Welbeck's late goal against his former club and a stoppage-time effort from Charalampos Kostoulas came too late for Brighton to snatch a point.Mbeumo struck again at the death to give revitalised United three consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since February 2024 under Amorim's predecessor Erik ten Hag."When you have a different spirit, we are a bit more free playing the game. We have a different confidence," Amorim said."The performance was important but it would not be Manchester United without suffering a bit."United's confident display maintained the momentum from last weekend's win against Liverpool and the success against Sunderland that preceded their first triumph at Anfield since 2016.The 2-1 victory against the Premier League champions had given Amorim a much-needed boost after a turbulent start to the season.Now United's latest win has lifted them into fourth place in the Premier League ahead of the rest of the weekend's fixtures."I never had that feeling of embarrassment of not winning games, I felt (co-owner) Jim Ratcliffe always believed. But to face the fans was difficult in that moment. It's so hard in football, everything can change in one minute," Amorim said."We are improving in the bad moments and respond in a different way. You can feel it. The team play so much better compared to last season. "We have players more suited to this type of style. I like more today than last week against Liverpool, it was more complete."<h3>Clinical United</h3>United were rewarded for their early barrage in the 24th minute as Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro teed up Cunha just outside the Brighton area for a sweet strike that gave Bart Verbruggen no chance as it raced into the far corner.Since the start of last season, Cunha has scored seven goals from outside the area, more than any other Premier League player in all competitions.Casemiro joined his fellow Brazilian on the scoresheet in the 34th minute.If Cunha's goal was superbly crafted and finished, Casemiro needed a substantial slice of luck to net for the second time this term.Casemiro's shot from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection off Brighton's Yasin Ayari, catching Verbruggen wrong-footed as it tricked apologetically over the line.Ratcliffe recently said the under-fire Amorim would get three years to put the club back on track after their worst top-flight finish since 1973-74 last season.While cynics doubted whether Ratcliffe would stick to his word if United continued to struggle, Amorim would have been pleased to hear that his employer was seen clapping and cheering as the hosts took control.United have never lost a Premier League game at Old Trafford after leading at half time.Mbeumo ensured that statistic would continue when the Cameroon forward slotted home in composed fashion in the 61st minute, to the frustration of Brighton who claimed Luke Shaw committed a foul in the build-up.It was Mbeumo's fourth goal since his close-season move from Brentford as the Cameroon forward maintained the momentum from last weekend's strike against Liverpool.When Welbeck struck in the 74th minute with a superb free-kick, United's nerves began to jangle.Their pulses were racing even faster after Kostoulas headed in James Milner's corner in the closing seconds.But Mbeumo quelled the mounting anxiety with virtually the last kick as he sprinted onto Fernandes's pass and fired home via the crossbar.

Manchester United's Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday October 25, 2025.

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Cunha scores 1st goal as Man United beat Brighton, extend winning streak

Sunderland climbed to second in the Premier League as Chemsdine Talbi's stoppage-time winner stun...

Sunderland climbed to second in the Premier League as Chemsdine Talbi's stoppage-time winner stunned Chelsea, while Newcastle also struck late to beat Fulham 2-1 on Saturday.Back in the Premier League for the first time in eight years, the Black Cats already look set to buck the trend of promoted sides being relegated straight back to the Championship.Chelsea looked like they would be the side to go second in the table when Alejandro Garnacho drilled in his first goal for the club after just four minutes.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>However, with Brazilian wonder kid Estevao surprisingly dropped to the bench and Cole Palmer still missing through injury, the Blues lacked invention in the final third.Sunderland levelled on 22 minutes when Wilson Isidor bundled in from close range after Chelsea failed to clear a long throw-in.The visitors comfortably held the Club World Cup winners at bay in the second period despite Estevao's introduction on the hour mark.Sunderland then landed the sucker punch on the counter-attack in the 93rd minute when Brian Brobbey teed up Tabli to curl perfectly into the bottom corner.The defeat leaves Chelsea down in seventh and any hope of a title challenge fading fast.Newcastle secured a much-needed league win thanks to captain Bruno Guimaraes' 90th minute strike at St. James' Park.Jacob Murphy pounced on an error by Calvin Bassey to give the Magpies a first-half lead.Sasa Lukic headed in Fulham's equaliser just before the hour mark.But Marco Silva's men fell to a fourth consecutive defeat that leaves them hovering just above the relegation zone.Guimaraes swept home the rebound after Bernd Leno had saved William Osula's initial effort to snatch just Newcastle's third league win of the season.Eddie Howe's men climb to 11th and within three points of the top four.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Chemsdine Talbi of Sunderland celebrates scoring the winning goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on October 25, 2025 in London, United Kingdom.

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Sunderland climb EPL table after 93rd-minute winner vs. Chelsea

Last season Barcelona romped to four Clasico victories over Real Madrid, but led by in-form strik...

Last season Barcelona romped to four Clasico victories over Real Madrid, but led by in-form striker Kylian Mbappe, Los Blancos are aiming to redress the balance on Sunday in La Liga.Hansi Flick's side won a domestic treble, beating Madrid twice in La Liga and in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals, precipitating the end of Carlo Ancelotti's reign.The Italian's replacement Xabi Alonso has started well, with Madrid leading Barcelona by two points at the top of the table going into the clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Madrid have some doubts around them regarding their performance in big matches, having lost against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals this summer and then suffering a 5-2 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in a derby in September.A victory in the Clasico would open up a five-point gap on their rivals and ease those concerns, while Flick's Barca are yet to reach the same level they managed last season.Madrid striker Mbappe, however, has hit new heights in the current campaign after finishing the previous campaign strongly.Mbappe scored in his 11 previous consecutive matches for club and country before Wednesday's Champions League win over Juventus, in which Jude Bellingham netted the only goal.The 26-year-old has scored 10 of Madrid's 20 La Liga goals, leading Spain's scoring charts, and has 15 for his club across all competitions, totalling 54 percent of their goals."We're not dependent on him," said Madrid coach Alonso last week, although the statistics hint otherwise."We are very happy with his performance, he's being decisive."Mbappe struggled for confidence and form in his early days at Madrid, with his first Clasico a huge disappointment.Exactly a year before this weekend's Clasico, Barcelona visited the Bernabeu and came away with a 4-0 victory, a match notable for the French superstar's struggle to beat the Catalans' high defensive line in his first outing against them for Madrid.Mbappe had one goal disallowed for offside and was caught offside eight times in total. The forward was "shrunken and without venom", wrote Spanish newspaper AS."It's time to change my situation and show who I am as a player," pledged Mbappe a few weeks later as Madrid continued to slump.By the time Mbappe faced Barcelona next, in the Spanish Super Cup final in January, he had clicked into a higher gear.Madrid were dismantled 5-2, but Mbappe found the net, as he did in their far tighter 3-2 Copa del Rey final defeat.In May Mbappe, now in full flow, hit a hat-trick against Barcelona but Los Blancos still fell 4-3 at the Olympic stadium as Flick's side virtually wrapped up the league title.This season Turkish playmaker Arda Guler has started to form a strong connection with the forward, with a knack for spotting Mbappe's bursts forward."Arda gets between the lines and there he finds Mbappe well," explained Alonso.With Barcelona struggling badly in defence at the start of the current campaign, Madrid are confident Mbappe can get in behind to devastating effect on Sunday. <h3>Key stats</h3>10: Wins in a row at home for Real Madrid across all competitions, their joint longest in a decade44: Offsides drawn by Barcelona this season in La Liga, more than any other side in Europe's top five leagues105: Clasico wins for Real Madrid, to Barcelona's 104, while there have been 52 draws

Seville, Spain - April 26: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid CF and Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona battle for the ball during the Copa del Rey Final macht between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 26, 2025 in Seville, Spain.

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Mbappe and Real Madrid aiming to end Barca's Clasico dominance

Liverpool broke a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions ...

Liverpool broke a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Hugo Ekitike scoring for the English champions against his former club.After Ekitike levelled for Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai all grabbed goals, the latter two assisted by Florian Wirtz on his return to Germany.Liverpool came into Wednesday's match staring down the barrel of their worst losing run in 73 years dating back to 1953-54, when they were relegated from the top flight.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"We're Liverpool and if we win a game of football it's not that we'll celebrate until tomorrow, but I'm pleased we were able to win," Liverpool manager Arne Slot told DAZN.Slot benched the out-of-form Mohamed Salah and Liverpool conceded first for the fifth straight game when Rasmus Kristensen scored on the counter.The Reds soon kicked into gear however, scoring three goals inside 10 minutes to take a 3-1 lead at half-time.Wirtz, who had no goals or assists in the Premier League or Champions League since his big-money arrival at Anfield, laid on second-half goals for Gakpo and Szoboszlai to put the match to bed. While Wirtz broke his goal contribution duck, Alexander Isak again failed to fire and was subbed off at half-time for Federico Chiesa."We know what quality we have in the team -- all world-class players," Wirtz told DAZN. "We didn't start well but we came together and turned the match around."I can do much, much more," Wirtz said of his assists, adding: "I'm satisfied we won and that I finally laid on some goals."The win will do Liverpool's confidence the world of good but Arne Slot's side will face bigger tests than Frankfurt, who have now conceded 23 goals in their past six games. With 26 minutes gone, Nathaniel Brown picked Wirtz's pocket before Frankfurt thundered up the field, Mario Gotze finding Kristensen who swapped to his preferred right foot and hammered home the opener.Frankfurt were pushing for a second on 35 minutes when Andy Robertson won possession and played a superb long-range pass from deep to the breaking Ekitike. The former Frankfurt forward collected the pass, advanced goalwards and slid it under Michael Zetterer, before raising his palms to apologise to the home fans.The goal came against the run of play but sent a jolt through Liverpool. The Reds were two up just four minutes later when Van Dijk powered past his helpless marker, the slight winger Ansgar Knauff, to head in a Cody Gakpo corner. One minute before the interval, Van Dijk's centre-back partner Konate repeated the trick, again powering past Knauff to head in a corner. Wirtz had a mixed opening half but looked more assured when Liverpool got on the front foot. The Germany midfielder laid on goals for Gakpo and Szoboszlai inside four second-half minutes to put Liverpool on track for a big win."We started well, took the lead but at this level you need to be there for 90 minutes. It hurts," 2014 World Cup winner Gotze said.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 22: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Cody Gakpo of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at Frankfurt Stadion on October 22, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

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Liverpool score 5 unanswered to thump Frankfurt, end losing streak

Jude Bellingham's goal helped record 15-time winners Real Madrid maintain their 100 percent start...

Jude Bellingham's goal helped record 15-time winners Real Madrid maintain their 100 percent start to the Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Juventus on Wednesday.Xabi Alonso's Spanish giants mostly outplayed their visitors but could not extend their lead after England international Bellingham netted from close range in the second half.Italian giants Juventus, now without a win in seven games across all competitions, fought hard but failed to find an equaliser at the Santiago Bernabeu.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Madrid's solid win was ideal preparation for Sunday's Clasico against rivals Barcelona in La Liga and left them as one of five sides to win all three of their opening matches."I'm very happy with the win, it was a very tough game with chances at both ends and we had to sweat for it, but it was an important win against a big team," Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois told Movistar, after making his 300th appearance for the club."They are Juve, not a small side, and when they defend with 11 men and want to go on the counter, it's not easy."Both teams tried to figure each other out in a tentative opening period, but slowly Alonso's team began to take control.Brahim Diaz flicked the ball to in-form French superstar Kylian Mbappe, whose shot was tipped away by Michele Di Gregorio.The striker produced a superb dribble from the right to break into the box and then cut the ball back to Eder Militao on the edge of the box, who whistled a shot narrowly over.That was as close as either side came in the first half but the game opened up after the interval.Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a fine save with his leg to deny Dusan Vlahovic at the end of a rapid break downfield.Madrid took the lead after some fine work by Vinicius Junior, yet to score in the Champions League this season.The Brazilian was surrounded by defenders in the area but managed to work some space for a shot, which he curled against the post.Attacking midfielder Bellingham showed his poacher's instinct to react quickest and turn home the rebound after 57 minutes.It was the 22-year-old's first goal of the season in his seventh match, after a slow start to the campaign following shoulder surgery in the summer to fix a long-term problem.Mbappe, who had scored in his previous 11 matches for club and country, slipped as he shot and Di Gregorio was able to save his low strike as Madrid sought a second.The Italian stopper made a stunning double save from Mbappe and Diaz to give his team a chance of snatching a draw.Juventus forged one golden chance but Raul Asencio slid in to block Lois Openda's shot as the clock ticked down.Mbappe had one more effort from distance saved as he tried to preserve his goalscoring streak, but Di Gregorio was equal to it.Courtois was called into action again in stoppage time to pummel away Filip Kostic's long-range strike, leaving Igor Tudor's Juve winless in their first three Champions League matches."We've started this group phase in the best way possible," said Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni."We faced a good team that defend well and so for us it's not so easy, but we were confident we would score."

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 22: Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Juventus at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 22, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

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Bellingham strikes as Real Madrid prepare for Clasico by beating Juve

Ousmane Dembele scored on his return from injury as defending champions Paris Saint-Germain thras...

Ousmane Dembele scored on his return from injury as defending champions Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday, as both teams finished with 10 men.Ballon d'Or winner Dembele scored PSG's sixth just three minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute for his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury in early September.Desire Doue bagged a brace while Willian Pacho, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha also hit the net at Leverkusen's BayArena as the visitors laid down the gauntlet to their European rivals.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Aleix Garcia scored both of the hosts' goals while PSG lost centre-back Illia Zabarnyi to a red card on 37 minutes, as he conceded a second spot-kick of the match, and Leverkusen had captain Robert Andrich dismissed for crashing his elbow into Doue's jaw a few minutes earlier.PSG have been injury-hit and inconsistent this season, but once both teams were reduced to 10 men, they dominated their helpless hosts.Playing his first match since claiming the Ballon d'Or last month, Dembele said his side "could have avoided our red card", but "stayed in the game and scored goals before half-time that did us good. "And we just had to roll on in the second half. Scoring seven goals is important, we have to keep it up. "It's only the first half of the season, we'll have to stay on target in Europe and the league."The 28-year-old said he was "not at 100 percent yet" and wanted to come back in the league last weekend, but "the coach told me to wait a bit longer.""I'm slowly getting my form back."PSG's bid to go back-to-back on the European stage will face tougher tests than the rebuilding Leverkusen, who fielded six starters who only joined the club in the summer.The French champions showcased their attacking riches alongside the steel needed to overcome setbacks borne out of last year's breakthrough campaign. PSG's preparation for the game was boosted by the news that Dembele and captain Marquinhos were fit enough to make the trip to Germany. The duo, crucial to PSG's barnstorming treble last season, watched on from the bench as PSG took the lead after just seven minutes. Mendes hit a cross over the Leverkusen defence for Pacho to head in at the far post.Leverkusen were awarded a penalty for a Zabarnyi handball with 25 minutes gone but Alejandro Grimaldo hit the post with his spot-kick.The writing looked to be on the wall for Leverkusen when they were reduced to 10 men by Andrich's needless foul on Doue on 33 minutes, but they were then handed a lifeline when Zabarnyi gave away a second penalty and saw red shortly afterwards for clumsily bringing down Christian Kofane as the last man, with Garcia scoring from the spot.Rather than tighten up, the red card galvanised the French side, who reacted by scoring three goals in eight minutes to stun the hosts.Doue scored twice either side of a Kvaratskhelia scorcher to go into the break 4-1 up and cruising. Mendes scored five minutes into the second half to help PSG pick up where they had left off. While Garcia's long-distance stunner on 54 minutes was a rare Leverkusen highlight, PSG had the last words.Dembele cut the ball home from a tight angle and Vitinha added even more gloss on the final score, rounding out an incredible European night for the defending champions.

Paris Saint-Germain's Portuguese midfielder #17 Vitinha celebrates after scoring his team's seventh goal 2-7 with Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #10 Ousmane Dembele during the UEFA Champions League football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the BayArena stadium in Leverkusen, western Germany on October 21, 2025.

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Dembele scores in return as PSG drop 7 goals on Leverkusen

Viktor Gyokeres scored twice in Arsenal's second half demolition of Atletico Madrid to extend the...

Viktor Gyokeres scored twice in Arsenal's second half demolition of Atletico Madrid to extend their perfect start to the Champions League with 4-0 win at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli opened the floodgates before Gyokeres ended his nine-game goal drought in a 13-minute spell either side of the hour mark.The Premier League leaders are also sitting pretty alongside last season's finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the top of the Champions League table as the only sides so far with nine points from their opening three games.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Gyokeres' lack of goals had been one of very few concerns for Mikel Arteta in a stunning start to the campaign for the Gunners.The Swede, signed from Sporting Lisbon to end Arsenal's lack of a clinical number nine, had previously scored just three times, in home games against Leeds and Nottingham Forest, in 11 previous appearances."Hopefully it's the start of some beautiful sequence now," said Arteta."That's what we brought him here for. His demands on himself are really high, but we value a lot of the things that he does for the team."Atletico remain without a win away from home all season and the manner of the Spanish side's collapse after a competitive opening hour will concern Diego Simeone.Another clean sheet means Arsenal have still only conceded three times 12 games in all competitions this season.Julian Alvarez twice could have put the visitors ahead as he failed to make the most of a poor David Raya clearance in the first half and then hit the bar from outside the box early in the second period.Eberechi Eze's deflected effort also came off the woodwork in Arsenal's best attempt of the first 45 minutes.But as so often in recent times, Arteta's men were able to rely on their strength from set pieces to make the breakthrough.Declan Rice's in-swinging free-kick was perfectly weighted for the stooping Gabriel to power a header into the bottom corner.Myles Lewis Skelly's recall at left-back was one of only two changes made by Arteta from Saturday's 1-0 win at Fulham.The England international has played second fiddle to Riccardo Calafiori for most of the season but highlighted the wealth of options available to Arteta with a driving run to set up the second goal.Lewis Skelly picked out Martinelli, who curled into the far corner for his third goal in as many Champions League games.Gyokeres then got the bit of fortune he needed to end his barren spell in front of goal when his shot from close range deflected off David Hancko to leave Jan Oblak helpless.Three minutes later, Gyokeres converted from even closer to the goal after Gabriel again won the first header to Rice's corner."It's been a while, but we've been winning games, so in that part it's been a great couple of months," said Gyokeres."Of course as a striker, you want to score goals. Great to score two goals and to get this win because it shows where we're at."Arteta could afford the luxury of withdrawing Gabriel, Gyokeres, Eze, Jurrien Timber and Martin Zubimendi in the closing stages with one eye on Crystal Palace's Premier League visit on Sunday.Arsenal reached the semi-finals last season for the first time since 2009 before losing to eventual winners PSG.The Gunners appear even stronger after another summer of major investment in the transfer market as they aim to conquer Europe for the first time in the club's history.Atletico, who were also beaten in their previous trip to England at Liverpool last month, have just three points from their opening three games.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on October 21, 2025 in London, England.

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Gyokeres, Arsenal use 2nd-half onslaught to dismantle Atletico

La Liga's plan to hold a Barcelona match in Miami in December has been called off because of "unc...

La Liga's plan to hold a Barcelona match in Miami in December has been called off because of "uncertainty" about the game within Spain, the Spanish top flight said in a statement Tuesday.Champions Barca were set to face Villarreal in the United States on December 20, which would have been the first European league fixture to be played abroad.La Liga said their promoter for the match decided to cancel the organisation of the event because of "uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks".<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Spanish top flight said they "deeply regret that the project, which represented a historic and unparallelled opportunity to take Spanish football to the international stage, cannot go ahead".Tickets for the game at the Hard Rock Stadium were due to become available on Tuesday but organisers said the presale was "delayed" before the plan was scrapped.The match will now be held at Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica home as normal.European football governing body UEFA said they opposed the idea of games being played overseas but would allow it on an exceptional basis, along with a Serie A match in Australia in February between AC Milan and Como.The plan to hold the match in the United States was criticised by various parties.The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) organised protests against it last weekend, with players from every team not moving for 15 seconds at the start of each league match.Spanish giants Real Madrid also railed against it institutionally, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Tuesday it would adulterate the competition.Madrid captain Dani Carvajal told La Liga president Javier Tebas the game being held abroad would be "a stain" on the competition.La Liga have been trying to hold a match abroad for several years.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 18: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Girona FC at Spotify Camp Nou on October 18, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.

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La Liga scraps controversial plan to stage Barca match in Miami

Rafael Leao shot AC Milan to the top of Serie A with a brace in Sunday's 2-1 win over Fiorentina ...

Rafael Leao shot AC Milan to the top of Serie A with a brace in Sunday's 2-1 win over Fiorentina who were enraged by the "scandalous" awarding of the penalty that decided the game.Portugal winger Leao pushed Milan one point ahead of local rivals Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma with a coolly-taken spot-kick, given for what looked like a soft foul on Santiago Gimenez by Fabiano Parisi, with four minutes remaining.That goal capped a fine first league start of the season for Leao, and came after he drew the hosts level with a brilliantly struck effort from distance in the 63rd minute.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"He's an amazing talent, from outside when I used to watch him and now when I train with him, I see he is one of the best players in the world," said Luka Modric to DAZN."The incredible thing is that he can still improve, it just depends on him. I hope these two goals can help him grow his confidence and be the main guy for us. He will be very important and we will depend a lot on him. He showed why tonight."Leao's goals are a boost for Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has had to deal with a spate of injuries, including to key players Adrien Rabiot and Christian Pulisic who were hurt on international duty and will not be back for weeks.The 26-year-old's brace cancelled out Robin Gosens's opener in the 55th minute for Fiorentina, who are still seeking their first league win of the season under former Milan coach Pioli and sit in the relegation zone.But Pioli said the awarding of the decisive penalty, given by referee Livio Marinelli following a check of the pitchside monitor, would "encourage players to dive at the slightest touch".Fiorentina's sporting director Daniele Prade was even more blunt, blasting Marinelli for not having "the courage to back his original decision"."These are those incidents that change everything, we were playing to win the game and you just can't do things like that. It's scandalous," said Prade."Gimenez was on the floor for 20 minutes and he was barely touched, it was almost grotesque... We didn't deserve to lose and we definitely didn't deserve to lose in that way."

MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 19: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates the win with Luka Modric and Matteo Gabbia at the end of the Serie A match between AC Milan and ACF Fiorentina at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Milan, Italy.

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'Scandalous' Leao goal sends Milan top, leaves Fiorentina livid

Ruben Amorim said a first victory at Anfield since 2016 was just reward for Manchester United's l...

Ruben Amorim said a first victory at Anfield since 2016 was just reward for Manchester United's long suffering fans after Harry Maguire's late winner inflicted a fourth consecutive defeat on Liverpool.The 2-1 win ensured that United earned theirs first back-to-back victories in the Premier League since Amorim took charge nearly a year ago.But the Portuguese coach said that how his players respond next weekend when Brighton visit Old Trafford will tell him more about what United can aspire to this season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"That was the biggest win in my time at Manchester United. It means a lot today but tomorrow it won't mean a lot," said Amorim.United crashed out of the League Cup to fourth-tier Grimsby in August and Amorim appeared on the brink of losing his job after defeat to Brentford last month.However, wins over Sunderland and their historic rivals have lifted the Red Devils up to ninth in the Premier League and within two points of fourth-placed Liverpool."It was really important for our fans. They struggled against Grimsby, against Brentford and today they saw a different team," added Amorim."To win in the stadium of the champions and our biggest rivals is really important."Despite the magnitude of the victory, Amorim was far from fully satisfied with his side's performance.Bryan Mbeumo gave the visitors the perfect start by firing home the opening goal after just 61 seconds.United had chances to extend their lead as Bruno Fernandes hit the post, but also had to ride their luck.Cody Gakpo hit the woodwork three times before the Dutch forward finally equalised on 78 minutes.However, Maguire, who missed a glorious chance to win the game in a 2-2 draw when United last visited Anfield in January, was the unlikely hero when he headed in Fernandes's cross."Was a great win, not a very well played game, but a great spirit and that is all I can ask," said Amorim.<h3>'Negative set-piece balance'</h3>Arne Slot blamed his side's wastefulness in front of goal and set-piece defending for the latest in a string of poor results.Not since 2014 have Liverpool lost four consecutive games.Alexander Isak was denied his first Premier League goal since joining Liverpool for a British transfer record £125 million ($168 million) by Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens before half-time.Mohamed Salah fired wide when presented with a huge chance early in the second period before Gakpo somehow headed off target with the opportunity to snatch a point after Maguire's goal."If you told me (before the game) we would create eight, nine or 10 open chances, I wouldn't think that is possible. From all the chances we got, we only scored one goal," said Dutchman Slot."It's almost impossible to win a big game of football with a negative set-piece balance."We conceded another one today that led to us losing the game."Defeat leaves Liverpool four points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Manchester United head coach / manager Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

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Amorim: 'Really important' to reward fans with win at Anfield

Liverpool slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in 11 years as Manchester Uni...

Liverpool slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in 11 years as Manchester United won 2-1 on Sunday to end their near decade-long wait for victory at Anfield.Harry Maguire's 84th minute header secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in Ruben Amorim's tenure as United boss.Twelve minutes from time, Cody Gakpo had cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo's opener after just 61 seconds. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Defeat leaves Liverpool four points adrift of Arsenal at the top of the table and Arne Slot still searching for answers in how to get the right blend after splashing out nearly £450 million ($604 million) on new players in the transfer market.United close to within two points of their historic rivals and up to ninth in the table to ease the pressure on Amorim after his biggest win in nearly a year in charge."It means everything. They had had the better of us over the last few years and it's not been good for our club," said Maguire."We have not given our fans enough days like today, so it has been a long time coming, coming to this ground and picking up three points."<h3>State of flux</h3>Liverpool had only lost one of the previous 14 Premier League meetings between the sides and United had not tasted victory at Anfield since the early days of Jurgen Klopp's reign in January 2016.However, the Reds are in a state of flux after transforming the squad that stormed to the title last season and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July."It is an interesting time because we have to stick together, not just us as players but as a club and the fans who want us to win," said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk."When things get tough, it is important we keep the mentality of being there for each other. It is a long season."After three consecutive defeats for the first time in Slot's reign, Liverpool could barely have imagined a worse start.Mbeumo sped past Van Dijk with ease before firing past Giorgi Mamardashvili from Amad Diallo's pass after barely a minute.Slot left £100 million signing Florian Wirtz on the bench for the second consecutive game as he looked in vain to find the right balance between defence and attack.Gakpo should have levelled for the defending champions when he hit the post from Mohamed Salah's through ball in Liverpool's one flowing move of the first half.However, it was United who should have been further in front by half-time.Bruno Fernandes spurned a glorious chance to double the Red Devils' lead when he hit the outside of the post when unmarked from the edge of the area.At the other end, Senne Lammens was rarely troubled in the first 45 minutes, but produced a big save when called upon to deny Alexander Isak his first Premier League goal since joining Liverpool for a British transfer record £125 million.A Gakpo deflected cross then came back off the post and the Dutchman rattled the woodwork for a third time early in the second half.<h3>Defensive frailties</h3>Slot turned to his near £200 million in forward options off the bench as Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike were introduced on the hour mark to join Salah, Gakpo and Isak in a five-man attack.Salah has scored more goals than any other player in this fixture, but his lack of form showed in a wild finish to slice wide with just Lammens to beat at the back post.Liverpool's wealth of attacking talent finally broke the door down when Federico Chiesa, who had replaced Isak moments earlier, drilled in a low cross that Gakpo converted from point blank range.Yet, their defensive frailties meant parity only lasted six minutes as Maguire was left unmarked to head in Fernandes's looping cross.Gakpo should still have rescued a point when he headed wide with the goal gaping from Jeremie Frimpong's inviting delivery.But Liverpool fell to their first league defeat at Anfield in over a year in another blow to their hopes of usurping United with a record 21st English top-flight title.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-2 during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

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Man Utd match-winner Maguire: Beating Liverpool 'means everything'

Eintracht Frankfurt were pegged back by a clever 87th-minute Vincenzo Grifo free-kick in a 2-2 dr...

Eintracht Frankfurt were pegged back by a clever 87th-minute Vincenzo Grifo free-kick in a 2-2 draw at Freiburg on Sunday, days out from their Champions League clash against Liverpool.On Wednesday, Frankfurt will welcome back former striker Hugo Ekitike, who made a big-money move to Anfield in the summer -- for a reported £69 million ($92 million).The 2022 Europa League winners will be playing in the Champions League for just the second time. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>But this draw again highlighted Frankfurt's inconsistency this season.Frustrated Frankfurt defender Rasmus Kristensen told reporters that the draw would be extra motivation against Liverpool. "We were pretty much in control in an away game and the three points were in our grasp today, but unfortunately we didn't get them," he said."That's why we'll need to step it up on Wednesday. We'll get in there with great confidence and give our best."Freiburg went ahead after just two minutes thanks to Derry Scherhant but Jonathan Burkardt scored twice before halftime to put Frankfurt in control. With the clock winding down, set piece specialist Grifo caught Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos napping, curling his free kick around the wall and in at the near post. The Eagles have scored more goals (19) than anyone except league leaders Bayern Munich (27) but have conceded the most (18) in the Bundesliga this campaign. Frankfurt had conceded 16 goals in their past four matches and the visitors may have feared another long afternoon when Freiburg's Scherhant put the hosts in front two minutes in.Frankfurt found their feet after a quarter of an hour, however, and Burkardt had them level shortly afterwards, his shot finding the bottom right corner from a fortunate deflection. Turkish teenager Can Uzun was a creative menace in attacking midfield and helped Frankfurt take the lead before halftime.He won the ball near the Freiburg goal and fed Fares Chaibi, who laid it off for Burkhardt to score his seventh goal in nine matches in all competitions since moving to Frankfurt in the summer.The visitors tried to maintain control of the match after the break, bringing on World Cup winner Mario Gotze midway through the second half to see out the result.But Freiburg had other ideas and Italy midfielder Grifo snatched a share of the spoils.In Sunday's final game, Hoffenheim climbed to eighth with a 3-0 away thumping at St Pauli.

19 October 2025, Baden-Württemberg, Freiburg im Breisgau: Soccer: Bundesliga, SC Freiburg - Eintracht Frankfurt, Matchday 7, Europa-Park Stadium. Junior Adamu (l, SC Freiburg) in action against Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt). Photo: Harry Langer/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to utilize or have utilized photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series.

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Frankfurt held by Freiburg ahead of Liverpool clash

Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendia inspired Aston Villa's fightback to win 2-1 against Tottenham ...

Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendia inspired Aston Villa's fightback to win 2-1 against Tottenham on Sunday as the north Londoners suffered more misery on home turf.Rodrigo Bentancur put Thomas Frank's side ahead early in the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.But Rogers equalised with a superb strike before the interval and Buendia came off the bench to seal the points in the closing stages.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Tottenham's woeful home form in the Premier League -- 11 defeats and just three wins in 18 league games -- has proved a major issue for Frank since he replaced the sacked Ange Postecoglou in the close-season.While the majority of those home losses came under Postecoglou last term, Frank's short tenure has produced mixed results at the club's 62,000-seat stadium, with boos audible after a defeat to Bournemouth in August and a 1-1 draw with lowly Wolves last month.The end of Tottenham's seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions left them in sixth place after the second defeat in Frank's eight league games."It was exactly the game I expected it to be, very tight. There weren't too many chances. I think overall it could've gone either way," Frank said. "I think 1-1 would've been a fair result. Villa scored two goals from outside the box in moments where you wouldn't expect them to score. "Fair play for their moments of quality. We also easily could have won."Villa have responded to their longest winless start to a season since 1964 with five successive victories, three in the top-flight and two in the Europa League, extending their unbeaten streak to eight matches.It was especially notable that Villa finally beat a top-four rival away from home after taking just one point from their six trips last season to the English sides currently in the Champions League.Unai Emery's team are up to 10th place as they try to climb back into the race for Champions League qualification."The way the players responded, even when we were losing 1-0, this is the way we are trying to get better at and try to build the team with this structure," Emery said."Most importantly we are recovering some players. The dressing room is different now."<h3>Rogers rocket</h3>Already without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke due to fitness issues, Frank lost captain Cristian Romero to an injury in the pre-match warm-up.Despite that blow, Tottenham needed just five minutes to take the lead.Mohammed Kudus's cross was headed back across goal by Micky van de Ven towards Bentancur, who dispatched a clinical finish past Emiliano Martinez from eight yards.Bentancur celebrated by shoving the ball under his shirt to create a bump in tribute to his wife, who is pregnant with the couple's second child.Tottenham forward Wilson Odobert threatened with a low shot that Martinez palmed away in the driving rain.But Rogers hauled Villa level in spectacular fashion after 37 minutes.The England midfielder's first goal this season was well worth the wait.Taking aim 20 yards from goal, Rogers unloaded a stunning strike that left Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario grasping at thin air as it curled over his out-stretched arm.Odobert's goal-bound rocket was blocked by Ezri Konsa before Martinez denied Joao Palhinha as Tottenham looked to take charge in the second half.But Mathys Tel joined Tottenham's growing injury list as the forward limped off to have a heavy bandage wrapped around his knee.Frank's problems were mounting and Villa took full advantage in the 77th minute.Matty Cash's cross-field pass found Lucas Digne and he teed up Buendia, who whipped a fine finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.Randal Kolo Muani, making his Premier League debut, should have rescued Tottenham in stoppage-time, but the on-loan Paris Saint-Germain striker scooped over with the goal at his mercy.

Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven appears dejected following the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday October 19, 2025.

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Spurs humbled at home again after Aston Villa hit back

Rising star Nico Paz shone again for Como with a goal and assist in Sunday's landmark 2-0 win ove...

Rising star Nico Paz shone again for Como with a goal and assist in Sunday's landmark 2-0 win over Juventus, which lifted the traditionally tiny club up to fifth place in Serie A.Argentina international Paz set up Marc-Oliver Kempf to sweep home in the fourth minute at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, before making sure of Como's first win against Juve since 1952 with a wonderful individual goal with 12 minutes remaining.Paz scampered down the right flank before cutting inside Andrea Cambiaso and curling a superb finish past Michele Di Gregorio, a goal which pushed Como above Juve on goal difference.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Owned by tobacco giant Djarum and coached by former Spain and Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas, ambitious Como are on 12 points from seven matches, only three behind the division's leading trio of Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma.That gap to the summit will be increased to four points if fourth-placed AC Milan beat Fiorentina in Sunday's late match and move into top spot."He's a great player, I'm not worried about his future because I can tell when a player is hungry, whether they have the right mentality to become a top player or whether they're a flash in the pan," said Fabregas to DAZN."He can go wherever he wants to go, he just needs to stay humble and keep his work ethic, because the talent and physical presence are there."Fabregas, who was suspended on Sunday, watched his team claim a huge win in front of his old Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger."We spoke an hour before the game, all I can do is thank him because he was the coach that gave me my start in my career at 16 years old," added Fabregas."He believed in me in the same way that I believe in Nico Paz."Paz has been a key part of Como's strong start to the campaign with four goals and as many assists.The 21-year-old was bought in August last year from Real Madrid, in a complicated deal which gives the Spanish giants the right of repurchase before 2027.Paz's fine display on Sunday left Juve without a win since a dramatic victory over arch-rivals Inter just over a month ago.Igor Tudor's Juve came into Sunday's lunchtime fixture unbeaten this season but on a run of five straight draws in all competitions.Defeat ends a tough week for Juve who lost starting centre-back Gleison Bremer until the end of the year with a knee ligament tear and are under investigation by European governing body UEFA for financial fair play breaches.And next week offers the huge task of Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Juve on two points following their first two matches in this season's Champions League.

COMO, ITALY - OCTOBER 19: Cesc Fabregas of Como and Nico Paz of Como celebrates at the end of the match of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Como, Italy.

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Paz fires high-flying Como to historic win over Juventus

A rampant Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick to seal Major League Soccer's Golden Boot a...

A rampant Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick to seal Major League Soccer's Golden Boot award on Saturday as Inter Miami roared into the playoffs with a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC.The Argentine superstar went into the final day of the regular season leading the scoring table with 26 goals -- two more than Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga, who was held goalless later on Saturday.With an astonishing 29 goals in 28 matches, Messi claimed his first MLS Golden Boot and also staked his claim to a second Most Valuable Player award with a bravura performance that saw Inter rally to clinch third place in the Eastern Conference.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>They'll face the same Nashville team in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs starting on October 24."What can I say about Leo?" Inter coach Javier Mascherano said. "Today he was exceptional, as he usually is. Surely he will be awarded the Most Valuable Player award for what he has demonstrated."I'm happy for him because he has helped us win the match once again."Nashville had seen some quality chances go begging when Messi put Miami in front in the 34th minute with a cracking goal from outside the penalty area -- taking a pass from Jordi Alba and making one cut before he unleashed a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
MESSIIIIIII 🇦🇷 This man just doesn't stop scoring! His 27th goal of the season. <a href="https://t.co/ceJ0rlcdTt">pic.twitter.com/ceJ0rlcdTt</a>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1979681339520528513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Nine minutes later, Nashville's Sam Surridge grabbed his 24th goal of the season when he headed in a pinpoint delivery from Hany Mukhtar at the near post.Nashville seized a 2-0 lead deep in first-half injury time when Jacob Shaffelburg was there to fire home the rebound of a Mukhtar shot that hit the right post.Messi's first penalty conversion of the season pulled Inter level in the 63rd.The referee pointed to the spot after a ball deflected by Luis Suarez hit Mukhtar in the arm for a handball in the area.Messi stepped up and rolled an off-speed shot in past Nashville keeper Joe Willis.After Baltasar Rodriguez made it 3-2 Miami in the 67th, Messi completed his hat trick in the 81st with a curling shot through traffic and past Willis.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
MESSI HAT TRICK 🎩🎩🎩 <a href="https://t.co/8UUpchR956">pic.twitter.com/8UUpchR956</a>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1979699395005186390?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Miami's Telasco Segovia completed the scoring against a shell-shocked Nashville in second-half injury time."In the first half, it was very tough for us, we lacked intensity," Mascherano said. "We defended very deep, and with the ball, we didn't have many ideas either."The second half was different. We played in the opponent's half, took more risks, and finished at a great level."

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 18: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the MLS match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Messi scores hat-trick to capture MLS Golden Boot for 1st time

Inter Milan moved top of Serie A on goal difference on Saturday after winning 1-0 at Roma, taking...

Inter Milan moved top of Serie A on goal difference on Saturday after winning 1-0 at Roma, taking advantage of Napoli's shock 1-0 defeat at Torino.Ange Yoan-Bonny sprung Roma's offside trap and forced home the winning goal in the sixth minute at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome as Inter moved level on 15 points with both their opponents and champions Napoli.Effectively Inter are joint leaders as should teams finish the season on the same points the destination of the league title will be decided by a play-off.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>But Cristian Chivu's team, who also hit the post in the final five minutes through Henrikh Mkhitaryan, have won their last six matches in all competitions and made clear their intentions of reclaiming the Scudetto after conceding it to Napoli last season.After facing Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League, Inter travel to Napoli, who fell to a goal from old boy Giovanni Simeone and are in the midst of an injury crisis with both Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay missing in Turin.Last year's Champions League finalists did not have it all their own way on Sunday night however, and Roma were unlucky not to level on the hour when Zeki Celik had a great chance deflected into the side netting.And from the subsequent corner Artem Dovbyk headed over with Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer completed stranded.Napoli's defeat and Inter winning in the Italian capital gives AC Milan, fourth and two points from the summit, the chance to take top spot from their local rivals with a win over Fiorentina on Sunday.However Milan have injury problems of their own with coach Massimiliano Allegri saying on Saturday that key players Adrien Rabiot and Christian Pulisic will be out of action until the next international break in mid-November.<h3>Simeone sinks Napoli</h3>Simeone, who helped Napoli win Serie A in 2023 and last season, netted the only goal in the 32nd minute of a tense game in Turin.The 30-year-old also scored the winner in Torino's 1-0 home victory over Roma in September and he took his third goal of the season brilliantly, capitalising on a fortunate ricochet to skip past Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and shoot home.Noa Lang thought he had snatched a point for Napoli in the third minute of stoppage time, wheeling away in delight after tapping home before his strike was ruled out for offside."It a was a special night for me, to give Torino three points from such a difficult match makes me very happy," said Simeone to DAZN."They're a very good team and it was an emotional night for me, but the most important thing is making happy the Torino fans by showing them we're a team that fights to the end."Napoli coach Antonio Conte had to do without in-form striker Hojlund and McTominay who were left out of the squad with respective thigh and ankle injuries suffered in training ahead of Saturday's defeat.Both are doubts for Tuesday's clash at PSV Eindhoven, creating more injury problems for Conte who has already had to deal with a series of physical problems for his squad this season."We conceded a goal which we basically created ourselves," said Conte."We have to play every three days and we don't have time, all we can do is play and and improve every time we do."Hojlund, who has scored three times for Napoli and netted for Denmark last weekend, was only signed from Manchester United after Romelu Lukaku suffered a thigh injury which could keep the Belgium striker out until the new year.Alessandro Buongiorno and Matteo Politano were only fit for a place on the bench while Stanislav Lobotka and Amir Rrahmani are still sidelined.

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 18: Ange-Yoan Bonny of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1 during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Juventus FC at Olimpico Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Rome, Italy.

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Inter follow Napoli slip with win at Roma to move top of Serie A

Harry Kane scored for the seventh straight game as Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at ho...

Harry Kane scored for the seventh straight game as Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at home on Saturday -- their 11th win from 11 games in all competitions this season. The win kept Bayern five points clear atop the Bundesliga table as they maintained their perfect record with 21 points from seven outings this term."It was a big game. Dortmund were unbeaten for a while and we were too," Kane, who scored his 104th goal for the champions, told reporters. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"We have to keep getting those wins. We're doing that well so far."Defeat left Dortmund fourth, seven points adrift of Bayern.This was Kane's 400th goal at club level.He has 19 goals in 11 games in all competitions this season for Bayern, including 12 in the league. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany named Kane in the number 10 role behind Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson, who made his third start for his new club. Kane took no time to show his creative chops, threading passes for wingers Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, who both had great chances inside the opening 10 minutes. The England captain then nodded Bayern in front with a typical poacher's goal from a corner on 21 minutes. After the one-way traffic of the opening period, Dortmund were better in the second half and should have drawn level when Serhou Guirassy pounced on a Bayern error and teed up Karim Adeyemi, who slipped while trying to shoot. Jobe Bellingham came off the bench late on and his mistake, hesitating in possession in his own box, allowed Olise to slide in and score with 11 minutes left. Kane said he spoke to Bellingham about the error, telling him: "'Keep doing what you're doing', he's a great player with a lot of potential."Dortmund pulled one back through Julian Brandt, who got a boot to a dangerous Julian Ryerson cross in the 84th minute, but the visitors could not make their late pressure count.

MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 18: Harry Kane of Bayern Munich celebrates victory after the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena on October 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany.

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Kane scores again as Bayern beat Dortmund to stay clear in Bundesliga

Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League as Leandro Trossard sealed a 1-...

Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League as Leandro Trossard sealed a 1-0 win against Fulham on Saturday.Belgian forward Trossard bagged his first league goal this season in the second half at Craven Cottage.That was enough to clinch Arsenal's fifth successive victory in all competitions and extend their unbeaten run to eight games.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Arsenal were installed as the bookmakers' favourites to win the Premier League after Liverpool's two successive defeats knocked the champions out of pole position.Manchester City's 2-0 win against Everton earlier on Saturday had taken them briefly above Mikel Arteta's side into first place.But the north Londoners regained top spot with an efficient if unspectacular performance by the banks of the River Thames.Arsenal have won six of their eight league matches this season as they chase a first English title since 2004.Fulham threatened an early opener when Harry Wilson's reverse pass reached Raul Jimenez, but the Mexican's effort was pushed away by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.Pouncing on a misplaced pass by Gabriel Magalhaes, Wilson went close with a curler that flashed just past the far post.Riccardo Calafiori thought he had given Arsenal the lead against the run of play, but the defender's sweet strike was disallowed for offside after a VAR check.Wilson almost squeezed a low drive past Raya from the edge of the area before Josh King's cross forced the keeper to tip the ball over his bar.Running onto Bukayo Saka's pass, Viktor Gyokeres was denied by a good save from Fulham keeper Bernd Leno as the Arsenal striker's goal drought reached seven games.Calafiori volleyed over from 18 yards and Declan Rice drilled wide on the stroke of half-time.Trossard's wayward shot from close-range was followed by a goal-line clearance from Timothy Castagne moments later as Arsenal's frustration mounted.Arteta's men nearly paid for those misses when Wilson lashed a fierce volley narrowly over.But Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, a noted Arsenal fan, was watching from the stands and the Gunners finally got some satisfaction in the 58th minute.Arsenal's set-piece prowess proved decisive as Gabriel flicked on Saka's corner and Trossard converted from close-range.Arsenal have now scored 37 goals from corners in the Premier League since the start of the 2023-24 campaign.The momentum was with the Gunners and Saka slalomed through the Fulham defence for a shot that forced Leno into a smart stop.Arsenal were denied a penalty when Kevin's challenge on Saka was initially ruled a foul before referee Anthony Taylor had to overturn his decision after VAR showed the Brazilian's tackle made contact with the ball.Gyokeres scored 97 times in 102 matches for Sporting Lisbon, but the Swede has just three goals for his new club.His travails showed no signs of ending as he smashed over with the goal at his mercy, then fired straight at Leno, but Arsenal had already done enough to boost their title charge.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage on October 18, 2025 in London, England.

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Arsenal win at Fulham to go 3 points clear

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