Paris (AFP) – After a summer of eye-catching moves across Europe, the continent's top clubs begin the long road to Champions League glory next week as fans return after a 2020-21 competition held largely behind closed doors. A flurry of transfer activity, headlined by Lionel Messi ending his long association with Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo […]

Madrid (AFP) – "We need change from top to bottom," Gerard Pique said but even he could not have predicted what followed as Barcelona, without Lionel Messi, reunite with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, a year on from the defeat that changed everything. After the 8-2 loss by Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals, Pique said […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed even his own expectations as he delivered on the hype of his return to Old Trafford as a Manchester United player by scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday. A full house reverberated to a chorus of Ronaldo chants and songs from long before […]

Leipzig (Germany) (AFP) – Robert Lewandowski chalked up his sixth goal in just four Bundesliga games as Bayern Munich swept aside RB Leipzig 4-1 on Saturday to go second in the table behind early leaders Wolfsburg. Lewandowski netted a first-half penalty before 18-year-old Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane added quick-fire goals just after the break […]

Leipzig (Germany) (AFP) – Robert Lewandowski scored his sixth goal in four Bundesliga games this season as Bayern Munich swept aside hosts RB Leipzig 4-1 on Saturday to go second in the table behind Wolfsburg. Lewandowski netted a first-half penalty before 18-year-old Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane added quick-fire goals just after the break in […]

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Kalidou Koulibaly made sure that Juventus' miserable start to the season continued on Saturday with the late winner in a 2-1 triumph for Napoli that put them top of Serie A. Senegal defender Koulibaly knocked home the winning strike from practically on the goal line with five minutes to go at […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo admitted his "unbelievable" return to Manchester United had exceeded his expectations as the Portugal star shrugged off his nerves to score twice in Saturday's 4-1 win against Newcastle. Ronaldo returned to United in a blockbuster move from Juventus last month, 12 years after leaving Old Trafford to join […]

Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola insisted he was happy to have kept Bernardo Silva at Manchester City after the Portugal playmaker sealed a 1-0 win at Leicester on Saturday. Silva's second-half goal gave City their third successive win to keep them in touch with Premier League leaders Manchester United. The 27-year-old was linked […]

Paris (AFP) – Ander Herrera scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain defeated promoted Clermont 4-0 on Saturday in the absence of Lionel Messi and Neymar, both rested after their exertions this week in World Cup qualifying. The Spanish midfielder nodded PSG in front at the Parc des Princes on 19 minutes and then fired in a […]

Glasgow (AFP) – James Tavernier's superb strike helped Rangers climb to the top of the Scottish Premiership table as the champions won 2-1 at St Johnstone on Saturday. The Rangers captain scored the decisive goal 11 minutes from time after Kemar Roofe's penalty had seen Steven Gerrard's men draw level following Michael O'Halloran's second-half opener […]

Leipzig (Germany) (AFP) – Erling Braut Haaland scored a double on Saturday as Borussia Dortmund came from behind three times to seal a thrilling 4-3 win at Bayer Leverkusen to go second in the Bundesliga on goal difference. "You can't defend against everything and Dortmund have a world-class striker," admitted Leverkusen coach Gerardo Seoane. "It was […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal eased the pressure on under-fire manager Mikel Arteta and earned their first Premier League win of the season after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sank Norwich 1-0 on Saturday. The Gunners captain's 66th-minute winner released the tension that had been bubbling up inside the Emirates Stadium and lifted his team off the foot of […]

London (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a sensational return to Manchester United as his debut double inspired a 4-1 win against Newcastle, while Arsenal eased the pressure on Mikel Arteta with a 1-0 victory over Norwich on Saturday. Ronaldo's second debut for United was the headline act as the Premier League resumed after the international […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a dream return as a Manchester United player with a double as the Red Devils beat Newcastle 4-1 in front of a rocking Old Trafford on Saturday. Ronaldo now has 120 United goals to his name, but scored his first since leaving for Real Madrid 12 years […]

Leipzig (Germany) (AFP) – Erling Braut Haaland scored two goals Saturday as Borussia Dortmund twice came from behind to seal a thrilling 4-3 win at Bayer Leverkusen to go second in the Bundesliga on goal difference. The Norwegian striker's brace in Leverkusen means he has now scored eight goals in his last five games for club […]