Football

Atletico Beaten by Espanyol in La Liga Opener

Espanyol staged a late comeback to grab a shock 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday as Diego Simeone's men made a disappointing start to their La Liga campaign. Pere Milla scored a late winner as Atletico stumbled to defeat in Barcelona despite leading through Julian Alvarez's brilliant goal. Atletico have been busy in the transfer market, ...

German Great Mueller Has Goal Ruled Out on MLS Debut for Vancouver

Thomas Mueller made his Major League Soccer debut on Sunday as a second-half substitute for the Vancouver Whitecaps in a 1-1 draw with Houston Dynamo that left the Germany great with "mixed feelings" after he had a goal disallowed for offside. Vancouver were up 1-0 courtesy of Brian White's sixth-minute penalty when the former Bayern Munich ...

PSG Get Ligue 1 Title Defense Off to Winning Start

Paris Saint-Germain got their defense of the Ligue 1 title off to a winning start on Sunday as Vitinha's deflected strike proved enough to earn the European champions a 1-0 victory away to Nantes. The Portuguese midfielder's effort midway through the second half beat goalkeeper Anthony Lopes with the aid of a wicked deflection off Nantes defender ...

Arsenal Battle to Beat Man Utd, World Champions Chelsea Held by Palace

Arsenal's quest for Premier League glory got off to a winning start as Riccardo Calafiori's goal beat Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday, while world champions Chelsea were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace. After finishing second for the past three seasons, the pressure is on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to deliver the club's ...

Barca Open Liga Title Defence Strolling Past Nine-Man Mallorca

Spanish champions Barcelona opened their Liga campaign on Saturday with an island cruise as they played almost an hour against nine men on their way to a 3-0 victory in Mallorca. Barcelona's second-half stroll did not please coach Hansi Flick. "They're three important points, but I didn't like the match," he told broadcaster Movistar. "After ...

Haaland Fires Man City to Opening Win at Wolves

Manchester City signalled their intent to take back the Premier League title as Erling Haaland struck twice in a 4-0 win at Wolves on Saturday to begin their campaign. After four consecutive titles, City finished a distant third last season as Pep Guardiola's men failed to win any trophy for the first time in eight years. New signings Tijjani ...

Newcastle Held by 10-Man Villa After Konsa Sees Red

Newcastle got a worrying glimpse of life without Alexander Isak as they were held to a 0-0 draw in their Premier League opener at Aston Villa despite Ezri Konsa's dismissal. Villa defender Konsa was sent off for a professional foul on Anthony Gordon midway through the second half on Saturday. But Newcastle were unable to take advantage in a ...

Liverpool Strike Late to Beat Bournemouth as Jota Remembered in Premier League Opener

Liverpool struck twice in the final minutes through Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah to overcome a battling Bournemouth 4-2 in a thrilling start to the Premier League season on Friday. Antoine Semenyo looked to have rescued a point for the Cherries by scoring twice, after he had reported an incident of racial abuse from a fan, to cancel out Hugo ...

Arsenal Face Revamped United as New-Look Liverpool Open Premier League Season

Arsenal face an immediate test of their title credentials against a revamped Manchester United, while a new-look Liverpool launch the new Premier League season at home to Bournemouth on Friday. Newcastle are set to be without wantaway star striker Alexander Isak for a tough trip to Aston Villa. AFP Sports looks at the key talking points ahead of ...

Five Premier League Talking Points

Champs Liverpool in Pole Position When Liverpool hosts Bournemouth in the opening match of the top-flight season, the Reds will put on display an expensively overhauled team carrying great expectations. Liverpool haven't been crowned champions in successive campaigns since 1982-83 and 1983-84. Emulating the feat of Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, and ...

New-Look Liverpool Humbled by Crystal Palace in Community Shield

Crystal Palace twice came from behind to stun a new-look Liverpool and win the Community Shield for the first time on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Wembley on Sunday. New signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong scored for the Premier League champions, but Palace responded through Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr before winning an ...

Isco Suffers New Leg Fracture in Pre-Season Friendly

Real Betis's playmaker Isco has fractured a tibia for the second time, the Seville club announced on social media on Sunday. The 33-year-old former Real Madrid star broke his leg in a friendly against Malaga on Saturday. The club said the injury was a "new non-displaced fracture to the middle third of his left fibula". Isco, who won the ...