European Super Football

Go Ahead Eagles 2 - 1 Aston Villa Emiliano Buendia missed a second-half penalty as Aston Villa slumped to a defeat against a spirited Go Ahead Eagles side. Author | Peter Grainger  Stadium | De Adelaarshorst The result leaves Villa seventh in the table, while the Dutch club rise to tenth, also on six points, ahead of Thursday evening’s later fixtures. Evann Guessand’s early finish looked to have set Unai Emery’s side on course to maintain their perfect record in the competition. But the hosts equalised just before half-time when Mathis Suray’s deflected shot beat Emiliano Martinez, before Mats Deijl put them ahead just after the hour with a neat lift over the Villa goalkeeper. Buendia then fired over from the spot late on after Dean James was penalised for handball, sparking wild celebrations inside the compact De Adelaarshorst stadium. It was a famous victory for the Eredivisie side, who qualified for Europe by winning the Dutch Cup last season, their first major trophy i...

Monaco 0 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario delivered an outstanding display to help his side earn a crucial point against Monaco. Author | Greg S Stadium | Stade Louis-II Spurs corner The Italian, who has faced criticism this season, was pivotal as Spurs scraped a draw at Stade Louis II following a largely uninspiring performance. Vicario made four impressive first-half saves, three from former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, before producing another stop to deny Maghnes Akliouche. Spurs were forced into a resilient defensive performance against a Monaco side that had previously drawn 2-2 with Manchester City. They came close themselves when Micky van de Ven headed just over before half-time.  After the break, Vicario continued to shine, repelling further efforts from Akliouche and Balogun, and producing the standout moment of the match by brilliantly blocking a Jordan Teze header from point-blank range. Former Liverpool midfielder Takumi Minamin...

Chelsea 5 - 1 Ajax Chelsea made history in the Champions League by becoming the first team to have three teenage scorers as they thrashed a woeful Ajax. Author | Lauren W Stadium | Stamford Bridge Marc Guiu, 19, opened the scoring and briefly became Chelsea’s youngest Champions League goalscorer, striking just over a minute into the match following the sending off of Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor. His record, however, lasted only 33 minutes before Estevao Willian, 18, netted Chelsea’s third goal from a penalty, adding to spot-kicks converted earlier by Enzo Fernandez and Wout Weghorst, as well as a long-range strike from Moises Caicedo in a frenetic first half. Chelsea made three changes at half-time, including forward Tyrique George, who scored within three minutes of coming on to become the third teenager on the scoresheet. Substitute midfielder Reggie Walsh, 17, also made history by becoming the youngest player to appear for the club in the Champions League and the second younges...

Frankfurt 1 - 5 Liverpool Hugo Ekitike scored against his former club as Liverpool emphatically ended their losing streak, coming from behind to thrash Eintracht Frankfurt. Author | Ed Stadium | Deutsche Bank Park After beginning the season with seven straight wins in all competitions, Liverpool had stumbled badly, suffering four successive defeats, including Sunday’s loss to Manchester United in the Premier League. Their troubles appeared set to continue when Rasmus Kristensen, the former Leeds defender, put Frankfurt ahead after a sluggish opening from the visitors. But Liverpool soon found their rhythm. Ekitike, starting alongside British-record signing Alexander Isak for the first time, levelled ten minutes before the break, latching on to Andy Robertson’s precise long pass and finishing calmly. Virgil van Dijk headed Liverpool in front four minutes later from a corner, before Ibrahima Konaté made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time with another powerful header. Virgil van Dijk...

Villarreal 0 - 2 Manchester City Erling Haaland found the net for a 12th consecutive game to extend his incredible scoring streak and help City end their winless away run in the Champions League Author | Macca Stadium | Estadio de la Cerámica Haaland's blistering form has brought 24 goals in 14 games for club and country this season, and here it helped City claim three points on the road in Europe for the first time in over a year. The Norwegian's goal to open the scoring was that of a striker with deadly instincts, darting ahead of marker Juan Foyth and converting with a first-time finish from Rico Lewis' low cross. City had opportunities from the off - Haaland headed wide inside two minutes and Jeremy Doku tested Luiz Junior within the first few seconds with a low strike that the home goalkeeper batted away. READ MORE |  Arsenal maintain perfect start in Champions League READ MORE |  Newcastle United impress in win over Benfica Pep Guardiola's side dominated the f...

Newcastle United 3 - 0 Benfica Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon inspired Newcastle United to a convincing Champions League win over José Mourinho’s Benfica. Author |  Anthony Gates Stadium |  St James' Park Pre match atmosphere Gordon, left unmarked at the far post, gave Newcastle the lead in the first half, calmly steering Jacob Murphy’s cross beyond goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. It was his fourth goal in just three Champions League outings and provided the platform for Eddie Howe’s side to press on after the interval. Barnes extended the advantage with a superb breakaway goal after Nick Pope launched a remarkable 65-yard throw down the right. Antonio Silva misjudged the bounce, allowing Barnes to sprint through and finish off the inside of the post. The winger added his second late on, linking neatly with Gordon before slotting through Trubin’s legs to complete the victory. Gordon celebrates Benfica had their chances earlier in the contest, with Dodi Lukebakio twice going ...

Arsenal 4 - 0 Atlético Madrid Arsenal scored four times in a dazzling 14-minute spell to sweep aside Atletico Madrid  Author | DJ Stadium | Emirates Stadium The home side began with intent, as Eberechi Eze’s deflected shot clipped the crossbar, while Julian Alvarez almost punished David Raya from long range after the goalkeeper ventured out of position. For much of the first half, the contest was tight and tactical, with few clear chances at either end. Gabriel Magalhaes broke the deadlock on 57 minutes, rising to head in Declan Rice’s precise free-kick and spark a remarkable surge. Gabriel Martinelli added a second with a curling finish after a driving run from Myles Lewis-Skelly, before Viktor Gyokeres bundled home to end his seven-game goal drought. The Swedish striker struck again moments later, turning in Gabriel’s knockdown from another Arsenal corner. The result leaves Mikel Arteta’s team with three wins from three and still yet to concede in this season’s competition, a c...

Matchday three in the Champions League is here... For those teams with 100% records, a win this week puts them on them well and truly on the path to automatic qualification to the last 16. Author |  Peter Grainger This preview will focus on the five English sides competing in this season's competition and their opposition. Mourinho and Benfica head to Newcastle Newcastle United host Benfica at St James’ Park, aiming to follow up their win over Union SG with another step toward the Champions League knockout stage.  Eddie Howe’s team lost their opener to Barcelona but responded strongly in Belgium, and a second win would move them closer to qualification. Benfica travel to Tyneside still searching for their first points of their Champions League campaign after back-to-back defeats, including a 3-2 home loss to Qarabag that cost Bruno Lage his job. Can Benfica utilise Mourinho's experience at this level? City hope to end unwanted Champions League  run against Villar...

England player ratings from the 5-0 win over Latvia  There were some very impressive performances from Tuchel’s players Author | William G We'd see our player of the match was Harry Kane. Not only for his goals but for his all-round contribution. Jordan Pickford | 6/10 Another calm performance from a goalkeeper who last conceded for England a year ago and has now kept nine consecutive clean sheets. He again faced minimal action, encountering only one shot on target in the qualifying campaign so far. Djed Spence | 7/10 An impressive first competitive start for England, showing he can perform effectively at right-back as well as on the left. He was active in both halves and contributed to the fourth goal, albeit aided by Tonisev’s error. Ezri Konsa | 7/10 Composed and authoritative in the heart of defence, ensuring England barely missed Guehi, who was rested. Produced a moment of drama when he raced back to slide in and deny Gutkovskis a near-certain goal. Highlights courtesy of ...

Latvia 0 - 5 England A comfortable night for Tuchel's side as they seal a place in the 2026 World Cup. Author | Lauren W Stadium | Daugavas Stadionā Thomas Tuchel's side secured victory to confirm their place in the showpiece, with the result never in doubt as England comfortably outplayed a Latvian team ranked 137th in the world. On a broader scale, England qualified with two games to spare, completing a flawless first campaign under Tuchel, who took over from Sir Gareth Southgate in January. Anthony Gordon opened the scoring after 26 minutes with a low, curling finish, and captain Harry Kane added two more before half-time, first with a strike from the edge of the area and then from the penalty spot after his shirt was pulled. READ MORE |  Live commentary recap | Latvia v England England’s fourth came just before the hour when Latvia’s Andrejs Ciganiks turned Djed Spence’s cross into his own net. Substitute Eberechi Eze rounded off the scoring with a composed dribble and l...

Latvia v England live commentary Three points here and England will have qualified for the 2026 World Cup Author |  Lauren W This will be the place for live commentary from England's trip to Latvia. Full-time  England have qualified for the World Cup with two games to spare. Against limited opposition granted but that was a superb performance from The Three Lions. 85 minutes | Eze makes it five! He scored against Latvia in March, and Eberechi Eze adds another against them tonight. A precise low finish followed after Jarrod Bowen did well to win possession on the halfway line. The perfect finishing touch. 74 minutes | “A thoroughly professional display from Thomas Tuchel’s side...” Gez wanted to travel to Latvia for the match but had to settle for watching on TV. He has been impressed with the performance: “Just the 19 efforts on goal for England, with 41 touches inside Latvia’s penalty area. A thoroughly professional display from Thomas Tuchel’s side tonight.” 57 minutes |...

Moldova Under 21s 0 - 4 England Under 21s Divin Mubama struck twice as England Under-21s made it two wins from two at the start of their qualification campaign for the 2027 European Championship. Author | Benjamin Hampson Stadium | Stadionul Zimbru Moldova launched the first attack of the match, but England’s defence dealt with it comfortably, conceding only a corner. From the resulting delivery, James Beadle was called into action to deny Matteo Obleac’s header. Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens opened the scoring, cutting inside from the left and beating Moldova goalkeeper Victor Dodon at his near post with a fierce strike. Mubama, currently on loan at Stoke City from Man City, extended England’s lead after racing on to Ethan Nwaneri’s through ball and finishing confidently past Dodon. The 20-year-old added his second just four minutes later, sending a composed penalty into the bottom corner after Fulham midfielder Josh King was brought down inside the area.  READ MORE |  Eng...

It was a comfortable victory for England over Wales in their international friendly. The match was a great opportunity for Tuchel to see how his side cope without Harry Kane Author | Josh T Stadium |  Wembley Stadium How the match was won Morgan Rogers extended his fine form from the Serbia game by converting Marc Guehi’s cross after just four minutes. Club team-mate Ollie Watkins doubled England’s advantage from close range seven minutes later. Bukayo Saka then curled a left-foot shot high past Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow to register his 13th international goal. How the players rated Jordan Pickford | A history-making night for the keeper as he broke the record he shared with Gordon Banks for consecutive clean sheets, now standing at eight. Made a smart save to deny David Brooks but was otherwise rarely troubled | 6.5 Ezri Konsa | The Aston Villa defender was moved to right-back as John Stones came into the centre, covering for the injured Reece James. Konsa looked solid as ...

England 3 - 0 Wales A fairly straightforward evening for England as they prepared for their upcoming qualifier against Latvia. Author | Lauren W Stadium | Wembley Stadium Head coach Thomas Tuchel kept faith with the squad that delivered his most emphatic victory, a 5-0 win over Serbia in Belgrade, and they produced another commanding performance. England overwhelmed Wales in the opening stages, taking a three-goal lead within 20 minutes. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers extended his fine form from the Serbia game by converting Marc Guehi’s cross after just four minutes. Club team-mate Ollie Watkins, deputising for the injured captain Harry Kane, doubled England’s advantage from close range seven minutes later. Bukayo Saka then became Arsenal’s highest England goalscorer with a brilliant strike, curling his left-foot shot high past Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow to register his 13th international goal. Rogers also struck the woodwork after the break. Although Wales improved as England’s t...

The England manager considers Harry Kane alternatives Thomas Tuchel is assessing options ahead of the friendly against Wales after Kane suffered an injury, though with World Cup qualification likely, the absence is not seen as critical. Author |  William G Kane's influence on the team is clear. The captain has scored a record 74 goals in 109 appearances, while the rest of the squad has combined for 53. Since his debut in 2015, Kane has contributed 26.4% of England’s goals, with Raheem Sterling, last capped at the 2022 World Cup, the only other player to reach 20 goals. Ollie Watkins In Tuchel’s squad, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is the most likely candidate to step in. Watkins frequently replaced Kane from the bench during last summer’s Euros, including scoring the winner against the Netherlands in the semi-finals. He has five goals in 19 caps but has managed only one goal for Villa this season. A memorable moment for Ollie Watkins and England... pic.twitter.com/ueEePB0R1F —...

England v Wales Preview Thomas Tuchel’s England side will pause their World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday to face Wales in a home friendly. Author | Josh T Stadium |  Wembley Stadium When England met Wales at 2022 World Cup The Three Lions have been flawless under their German head coach, winning all five matches in Group K without conceding a goal. Their most emphatic performance so far came last month, when they dismantled Serbia 5-0. Tuchel has largely stuck with a 4-2-3-1 formation during qualifying, with Anthony Gordon providing a lively outlet on the left flank. Who’s in the England squad? Bukayo Saka has been recalled for the friendly and the qualifier against Latvia, while Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have been left out. Saka missed last month’s wins over Andorra and Serbia due to a hamstring problem but returned to action for Arsenal, scoring in their 2-0 victory over Olympiacos on Wednesday. He replaces his club teammate Noni Madueke in the squ...

Nottingham Forest 2 - 3 Midtjylland Ange Postecoglou endured a furious supporter backlash as his winless start as Nottingham Forest head coach stretched on with a damaging defeat to Midtjylland. Author | Frank L Stadium | The City Ground The Danes spoiled Forest’s party on the club’s long-awaited return to European football at the City Ground, 29 years since their last appearance. Postecoglou has failed to win any of his opening six matches since taking over from Nuno Espírito Santo last month and chants of “sacked in the morning” rang out from the stands as the game drifted towards its close. Midtjylland exposed Forest’s frailty at set pieces in the first half, with Ousmane Diao and Mads Bech punishing slack defending. Dan Ndoye briefly drew the hosts level between those goals, only for the visitors, second in Denmark’s Superliga, to reclaim the lead within two minutes. It was a stuttering performance from Forest, who lost Murillo to injury again, against a physical and well-dril...

Dynamo Kyiv 0 - 2 Crystal Palace  Goals from Daniel Munoz and Eddie Nketiah gave Crystal Palace their first ever away win in European competition. Author | James Lees Stadium | Motor Lublin Arena Playing football the Glasner way. Our European journey begins with three points ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/tqvWlaqOjF — Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) October 2, 2025 Daniel Muñoz set Palace on their way with a looping header from Yeremy Pino’s back-post cross, marking a historic first goal in the group stage of European competition for the club. Eddie Nketiah, introduced from the bench, added a second just before the hour. The forward finished sharply from close range after a fine piece of skill and precise delivery by Pino on the left. The strike sparked jubilation among the 3,500 travelling Palace supporters and not even the late dismissal of Borna Sosa, who picked up two yellow cards in quick succession, could dampen the celebrations. Towards the end of the match, nineteen-year-old ...

Arsenal 2 - 0 Olympiacos Gabriel Martinelli struck early to set Arsenal on their way to a second successive Champions League victory as they overcame Olympiacos. Author | DJ Stadium | Emirates Stadium The Brazilian forward, who had a goal and an assist in the win over Athletic Club on matchday one, was again decisive. When Viktor Gyökeres bulldozed through the home defence only to see his shot pushed onto the post by Konstantinos Tzolakis, Martinelli reacted quickest to turn in the rebound. Bukayo Saka, introduced from the bench, added the second in stoppage time with a low effort that squirmed through the legs of the goalkeeper to confirm the result.  They are now well and track to qualify directly for the last-16 of the competition which will be a huge bonus for Arteta as they look to compete on multiple fronts this season. A closer look at what happened Pre match atmosphere Mikel Arteta, who made six changes from the side that edged Newcastle on Sunday, was able to rotate he...

Monaco 2 -2 Manchester City Eric Dier's controversial last-minute penalty earned a Champions League draw for Monaco against Manchester City, despite Erling Haaland scoring twice. Author |  Macca Stadium | Stade Louis-II Erling Haaland struck twice in the first half to bring his tally to 52 goals in just 50 Champions League appearances as Manchester City extended their unbeaten run to five matches. But City were denied victory in dramatic fashion when Eric Dier converted a 90th-minute penalty after being caught in the head by Nico Gonzalez. The story of the match Haaland barely had a touch in the opening quarter of an hour but made the breakthrough with his first involvement, latching on to Josko Gvardiol’s lofted pass before dinking a calm finish over Philipp Köhn. The lead lasted only three minutes as Jordan Teze unleashed a spectacular strike from distance that flew into the top corner, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma helpless. City dominated possession thereafter and Phil Foden cam...