European Super Football

Football never really went away over the summer, but it's well and truly back! The Club World Cup only concluded on 13 July in the United States, but Europe's major domestic competitions are already preparing to get under way again. Author | Jamie P The Dutch Eredivisie kicks off on 8 August, with the Premier League returning a week later. By the end of the month, the Portuguese Primeira Liga , Spain’s La Liga , France’s Ligue 1 , Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A will all be back in full swing. Here is a look at some of the key talking points ahead of the new season from across the different leagues Eredivisie PSV are tipped to lead the way after bolstering an already strong squad with the signing of Ruben van Bommel , son of former international Mark. They looked confident in a recent pre-season win over Athletic Bilbao . Ajax will also attract plenty of attention under new head coach John Heitinga . The former Liverpool assistant has brought goalkeeper Vítězs...

More than a pre-season friendly? As we look forward to the upcoming Community Shield, this article will look back on some of the most memorable clashes between some of the country's top sides. Author | Jamie P Last season's match saw Manchester United and Manchester City play each other. City won on penalties after a closely fought 90 minutes at Wembley. Leeds United vs Liverpool 1992 In a thrilling match, champions Leeds defeated Liverpool 4-3 with a hat-trick from French forward and Premier League icon, Eric Cantona . However, by the end of the season, Cantona had joined Manchester United and helped them win the league title. The game was filled with compelling goals and high drama, setting the stage for the twists and turns of the following season. Manchester United v Newcastle United 1996 Fresh off a Premier League season that saw United narrowly edge past the Magpies to clinch the title, this match was full of tension from the very first whistle. Manchester United we...

Luton Town League One season preview Throwback to the summer of 2023, it was all going so well for Luton Town. Author | Jamie P The day of relegation for Luton Town Luton will host newly-promoted AFC Wimbledon in a fixture that revives memories of the 2011 Conference play-off final, when the Wombles triumphed on penalties after a tense goalless draw. The Hatters' ascent was steep and stirring. The fall has been swift and sobering. A crazy journey Luton’s penalty shootout win over Coventry City in the Championship play-off final in May 2023 already feels like a distant moment. That day, Fankaty Dabo’s miss sealed promotion and marked the club’s first return to the top flight since 1992, the final season before the Premier League’s introduction. In the three decades since, Luton fell through the divisions and were expelled from the EFL altogether in 2009 after a heavy points deduction. They became the first club to rise from the fifth tier to the Premier League in the modern era...

France 1 - 1 Germany - Germany won 6-5 on penalties Germany pulled off a remarkable victory over France to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2025, winning a dramatic penalty shootout despite playing with 10 players for nearly 110 minutes. Author | Jamie P Stadium | St. Jakob-Park The eight-time champions lost Kathrin Hendrich to a straight red card in the 13th minute after the defender was caught pulling Griedge Mbock’s hair in the box. Grace Geyoro converted the resulting penalty to give France an early lead. What followed was a display of remarkable discipline and resolve from Christian Wück’s side, who dug deep to level through Sjoeke Nüsken’s header and then held firm through extra time before triumphing 6-5 in the shootout. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the standout performer. After a string of impressive saves in normal and extra time, she made the decisive stop to deny Alice Sombath and send Germany through to a semi-final against world champions Spain. READ MORE |...

A Premier League player is on the verge of moving to Roma Evan Ferguson is set to undergo a medical with Roma ahead of a proposed loan move from Brighton Author | Jamie P Ferguson celebrates scoring for Brighton in 2023 Ferguson, a Republic of Ireland striker wants to revive his career after it has stalled in recent months. He'll join the ranks of a number of attacking players that have made the move from the Premier League to Serie A in recent years. More information on this potential transfer The 20-year-old burst onto the scene with a breakout 2022-23 season, scoring nine goals and earning a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination, as well as his first senior cap for Ireland. But injury setbacks and a dip in form have seen him fall down the pecking order at the Amex Stadium. He spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, making just eight appearances and only one start under then-manager Graham Potter. READ MORE |  Transfer News and Rumours READ MORE |  Pr...

Mamelodi Sundowns 3 - 4 Borussia Dortmund Jobe Bellingham scored his first goal for Borussia Dortmund as they claimed a 4-3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns. Author | Jamie P Stadium | TQL Stadium The 18-year-old was handed his first start since completing a £27m transfer from Sunderland earlier this month. Although Dortmund took all three points, they were second best for long periods of the match. Sundowns struck first. In the 11th minute, Lucas Ribeiro Costa picked up the ball inside the centre circle, drove through the middle of the Dortmund defence and calmly slotted past Gregor Kobel. The lead was short-lived. Just six minutes later, Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams gifted Dortmund an equaliser when a misplaced pass fell straight to Felix Nmecha, who rolled the ball into an empty net. READ MORE | Club World Cup news and stories from across the Super News network READ MORE | What else has been happening with Borussia Dortmund? Undeterred, Sundowns continued to push forwar...

Thomas Tuchel has named his squad for the next set of England matches The highlight includes a return for the former Brentford striker Ivan Toney Author | Jamie P Picture of England v Latvia Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham has also been selected, despite the midfielder's upcoming shoulder surgery. He is set to have an operation following the Club World Cup to resolve an issue that has troubled him since 2023. The Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is a notable absentee, while there are no representatives from Manchester United. Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has received his first senior call-up which is deserved afterwards a decent season in the Premier League. The squad in full Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Burnley) Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal...

Crystal Palace v Manchester City FA Cup Final. Fans preview.  Crystal Palace have a golden opportunity to finally put the heartbreak of their previous FA Cup Final defeats behind them.  Author - Ryan Thompson Editor - Jamie P The memories of 1990, when they were narrowly beaten by Manchester United after a replay, and the 2016 final, which ended in extra-time disappointment against the same opponents, still linger for us all.  Now, with a new generation of players, we have the chance to write a new chapter in the club’s history and bring silverware to Selhurst Park. How can Palace win? To lift the Cup, we will need to show belief, bravery and composure. The team standing in the way is one shaped by years of success, guided by a manager of rare brilliance and driven on by the emotion surrounding one of Kevin De Bruyne’s final appearances. However, they have shown a lot of weaknesses this season. Their poor run of form earlier in the campaign a sign that we can beat the...

 West Ham United 1 - 1 Southampton Lesley Ugochukwu scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to earn bottom side Southampton a deserved point at West Ham, ensuring they avoided matching Derby County’s infamous Premier League record for the fewest points in a season. Author - Jamie P Stadium - London Stadium The 19-year-old midfielder struck in the 93rd minute, driving the ball in off the post to cancel out Jarrod Bowen’s earlier opener at London Stadium. The result takes Southampton to 11 points for the campaign, equalling Derby’s total from the 2007–08 season , with five matches remaining to move clear of that unwanted milestone. Southampton, fighting to avoid the ignominy of becoming the Premier League’s worst-ever side , produced a performance full of energy and purpose. The away support erupted at full-time, not just in celebration but in clear relief. By contrast, West Ham were greeted by boos as their winless run in the league stretched to six matches. Frustration conti...

Brighton & Hove Albion 2 - 2 Leicester City Caleb Okoli was the hero for relegation-threatened Leicester City as his second-half header helped end the Foxes’ eight-match losing run and dented Brighton’s ambitions of European football next season. Author - Jamie P Stadium - Amex Stadium Starting in place of the injured Wout Faes, Okoli powered in a diving header from Bilal El Khannouss’ pinpoint free-kick, earning a valuable draw for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side. Earlier, Stephy Mavididi had brought Leicester level in the first half, ending the team’s long goal drought, after Joao Pedro had given Brighton a deserved lead from the penalty spot. Despite the battling draw, Leicester remain second from bottom in the Premier League, still 14 points adrift of safety with just six games to play. Brighton had taken the lead just after the half-hour mark when Simon Adingra’s effort struck the arm of Conor Coady, prompting a VAR review and a penalty, which Pedro calmly dispatched. Ading...

Wolves 1 - 0 West Ham United Jørgen Strand Larsen continued his fine form with his third goal in two games as Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a crucial victory over West Ham United, easing their relegation concerns. Author - Jamie P Stadium - Molineux Stadium The Norwegian forward, who missed the international break with a fractured hand, made an instant impact on his return, notching his 10th Premier League goal of the season. With Wolves still without the suspended Matheus Cunha, it was Strand Larsen who stepped up, steering home in the 21st minute after an intricate run from João Gomes—his effort helped on its way by a slight deflection off former Wolves defender Max Kilman. The hosts almost doubled their advantage five minutes later following another driving run from Gomes, but Marshall Munetsi’s effort rattled the crossbar after a smart link-up with Strand Larsen. West Ham, sluggish in the first half, should have drawn level early on when Evan Ferguson—handed his first sta...

Barcelona 3 - 1 Benfica (Barcelona won 4-1 on aggregate) Lamine Yamal stole the show once again as Barcelona booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a composed victory over Benfica. Author - Jamie P Stadium - Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys The teenager produced a moment of brilliance to set up Raphinha for the opener before outdoing himself with a stunning strike to restore Barcelona’s lead on the night and extend their aggregate advantage to 3-1. Nicolás Otamendi’s towering header had briefly given Benfica hope after cancelling out Raphinha’s opener, but Yamal’s magic proved decisive. Raphinha then sealed the win with a clinical finish into the bottom corner. There was a moment of confusion over the Brazilian’s second goal, as it appeared play had been pulled back for an Otamendi foul on the edge of the area. But after a VAR review, the goal was given and Otamendi’s yellow card was rescinded. Barca v Benfica highlights from TNT Sports youtu.be/jlshweWf...

Club Brugge 1 - 3 Aston Villa Aston Villa took control of their Champions League last-16 tie with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge, capitalising on a late collapse from the Belgian side to gain an advantage ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg. Author - Jamie P Stadium - Jan Breydelstadion Pictures from the away end Brugge had looked the more composed team for much of the contest but were left to rue their own mistakes after conceding twice in the closing stages against an underwhelming Villa. The hosts’ downfall began when Brandon Mechele inadvertently turned Morgan Rogers’ cross into his own net. Just five minutes later, a careless challenge from Christos Tzolis on Matty Cash gifted Villa a penalty, which Marco Asensio confidently dispatched. The three-time Champions League winner has now scored three goals in his last two appearances for the club. How the match unfolded Leon Bailey gave Villa the perfect start, volleying home inside three minutes to put the visitors in front. ...

Aston Villa 2 - 0 Cardiff City Marco Asensio was the star of the show for Aston Villa again as he helped them secure a deserved 2-0 win over Championship strugglers Cardiff City in the FA Cup. Author - Jamie P Stadium - Villa Park The hosts maintained control throughout the match but faced a strong performance from visiting goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, who made several crucial saves to keep Cardiff competitive. In a clash of attack versus defense, the hosts struggled to break down Cardiff's low block. However, they eventually found the breakthrough when Marco Asensio scored from a precise cross by Marcus Rashford. Asensio secured the win in the 80th minute with another clinical finish, converting a cross from Leon Bailey. This was his fourth goal since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in January. This could still be a landmark year for Aston Villa This year for Villa could yet be one for the history books, with Unai Emery’s side still in the hunt for silverware on two fron...

Crystal Palace 4 - 1 Aston Villa Ismaila Sarr’s brace inspired a ruthless Crystal Palace to sweep aside Aston Villa at Selhurst Park, keeping their push for a top-half Premier League finish on track. Author - Jamie P Stadium - Selhurst Park A closer look at what happened at South London Home form has been a concern for manager Oliver Glasner, with the Eagles securing just two league wins at Selhurst Park before this fixture. However, any concerns pre match vanished very quickly.  Marking his 27th birthday in style, Sarr gave Palace a strong start in the first half. Villa briefly levelled through Morgan Rogers early in the second half, but that only spurred the hosts on to take complete control on a memorable night in SE25. Jean-Philippe Mateta restored Palace’s lead moments later with a superb finish, moving him up to second in the club’s all-time Premier League goalscoring chart with 36 goals. Sarr then grabbed his second of the night before Eddie Nketiah, coming off the benc...

Manchester City 2 - 3 Real Madrid The best team in Europe displayed their qualities once again Author - Jamie P Real Madrid may not yet be at their imperious best, but they still possess the craft and know-how to navigate most Champions League challenges. This is the stage of the season where they truly come to life. Carlo Ancelotti, usually the picture of calm, was visibly animated at times as his side spurned a series of chances. Madrid carried a constant threat, pressing and probing throughout. When Kylian Mbappé levelled with a scruffy finish, the serial winners sensed weakness and went for City’s throat. But just as the momentum seemed to be shifting decisively, Erling Haaland’s late penalty looked to have derailed them. Manchester Super News report | Click here for more City analysis Latest Champions League stories from European Super Football No matter. Madrid, more experienced than anyone in these moments, sensed City’s fatigue and pounced. Jude Bellingham’s last-gasp winne...

Southampton 0 - 5 Brentford Bryan Mbeumo’s double helped Brentford secure their first Premier League away win of the season with a dominant victory over struggling Southampton. Author - Jamie P The visitors took the lead just six minutes in, as Kevin Schade finished off Mikkel Damsgaard's sublime defence-splitting pass. Mbeumo doubled the advantage just after the hour mark, smashing the ball into the roof of the net. The Cameroon international added his second from the penalty spot after Chelsea loanee Lesley Ugochukwu fouled Sepp van den Berg. Mbeumo then turned provider, setting up Keane Lewis-Potter for Brentford's first stoppage-time goal. Moments later, Yoane Wissa pounced on a poor header from substitute Yukinari Sugawara to complete the rout. The victory lifts Brentford to 10th in the table, while Southampton remain rooted to the bottom with just six points. Before this game, Thomas Frank’s side had only managed two points away from home – the joint-lowest in the...

Leeds United 1 - 1 Blackburn Rovers Danny Batth's injury-time strike salvaged a dramatic point for Blackburn Rovers, cancelling out Pascal Struijk’s late penalty in a gripping finale that left Leeds United frustrated at Elland Road. Author - Jamie P Struijk had calmly slotted home from the spot after substitute Mateo Joseph was deemed to have been brought down by Dominic Hyam, in what looked set to be the winner in a game otherwise short on clear chances. But just two minutes later, Batth pounced on a flicked Hyam header at the back post to steer the ball home, denying Leeds a 10th straight home league victory and keeping Blackburn’s promotion hopes alive. The result means Leeds maintain a three-point cushion at the top of the Championship but missed the chance to extend their lead further over Sheffield United, who lost to Sunderland. The home side almost snatched all three points deep into 11 minutes of stoppage time, only for Blackburn keeper Aynsley Pears to produce a stunn...

Leicester City 0 - 3 Wolves Vítor Pereira’s debut as a Premier League manager was pretty much perfect.  A two-time league champion with Porto, Pereira has finally been given his chance in England – and it couldn’t have started much more comfortably. Author - Jamie P Wolves found themselves 3-0 up by half-time, but that’s not to say Pereira has instantly turned them into a free-scoring machine. Instead, they simply capitalised on their opportunities when they arose. The opener came after Nelson Semedo lofted a speculative ball down the right channel. Somehow, it made its way to Gonçalo Guedes in the box. The Portuguese forward, making just his second league start of the season, hooked it past Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward with Wolves’ first shot under Pereira’s management. The second goal had a touch of fortune about it. Matt Doherty sent a hopeful diagonal ball towards Leicester’s right-back, James Justin, who allowed it to roll past him – unaware that Joao Gomes had sneaked ...

Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham United Enes Unal’s breathtaking free-kick salvaged a deserved 1-1 draw for Bournemouth against West Ham, after Lucas Paquetá’s controversial penalty—awarded by VAR—put the visitors ahead. Author - Jamie P Unal stepped up from nearly 30 yards out to unleash a powerful strike that left Lukasz Fabianski rooted to the spot, bringing relief to the home crowd following a contentious handball decision that had moments earlier gone against the Cherries. Bournemouth had piled on the pressure since the break, firing off 17 shots in total, but looked to be heading for frustration as West Ham’s resolute defence held firm. Then came a stroke of fortune for the Hammers, who broke the deadlock via a contentious penalty decision. Nicklas Füllkrug’s header was comfortably saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, but VAR official Michael Salisbury spotted a potential handball by Tyler Adams from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross. After a lengthy review and a trip to the pitch-side monitor by ref...