Last updated: September 10, 2026, 10:07 PM ET
Champions League Matchday 1: United Cruise, Como Announce Themselves
Manchester United's return to the Champions League after a long absence could hardly have gone smoother, with Michael Carrick's side rolling to a 4-0 win over competition debutants Sabah FK. The rout raised the obvious question of what a successful campaign now looks like for a club that has spent years watching from outside Europe's elite table, and the definition of success may hinge as much on consistency as on any single result. There was a glimpse of the future too, as 15-year-old academy talent JJ Gabriel marked his UEFA Youth League debut with a hat trick against Sabah, underlining the depth of talent coming through at Old Trafford.
Fabregas Makes a Statement as Como Stun Leipzig
Few Champions League debuts have been as emphatic as Como's, with Cesc Fabregas guiding his side to a 4-2 home win over RB Leipzig. The one-sided scoreline immediately established the Italian club as more than a novelty act in Europe's premier competition. Elsewhere, the opening matchday produced no shortage of talking points, with analysts including Mark Ogden, Gab Marcotti, Rob Dawson and Sam Tighe weighing in on the moments that mattered, including Jose Mourinho's blueprint for winning the competition. Viewers curious about the schedule were also reminded why some fixtures landed on Thursday, with the competition's expanded format explained in detail.
Dest and PSV Held, Roma and Fenerbahce Finish Level
Sergino Dest delivered a rare moment of personal history, scoring his first Champions League goal in six years to earn PSV Eindhoven a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk. The result left both sides still searching for a first win of the campaign. Roma and Fenerbahce also finished all square, with the live coverage confirming that both matches ended level. The draw at Roma proved costly for Fenerbahce in unexpected fashion, as head coach Ismail Kartal resigned minutes after the final whistle, stunning the Turkish club.
Liverpool Edge Atletico as Mac Allister Answers Critics
Alexis Mac Allister produced the perfect response to his contract frustration, scoring the winner in Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid just a day after publicly expressing disappointment over the lack of a new deal. Liverpool's night was not without concern, however, as Bradley Barcola limped out of his home debut with an apparent calf injury. Atletico captain Koke afterwards defended teammate Julian Alvarez, urging critics to leave the forward in peace so he can focus on playing and enjoying his football.
Musiala Returns With a Goal After Seizure Scare
Jamal Musiala marked his return to Bayern Munich's lineup in emotional fashion, scoring his first goal of the season and pointing to his head in a celebration referencing the seizures he had dealt with on the field. The goal served as both a personal milestone and a reminder of the resilience required at the top level.
Arsenal's Odegaard Delivers Again as Contract Talks Advance
Arsenal's Champions League hopes may rest on keeping Martin Odegaard at his best, and the midfielder delivered once more with the goal that secured a win over Napoli. The performance reinforced the view that Arsenal's attacking needs may be less urgent than some suggest while their captain keeps producing. Off the pitch, Mikel Arteta is believed to be close to finalising a new contract with the Premier League champions, a move that would end speculation about his future.
Zubimendi Exit Talk Intensifies as Chelsea and Madrid Circle
Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi could reportedly leave the club during the winter transfer window, with Friday's newspapers suggesting he may push for an exit in January. Chelsea and Real Madrid are both monitoring the situation, according to the latest gossip roundup, which also noted Mauro Icardi's openness to an Everton move and the Toffees playing down links to Anthony Martial. Transfer Talk separately reported that Zubimendi could depart in January, while Manchester United and Tottenham are among the clubs eyeing Club Brugge striker Tresoldi.
Liverpool Eye Wharton as January Window Looms
Liverpool could make a bid for Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton as soon as January, with the Anfield club preparing an approach as part of a broader recruitment plan that also includes Newcastle's Hall and Chelsea's Scott. The move reflects Liverpool's intent to strengthen midfield depth ahead of a congested second half of the season.
Barcelona's Spending Limit Rises but Still Trails Madrid
LaLiga announced that Barcelona's squad spending limit has risen by almost EUR150 million ($174m) to EUR582m ($676m), though the figure remains well below Real Madrid's. The increase offers the Catalan club more room to manoeuvre in future windows but does little to close the financial gap with their rivals. Barcelona sporting director Deco also explained that the club signed Anthony Gordon over Marcus Rashford because the winger is a better fit for the team's style, a view echoed in further comments on the decision about Hansi Flick's squad building.
Pochettino Calls for 2016-17 Title to Be Awarded to Spurs
Mauricio Pochettino has reignited an old debate by claiming Tottenham should be awarded the Premier League title from the 2016-17 campaign, when his side finished runners-up to Chelsea. The former Spurs boss called for the title to be handed over and argued Chelsea should be stripped of the honour. The claim prompted a broader examination of whether there is any case for a retrospective review of that season's outcome. Pochettino also said he hopes to return to the Premier League in the future, expressing warmth toward English football during a wide-ranging conversation.
Mexico Captain Alvarez Denies Kidnapping Accusation
West Ham and Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez has categorically denied an accusation that he was involved in an alleged kidnapping, issuing a strong public denial of any involvement. The statement came as the Mexico captain sought to distance himself from the claims.
Marquez Takes Mexico Reins With Ambition
Rafael Marquez wants to take Mexico to another level after assuming the role of manager, building on the foundation established during the 2026 World Cup to keep improving the team and grow its identity. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti began his overhaul of Brazil's national team by announcing a squad featuring several young talents and few of the players he took to the World Cup three months ago.
Messi and Miami Rally in Front of Record Chicago Crowd
Inter Miami and Lionel Messi rallied from a goal down at Soldier Field to earn a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Fire in front of 63,094 fans, a club home attendance record. Robert Lewandowski had given the Fire the lead before Miami's comeback.
Ballon d'Or Shortlist Revealed
The 2026 Ballon d'Or short lists are out, with the nominees for the biggest individual prizes in men's and women's soccer now open for debate. The announcement coincided with wider discussion of the shortlist and a shock resignation, alongside the growing dominance of Spanish coaches across European football.
FIFA Denies Morocco 2030 Final Decision as Infantino Loses Support
FIFA said the decision over whether Morocco or Spain would host the 2030 World Cup final would be made in due course, denying reports that Morocco had already been chosen. The French Football Federation has withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino's bid to be re-elected as FIFA president next year. French football leaders have since proposed seeking ways to transform how FIFA is run following the withdrawal.
Sesko Gives United a Different Threat Ahead of Derby
Benjamin Sesko's return to Manchester United's starting lineup is well timed ahead of Sunday's Premier League encounter with Manchester City, with the striker having scored two goals in two games to offer his side a different attacking dimension. Chris Sutton, meanwhile, has taken on Dorking Wanderers manager Marc White in his weekend predictions for the Premier League fixtures, with BBC readers and AI also weighing in. One tipster argued that Hull's impressive run cannot continue at Chelsea, only to conclude that it just might.
Haaland Stands Alone as Premier League's Global Star
After a summer in which clubs prioritised depth over singular talent, Erling Haaland is now arguably the Premier League's only global superstar, though the league's popularity has not suffered. The trend extends to wide areas, where top clubs are signing wingers who don't score, a shift shaped by the Messi and Ronaldo era that changed expectations for the position.
Spurs and Richarlison in Contract Dispute
Tottenham and forward Richarlison are in dispute over the remaining nine months on his contract, with the standoff casting uncertainty over his future at the club. Summer signing Matheus Fernandes, meanwhile, insisted he has joined a squad set to start fighting for trophies, crediting De Zerbi as the key to his switch despite Spurs failing to win any of their first three league games.
Rangers and Celtic Prepare for Old Firm Double-Header
Rangers celebrated wildly after a stoppage-time strike against St Mirren kept momentum going into two games with rivals Celtic, with the late winner preserving the double-header build-up. Derek McInnes wants Rangers to bring the crowd with them in Sunday's Ibrox clash, and he believes a real bond within the squad can drive the club to success. On the other side of Glasgow, Martin O'Neill admitted he is not sure what to make of Celtic after a much-changed side earned a narrow 1-0 win away to St Johnstone. Celtic also face a goalkeeping decision, with Johnstone in contention to start against Rangers on Sunday.
Hearts and Livingston Eye Cup Progress
Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken insists there can be no excuses as his side prepare to face Stenhousemuir at Ochilview, with a place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals at stake and his players needing to be above emotion as big favourites. David Martindale, meanwhile, admits to missing coaching but is crystal clear that his return to Livingston is temporary.
Premier League Announces Bumper Festive Schedule
The Premier League will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year, a significant increase on last year, with 29 matches available to watch live on Sky Sports between Boxing Day and January 7 in a bumper festive period. The early announcement prompted BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team to explain why the fixtures came early, more than a month ahead of schedule.
Brighton, Elversberg and the Fight Against the Establishment
Fabian Hurzeler set out to challenge the establishment when he became Brighton's head coach, and two years on he believes the club must now win something to show for it. In Germany, SV Elversberg's ascent to the Bundesliga has been remarkable, with the club already beating Bayer Leverkusen this season, yet they reject the fairytale label and prefer to focus on staying true to their identity.
NWSL Turmoil: Racing Louisville's Uncertain Future
Racing Louisville has few fans, its best players want to leave, and there is no improvement in sight, raising the question of whether sale or relocation looms for the NWSL club. In transfer news, Deyna Castellanos is set to sign with Liga MX Femenil powerhouse Tigres after reaching an agreement to terminate her Portland Thorns contract. Tanzanian striker Clara Luvanga has joined Washington Spirit from Al-Nassr in a deal believed to be one of the most costly in women's football history, and possibly a world record.
England Close In on Pakistan Sweep as Root's Struggles Examined
England are closing in on the most emphatic of series sweeps of Pakistan after reducing the visitors to 52-2, still 268 runs behind, before rain ended play early on day two of the third Test at Edgbaston, with the series sweep now firmly in sight. Harry Brook missed out on a century again after a shocking run-out, with the action covered in the live day two updates. Nasser Hussain identified Joe Root's susceptibility to lbw and England's failure to convert starts into centuries as the only blots on the post-Bazball batting display. Somerset remain top of the County Championship after Craig Overton and Jack Leach combined to inflict a 377-run thrashing on Leicestershire, with only two rounds remaining.
US Open: Zverev Cruises, American Hopes Alive
Alexander Zverev took another big step towards a second Grand Slam title by beating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2 7-5 6-1 to reach the US Open semi-finals, turning a rocky road into smooth sailing. The question now is whether a Zverev win is a formality or whether a home hope can break a long drought, with Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe continuing their quest to end the American wait dating back to Andy Roddick's 2003 triumph. US Open chief Craig Tiley told Sky Sports Tennis he plans on keeping two matches during the day and two at night at Flushing Meadows in 2027, calling it a great sporting ticket.
Leclerc Takes Blame for Hamilton Clash as Verstappen Fears Madring
Charles Leclerc has admitted he "didn't behave the way I should have" when racing Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton at the opening lap of the Italian Grand Prix, taking the blame for the Monza clash after talks with the team. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, says the new Madring F1 circuit is "probably a car killer", with several drivers expecting a disruptive Spanish Grand Prix weekend. George Russell insists he does "have an answer" to Kimi Antonelli's pace but admits he will need good fortune to catch his Mercedes teammate at the top of the Drivers' Championship, saying he has an answer to the pace.
NFL Opener: Seahawks Edge Patriots but Lose Darnold
Backup quarterback Drew Lock led two late scoring drives as the Seattle Seahawks intercepted Drake Maye three times in the fourth quarter to overcome an early injury to Sam Darnold and beat the New England Patriots, with the 13-10 win coming at a cost. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts enters the 2026 NFL season facing more question marks than ever before, with the "polarising" signal-caller under pressure to win over critics.
Golf, Boxing and Racing Round-Up
Rory McIlroy battled testing blustery conditions at the Amgen Irish Open to sit four shots off the clubhouse lead following a one-under par opening round, with Shane Lowry two shots off the pace. At Doncaster, the St Leger meeting got under way with a pair of classy Group Two contests taking centre stage, including the Park Hill and May Hill clashes. Musical Times burst into next year's Classic picture with a wide-margin victory in the Betfred May Hill Stakes, prompting 6/1 odds for the 1000 Guineas. First-time headgear worked the oracle for Owen Burrows' Waardah, who ran out an impressive winner of the Betfred Park Hill Stakes, an impressive Park Hill success. Hollie Doyle gave her verdict on the action from Town Moor, including her take on the Doncaster Cup, where she expects Queenstown to be the one to beat. In boxing, Ryan Garcia offered no apologies for missing Tuesday's face-off with Conor Benn, saying it was "funny" to see the British fighter pretending to square off against his dad Nigel, and explaining why he snubbed the event. The trial of Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver involved in the crash that injured boxer Anthony Joshua and killed two members of his team, has been adjourned until November 17.
Rugby, Super League and Cricket's Big Weekend
York Knights finished their maiden Super League season with a 35-16 thrashing of bottom club Bradford at the LNER Community Stadium, where Paul Vaughan slotted over a late drop goal on his farewell appearance. The Red Roses have named their side to face Australia on Saturday in the first match of the home leg of the WXV Global Series, boosted by returns from injury. Team USA are determined to overcome heart-breaking near-misses in away Solheim Cups and successfully retain their trophy on European soil, with the 2026 Solheim Cup looming. Football, F1, cricket, golf, tennis and NFL all feature on one weekend, and Sky Sports has published a guide to watching the Big Weekend so viewers don't miss a minute.
Around the Leagues: Illness, Impersonation and Apologies
Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann revealed he was diagnosed with skin cancer last year but is "ok now", sharing his treatment and recovery story. Gainsborough Trinity condemned a person who has been approaching players while falsely claiming to be their manager, telling the impersonator to get a life. Portsmouth boss John Mousinho said he was "absolutely furious" at the position he was put in over an incident involving Cardiff's Krystian Bielik and a fan, describing himself as furious over the account. Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle questioned why he was booked for his touchline behaviour when he felt other animated managers were not, raising the comparison. Leeds forward Noah Okafor says he will not play for Switzerland again while Murat Yakin remains head coach, making his international stance clear. Barcelona midfielder Rodri apologised to the entire Valencia squad after television cameras appeared to catch him describing the La Liga strugglers as "very weak", issuing a public apology for the comments.