Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: September 7, 2026, 10:19 PM ET

Premier League

Arsenal delivered a statement 2-1 win over Chelsea in a vintage London derby at the Emirates on Sunday, coming from behind to record the comeback victory and prove they remain the team to beat in England. Mikel Arteta’s side looked rattled after conceding an early goal, but quickly showed why they are title favourites, with Martin Ødegaard scoring the winner as the Gunners continue to overcome every obstacle in their path. Xabi Alonso conceded Chelsea must address their defensive frailties after the 2-1 defeat took their goals conceded tally to seven in just three league games this season. Elsewhere, Manchester United remain a work in progress after dropping points again in a 2-2 draw with Everton, making it two dropped points results in three games. Jamie Vardy has joined Burnley on a season-long deal, the former Leicester striker confirms. BBC Sport explains why Sunderland vs Arsenal is kicking off at 8pm on Saturday, a scheduling anomaly for a Premier League fixture.

The Premier League's newest talking point involves VAR after a new camera angle emerged showing the ball coming off Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams' arm as he scored his disallowed goal against Tottenham. The footage won't end the VAR row however, with both clubs and fans still split on the decision. Leicester are at a new low under Russell Martin, a decade after playing in the Champions League, the club now struggles in League One. Captain Harry Souttar said players failed to produce the “bare minimum” after a heavy defeat to Oxford, insisting they must take responsibility for Saturday's disappointing display. Paul Merson has expressed worry about Roberto De Zerbi's post-match comments criticising Spurs' forward players and medical staff, saying the criticism was worrying for those in the firing line. Cardiff midfielder Krystian Bielik is under police investigation after an incident with a home supporter during Portsmouth's 2-0 win at Fratton Park.

LaLiga and European Leagues

Kylian Mbappé launched a passionate defence of his playing style, denying his off-ball work rate is an issue at Real Madrid, insisting this year could be a good year for a Ballon d'Or moment. Meanwhile, Harry Kane says he is happy to be in contention and "extremely proud" of a stunning 73-goal campaign, though he acknowledges winning the prize is rare without a World Cup or Champions League trophy. Paper talk has it that Real Madrid’s Endrick is attracting interest from Italy, while Jadon Sancho might return to the Premier League.

Valencia fans protested against club officials and “mercenary” players after a demoralising 5-0 home loss to Barcelona in LaLiga. Troy Parrott stunned Mourinho’s Madrid as Barcelona showed brilliance across Europe, with the Irish striker knocking Real off their perch in an away win that stunned the Spanish giants. Jose Mourinho’s career nosedived after he left Real Madrid in 2013, but he now has a chance to prove how special he still is with his new side in the Champions League. Giovanni Reyna will be happy after scoring his first goal for Strasbourg in a 6-2 thrashing of Troyes on Sunday in Ligue.

Champions League

The Champions League is back, and BBC Sport has analysed the favourites ahead of the first round of games. Our own panel has put together fresh Champions League Power Rankings ahead of matchday one, asking who is the No. 1 team in the field? Lithuanian coach Valdas Dambrauskas cut his teeth in English football, and now returns with Sabah, having started his career with £725 game-show winnings.

Serie A and Scottish Football

Ruben Amorim has called for patience after his winning run at AC Milan ended with a 1-1 draw against Juventus, insisting the club is on the right track. Meanwhile, Inter are proving they are the team to beat in Serie A, with the perfect Marcotti piece assessing their chances in Italy. Bayern's form has caught the eye, with Kane and Mbappé both tracking the Ballon d'Or, and Bayern will be contenders in Europe this season.

Rangers face an injury blow after Lawrence Shankland’s setback comes with Celtic losing Yang and mounting pressures on several managers. Hibernian head coach David Gray is under increasing pressure after a defeat at St Johnstone, calling his current situation “gambling and guessing,” as he faces up to the slump.

Women's Football

Washington Spirit have leaped to top spot in the NWSL Power Rankings after Gotham and San Diego slipped up. The U.S. suffered a shock in the U20 World Cup opener as an Italy goal sealed their fate, the result leaving the Americans in an early hole in a difficult group. Putellas was outshone by Cascarino on her debut but remains the spine of London City’s success. Chelsea's WSL revenge campaign began with a stumble as defensive mistakes in a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, an opening day misfire. The WSL is probing after Crystal Palace breached substitution rules, an investigation under way in top-level women’s football. The debate also continues on whether the league should be supporting more home-grown talent according to the latest Women’s Weekly.

Golf, F1 and Other Sports

Solheim Cup: Europe's Mimi Rhodes is relishing the chance to fulfil a childhood dream at the Solheim Cup, backing Anna Nordqvist to lead Team Europe to victory in the Netherlands. Live from Bernardus, Europe progresses with updates, and you can watch it live on Sky Sports.

Formula 1:

It’s a big race weekend as the Spanish Grand Prix brings F1 to a brand-new street circuit in Madrid, the final European race of the season; see the full schedule and how to watch. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar will miss the race as he continues to recover from a fractured wrist; Liam Lawson continues in relief. Martin Brundle’s verdict on the Italian GP celebrates Antonelli’s fairytale win but calls Russell “bruised” and a Ferrari crash a skirmish.

NFL:

The 2026 NFL season gets under way with a Super Bowl rematch as the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on Wednesday night, live on Sky. Then, the race to Super Bowl LXI starts with 285 games across eight countries and more.

Cricket and Boxing:

The Pakistan Cricket Board has launched an investigation into discipline and conduct amid the findings of a crisis tour of England. Kevin Pietersen is to join the England men’s white-ball teams as a specialist mentor in the build-up to next year’s Cricket World Cup in Africa. The Red Roses have named an experienced squad with 25 World Cup winners to prepare for the WXV Global Series; coach John Mitchell’s leadership names the squad. England women’s push for all-rounders to extend Australia is underway, according to national selector Lydia Greenway, marking a major transition.

General Football and Transfer News

Chelsea are keen to bring in Alex Scott to replace Enzo Fernández, with Transfer Talk bringing the latest. The Blues also explored a move for Sander Berg with a last-ditch approach before Enzo left. Federico Chiesa’s future at Liverpool could be in doubt, with some top gossip from the papers, and the rumours likely to spark more. Monaco are keen to move on from U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, and Saudi clubs are keen to be in the took. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has said he plans to support Balogun after the collapse of his move to Everton. Belgium FA still wants answers on why Folarin Balogun was allowed to play against them at the World Cup, before FIFA decried the clear controversy surrounding his ban.

The Belgian Football Federation also wanted answers on Infantino’s terms, and says it cannot back him for another term, citing transparency issues and the way FIFA handled the fate of Balogun, in a statement.

More Football News

Ronald Koeman Jr. was on the scoresheet not once, but twice for Telstar in the Dutch Eredivisie, the goalkeeper scored 2 penalties. Giovanni Reyna got his first Strasbourg goal in a 6-2 blowout in Ligue. Lamine Yamal has already scored 50 goals for Barcelona, at 19 years and 49 days — compare that to the history of Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappé to see just how special he is. Red Star Belgrade fans have unveiled a tifo of Ratko Mladic before their derby.

Other News

In rugby league news, St Helens have all-stagnated since 2023 after a missed play-off year, and their seventh-placed finish in the league. Wigan captain Liam Farrell is retiring at the end of the 2026 season, and said he does not know if he had played his last game for the club. A frantic Super League Friday sees Wigan and the Leeds Rhinos battle for top spot, as the League Leaders and position settle anyway.

In boxing, Thomas Carty expects Allen to face disqualification after it was blatantly foul, with his manager Mike Ofo saying the incident ended with the way the fight was. At the horse track, Raaheeb returns for donation, “to resume progression races at Windsor,” set to run live.

Team News and Coaching

Wales: Former skipper Ashley Williams and Alan Sheehan join Craig Bellamy's backroom staff with the full Nations League campaign approaching, staff moves confirmed.

Liverpool:

The race is on to replace Richard Hughes, the search for a fourth sporting director since 2022 amid numerous tasks waiting.

Shrewsbury:

EFL has approved an American takeover, and the long-running saga has come to an end with an American consortium approved to buy the club.

Nottingham Forest:

Edu has left his role as global head of football after just over one year at the City Ground, the club announced.

Motherwell:

The club failed to get an appeal to reduce a £5,000 fine for their reaction to a last-gasp penalty to Celtic, but former player Elliot Watt’s suspension has been reduced.

Water and other sports:

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USMNT and Youth:

Mauricio Pochettino said he is happy about the potential of young players in the U.S. pool, but "we need to be careful" amid the buzz around Cavan Sullivan and others. Pochettino also confirmed he will seek to find Balogun the best place to perform, as the striker’s immediate future remains in question. Italy stuns in the U20 World Cup, with the loss leaving group standings messy and a hard path ahead for the US in the opener. Real USMNT fans also saw a positive Giovanni as he got his first goal, while injuries and moves are part of the loop.

NFL and other content:

New video shows the handball issue; the VAR row continues with full-clip in play. Georgia, or likely the Super Bowl race, holds start with Wednesday's action.

Off-track:

Also, a goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr. double tops Telstar, and the teenager who signed after a van trip landed his own contract in Italy.