Football/Soccer 8 Hours

Last updated: September 8, 2026, 10:23 PM ET

Champions League Openers

Aston Villa marked their return to Europe's top table with a thrilling 3-2 win over Club Brugge, as captain John McGinn made club history. The attacking display ended a goal drought that had plagued Unai Emery's side, giving them a vital opening victory. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's loss at Real Betis remains contentious, as Spain's referees defended their decision not to retake Kylian Mbappé's missed penalty. The body in charge of officiating said the call was correct despite the 1-0 defeat, which sparked debate across the league.

Travel and Team News

Arsenal's travel plans for their clash at Napoli have been thrown into chaos after UK air traffic control failed, significantly delaying their flight to Italy. Napoli themselves face problems, with a midfield crisis ahead of Wednesday's fixture.

Awards and Tactics

The 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist was unveiled on Tuesday, with Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal among the 30 leading candidates. Jose Mourinho has insisted Trent Alexander-Arnold is not a midfielder, despite his starting role in Real Madrid's win over Inter Milan. The former Chelsea boss firmly believes his best position remains as a full-back.

Calendar Dispute

A group of Europe's major leagues has filed an expanded complaint, accusing FIFA of abusive patterns over its women's international calendar, increasing pressure on the world governing body.

Carabao Cup

Five Premier League teams are in action in the Carabao Cup third round, with live scores showing Bournemouth and Crystal Palace ahead in their early matches. All the drama continues live on Soccer.