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Como announced their arrival on European football’s grandest stage with a commanding 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in their UEFA Champions League league-phase opener at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
The Italian side, making their competition debut, produced an impressive performance to overwhelm the German visitors and secure three crucial points in the new-format tournament.
Manchester United delivered a commanding performance at Old Trafford, recording their most significant UEFA Champions League victory in over four years by sweeping aside Sabah FK. The result marks the club’s biggest margin of victory in the competition since 2020, signaling a strong return to form on the European stage.
The match saw United control proceedings from the outset, with the home side imposing their game plan against the visiting Azerbaijani champions. The atmosphere at Old Trafford provided a fitting backdrop for a night that saw the Red Devils click into gear across all phases of play.
While the final scoreline reflects the gulf in class between the two sides, the performance will encourage supporters and coaching staff alike ahead of the crucial group stage fixtures to come. The victory not only secures three vital points but also provides a significant boost to the team’s goal difference, which could prove decisive in a tightly contested group.
This result represents a notable milestone for the squad, breaking a run of relatively modest winning margins in Europe’s premier club competition. The last time United enjoyed a victory of this magnitude in the Champions League was during the 2019-20 campaign, highlighting the rarity of such comprehensive performances at this level.
The win over Sabah FK serves as a statement of intent as United look to navigate a challenging group and progress to the knockout rounds. With the three points secured, attention now turns to the next European assignment, where the team will aim to build on this foundation and maintain their winning momentum.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes capped off an intricate team move to double the hosts’ advantage against Sabah at Old Trafford. The Portuguese midfielder’s finish came after a fluid passing sequence that carved open the visitors’ defense, showcasing the kind of cohesive attacking play Erik ten Hag has sought to instill.
The goal arrived at a pivotal moment in the pre-season friendly, extending United’s lead and effectively putting the match beyond Sabah’s reach. Fernandes, wearing the armband in the absence of Harry Maguire, led by example with both his positioning and composure in front of goal.
Television replays highlighted the build-up, which involved quick one-touch exchanges across the final third before the ball fell invitingly to the captain on the edge of the penalty area. His first-time strike left the Sabah goalkeeper with no chance, finding the bottom corner with precision.
United’s dominant first-half performance saw them control possession and create multiple clear-cut opportunities, with the midfield trio dictating tempo against the Malaysian Super League side. The result continues the club’s unbeaten start to their summer preparations ahead of the Premier League campaign.
Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris has admitted his McLaren machinery is not currently strong enough to defend his title, tipping Mercedes driver George Russell as the primary challenger to championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
Heading into the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit in Madrid, Norris sits 96 points adrift of Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship standings. Despite securing back-to-back victories in Budapest and Zandvoort, the British driver acknowledged the performance gap following a difficult weekend at Monza, where he and teammate Oscar Piastri finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Speaking to media on Thursday, Norris highlighted the points reality facing his campaign.
“[Russell] is 30 points ahead of me,” Norris told media on Thursday in Madrid. “So George, I think, is still the one who has the best chance of trying to take the challenge to Kimi. Hamilton is still many points ahead of me as well.”
Norris explained that the team’s showing at Monza exposed fundamental limitations with the MCL39 package.
“We have two wins in a row, so the car is good in some places,” he said. “It’s just, like I said, not as good as it needs to be everywhere. And the only person that has a car that’s the same as Kimi is George. So I wish George the best in trying to fight Kimi.”
With Formula 1 making its debut at the Madring street circuit, every driver heads into Friday practice sessions with limited real-world data. Norris compared the layout to Jeddah but emphasized that suitability for the McLaren remains an open question until track running begins.
“I think the whole track is quite challenging with how the corners are laid out — uphill, downhill, off-camber, camber,” he said. “The whole track looks pretty exciting.”
Despite the unknowns, Norris expressed optimism about the circuit’s character after simulator preparation.
“It was okay, it took maybe three, four laps, I think, to know what to do in most places. Of course, then you figure out the smaller details. But I thought it would be harder, so it was actually okay, to be honest.
“It’s always different when you get on track and actually feel everything. The sense of speed is quite a big difference compared to a simulator.”
Teammate Oscar Piastri shared his perspective on the Madrid layout, noting the specific challenges posed by a high-speed street circuit configuration.
“Obviously there are quite a few high-speed corners, which on a street circuit is always… there are always just massive consequences with that,” he said.
“The banking as well, I think, will be a big challenge, and then also just the compromise of what you need from the car.
“I think there are a lot of different types of corners here, a lot of kerbs you seem to need to use. So I think getting the compromise of things as well is going to be tough.”
As the paddock prepares for the first competitive sessions at Madring, both McLaren drivers face a weekend where maximizing the car’s narrow performance window will be critical to closing the gap to the leading Mercedes and Antonelli’s championship-leading machinery.
Mercedes driver George Russell adopted a pragmatic stance regarding his 2025 title aspirations during media duties in Madrid ahead of the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the new circuit.
The British racer has not outperformed his sophomore teammate Kimi Antonelli since the British Grand Prix in July. His most recent defeat proved particularly painful at Monza, where he watched the Italian mount a remarkable recovery drive from 19th on the grid to secure victory.
That result leaves Russell trailing by 66 points with 10 Grands Prix left on the calendar. Reversing the momentum that has firmly swung in Antonelli’s favor represents a significant challenge, prompting Russell to narrow his focus to a race-by-race strategy rather than the broader championship picture.
Chris Sutton will be covering the Premier League encounter at Anfield for BBC Radio 5 Live, co-commentating alongside Ian Dennis. The focus heading into the fixture centres heavily on the Fulham dugout and the immediate pressure facing manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
Fulham appear somewhat lightweight in the early assessment, and the manager will remain under pressure until he secures his first Premier League victory. While midfielder Cesar Palacios and forward Gonzalo Garcia have shown promise, the transition for young players thrown into the top flight is rarely seamless, particularly when serving under a manager who is also new to the environment.
A poor start inevitably invites scrutiny. Despite possessing capable attacking talent, Fulham have been conceding goals at a concerning rate. Surrendering a two-goal lead against Crystal Palace, a side that had also struggled initially, amplifies the significance of the Anfield trip for Arbeloa.
The Spaniard is attempting to implement a high-pressing, possession-dominant system. However, at the elite level of the Premier League, an imprecise press is ruthlessly exploited by opposition teams playing through the lines. Arbeloa desperately needs a result to kickstart his tenure, or at minimum a performance to build upon, and an upset at Anfield is not considered impossible.
Liverpool have not looked fully convincing either, with their high defensive line offering opportunities to the opposition during the victory at Ipswich Town. The expectation is that Fulham will find the net, but the prevailing view is that the hosts will score more.
“I went to watch Fulham as a really small kid, which was my first memory of ‘big’ football, standing on the terrace at Craven Cottage, and I still go there now whenever we’re not playing. I am friends with the captain, Tom Cairney, so luckily I get to watch them quite a lot. They are quite a unique family club at that level and I really enjoy it, plus it’s a good chance to watch Premier League football.”
“Fulham have done the opposite of what Brentford did when Thomas Frank left. They don’t just have a new manager to replace Marco Silva, they have a new system and with new players. It’s a big gamble.”
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have offered their assessments of Red Bull’s chances at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, where Madrid will host its first-ever Formula 1 race on a high-speed street circuit. The novel layout presents teams and drivers with an unfamiliar challenge that could shuffle the competitive order and create an opportunity for an unexpected result.
Red Bull and Verstappen have yet to secure a victory this season. The Dutch driver suggested that the inherent perils of a street circuit, combined with the unknowns of a new venue, could potentially offer his best chance yet to return to the top step of the podium.
“I think the practice sessions are crucial, and hopefully we just get a good feeling with the car. I think if you have a good feeling with the car, you’re actually a bit more competitive, and hopefully that will put us into a place where we can fight again around a podium,” he said.
“I always try my best to try and win a race, at least this year, but for sure it’s not going to be easy to win a race. But we’ll see. Maybe, first race here, we can have a bit of chaos. You need to luck in maybe a little bit, but we keep trying.
“It probably is a car killer [circuit] from what I’ve seen so far. You just need to try and stay out of the wall, try and get the best possible feeling in the car. When you are confident in the car on a street circuit, it helps a lot.
“It’s difficult to say at the moment how everything is going to go. And, I mean, driver track or not, you still need a good car. That’s the most important thing.”
Meanwhile, Lawson will continue to stand in for the injured Isack Hadjar, having already raced for Red Bull at Zandvoort and Monza. The New Zealander narrowly missed out on points in Italy last weekend but believes he is adapting further to the team’s current challenger, a process that will be even more critical at a brand-new venue.
“This track is quite different to what we’ve been racing on. It’s obviously new for all of us so it’s going to take some time to learn,” he said.
“For us as drivers, the teams as well with the car, I’m sure it’s going to be challenging but the more time I spend in the car the more I’m going to naturally get a bit more comfortable.
Lawson added:
“It’s not my car and obviously in your own car you have many things that are very suited for you, and that’s not something I can do in a couple of races with this car. More time I spend in it, more comfortable I get.”
Real Madrid have reportedly begun preliminary internal work on a significant contract extension for star midfielder Jude Bellingham, according to journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon. The Spanish giants are exploring an ambitious long-term agreement that would keep the English international at the Santiago Bernabéu until June 2032.
The report indicates Los Blancos are wasting no time in tying down one of their most valuable assets. Despite Bellingham’s current contract running until 2029, the club’s hierarchy appears determined to reward his immediate impact and ward off potential suitors with an extended commitment that would span the prime years of his career.
A deal through 2032 would represent a remarkable vote of confidence in the 21-year-old, who has already established himself as a central figure in Carlo Ancelotti’s system since his high-profile arrival from Borussia Dortmund. The proposed extension would cover what many consider the peak developmental window for a world-class midfielder.
Álvarez de Mon’s reporting suggests the internal groundwork is already underway, though formal negotiations with the player’s representatives have not yet commenced. Real Madrid’s proactive approach mirrors their strategy with previous generational talents, securing long-term stability before market pressures intensify.
Cristiano Ronaldo found the net once again on Wednesday, opening the scoring in Al Nassr’s 2-1 victory over Abha on matchday six of the Saudi Pro League. The strike brought the Portuguese superstar’s official career goal tally to 979, leaving him just 21 goals shy of the historic 1,000-goal milestone he has publicly targeted.
The goal carried a touch of numerical symmetry. Ronaldo headed home a corner delivered by Ângelo in the 21st minute — matching the exact number of goals he now requires to reach four figures. The header broke the deadlock and set the tone for a match Al Nassr would ultimately control, with Abdullah Al-Hamdan doubling the advantage in the 58th minute.
Despite already holding the record as football’s all-time leading scorer in official matches, Ronaldo continues to chase the unprecedented 1,000-goal barrier. His closest rival remains Lionel Messi, who sits on 927 goals and was recently named among the 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or. Ronaldo’s latest effort confirms his sharp scoring form; he now has three goals in the current Saudi Pro League campaign and has amassed 131 goals since his move to the Asian continent in 2022.
The bulk of Ronaldo’s haul was accumulated during his peak years at Real Madrid, where he netted 451 times. His international record with Portugal stands at 146 goals, while he scored 145 for Manchester United across two spells. Since joining Al Nassr, he has added 131, with 101 coming during his stint at Juventus and the five that launched his professional career at Sporting CP.
Ronaldo could have extended his tally further. In the first half, one of his efforts struck the post, and a subsequent opportunity was cleared off the goal line. Al-Hamdan’s second goal appeared to settle the contest, but Abha responded through Nabil Fekir, who curled a direct free-kick past the goalkeeper in the 75th minute. The visitors pressed for an equalizer in the closing stages, yet Al Nassr held firm to secure the three points.
The win lifts the side managed by Ange Postecoglou to 15 points after six rounds, leaving them level at the top of the standings alongside Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah. With domestic and Asian competitions on the horizon, Ronaldo’s path to 1,000 goals remains clearly defined: 21 more strikes at the age of 41.
Without question, the pursuit of that four-figure landmark will serve as the final great chapter in a rivalry that has defined more than two decades of the sport.
Formula 1 drivers will once again experience the thrill of racing at a new venue this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, where anticipation for the unknown has already spread through the paddock at the Madring. Spain’s capital city welcomes F1 back for the first time in 45 years with a purpose-built track that blends public roads with permanent sections. Its high speeds, twisty layout, and unique banked corner — suitably named La Monumental — have generated significant discussion about what to expect when the action begins.
While on-track running starts with Free Practice 1 at 13:30 local time on Friday, September 11, many drivers have already used simulators to familiarize themselves with the venue, and early reactions suggest competitive sessions ahead. Madrid-born Carlos Sainz is especially eager for the round. The Spaniard will not only contest his first true home race but also serves as a circuit ambassador. Sainz was the first driver on the grid to complete a lap of the Madring, albeit in a road car while the track was still incomplete. At the time, he called it “honestly impressive” and admitted that he “didn’t expect it to be so flowing, so wide” — comments he expanded upon upon his return to the city.
“I’m for sure going to enjoy this a lot,” he told the media on Thursday. “It’s going to be busy, but also emotional. I’m going to try and enjoy it as much as possible. It looks like the track has a character that is charismatic, with a lot of different types of corners.”
Fernando Alonso, who boasts 25 years of racing in Spain as an F1 driver, finds this weekend no less remarkable. Instead, the two-time champion embraces the chance to compete twice in his home nation in the same season, having already contested the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
“It’s going to be a very nice weekend,” Alonso said. “We have this privilege to race two times in Spain this year, and for the very first time in Madrid. It is special. Also a new track, so it adds this challenge for everyone to learn the track as quick as possible in Free Practice. For me, it’s double special being in Spain.
“Madrid is one of the best cities in the world so to have a Grand Prix and to welcome F1 here is incredible. I think for any racing driver, to win in Madrid will mean a lot.
“It’s very technical, lots of kerb riding and a couple of high-speed sections where you need to get very close to the walls, which is very attractive and very high adrenaline for a driver – close to Jeddah.”
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto shared similar enthusiasm after their strong Monza outing, where Gasly claimed a shock pole position before the pair delivered a double points finish.
“The track itself on the simulator looked insane,” Gasly raved. “To drive it was very fun – lots of technical and twisty corners. From everything I’ve heard, it’s definitely something very unique. So, big challenge, but I’m excited for this type of weekend where everything is brand new for everyone.
“I think the challenge driving-wise should not be underestimated, because it’s 15 corners, and they’re absolutely crazy – with undulation, going up and down, banking, 90-degree corners, 180-degree corners, low speed, high speed – you name it, you’ve got a bit of everything.
“It’s exciting. As a driver, it feels like you’re going to have many opportunities around the lap to actually make these small gains everywhere. I think the track layout is something I’ve never seen before. I’m sure we’re going to have huge adrenaline in the car.”
Colapinto, who previously lived in Madrid, added a personal perspective:
“I’m really excited to be back here in Spain. Madrid does feel like the closest to home, I think especially because of my previous experiences and how I started in Europe – I started here in Madrid.
“To be racing here in F1 is a dream come true. I think it’s very good for the sport as well to have another big city like Madrid being back on the calendar, putting a very exciting track [together]. It looks like a very good one to drive. It’s going to be cool.”
Cadillac driver Sergio Perez labelled the venue “a proper track”, while Ollie Bearman admitted that “new tracks are always incredibly fun for us” — possibly because incidents at unfamiliar circuits can create openings for midfield teams like Haas to score.
The frontrunners also anticipate an intriguing round. Mercedes’ George Russell, targeting his first win since Round 8 in Austria, offered his assessment:
“It seems a wild track to be fair,” he admitted. “It’s mental but excited to experience it. Going to be a real challenge and I think Qualifying is going to be important.
“The level of everyone in F1 is exceptionally high. It’s going to be a circuit where you need confidence. Very challenging, lots of high speed corners, aggressive kerbs. Going to be an experience for sure. Just try and keep out of the wall and build up to it.”
With a layout described as technical, high-speed, and unlike anything else on the calendar, the Madring promises a compelling debut for Formula 1 in Madrid.