Sport Updates
Same-day match highlights, records, team news and results from across the sports you follow.
South Korea to Face Japan in Asian Games Men's Football Final
South Korea and hosts Japan will meet in the Asian Games 2026 men's football final after both came through dramatic semi-finals on September 30, with South Korea chasing a fourth consecutive gold medal. South Korea came from behind to beat China 2-1 at Nagai Stadium, with China taking an early lead through Wang Yudong before Lee Young-jun levelled and Bae Jun-ho scored a late header to seal the win. It was China's first men's football semi-final appearance at the Asian Games since 1998. Japan needed penalties to see off Uzbekistan , who led through Sardorbek Bakhromov after just eight minutes. Japan equalised deep into stoppage time through Sena Ishibashi to force extra time, before winning a marathon shootout 9-8. The gold medal match is scheduled for Saturday, October 3 at Toyota Stadium, with China facing Uzbekistan for bronze. South Korea, under head coach Lee Min-sung , are the three-time defending champions and have not lost the final since 2014.
Japan Beat Uzbekistan 9-8 on Penalties to Reach Asian Games Football Final
Japan have reached the final of the men's football event at the Asian Games 2026 . They beat Uzbekistan 9-8 on penalties after the semi-final ended 1-1. The shootout went deep before Japan came through. The hosts now have a place in the gold-medal match. Japan will face South Korea in the final. South Korea beat China 2-1 in the other semi-final.
South Korea Beat China 2-1 to Reach Asian Games Football Final, Will Face Japan
South Korea have reached the final of the men's football event at the Asian Games 2026 . They beat China 2-1 in the semi-final. The win sets up a title clash with Japan . Japan also made the final, beating Uzbekistan on penalties in the other semi-final. South Korea will now play for gold against the host nation in the final.
Iceland Beat Luxembourg 3-0 to Go Top of Nations League Group
Iceland beat Luxembourg 3-0 away to move to two wins from two in Nations League League C, Group 4, after also winning their opener against Estonia. The win puts Iceland top of the group with six points, while Luxembourg remain without a point after two matches, having reached League C this season via the promotion play-off against Malta. Both sides return to action on October 3, with Iceland hosting Bulgaria and Luxembourg away to Estonia, as the group heads into the second half of its six-match schedule with promotion to League B and relegation to League D both still in play.
Hancko's Late Header Gives Slovakia 2-1 Win Over Kazakhstan
Slovakia made it two wins from two in the Nations League, beating Kazakhstan 2-1 in Kosice to open up a four-point lead at the top of Group C3. Leo Sauer opened the scoring in the 26th minute, converting from close range, but the lead didn't last long as Ramazan Karimov levelled for Kazakhstan nine minutes later with an effort on the turn from the edge of the box. David Hancko settled it late on, heading in an Ondrej Duda cross with eight minutes to play. The result follows Slovakia's 2-0 win over Moldova in their opener and extends their unbeaten run to five matches under head coach Vladimir Weiss Sr. Kazakhstan remain without a win from two, having drawn 1-1 with the Faroe Islands in their opening fixture.
Rose Lavelle Signs Gotham FC Contract Extension Through 2029
Rose Lavelle has signed a contract extension with Gotham FC through the 2029 NWSL season, keeping the USWNT midfielder with the reigning champions for three more years after her existing deal was set to expire at the end of 2026. "I'm incredibly happy to extend my time with Gotham FC," Lavelle said. "From the moment I arrived, this club has challenged me to keep growing and has given me the opportunity to compete for championships alongside a great group of players and staff." The extension is reported to make use of the NWSL's new High Impact Player rule, with several other clubs said to have made aggressive offers before she opted to stay. Since joining Gotham ahead of the 2024 season, the 31-year-old has made 69 appearances across all competitions, scoring 18 goals, and was named NWSL Championship MVP last season after scoring the winning goal in the final. She has 122 caps for the United States, with 29 goals and 29 assists, and is the only American nominee for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
Tim Ream Retires From USMNT After 86 Caps and 16-Year Career
Tim Ream has retired from international football at 38, ending a 16-year United States career that spanned 86 caps, 33 of them as captain, and two World Cups. Ream made the announcement ahead of a friendly against Chile in his hometown of St. Louis, where he was honoured pitchside before kickoff. "That's it for me. I'm proud of being part of something for 16 years, but it is time to step away from the national team," he told reporters. The Charlotte FC defender made his USMNT debut in 2010 but saw his international career largely stall by 2018, before a resurgence with Fulham earned him a recall and 60 further caps. He was a surprise pick for the 2022 World Cup squad and started throughout the USA's run to the round of 16, before being named captain ahead of this year's home World Cup, where the team again reached the last 16. Ream also won two CONCACAF Nations League titles during his career, scoring his only international goal against Puerto Rico in 2016.
Raphinha Withdraws From Brazil Squad After Thigh Injury in Australia Win
Brazil beat Australia 4-2 in Brisbane, but the win was overshadowed by Raphinha being substituted at half-time with thigh discomfort, before the Barcelona captain was withdrawn from the squad altogether and sent back to his club. Australia led twice through Alessandro Circati and Connor Metcalfe after Vanderson's early opener for Brazil, but Raphinha levelled from the penalty spot right on half-time, his final act before making way for Endrick. Bruno Guimaraes put Brazil ahead in the 69th minute, and Vinicius Junior added a late penalty to complete the win. The Brazilian federation described the issue as "discomfort in his right thigh," the same area where Raphinha has suffered recurring hamstring and thigh problems, including one that ruled him out for two matches at this year's World Cup. He will miss Brazil's upcoming friendly against India in Kolkata on October 3, with Barcelona now awaiting further assessment of the injury.
Ndoye Inspires Switzerland to 3-0 Win Over Ten-Man Scotland
Switzerland made it two wins from two in the Nations League, beating ten-man Scotland 3-0 at Hampden Park to hand new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli a heavy defeat in his first home game in charge. Scotland's night was derailed early when Jack Hendry was sent off inside the first ten minutes, and Switzerland made the advantage tell through Ricardo Rodriguez's curling free-kick in the 12th minute. Nico Elvedi doubled the lead just after the hour, sweeping home a Dan Ndoye cross, before Zeki Amdouni completed the scoring in the 82nd minute, finishing off another Ndoye assist. Ndoye was involved in all three goals, becoming the first Switzerland player with three direct goal involvements in a Nations League match since Haris Seferovic in 2018. The result puts Switzerland five points clear at the top of Group B1, with Scotland still searching for their first point.
Kane's Record 87th Goal Seals England Win Over Ten-Man Czechia
England got their Nations League campaign back on track with a 2-0 win over ten-man Czechia in Prague, Harry Kane scoring his 87th international goal to extend his all-time England scoring record, as the Three Lions kept their first clean sheet in seven matches. Czechia were reduced to ten men in the first half when Pavel Sulc was sent off following a VAR review, and England made the numerical advantage count two minutes into the second half, Trent Alexander-Arnold , making his first international start in almost two years, crossing for Anthony Gordon to head home his third successive goal for the Three Lions. Kane settled the contest in the 69th minute, sweeping in a low finish after Eberechi Eze's pass broke to him via a deflection off Ladislav Krejci. Kane was withdrawn immediately after his goal to manage his workload, with Jude Bellingham coming on to captain the side for the closing stages, having been rested from the start. Head coach Thomas Tuchel later revealed Bellingham picked up "a little niggle" late on, but is hopeful the midfielder will be fit for the trip to face Croatia. The win moves England up to second in Group A3, behind leaders Spain.
Yamal Brace Sends Spain to Record 40-Match Unbeaten Run With Croatia Rout
Spain became the first international team to go 40 matches unbeaten, thrashing Croatia 4-1 in Seville behind a Lamine Yamal brace, to open a three-point lead at the top of Nations League Group A3. Yamal struck inside two minutes, latching onto a low ball after Marc Cucurella's run down the left, and turned provider three minutes later, setting up Marc Pubill to head in Spain's second. Croatia hit back before the break through Dion Drena Beljo's header from an Ivan Perisic cross, making it 2-1 at half-time in Spain's first home game since winning the World Cup in July. Yamal completed his brace in the 63rd minute, powering in at the near post after a Pedri pass, before Nico Williams added a fourth in the 89th minute to wrap up the win. The result extends Spain's unbeaten run, built on 31 wins and nine draws, to a world-record 40 matches, four days after their 3-2 comeback win over England at Wembley.
Georgia and Northern Ireland Held to Goalless Draws in Group B2
Georgia held Ukraine to a goalless draw in Tbilisi, and Northern Ireland were frustrated by a 0-0 stalemate with Hungary in Belfast, as both Group B2 fixtures on matchday two finished level. In Tbilisi, Georgia had the better of the chances, outshooting Ukraine 13-7, with Giorgi Chakvetadze forcing a save from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin and Saba Goglichidze heading over from the resulting corner. Trubin, named man of the match, also denied Khvicha Kvaratskhelia late on to preserve the point, which leaves Georgia on one from two matches and Ukraine unbeaten on four points after their opening win over Hungary. At Windsor Park, Northern Ireland started the brighter side, with Patrick Kelly twice going close, once seeing a close-range effort loop onto the crossbar, while goalkeeper Balazs Toth also denied Jamie Donley's header early in the second half. Hungary improved as the game went on but could not find a breakthrough either, with Isaac Price denied late on. The result leaves Michael O'Neill's side on four points from two games, having beaten Georgia in their opener.
Mancini Gets First Win as Italy Thrash Turkiye 4-1 After Belgium Defeat
Italy bounced back from their opening 2-0 defeat to Belgium with a dominant 4-1 win away to Turkiye in Bursa, handing Roberto Mancini his first win since returning as head coach and moving the Azzurri onto three points in Group A1. Mancini made eight changes from the Belgium loss, and his new-look side struck early through Alessandro Bastoni , who fired in from a corner in the ninth minute. Davide Frattesi doubled the lead following a Michael Kayode effort that was only parried, before Kayode himself capped a fine debut with Italy's third just before half-time, finishing off another slick passing move. Baris Alper Yilmaz pulled one back for the hosts early in the second half, but Pio Esposito restored Italy's three-goal cushion soon after, heading in a rebound from a Sandro Tonali effort that struck the post. Turkiye remain without a point after two matches, while Italy move level with Belgium on three points, three behind leaders France, who beat Belgium 1-0 on the same night.
Olise's Late Wondergoal Gives France 1-0 Win at Belgium, Six Points From Two
Substitute Michael Olise scored a stunning late winner as France beat Belgium 1-0 in Brussels to make it two wins from two under Zinedine Zidane , moving Les Bleus top of Nations League Group A1 with six points. France dominated with 65 percent possession and 18 shots, with Desire Doue hitting the crossbar inside 12 minutes and Lucas Da Cunha striking the post after the break, while Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens made several key saves to keep the hosts in it. The breakthrough finally came in the 88th minute, when Rayan Cherki led a fast break and picked out Olise, who drove a left-footed effort from outside the box into the bottom corner. Zidane made nine changes from his side's opening win over Turkiye, with only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Maxence Lacroix retaining their places, and did so without captain Kylian Mbappe , who returned to Real Madrid for treatment after injuring his left knee in that match. Belgium, under new head coach Mark van Bommel , drop to second on three points, level with Italy, who beat Turkiye 4-1 on the same night.
Austria Beat Kosovo 3-1 to Go Top of Nations League Group B3
Austria beat Kosovo 3-1 at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna to make it two wins from two in Nations League B Group 3, ending Kosovo's perfect start in the first meeting between the two nations. Kosovo had the first chance, with Vedat Muriqi blazing over from inside the box after six minutes, but Austria took control. In the 23rd minute, Romano Schmid clipped a free-kick from 30 yards into the box and David Affengruber headed home. Just before half-time, Patrick Wimmer raced through and squared for Junior Adamu to tap into an empty net in first-half stoppage time. Substitute Carney Chukwuemeka made it 3-0 in the 61st minute, following up after Kosovo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric parried a low cross. Kosovo pulled one back in the 83rd minute, when Edon Zhegrova scored from the penalty spot after Affengruber fouled Valmir Matoshi. Austria, who beat Israel 3-1 in their opener, are unbeaten in 16 home games and top the group on six points, while Kosovo, who beat Ireland 1-0 on Thursday, have three. Ireland, who beat Israel 3-0 the same day, are also on three points, with Kosovo ahead on head-to-head. The two sides meet again in the reverse fixture next Sunday.
Ireland Beat Israel 3-0 in Debrecen With Three First-Half Goals
Republic of Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in Debrecen, Hungary, scoring all three goals inside the first 25 minutes to pick up their first points of the Nations League Group B3 campaign, in a fixture that had been in doubt in the days beforehand. Troy Parrott opened the scoring in the 13th minute, finishing low after a cutback from James Abankwah, for his 12th international goal. Adam Idah doubled the lead within minutes, converting after being played in by Jack Moylan , who then scored the third himself in the 25th minute with a low finish into the far corner, his first competitive international goal. Caoimhin Kelleher made several saves in the second half, including from Dor Peretz and Eliel Peretz, to preserve the clean sheet. The match went ahead after Ireland's players voted to play, though reserve goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu chose to boycott both fixtures against Israel, citing his personal beliefs about the conflict in Gaza. The Irish team wore black armbands in recognition of what the team called all lives lost in the conflict, bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem, and there were no handshakes or pennant exchanges before or after the game. Israel played their home fixture in Debrecen in front of a limited crowd. Ireland, who lost 1-0 in Kosovo on Thursday, host Austria in Dublin next Thursday, while Israel return to Debrecen to face Kosovo.
Greece Beat Germany for First Time as Kourbelis Spoils Klopp's Home Debut
Greece beat Germany 1-0 in Augsburg for the first time in their history, with substitute Dimitris Kourbelis scoring the winner in the 74th minute to spoil Jurgen Klopp's home debut as Germany head coach. Germany controlled the game, with close to 80 percent possession in the first half, and Karim Adeyemi had their best early chances, but goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis kept the hosts out with several saves, including from Bambase Conte and a Joshua Kimmich free-kick after the break. The breakthrough came against the run of play when Christos Tzolis crossed into the box, Germany failed to clear, and Kourbelis, on for Zafeiris in the 59th minute, fired in a shot that took a deflection on its way past Alexander Nubel. It was Greece's first win in 11 meetings with Germany, and it gives Ivan Jovanovic's side two wins from two, both away from home, after their last-gasp victory over Serbia in Belgrade. Greece top Group A2 on six points, while Germany, who drew 1-1 with the Netherlands on Klopp's debut, have one point and are still without a win under him. Germany next host Serbia in Munich on October 1, and Greece welcome the Netherlands the same day.
Denmark Beat Wales 2-0 for First Nations League Win as Davies Own Goal Opens Scoring
Denmark claimed their first win of the 2026/27 Nations League, beating Wales 2-0 at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen through a Ben Davies own goal and a deflected strike from Gustav Isaksen , leaving Wales bottom of Group A4 without a point. Denmark dominated a first half in which Isaksen had a superb volley ruled out for a marginal offside against Rasmus Hojlund in the build-up, and Mikkel Damsgaard struck the post. The breakthrough came eight minutes after the restart, when a Damsgaard free-kick caused a mix-up in the Welsh defence and Davies turned the ball into his own net, his first own goal in 102 appearances for his country. Isaksen doubled the lead in the 66th minute with a deflected effort from another Damsgaard set-piece, the Brentford midfielder providing the delivery for both goals. Denmark's only negative was an injury to Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu , who was forced off after 30 minutes. Wales, who lost 1-0 to Portugal in their opener, have now failed to score in the first half of any of their six games in 2026, and face Norway and Erling Haaland next on Thursday.
Meerdink Double Gives Xavi First Win as Netherlands Coach, Gakpo Hurt
Xavi Hernandez earned his first win as Netherlands head coach as Mexx Meerdink scored twice in a 2-1 victory away to Serbia in Belgrade, lifting the Dutch to the top of Nations League Group A2, though the win was overshadowed by an ankle injury to Cody Gakpo . The 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar striker, making his first international start, opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 30th minute after Crysencio Summerville was fouled by Aleksa Terzic. Serbia levelled through Luka Jovic in the 43rd minute, but Meerdink restored the lead in the 69th minute, converting a chance created by Ruben van Bommel, who has now set up a goal in each of his first two games for the Dutch. Meerdink had only been called up as a late replacement for the injured Justin Kluivert and Donyell Malen, and has now scored two goals in as many appearances. Gakpo, who had scored in the 1-1 draw with Germany on Xavi's debut, lasted only 17 minutes after a heavy tackle from Sasa Lukic, and was replaced by Van Bommel. "It's his ankle, that's all I know," Xavi said. "Tomorrow we will know, but hopefully it's not too important." Gakpo is reported to be undergoing scans on Monday, and the news will concern Liverpool, who are already without Alexander Isak, who returned early from Sweden duty with a minor injury. The Netherlands moved to four points, while Serbia remain bottom without a point. The Dutch next travel to face Greece on October 1.
Portugal Beat Norway 2-1 as Nyland Blunder Overshadows Haaland Goal
Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo to make it two wins from two in the Nations League, with Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos scoring either side of an Erling Haaland equaliser, while Cristiano Ronaldo stayed on the bench throughout. Felix gave Portugal the lead in the 17th minute, finishing a slick move involving Nuno Mendes and Pedro Neto with a disguised effort past goalkeeper Orjan Nyland . Norway dominated possession afterwards and levelled five minutes into the second half, when Haaland tapped in from close range after Patrick Berg headed on a Martin Odegaard free-kick, taking his international tally to 65 goals in 57 appearances. The equaliser lasted only three minutes. Nyland played a routine pass straight to Ramos, who chipped the stranded goalkeeper for his 12th international goal, and VAR later ruled out another Ramos effort from a similar Nyland error for offside. Head coach Jorge Jesus had left Ronaldo out of the starting lineup, only the second time he has not started for Portugal since the 2022 World Cup, and he did not come on. Portugal are now the only Group A4 side with six points, three clear of Norway and Denmark, and both the winner and runner-up of each League A group advance to the March 2027 quarter-finals.
Alexander Isak Returns to Liverpool Early With Minor Injury
Alexander Isak has left Sweden's Nations League camp early and returned to Liverpool for assessment after picking up a minor injury, despite scoring in a 2-1 win over Romania on Friday. The striker played the full 90 minutes and opened the scoring in Stockholm before the issue surfaced afterward. Sweden boss Graham Potter described it as "a small problem with his thigh," adding: "It's not a big one, but because of the amount of games we've got in a small space of time, he won't be able to make those." Isak will miss Sweden's remaining three fixtures in the window and will now be assessed by Liverpool's medical staff at the AXA Training Centre. He has scored five goals in eight matches for club and country this season, and Liverpool will be hopeful he recovers in time to face Manchester City at Anfield on October 11.
Eric Garcia Withdrawn From Spain Lineup With Knee Discomfort
Eric Garcia was withdrawn from Spain's starting lineup just before kickoff against England, after picking up left knee discomfort in the warm-up at Wembley, with Marc Pubill coming in to replace him. Speaking after Spain's 3-2 win, head coach Luis de la Fuente played down the severity of the issue. "He's had a minor issue, it doesn't look serious. We'll assess whether he can recover once we get back to Madrid, but only if there is absolutely no risk to the player," he said. Garcia will undergo further evaluation with the Spanish medical staff before a decision is made on his involvement in the upcoming fixtures against Croatia and Czechia . De la Fuente indicated a replacement would be called up if Garcia is unable to recover in time.
Modric Scores as Croatia Beat Czechia, Pohjanpalo Hat-Trick Sinks San Marino
Luka Modric scored at the age of 41 as Croatia beat Czechia 2-1 in Prague to give new head coach Slaven Bilic a winning start, while Finland thrashed San Marino 7-0 behind a Joel Pohjanpalo hat-trick elsewhere in the Nations League. Modric broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half, latching onto a loose ball after Igor Matanovic pounced on a defensive error. Czechia hit back through Adam Karabec in the 54th minute, but substitute Marco Pasalic restored Croatia's lead in the 77th minute, heading home an Ivan Perisic cross to seal the win for Bilic, back in charge of the national team for a second spell. In Serravalle, Pohjanpalo put Finland ahead inside five minutes and added two more in the second half, including a penalty, either side of a brace from Leo Walta and a goal from Benjamin Kallman, as San Marino were reduced to 10 men and thrashed 7-0.
Oyarzabal Completes Spain's Comeback Win Over England, Extends Unbeaten Run to 39
Spain came from 2-1 down to beat England 3-2 at Wembley in their Nations League opener, with substitute Mikel Oyarzabal completing the comeback and the world champions extending their unbeaten run to 39 matches, a record for a European nation. Lamine Yamal gave Spain a second-minute lead after Marc Guehi's error, only for England to hit back before half-time through Anthony Gordon and a Harry Kane effort that deflected in off Marc Cucurella. Kane then missed a golden chance to make it 3-1, striking a second-half penalty against the crossbar after Jude Bellingham was fouled by Rodri. Spain made England pay, with substitute Alex Baena curling in an equaliser on the hour before setting up Oyarzabal , who chipped goalkeeper James Trafford to complete the turnaround in the 74th minute. It was Oyarzabal's second decisive goal against England at a major tournament, having also scored the winner in the Euro 2024 final. The run surpasses Italy's previous European record of 37 games unbeaten between 2018 and 2021.