Sport Updates
Same-day match highlights, records, team news and results from across the sports you follow.
Marseille End Losing Run With 2-0 Win at Troyes, Move Out of Ligue 1 Relegation Zone
Marseille ended their losing run in Ligue 1 with a 2-0 win at Troyes at the Stade de l'Aube on Sunday, October 11. The victory lifts them out of the relegation zone and into 13th place with six points. Marseille had started the weekend in the bottom three after losing five matches in a row in all competitions, four of them in the league. They broke the deadlock shortly after half-time. Amine Harit steered the ball home from a cross by Emerson Palmieri to put the visitors ahead. Troyes came close to getting back into the game, but Himad Abdelli made it 2-0 later in the second half. Renaud Ripart struck the post with a volley for the hosts in stoppage time. The defeat is Troyes' fourth in a row, and they stay 17th with four points. Marseille's preparations were not easy. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg picked up an injury during the international break, and captain Timothy Weah was suspended after he was sent off in the loss to Paris Saint-Germain last month. Coach Bruno Genesio said the team knew they could do better, but sometimes you have to be pragmatic and take the win. The result also stopped Marseille matching their worst losing run in the last 40 years. They now face a demanding spell of eight matches in 28 days, starting with Olympiacos in the Europa League and Angers in Ligue 1 next week.
Real Sociedad Hold Off Deportivo Fightback to Win 3-2 After Racing to 3-0 Lead
Real Sociedad beat Deportivo La Coruña 3-2 in La Liga at the Reale Arena on Sunday, October 11. The hosts raced into a three-goal lead and then had to survive a fierce late fightback, even after going down to ten men. Sociedad scored their first goal in the 29th minute . A short corner from Carlos Soler turned into a one-two with Gonçalo Guedes, and his cross found Jon Martín unmarked at the far post for a powerful header. Five minutes later, a shot from Yangel Herrera deflected off a defender and fell to Arsen Zakharyan , who finished low with his left foot to make it 2-0. The third came early in the second half. In the 54th minute, Ander Barrenetxea won the ball in his own area and sent a long pass to Gonçalo Guedes . The Portuguese winger ran clear and fired a left-footed shot past Leo Román to make it 3-0. Deportivo did not give up. Mario Soriano pulled one back in the 61st minute with a low finish at the end of a flowing move. Sociedad were reduced to ten men soon after, when Pablo Marín was sent off. Yeremay Hernández then scored from the penalty spot in the 69th minute to make it 3-2, after Bil Nsongo won the spot-kick. Deportivo had 60% of the possession and 21 shots to Sociedad's 12, but goalkeeper Álex Remiro made six saves and the defence cleared the danger 33 times. In stoppage time, Deportivo's Lorenzo Amatucci was shown a straight red card. The win moves Sociedad up to sixth with 13 points, while Deportivo are eighth with 10.
Isco Scores Twice as Real Betis Beat Osasuna 5-2 to Go Third in La Liga
Real Betis beat Osasuna 5-2 at La Cartuja in Seville on Sunday, October 11, to climb to third in La Liga . Veteran playmaker Isco scored twice, once in each half. Osasuna made the better start and went ahead inside two minutes through Dani Raba. Betis then took control. Isco scored from the penalty spot after Rodrigo Riquelme was fouled, and Ez Abde scored a cool finish later in the first half. Betis led at the break and had the better numbers in shots on target. Osasuna did make it difficult after the interval and cut the gap to 3-2 in the 56th minute. Betis responded straight away. Isco pounced on a loose ball in the box to score his second, and substitute José Morante made it 5-2 in stoppage time. Troy Parrott came on as a late substitute. Betis finished with 20 shots to Osasuna's 11, and 29 touches in the opposition box to 16. The win is their sixth in eight league games under Manuel Pellegrini. It lifts them one point above Real Madrid, level with second-placed Atlético Madrid and five behind leaders Barcelona. Isco, 34, is a former Real Madrid midfielder. Betis are playing their home games at La Cartuja while the Benito Villamarín is renovated, a project likely to run until 2028.
Ten-Man Freiburg Beat Schalke 2-1 With Late Gotō Header to Go Top of Bundesliga
SC Freiburg beat Schalke 04 2-1 at the Europa-Park Stadion on Sunday, October 11, to go top of the Bundesliga . They did it despite playing the last 26 minutes with ten men, thanks to a late header from substitute Keisuke Gotō . Freiburg took the lead in the 10th minute through Maximilian Eggestein . Schalke, who are back in the Bundesliga after three years away, equalised from a set piece before half-time. The hosts' afternoon then got harder in the 64th minute. Yuito Suzuki was shown a second yellow card for a foul on El-Faouzi, and was sent off. Schalke had more than 25 minutes against ten men and brought on veteran striker Edin Džeko, but they could not find a way through. Freiburg kept breaking forward and the winner came five minutes from time. Two substitutes combined, as Vincenzo Grifo delivered the cross and Gotō powered a header past Loris Karius in the 85th minute. The win gives Freiburg 13 points from five games , their best start in club history, and they remain unbeaten. They lead Borussia Dortmund on goal difference after Dortmund drew 2-2 at Werder Bremen on Friday. It was also Freiburg's third home win of the season. Coach Julian Schuster said his side did not play a top-class game after the red card, but praised their fighting spirit. Defender Matthias Ginter admitted that being top felt a little strange so early in the season.
Lazio Join Inter at Serie A Summit With 3-1 Win; Roma Held 0-0 by Como
Lazio beat Monza 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, October 11, to move level with Inter at the top of Serie A on 16 points . Roma, meanwhile, were held to a 0-0 draw at Como. Lazio were ahead after just three minutes. Nuno Tavares scored a superb long-range strike after Frattesi won the ball back and Tijjani Noslin set him up. Gustav Isaksen doubled the lead in the 23rd minute from another Noslin assist. It was Isaksen's first Serie A goal of the season. Monza were then reduced to ten men in the 35th minute, when Lorenzo Lucchesi brought down Noslin as the last man. Giorgi Goglichidze headed in early in the second half to give Monza hope, and Lazio had to work for the win after that. Isaksen hit the post, and substitute Andrea Pinamonti sealed the points late on. He turned in a low Pedraza cross for his first goal in a Lazio shirt. The win gives Rino Gattuso's side five victories from their first six league games , the best start to a Serie A season in the club's history. They are still unbeaten. It is also the first time Lazio have beaten Monza in three consecutive Serie A matches. Monza, coached by Ivan Juric, have only 4 points. Inter had earlier beaten Parma 3-0 at the San Siro on Saturday. At Como, Roma's match finished goalless, the first 0-0 draw of the Serie A season. Donyell Malen was sent off, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side had to concentrate on defending after that. Pellegrini hit the post for Roma. The draw leaves Roma two points behind Inter and Lazio.
Alessia Russo Wins England Women's Player of the Year for Second Time
Alessia Russo has been named England Women's Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season. It is the second time the Arsenal forward has won the fan-voted award. Her first came in 2023-24. The 27-year-old topped the vote ahead of Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton , who finished second and third. The announcement came on Sunday, October 11. Russo was presented the award by a group of girls from the Alessia Russo Foundation, who were guests at the Lionesses' open training session at the start of the international window. Russo was the highest-scoring English player in the Women's Super League last season, with 13 goals and six assists . She also played a leading role in England's 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying campaign, starting all six of their group matches. She said it was special to receive an award that comes directly from the fans. The honour comes just days after Russo scored again for England. She was on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win over Greece in Heraklion on Friday, in the first leg of their World Cup play-off. It was her 31st international goal , and Georgia Stanway and Maya Le Tissier also scored. England host the second leg on Tuesday, October 13, at the King Power Stadium in Leicester.
Clarence Seedorf Named Corinthians Coach on Deal Until End of 2027
Corinthians have appointed Clarence Seedorf as head coach of their men's team on a contract that runs until the end of 2027 . The club announced the signing on Sunday, October 11. The 50-year-old Dutchman replaces Fernando Diniz , who was sacked on Wednesday after a defeat to Internacional. Corinthians are 16th in the Brasileirão, just one point above the relegation zone. The club won the Brazilian Cup and the Super Cup earlier this year, which makes the slump all the more painful. This is Seedorf's first coaching job in seven years . His last was in charge of Cameroon from 2018 to 2019. He has also managed AC Milan (2014), Shenzhen (2016) and Deportivo La Coruña (2018). As a player, he won the Champions League with three different clubs, and he also played in Brazil with Botafogo. Seedorf said it was an honour to accept the challenge, but also a big responsibility. He promised to build a team that fights for every ball, every minute. Club president Osmar Stabile said he was delighted with the signing, while football executive Marcelo Paz praised Seedorf's playing career, his academic background and his earlier experience of Brazilian football. Seedorf was not among the leading names on most shortlists. Ramón Díaz, Juan Vojvoda, Sylvinho and Javier Mascherano were all reported to have been considered. Corinthians play second-placed Palmeiras on the day of the announcement, so the new coach's work begins with a tough fixture.
Ten-Man Liverpool Beaten 3-0 by Man City at Anfield as Perfect Start Continues
Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday, October 11, to make it six wins from six in the Premier League. All three goals came in the space of 13 minutes after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off. Liverpool started on top and had most of the ball in the opening minutes. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to make several important saves in the first half to keep the scores level, and Erling Haaland put a good chance wide. The match stayed goalless until just after the hour, when Gravenberch picked up a second yellow card and was sent off. City punished Liverpool almost straight away. Haaland scored in the 65th minute when a deflected shot fell into his path. Jérémy Doku made it 2-0 in the 68th minute with a superb long-range curler into the far top corner. Rayan Cherki completed the win in the 78th minute. He let a ball run through to Joško Gvardiol, then ran into the box to meet the return pass and finish. The result lifts City to 18 points , three clear of Arsenal. Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, have 7 points and are ninth after their first league defeat of the season. The win also extends City's winning run to eight matches in all competitions. Enzo Maresca has become the fourth manager after Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to win his first six Premier League games in charge of a club. It was City's first match since an independent commission found them guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules. They won it with Phil Foden suspended. Liverpool were without Dominik Szoboszlai, who was ruled out with a hamstring problem, along with Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike through injury.
Palace Come From Behind to Beat Glasner's Forest 3-1 at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace came from a goal down to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Sunday, October 11. It was the first return to Selhurst Park for Oliver Glasner , who left Palace in the summer and now manages Forest. It was also Palace's first home win of the season. Forest took the lead after just three minutes through Dilane Ndoye . Palace were second best for much of the first half hour, but turned the match around before the break. Daichi Kamada equalised in the 41st minute from a Quentin Timber assist, after a VAR check. It was his first Premier League goal, in his 68th appearance for the club. He is only the second Asian player to score for Palace in the league after Lee Chung-Yong in December 2015. Jefferson Lerma then put Palace ahead in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, set up by Adam Wharton. Yéremy Pino made it 3-1 in the 59th minute. It was his first goal after 19 Premier League matches without scoring. Forest had more possession and nearly twice as many shots, but could not find a way back. Ismaïla Sarr went down in the box in the final seconds and wanted a penalty, but none was given. Murillo was booked for dissent after the final whistle. Palace could have added a fourth when Chris Richards headed wide from a Wharton corner. The result lifts Palace to 12th with seven points from six games, while Forest are 14th with five. Palace have now scored three or more goals in two of their last four league matches, as many as they managed in their previous 37 league games combined. They are playing under Pierre Sage, who has rediscovered some of the attacking spark that went missing in Glasner's final months in charge.
Ten-Man Southampton Beat Portsmouth 1-0 for First League Derby Win Since 2004
Southampton beat Portsmouth 1-0 in the Championship at St Mary's on Sunday, October 11, despite playing the whole second half with ten men. It is their first league win over Portsmouth since November 2004 , a gap of nearly 22 years. James Bree scored the only goal inside the first 20 minutes, bundling the ball into the bottom corner. Cyle Larin had gone close earlier, but Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid saved his effort from the middle of the box. The hosts were then reduced to ten before half-time. Academy product Cameron Bragg was shown a second yellow card for pulling down Ebou Adams, and he was sent off. Portsmouth had most of the play after the break and finished with 15 shots . They could not find an equaliser, though. Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and a resolute defence stood firm. Bree himself won eight duels as the hosts defended deep and blocked shots with their bodies. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen had Portsmouth's best early chance, but his strike across goal missed the target. Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho said he was absolutely gutted. He explained that it is hard to create chances against ten men when the opposition sit so deep. Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert said the win meant everything to the club, but admitted his side had to dig deep after the red card. It was also a big day for Eckert off the pitch. He had avoided an immediate ban after a ruling on Wednesday over his part in last season's "Spygate" scandal, and was on the touchline for his first South Coast derby as Southampton boss. The two sides drew 1-1 in their last meeting in January.
Savage Wins First Game as Peterborough Boss, Beats Leicester 3-1 at King Power Stadium
Peterborough United beat Leicester City 3-1 at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, October 10, in Robbie Savage's first League One match as a manager. It is also his first managerial job in the English Football League. Posh were ahead after 12 minutes. Owura Edwards cut in from the left, got past Olabade Aluko and fired into the far corner. Harry Leonard tapped in the second after Bolu Shofowoke rounded the Leicester goalkeeper, and a Warren O'Hora own goal made it 3-0 at half-time . Home fans were chanting for Russell Martin to go, and a section left at the break. Martin made three changes at half-time, but Leicester found the net only in the 68th minute. Substitute Wes Burns squared for Emil Riis , who slid the ball into an empty net. It was Leicester's 20th attempt on goal. Peterborough goalkeeper Alex Bass made a fine save from Kamari Doyle, and Danny Ormerod went close to a fourth late on. The win was a big shock for a Peterborough side that had won only once in the league this season. Savage called it one of the greatest days of his life. For Leicester, it was a third league home defeat of the campaign. Martin said after the match that sacking him would not be a quick fix. Elsewhere in League One, Plymouth Argyle beat Wimbledon 2-1 with a stoppage-time goal from substitute Xavier Amaechi. They had come from behind after Jayden Stockley's 16th-minute opener, with Caleb Watts equalising. The win put Plymouth clear at the top of the table.
Kössler Brace Helps Germany Women Beat Australia 4-2 in Karlsruhe Friendly
Germany Women beat Australia Women 4-2 in an international friendly at the BBBank Wildpark in Karlsruhe on Friday, October 9. The result was a reality check for the Matildas, who are building towards the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Germany went ahead through an early brace from Melissa Kössler , in the 23rd and 30th minutes . The first came after Ellie Carpenter's interception was sent towards her own goal. Mackenzie Arnold got a touch, and the ball fell for Kössler to tap in at the back post. The second was a solo run and finish after a long pass from Elisa Senß. Australia pulled one back just before the break. Sam Kerr scored with a close-range header in first-half stoppage time, set up by Carpenter after a one-two with Hayley Raso. Germany then pulled clear again. Defender Camilla Küver scored her first international goal with a header from a corner in the 83rd minute. The Matildas found a late goal through substitute Holly McNamara in the third minute of stoppage time. It came after debutant Tori Tumeth , Matilda No. 244, won the ball in midfield and Caitlin Foord played McNamara in behind. Sjoeke Nüsken had the last word a minute later to make it 4-2. Australia were error-prone at the back and second-best for long stretches. They lost despite facing a Germany side without captain Giulia Gwinn (ankle) and forward Vivien Endemann (calf). Australia were also without Mary Fowler. A win would have helped the Matildas' chances of staying in pot two for the World Cup draw. Coach Joe Montemurro will now look to build on the energy shown by his substitutes.
Petukhova Scores Twice as Russia Beat India Women 4-0 in Kolkata Friendly
India Women lost 4-0 to Russia in the first of two international friendlies at the rain-soaked Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday, October 8. Substitute Kira Petukhova scored twice, and India fielded six debutants . The 69th-ranked Blue Tigresses defended in a compact shape and trailed by only one goal at half-time. Iana Sheina gave 27th-ranked Russia the lead shortly before the break. India's best chances came from Malavika P around the half-hour mark and from Lynda Kom Serto later in the half, but neither could find the net. Russia took control after the interval. Petukhova scored in the 60th minute from close range after goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem could only parry a long-range effort from captain Nadezhda Smirnova. She struck again in the 65th minute when India failed to clear their lines. Iana Svistunova added a fourth in the 81st minute. Monalisha, who made her first start and won her third cap, made several saves to keep the score down. It was India's first-ever women's international match in Kolkata and their first outing since winning a record sixth SAFF Women's Championship title in June. The defeat was also India's third in three senior meetings with Russia, after losses at the Turkish Women's Cup in 2021 and the Pink Ladies Cup in 2025. The two sides meet again in the second friendly on October 11 .
Portugal Overtake Brazil to Reach Fifth in October FIFA Rankings, Spain Stay No. 1
Spain remain No. 1 in the October FIFA men's world ranking, with Argentina second, France third and England fourth. The big move is further down the top six, where Portugal rise to No. 5 and push Brazil down to sixth . 1. Spain 2. Argentina 3. France 4. England 5. Portugal (up from 7th in the July ranking) 6. Brazil (down from 5th) Spain have held the top spot since July 20, when they beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final to win their second World Cup title. The top four places are unchanged from that update, so Argentina, France and England all keep their positions. Portugal were seventh after the World Cup, where they went out in the round of 16 to eventual champions Spain. Since then, Jorge Jesus's side have won all four of their Nations League matches in Group A4, including a 4-2 win away at Denmark and 2-1 wins over Norway. Those results earned enough points to take them past both Morocco and Brazil . Brazil slip a place even though they won their friendlies on this window, beating Australia 4-2 in Brisbane and India 4-0 in Kolkata under Carlo Ancelotti. Friendlies carry less weight than competitive matches in the FIFA formula, and Portugal's competitive wins counted for more. Brazil still stay ahead of Morocco in sixth place, as the Atlas Lions could only draw with Mali. The October update reflects results from the September-October international window, which wrapped up on October 6.
Chile Beat Mexico 2-0 as Márquez's Side End US Tour Without a Win
Chile beat Mexico 2-0 in an international friendly at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday, October 6. The defeat left Mexico without a win in all four games of their US tour. The first half was goalless. Maximiliano Gutierrez broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, finishing under the legs of debuting goalkeeper Alex Padilla after a pass from Gonzalo Tapia. It came just after Mexico's Everardo Lopez missed a free header. Vicente Pizarro doubled the lead in the 65th minute with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner, after he skipped past substitute defender Johan Vasquez. Mexico had good possession but struggled to create clear chances. The result was a welcome rebound for Chile, who had lost their two previous friendlies in North America, 1-0 to Canada and 4-2 to the United States. For Mexico, it was a second straight defeat, and the second straight game in which they were shut out, after a 3-0 loss to the United States on Saturday. Before that, they had drawn 1-1 with both Colombia and Peru. That is no wins, two draws and two defeats from the four matches. The run puts pressure on head coach Rafael Marquez , who took over from Javier Aguirre after Mexico went out in the round of 16 at the World Cup. He had served as Aguirre's assistant. This is the worst start for a Mexico coach since 1981 , when Raul Cardenas began his second spell with nine games without a win. Mexico's next matches are official fixtures in November.
Justin Ellis Strikes as USA Beat Canada 1-0 to Finish Perfect Four-Match Window
The United States beat Canada 1-0 at Allianz Field in St Paul on Tuesday, October 6. The win gave Mauricio Pochettino's side four wins from four in this international window, the first four games of his post-World Cup reset. Justin Ellis scored the only goal in the 29th minute. Alex Freeman delivered the cross after a give-and-go with Malik Tillman, and the 19-year-old Orlando City winger tapped it in. It was Ellis's second goal in three appearances for the national team. He had also scored four minutes into his debut against Peru earlier in the window. It was a physical, scrappy game. The US sat deep early on and absorbed a lot of fouls from a motivated Canada side under Jesse Marsch. Canada had more efforts on goal, and Luc De Fougerolles saw an angled volley hit the crossbar late on, but the US held on. Ellis was replaced at half-time by fellow teenager Julian Hall , who later fired into the side-netting when played through. It was a second straight clean sheet for the US. The US finished the window with wins over Peru (4-1) , Chile (4-2) , Mexico (3-0) and Canada. Across the four games, seven of the US's 12 goals were scored by teenagers, and Pochettino handed debuts to 13 new players after the team's last-16 exit at the home World Cup. Cavan Sullivan also became the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history against Mexico on Saturday. This was the first meeting between the two sides since Canada's 2-1 win in the Concacaf Nations League third-place match in March 2025. Both teams reached the round of 16 at this summer's World Cup, and the US remain unbeaten at Allianz Field.
Merino's Double Sends Spain to Nations League Quarters as Kane Equals Shilton's Caps Record
Spain booked their place in the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 comeback win over Croatia in Split on Tuesday, October 6. Substitute Mikel Merino scored both goals after coming on at half-time. Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead in the 17th minute, heading in the rebound after Unai Simon saved Igor Matanovic's shot. Merino levelled in the 61st minute with a low finish after a pass from Dani Olmo. Perisic was then sent off for a second yellow card for fouling Marc Cucurella. Spain made the extra man count, and Merino struck again in the 88th minute to win it. Spain have won all four of their Group A3 matches and sit nine points clear of third-placed Croatia, with two games to spare. Their unbeaten run now stands at 42 matches . England also won on the night, beating Czechia 3-0 at Wembley. Harry Kane made his 125th appearance for England, equalling Peter Shilton's record for the most caps by an England men's player. He scored twice and created the other goal. His cross was turned into his own net by Vladimir Coufal in the 27th minute. Kane finished a Morgan Rogers cutback in the 40th minute and headed in a Lewis Hall corner in the 57th. The two goals took him to 91 international goals . England are second in the group on nine points, three behind Spain and six clear of Croatia. Kane will pass Shilton's mark with his next appearance.
Messi Ends Argentina Career With Goal, Two Assists in 3-0 Win Over Benin
Lionel Messi ended his Argentina career with a goal and two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in his farewell friendly at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, October 6. He had a hand in all three goals. The match was goalless at half-time. Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring in the 48th minute, heading in a corner taken by Messi. Nicolas Paz doubled the lead in the 61st minute with a left-footed finish, set up by another Messi pass. Argentina then won a penalty in the 68th minute. Messi stepped up in the 71st minute and drilled it into the top corner with his left foot. The penalty was Messi's 126th goal for Argentina , extending his record as the national team's all-time top scorer. The match was his 208th and final cap . Over two decades with the national team, he won the 2022 World Cup and the Copa America in 2021 and 2024 . Messi announced his retirement from international football in August. The Argentine Football Association then called him up for one last match at home and invited the 2022 World Cup winners to join the send-off. The Monumental gave him a long ovation at the final whistle. The 39-year-old will continue his club career with Inter Miami.
Harry Kane One Cap Away From Equalling Peter Shilton's England Appearance Record
Harry Kane is one appearance away from equalling Peter Shilton's all-time England men's caps record of 125 when the Three Lions host Czechia at Wembley tonight in the final match of this international window. Kane has featured in each of England's Nations League fixtures this autumn, against Spain, Czechia away and Croatia, bringing him to 124 caps. Shilton's record has stood since 1990, when the former goalkeeper retired after England's semi-final exit at that year's World Cup. Kane became England's latest centurion in September 2024 and has continued to add to the tally as captain under Thomas Tuchel . England sit second in Group A3 on six points, three behind leaders Spain , heading into this fixture. They head into the match off the back of a 7-0 demolition of Croatia in Rijeka on October 3, during which Kane scored twice to reach 89 international goals, England's all-time scoring record.
Northern Ireland Keep Fourth Straight Clean Sheet, Hungary Beat Ukraine, Sweden Edge Romania
Northern Ireland remain top of Group B2 without conceding a goal, after a 0-0 draw with Georgia extended their shutout run to four matches, while Hungary beat Ukraine 2-1 in the group's other fixture. Michael O'Neill's side were unable to find a breakthrough against bottom side Georgia at Windsor Park, but the point was enough to keep Northern Ireland unbeaten through four Nations League matches. Hungary's win over Ukraine means all three of Northern Ireland, Hungary and Ukraine remain in contention heading into November, with just a handful of points separating the top of the group. In Group B4, Sweden edged Romania 1-0 to maintain their position at the top, a far less eventful night for the Swedes than Poland's 6-0 thrashing of Romania earlier in the campaign.
Calafiori and Esposito Fire Italy to 3-1 Win Over Turkiye, Move Into Second
Italy came from behind to beat Turkiye 3-1 in Bologna, moving into second place in Group A1 as Roberto Mancini continued his momentum since returning as head coach. Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring in the 26th minute, but Turkiye levelled through Aral Simsir early in the second half. Italy responded quickly, with Riccardo Calafiori , making his first start since returning to the squad, heading in a Nicolo Barella delivery to restore the lead. Substitute Francesco Pio Esposito sealed the win in the 87th minute after Mancini made widespread changes through the second half. The result gives Italy seven points from four matches, having opened their campaign under Mancini with a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium before beating Turkiye 4-1 in the reverse fixture and drawing 1-1 with France. Turkiye remain bottom of the group without a point, scoring once and conceding eight so far, with head coach Vincenzo Montella facing growing pressure.
Substitutes Olise, Doue and Cherki Fire France to 4-1 Comeback Win Over Belgium
France scored four goals in the final 13 minutes to complete a stunning comeback win over Belgium , winning 4-1 at the Stade de France to move three points clear at the top of Group A1 and hand Zinedine Zidane his first home victory as head coach. Dodi Lukebakio had given Belgium a first-half lead that held until the 77th minute, when substitute Desire Doue shot on the turn to level the scores. Another substitute, Rayan Cherki , put France ahead four minutes later, before Michael Olise , introduced off the bench, struck twice in the 88th minute and stoppage time to complete the rout. Manchester United's Leny Yoro and Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes both made their France debuts, with Ousmane Dembele captaining the side in the continued absence of the injured Kylian Mbappe. France have now beaten Belgium twice in a week, having also won 1-0 in Brussels through a late Olise goal. The result leaves France on 10 points from four matches, with Italy second on seven after beating Turkiye, and Belgium third on six.
Claudia Pina's Four-Goal Haul Powers Barcelona to Record 7-0 Win Over Real Madrid
Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 7-0 in the Liga F Clasico at the Spotify Camp Nou, with Clàudia Pina scoring four goals in the first half as the hosts recorded their biggest-ever win over their rivals. Pina had the game won by halftime, becoming the first Barcelona player to score four goals against Real Madrid; only Asisat Oshoala had previously managed the feat for the club, back when Madrid's team played as Tacón. Caroline Graham Hansen , Ewa Pajor and Sydney Schertenleib added further goals after the break to complete the rout. The match drew a crowd of 40,533, a new attendance record for Liga F, though still short of the all-time Spanish women's football record of 60,739 set at a 2019 Atletico Madrid-Barcelona match. The result extended Barcelona's dominance of the fixture to 25 wins from 26 meetings since Real Madrid's women's team was formed in 2020, and kept Barcelona perfect through six league games, five points clear at the top of the table.
Ireland and Israel Draw 1-1 in Behind-Closed-Doors Nations League Fixture
Republic of Ireland and Israel played out a 1-1 draw in a Nations League match held behind closed doors at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia, with Ireland's "home" fixture moved to neutral territory. Troy Parrott fired Ireland ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, after Jimmy Dunne was fouled by Dor Peretz while attacking a rebound. It was Parrott's 10th goal in his last seven competitive internationals. Israel levelled within two minutes of the second half through captain Dor Peretz , who made amends for conceding the penalty by converting his side's first shot on target. There were no handshakes between the captains before kickoff, and security intervened to separate players and staff after a clash broke out in the tunnel at half-time. Both sides wore black armbands, which the Football Association of Ireland said were to acknowledge all lives lost in the Israel-Gaza conflict, while Israel's read "7.10" in reference to the October 7, 2023 attacks. Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson called on UEFA to keep the two nations apart in future fixtures. The result leaves Ireland level on five points with Kosovo in Group B3, three behind leaders Austria.