Game Recaps

Neymar wasn’t available for selection in Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 opener against Amiens on Saturday, but that really didn’t matter.

Believe it or not, there's news out of Ligue 1 this week that doesn’t involve Neymar. Did you know the league started play today? Yes, before Neymar makes his anticipated debut with Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, Ligue 1 opened with defending champion Monaco facing off against Toulouse.

Holland defeated England 3-0 in the semifinals of Euro 2017 in front of a packed house of over 30,000 at the Grolsch Fortress in Enschede on Thursday night. Although Holland had the backing of a vociferous home support, England entered the match as favorites after defeating France in the quarters.

As opposed to the 2015 World Cup, when England defied the odds to reach the semis before a heartbreaking defeat to Japan, the Lionesses approached this match with the burden of expectation. With Denmark awaiting the winner, England's path to a first major international trophy was clear.

Austria and Denmark played Thursday for a spot in the Women’s European Championship final. Neither team scored in regulation. Most of the match looked like this.

Veje: "This is not a drop ball, and if you go for it, I will find you and you will regret this." #WEURO2017 #AUTDEN pic.twitter.com/k8ghR8WJg7

A Sebastian Giovinco double helped Toronto FC to a 4-0 victory over Eastern Conference rivals New York City FC on Sunday. Giovinco skipped around an attempted tackle from Andrea Pirlo like he wasn’t even there (which is close to the truth) and curled in his first goal from distance.

The Australia women's soccer team made history in Seattle on Thursday night, pulling off the upset against the U.S. women in both teams' Tournament of Nations opener. In 27 meetings, the Matildas have never beaten the Americans who have been a perennial powerhouse on the women's stage. July 27, 2017 was a special day, however. 

The United States defeated Jamaica 2-1 in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final thanks to phenomenal goals from Jozy Altidore and Jordan Morris. Altidore struck a pinpoint free kick on the stroke of halftime, but Je-Vaughn Watson equalized for Jamaica shortly after the break. With extra time looming, Morris dispatched a blistering effort in the 88th to give America the Cup.

The return of Bruce Arena as manager of the USMNT has been close to perfection — he’s now unbeaten in 14 matches, and he’s managed to lift his country back to the top of CONCACAF. 

26-year-old Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake had himself a night, Kemar Lawrence struck a sweet free kick in the 88th minute and the Reggae Boyz upset Mexico in the Gold Cup semifinals Sunday night, setting up a meeting with the United States in the final on Wednesday.

The opening 45 minutes saw Mexico in control. Jamaica were proactive in their approach, but El Tri carved out a couple of clear opportunities only to be denied by the outstanding Blake. In the 12th minute, the Philadelphia Union keeper denied Mexico with a fantastic double save.

Fans flocked to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California to watch 12-time European champions Real Madrid play three-time winners Manchester United with talents like Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial on display. 

But the script was flipped when Ronald McDonald was seen leading the players from both squads onto the pitch, and the McDonald’s clown provided the summer’s best moment by staying alongside the referees and shakings hands with the players.

Substitute Clint Dempsey dribbled through the Costa Rica defense set up Jozy Altidore for the first goal of the night as the USMNT defeated Costa Rica 1-0 to advance to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Here's the goal: