Europe

Brentford hadn’t played a game in England’s top flight in nearly three-quarters of a century. The Bees came swarming back on Friday to open their Premier League campaign by thumping Arsenal 2-0 on the opening night of league play.

The Arsenal vs. Brentford highlights are a reminder of how much better this sport is in front of a full stadium. The scenes before the game were enough to give goosebumps

The scenes that Brentford supporters have waited 75 YEARS FOR.

The soccer world has been without its greatest villain, or hero depending on if he’s on your team. A new Diego Costa transfer could be announced soon and the 32-year-old plans on taking his talents to Brazil with Atlético Minerio.

PARIS — The arrival of Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain has created a positive mood at the Ligue 1 club but he is unlikely to play any part in Saturday's home game against Strasbourg, coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

Speaking at Friday's news conference ahead of the league fixture after Messi joined PSG from Barcelona earlier this week, Pochettino added his first task was to make sure a star-studded outfit began to look the sum of its parts.

BERLIN - Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann had hoped for a strong Bundesliga start in his first league game in charge of the champions on Friday at Borussia Mönchengladbach but instead is struggling with injuries.

Nagelsmann, who succeeded Hansi Flick on the bench, added defender Benjamin Pavard to the injury list after the France international suffered an ankle injury in training.

ROME - Romelu Lukaku is a familiar face to Premier League viewers, but the player who completed a $134.7 million return to Chelsea on Thursday is, by his own admission, not the same one who departed England two years ago.

“Italy has brought me to another level. I have never felt this strong. I have reached another level, physically and mentally,” Lukaku said in May.

Match-by-match facts and statistics ahead of the first round of Premier League fixtures from Aug. 13-15 (all times EST).

Premier League Schedule 2021/22 Opening Weekend 

Friday, Aug. 13

Brentford v Arsenal (3:00 p.m.)

* Brentford will be the 50th different team to play in the Premier League, and the 10th from London.

PARIS - Lionel Messi trained with new club Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, two days after joining the Ligue 1 giants from Barcelona, French daily L'Equipe reported.

It was the first time Messi, who won 10 LaLiga and four Champions League titles with Barcelona, set foot on the pitch since leading Argentina to the Copa América title with a 1-0 win over Brazil.

Two years ago, Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to be taken off in the closing minutes of a Carabao Cup match when coach Mauricio Sarri wanted to bring on Willy Caballero for penalty kicks before losing to Manchester City. On Wednesday, it was Kepa brought on in the closing minutes, and this time he came off as a winner.