Europe

Borussia Dortmund took down two opponents on Tuesday during the Champions League as the players on the field destroyed Celtic 7-1 and the fans in the stands blasted UEFA with a strong message.

Prior to the game Dortmund fans made their voices heard with a massive tifo and banner denouncing the new Champions League format being used this season.

UEFA expanded the competition from 32 teams to 36 and got rid of the six-game group stage, replacing it with a league table. Each club will now play eight games in the initial phase.

There are certain myths and legends in soccer that are the most lethal goal scorers. Arjen Robben cutting inside is a prime example, but a new legacy has arrived: Brentford in the first minute.

On Saturday the Bees scored in the opening minute of a Premier League game for the third time in-a-row.

Bryan Mbeumo found the back of the net against West Ham on Saturday in Brentford’s 1-1 draw. One week prior he scored against Tottenham in the first minute of play.

Here are all three of Brentford’s first minute goals.

Brentford first minute goals

LONDON — Chelsea's Cole Palmer scored four first-half goals, including a stunning long-range free kick and a penalty, in a breathless 4-2 Premier League victory over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

The Christian Pulisic goal vs Lecce on Friday marked the American’s fourth game in-a-row scoring for AC Milan. He’s off to a flying start to the season.

Milan came to life at the end of the first half with three goals in the span of five minutes. Pulisic made it 3-0 in the 43rd minute when he struck from close range.

A Tammy Abraham shot pinballed around in the Lecce box before falling to the feet of the American who made no mistake.

Christian Pulisic goal vs Lecce

MANCHESTER — Manchester City midfielder Rodri will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday in a big blow to his team's quest for a fifth consecutive Premier League title.

Rodri underwent surgery for the injury earlier on Friday, Guardiola said.

Pep Guardiola Rodri update

"This season is over." ❌

France's World Cup-winning defender Raphaël Varane announced his retirement from football at the age of 31 on Wednesday, bringing down the curtain on his successful career after suffering a serious knee injury.

Varane made 93 appearances for France from 2013-22, playing a key role in their victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as their runners-up finish four years later in Qatar. He retired from international football in 2023.

Varane retires

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has suffered a muscle injury, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday, casting doubt over the French international's participation in the weekend derby against Atletico Madrid.

Mbappé, signed from Paris St Germain this year, has been in fine form this season, scoring seven goals for Real in nine matches across all competitions.

The 25-year-old was substituted in the 80th minute of the 3-2 home win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga on Tuesday and gestured to his thigh while leaving the pitch.

Kylian Mbappé hamstring injury

Real Madrid survived a late scare as goals by Lucas Vazquez, Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo gave them a 3-2 home win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga on Tuesday.

Carlos Benavidez and Kike Garcia scored in the 85th and 86th minutes for Alaves but Real held on to win a match they had mostly dominated.

Real doubled their lead in the 40th minute when Mbappé played a neat one-two with Jude Bellingham before cutting inside and slotting a tidy finish to the right of the goalkeeper.

Kylian Mbappé goal vs Alaves