Match News
Match previews and recaps
In-depth match previews and recaps for football matches from leagues around the world. Each preview includes team form analysis, key player insights, head-to-head records, and score predictions to help you stay ahead of the game.
Solomon Islands vs Vanuatu (3 - 3)
Solomon Islands and Vanuatu served up a six-goal rollercoaster at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, with the hosts hauling themselves level in the 85th minute to snatch a 3-3 draw after twice being pegged back in the second half. Vanuatu struck first in the 31st minute, only for Solomon Islands to level right on the stroke of halftime. Vanuatu regained the lead early in the second half (51'), Solomon Islands hit back again on 68 minutes, Vanuatu restored their advantage on 72, and Solomon Islands completed their third comeback with the equalizer on 85. Bookings went to a Vanuatu player in the 41st minute and a Solomon Islands player in the 66th, with another yellow shown deep into stoppage time as the drama continued to the final whistle. For Vanuatu, playing as the tournament's defending champions, letting slip two separate leads will be a frustrating watch, while Solomon Islands can take real encouragement from their refusal to fold, coming from behind three times in front of their own fans.
Finland U17 vs France U17 (0 - 0)
Finland U17 and France U17 played out a goalless draw on Wednesday at Eerikkilä's Jari Litmanen Areena. The standout moment was defensive rather than spectacular: the Finns kept a clean sheet against a France side many rate among Europe's best at this age group. There were no goals, no cards and no major flashpoints across the 90 minutes — a cagey, tightly fought opener to a two-match series, with the sides meeting again in Friday's return fixture at the same venue. For Finland U17, it's a real marker of progress. Head coach Ossi Virta had called France one of the world's best sides beforehand, pointing to their explosive attackers and physical, skilful spine — and last September, France beat Finland 3-0 then 1-2 in a similar double-header. For France U17, Friday offers a quick chance to find the breakthrough that didn't come here.
Japan U18 vs Ukraine U18 (2 - 1)
Japan U18 snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Ukraine U18 in Limoges, France, with the decisive goal arriving deep into stoppage time. Oleksandr Hoch put Ukraine ahead in the 31st minute with a fine finish. Japan leveled through Yuzo Takeuchi in the 47th minute from a corner, before Ryotaro Inouchi struck in the 90+7th minute, also from a corner, to snatch the win. There was late drama too — a Japanese player caught a Ukrainian opponent with an elbow that left him with a broken nose, though no card followed. It's a rough start for Ukraine U18 at the Limoges tournament, with games against Austria and France still to come. Japan U18, meanwhile, gets its campaign off to the perfect start with a gritty, come-from-behind win.
Gibraltar vs São Tomé e Príncipe (0 - 0)
Gibraltar and Sao Tome and Principe shared a scoreless draw at Europa Point Stadium in a friendly that offered few clear-cut chances. The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock arrived deep into stoppage time, when Gibraltar's Richards drilled a shot across the face of goal, only for visiting goalkeeper Pedro to make a vital save and keep the clean sheet intact. Discipline was the main talking point in an otherwise scrappy first half, with Paulo Lima booked for Sao Tome and Principe and Nicholas Pozo cautioned for Gibraltar within the opening 20 minutes. Sao Tome's Dadigildo Carvalho picked up a yellow shortly after the restart. Both managers used the occasion to rotate heavily, sending on waves of substitutes from halftime onward as fringe players were given minutes. With no goals and no real breakthrough moments, neither side found much to build on going forward. For Gibraltar the draw extends a difficult run of finding the net, while Sao Tome and Principe will take some encouragement from a solid defensive shift and a clean sheet away from home in a fixture used mainly for squad experimentation.
Atlético Nacional vs Chapecoense
On 26 September, Atlético Nacional host Chapecoense in Medellín, a fixture built on memory rather than the table. Ten years after the LaMia crash killed 71 people, including most of the Chapecoense squad flying to the 2016 Copa Sudamericana final, the clubs reunite for what's been billed the brotherhood match. Domestically they sit worlds apart: Nacional are third in the Liga BetPlay on 18 points, while Chapecoense are bottom of Brazil's Serie A on 17, facing relegation. Nacional's form has been eventful: a 3-2 win over Internacional de Bogotá brought James Rodríguez's debut and an assist, before a 2-0 loss to Llaneros in which he featured after the break. Chapecoense arrive under pressure from a tough campaign, though the occasion carries more weight than any result. Survivors Alan Ruschel, Neto and Jakson Follmann remain tied to the story, born when Nacional asked their opponents be handed the Sudamericana trophy neither side got to contest. Our prediction: 2-1
Dominica vs Anguilla (1 - 0)
Dominica snapped a frustrating winless run on home soil, edging Anguilla 1-0 in a Friendlies clash at Windsor Park in Roseau. It was not a classic, but for a Dominica side that had drawn blanks against Sint Maarten and lost to Guyana recently, simply winning was the standout moment of the night. A single goal separated the two sides, with Dominica making home advantage count against a stubborn Anguilla side set up to frustrate and counter-attack. No cards, penalties, or further goals were reported, with the visitors' defensive approach limiting clear chances at both ends. The win gives Dominica a timely confidence boost after a shaky run of form, while Anguilla continue to struggle for consistency away from home, extending a difficult recent sequence that has included heavier defeats. Neither result carries competitive weight, but bragging rights in this regional rivalry stay with the hosts.
Botswana U23 vs Eswatini U23 (0 - 0)
Botswana U23 and Eswatini U23 shared a goalless draw in their international friendly on 21 September 2026, with neither side able to find a breakthrough over the full 90 minutes. The standout feature of the match was the defensive discipline on both ends, as chances were kept scarce and both goalkeepers were rarely seriously tested. No goals, cards, or major flashpoints were recorded in the contest, with both back lines staying compact and organized throughout. It was the kind of cagey affair typical of friendlies used primarily for squad building rather than end-to-end entertainment, and the sides went into the break, and eventually the final whistle, level at 0-0. For Botswana U23, the clean sheet offers a useful building block as the young Zebras continue shaping their squad ahead of future competitive assignments. Eswatini U23 will likewise take encouragement from holding their regional rivals scoreless on the road, a solid defensive marker even without an attacking reward to show for it.
Fiji vs Vanuatu (0 - 1)
Vanuatu left Fiji with all three points on Monday, edging out the hosts 1-0 in a tightly fought friendly. Fiji controlled long stretches of possession without finding a way through, and it was the visitors who made their moment of quality count. The only goal of the game arrived in the 71st minute, as Vanuatu broke through the Fiji defense to settle the contest. From there the visitors dug in, seeing out the closing stages to protect their narrow lead, with no cards or penalties reported in the process. The result stings for Fiji, who came up empty in front of their own fans and will look to find more of a spark in attack. For Vanuatu, it's a big step forward, turning a 2-2 draw from their June meeting into a clean win and a real confidence boost.
New Caledonia vs Solomon Islands (0 - 2)
Solomon Islands opened their MSG Prime Minister's Cup campaign in style, beating New Caledonia 2-0 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. It was a statement result for a side that hadn't tasted victory in international football for nearly two years, and it came without needing to survive a scare — New Caledonia never really threatened an equalizer. There were no cards, penalties, or major flashpoints to speak of; this was a controlled, professional away performance rather than a chaotic one. Solomon Islands, under coach Ben Cahn, kept a clean sheet throughout, while New Caledonia's entirely domestic-based squad, led by first-time boss Felix Tagawa, struggled to create clear chances. The win snaps Solomon Islands' long winless streak and eases some of the sting from their heavy 10-2 defeat to Bulgaria earlier this year, putting them in good shape to chase a repeat of their 2023 tournament triumph. For New Caledonia, it's a rough start to a competition they've finished runners-up in four times without ever lifting the trophy, and after missing the 2025 edition entirely, the pressure is already building.
Marseille vs PSG (1 - 2)
PSG edged a fiery Classique at the Vélodrome, holding off a spirited Marseille comeback to win 1-2 on the road. The visitors dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances until the second half turned the game on its head in the space of eleven frantic minutes.Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, only for Angel Gomes to level things up for Marseille six minutes later, finishing off a pass from Amine Gouiri and lifting the home crowd. The reply was short-lived, though, as Marquinhos restored PSG's lead just two minutes after that. The contest tipped further in the visitors' favor in the 77th minute when Timothy Weah was shown a second yellow card, leaving Marseille to see out the closing stages with ten men.The result marks PSG's second straight league win, lifting them to 6th in the table with 8 points, while Marseille remain stuck near the bottom in 17th with just 3 points after a tough start to the season.
Paderborn vs Hoffenheim (3 - 1)
Paderborn pulled off a statement victory at home, beating Hoffenheim 3-1 in a result that marked their first Bundesliga win in years. The promoted side looked calm and organized early on before growing increasingly confident, punishing their favored opponents with sharp finishing whenever chances came their way. Santiago Castaneda opened the scoring in the 29th minute, and Stefano Marino doubled the lead just before the break, sending Paderborn into halftime 2-0 up. Adam Daghim pulled one back for Hoffenheim early in the second half, giving the visitors hope, but Steffen Tigges restored the two-goal cushion in the 69th minute with a well-taken header off the bench. Hoffenheim pushed hard late on, rattling the post through a couple of efforts, but Paderborn's defense held firm to see out the win. For Paderborn, this was a landmark result, ending a long wait for a top-flight victory and lifting them into 12th place with four points from four matches heading into the international break. Hoffenheim, coming off a midweek Europa League defeat, now face questions after managing just one win in their opening four league games despite dominating possession and shot count on the day.
Kortrijk vs SK Beveren (1 - 0)
Kortrijk finally have something to celebrate this season, edging Beveren 1-0 in a match turned on its head by an early red card. It marked a dream first game in charge for interim boss Christophe Lepoint, snapping a six-match losing run in style. The turning point came in the 32nd minute when Beveren goalkeeper Johannes Schenk was sent off for clipping Sixtus Ogbuehi outside the box. Reduced to ten men, Beveren held firm for a while, but Shandre Campbell kept probing and, despite missing two good chances himself, set up the winner in the 52nd minute when substitute keeper Josua Lusamba failed to hold his cross, allowing Jamie Roche to fire home. For Kortrijk, it's a much-needed lift off the bottom of the table with their first points and first goal in over 370 minutes. Beveren, meanwhile, extended their winless run away from home to four straight defeats, leaving them stuck in mid-table with all their points coming at home.
Club Brugge vs Genk (3 - 0)
Club Brugge KV made a statement in front of their own fans, brushing aside Genk 3-0 at the Jan Breydelstadion. The hosts controlled the game from the first whistle, but it was a ruthless second-half spell that truly broke Genk's resistance and left no doubt about the gap between the two sides on the night. Carlos Forbs set the tone early, slotting home in the 15th minute to give Brugge the lead. Genk thought they'd found a way back when Nicolo Tresoldi put the ball in the net, but the goal was chalked off for offside. Moments later Brugge doubled their advantage through Han-beom Lee in the 58th minute, heading in from a Joaquin Seys delivery, before Brandon Mechele nodded in a third from another Seys set piece just five minutes later to complete the rout. Several players picked up yellow cards, but nothing more serious disrupted the contest. The win pushes Brugge further up the table and widens the gap over Genk to nine points, underlining their title credentials heading into the break. For Genk, it's another chastening result against their rivals and a reminder of how much work lies ahead to close the distance.
Schalke 04 vs Elversberg (0 - 0)
Schalke and Elversberg played out a goalless draw at the Veltins-Arena in a duel between two of the Bundesliga's promoted sides. Schalke pushed hardest, edging the visitors on chances and territory, but couldn't find the finish to match their effort. The closest the hosts came was a free header from Nikola Katic off a free kick, which drifted just over the bar. Noah Darvich also fired over for Elversberg early on. Discipline was tested throughout: Felix Keidel and Darvich picked up yellow cards in the first half, while Hasan Kuruçay was cautioned after the break and later got away with a heavy foul near the touchline. Late drama arrived when Petkov spurned a five-yard chance in the 85th minute after good work from Cole Campbell, and Dina Ebimbe squandered a promising solo run in stoppage time. The point leaves both newly-promoted clubs mid-table: Schalke sit 11th on five points, while Elversberg move to seventh with seven, a result that slightly slows their momentum after a recent loss to Bayern Munich but keeps their solid start largely intact.
Nice vs Lille (2 - 1)
Nice finally have something to smile about. The Aiglons snapped a 13-match home winless run in Ligue 1, beating a red-hot Lille side 2-1 at the Allianz Riviera for their first league win of the season. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute, when Mohamed Amoura's driving run down the left saw his cross deflect in off Nathan Ngoy for an own goal. Amoura got on the scoresheet himself in the 67th minute, netting his first Ligue 1 goal from a slick assist by Gauthier Hein. Ayase Ueda pulled one back for Lille in the 79th minute, but Nice held firm to see out the win. It's a huge lift for Nice, who had been rooted to the bottom of the table and climb up to 14th with their first three points of the campaign. For Lille, it snaps an eight-game away winning streak and leaves them stuck in fourth, three points behind leaders Monaco.
Fulham vs Manchester United (1 - 1)
Fulham and Manchester United shared the points in a tense Craven Cottage draw that felt like a missed opportunity for the hosts and a lucky escape for the visitors. United were second-best for long spells, and pundits were scathing about their sloppy first-half passing, but a stoppage-time twist spared them further embarrassment. Lisandro Martinez turned the ball into his own net in the 63rd minute after goalkeeper Senne Lammens could only parry David Affengruber's low drive into his path, sending Craven Cottage into raptures. United pushed for an equalizer late on, throwing on Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount, and got their reward in the 89th minute when Matheus Cunha's strike took a wicked deflection off Affengruber and looped beyond Bernd Leno. The draw leaves Manchester United with just five points from five games, one of their worst starts in years, though at least the international break arrives without a defeat added to the tally. Fulham, under new boss Alvaro Arbeloa, move off the bottom but remain without a league win.
NEC vs Go Ahead Eagles (1 - 1)
It took barely ten minutes for this one to settle into its final shape. At the Goffertstadion, Nijmegen and G.A. Eagles traded blows in a frantic opening burst before the game cooled into a share of the spoils, 1-1. Perr Schuurs got the home side moving inside the 2nd minute, heading home a pinpoint Tjaronn Chery delivery to send the Goffert into an early frenzy. The lead lasted just eight minutes, as Stefan Ingi Sigurdarson restored parity for the visitors in the 10th. From there the game settled, though Soren Tengstedt and Thibo Baeten both picked up bookings for the Eagles in the second half as the visitors pushed for a winner. Neither side could find a breakthrough after that opening flurry, with Nijmegen edging the shot count while G.A. Eagles carried the more dangerous chances. A fair result on the balance of play, it leaves both clubs with a point to build on as the Eredivisie season continues.
Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig (2 - 0)
Bayer Leverkusen made light work of RB Leipzig at the BayArena, cruising to a 2-0 win built on a moment of individual brilliance from Patrik Schick. The Czech striker's acrobatic finish right before the break set the tone, and the hosts never looked back. Schick broke the deadlock in the 45th minute, turning home Miguel Gutierrez's left-wing cross with an outstretched finish. Leipzig had already seen a Christopher Nkunku effort chalked off for offside. Gutierrez doubled the lead in the 57th minute, pouncing on a poorly cleared cross from Ibrahim Maza for a low, near-post finish. Leipzig also lost Brajan Gruda to an early injury. The win keeps Leverkusen among the Bundesliga's top sides, with Gutierrez and Maza both catching the eye. For Leipzig, it's a costly defeat to a direct rival, having failed to make the most of their best chance.
Sint-Truiden vs Westerlo (0 - 2)
Westerlo made the trip to Stayen count, taking control early and never letting go for a routine 0-2 win over St. Truiden. The visitors were the sharper side from the opening whistle, and their first-half efficiency proved to be the difference on the night. Norman Bassette broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, pouncing after a loose ball in the box to put Westerlo ahead. Just after the restart, Cisse Sandra added a second with a deflected effort to make it 0-2. Yellow cards were shown to Visar Musliu for St. Truiden and Bassette himself, both in the 73rd minute, but neither side saw further drama. St. Truiden pushed for a way back and had their moments, including a shot off the crossbar, but couldn't find the finishing touch. For Westerlo, it's a third straight win and a big statement after a shaky start to the season, while St. Truiden head into the break needing to sort out their defensive lapses.
Twente vs PSV (3 - 2)
FC Twente pulled off one of the biggest results of the young Eredivisie season, coming from behind to beat defending champions PSV 3-2 at De Grolsch Veste. For long stretches it looked like PSV would walk away with the points, but Twente's late surge flipped the game on its head and cost the visitors their unbeaten start. Younes Taha put the hosts ahead early in the 14th minute, only for Guus Til to hit back twice in quick succession, in the 27th and 29th minutes, to send PSV in front at the break. Twente kept pushing and were rewarded late on, with Wout Weghorst leveling in the 79th minute before Daouda Weidmann completed the turnaround four minutes later. The win lifts Twente into fourth place, level on points with PSV in second, and hands the champions their first league defeat of the season. It's a statement result for Twente and an early wobble PSV will want to correct quickly.
AZ vs Telstar (1 - 0)
AZ Alkmaar returned to winning ways with a tight 1-0 victory over Telstar at AFAS Stadion, bouncing back from a midweek European loss to reclaim top spot in the Eredivisie. Mexx Meerdink settled it in the 19th minute, converting a pass from Valdemar Byskov. AZ dominated long stretches and thought they'd doubled the lead when Kees Smit struck after the break, but VAR ruled it out for a Meerdink handball in the buildup. Telstar keeper Ronald Koeman Jr. produced several key saves, and Weslley Patati spurned a late chance that would have made the scoreline more comfortable. The result stretches AZ's unbeaten run over Telstar to four straight wins and sends them into the international break as league leaders. Telstar leave empty-handed again, though a spirited defensive effort suggests they can still trouble sides above them in the weeks ahead.
Auxerre vs Brest (2 - 1)
Auxerre pulled off a gutsy comeback at the Abbé-Deschamps, overturning an early deficit to beat Brest 2-1 in matchday 5 of Ligue 1. The moment of the match belonged to Brest, though: Pathé Mboup's stunning first-time volley, cushioned on his thigh before being lashed home left-footed, was a real contender for goal of the season. Mboup's strike in the 23rd minute had the visitors dreaming, but Cameron Archer leveled things right after the break, finding the net just a minute into the second half. The decisive moment came late, in the 83rd minute, when Romain Faivre — netting his first Ligue 1 goal of the campaign — forced a Brest defender into turning the ball into his own net. Yellow cards were shown to Kenny Lala and Christ Makosso as tempers frayed toward the finish. For Auxerre, it's back-to-back wins that lift them out of the relegation zone and up to ninth. Brest, meanwhile, stay stuck on five points and will need to regroup quickly.
Manchester City vs Sunderland (5 - 3)
Manchester City needed every one of their five goals to see off a fearless Sunderland at the Etihad, winning an end-to-end shootout 5-3 that never settled until the closing stages. The standout moment came late on when Erling Haaland finally scored against the one Premier League side that had eluded him, having found the net against every other club he'd faced. Enzo Fernández curled in a free-kick after just nine minutes, only for Brian Brobbey to reply within seconds and keep firing all afternoon. Antoine Semenyo struck twice either side of the break and Rayan Cherki also got on the scoresheet, but Brobbey's relentless hat-trick dragged Sunderland level again and again before Haaland finally settled it in the 81st minute. No cards of note beyond a routine early booking, and no penalties needed in a game that didn't require them. For Manchester City, it's another three points but a defensive wobble worth monitoring given how often they were pegged back. For Sunderland, Brobbey's display is a huge個positive signal that they can trouble anyone despite the loss.
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace (0 - 0)
Leeds and Crystal Palace played out a tense, goalless draw at Elland Road, with the biggest moment of the afternoon coming when VAR wiped out what looked like a breakthrough goal. It kept Leeds unbeaten on home soil and left both sets of fans debating a tight offside call in an otherwise cagey affair. The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was in the 52nd minute, when Tyrick Mitchell turned home a deflected cross to send the away end into celebration, only for the goal to be chalked off after a lengthy VAR review for offside in the build-up. Yellow cards were shown to Jayden Bogle, Ao Tanaka, Adam Wharton, Yéremi Pino, and Jefferson Lerma as the game grew increasingly feisty, but neither goalkeeper was seriously beaten. Leeds keeper James Trafford was named Player of the Match for his composed display. The point keeps Leeds unbeaten and up in third place, while Crystal Palace will feel they let a winnable game slip and remain closer to the bottom of the table as they search for their first win.
AFC Bournemouth vs Liverpool (0 - 1)
Liverpool edged a tight Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium, with Alexander Isak's second-half strike enough to sink Bournemouth on a landmark afternoon for Reds boss Andoni Iraola, making his first trip back to his old club since leaving for Anfield. The opener came in the 57th minute, Isak turning in a low finish after Cody Gakpo's cross was deflected into his path, continuing his hot scoring form. Before that, Dominik Szoboszlai saw yellow for a rash challenge, while at the other end Alisson denied Evanilson from close range to keep the scoresheet blank in a cagey first half. Ryan Christie pushed for a leveler late on but couldn't find a way past the Liverpool defense. The win nudges Liverpool further up the table and hands Iraola a triumphant homecoming, while Bournemouth stay stuck in a rut against their old manager, still searching for answers up front despite spells of pressure.
Antwerp vs Union Saint-Gilloise (0 - 2)
Royale Union SG made it five straight league wins with a comfortable 2-0 victory away at Antwerp, dominating for long spells at the Bosuilstadion. The hosts never really got going and were made to pay for it in the second half. The breakthrough came early in the second half when Mateo Biondic converted in the 51st minute, before Denzel De Roeve doubled the lead in the 78th. Antwerp's afternoon then got worse when Bahmed Deuff was shown a second yellow card in the 70th minute, leaving the hosts to play out the remainder a man down. Antwerp's Michael Frey and Arthur Vermeeren were also booked. The win lifts Union SG level with KAA Gent at the top of the table on 19 points, underlining their status as this season's in-form side. Antwerp's misery continues too, leaving them down in 13th place heading into the international break.
Celtic vs Rangers (0 - 1)
Rangers stunned Celtic at Celtic Park, snapping the hosts' perfect start to the Premiership season with a hard-fought 0-1 win in the season's first Old Firm league meeting. Celtic arrived on a six-game winning run but never found their rhythm, managing little of note going forward. The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when Naderi pounced to fire Rangers ahead. Celtic's best chance had come moments earlier, with Kiernan Tierney crashing a long-range effort off the post. Tempers flared with several bookings, including Callum McGregor and Kin Min-Su, while a late Celtic header from Nkosinathi Makhanya was chalked off for offside in the 74th minute. The result gives Rangers a derby double this season following their League Cup win over the same opponents, and keeps them firmly in the title conversation. For Celtic, it's a first league defeat of the campaign — a reminder that their early lead is far from safe.
Feyenoord vs Utrecht (5 - 0)
Feyenoord barely broke a sweat in a lopsided 5-0 rout of Utrecht at De Kuip, racing to a 3-0 halftime lead and never letting up. The standout moment came early, as winger Anis Hadj Moussa tormented Utrecht's defense with two near-identical goals, cutting in from the right each time. Hadj Moussa opened the scoring in the 6th minute before Nacho Ferri doubled it just three minutes later off a Valente layoff. Hadj Moussa added his second in the 33rd to make it 3-0 at the break. After the interval, Luciano Valente converted a penalty in the 52nd minute following a handball by Niklas Vesterlund, and Gaoussou Diarra capped the rout in the 64th. There were no red cards, though Utrecht's young striker Artem Stepanov was forced off injured in tears around the half-hour mark. The win, coming right after Feyenoord's 7-0 demolition of PEC Zwolle, puts Feyenoord temporarily top of the Eredivisie table under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, though PSV and AZ can still leapfrog them. For Utrecht, it's another damaging defeat that leaves them languishing in 15th place and piles further pressure on manager Anthony Correia.
Willem II vs Fortuna Sittard (0 - 1)
Willem II fell to a 0-1 home defeat against Fortuna Sittard at Koning Willem II Stadion, undone by a late strike after a tense, chance-filled afternoon. Philip Brittijn broke the deadlock in the 80th minute, converting the rebound after Lequincio Zeefuik's header was saved by goalkeeper Maxime Delanghe. Fortuna had earlier seen a penalty shout for a foul on Ivo Pinto overturned by VAR, while Willem II's best chance fell to Devin Haen, denied one-on-one by Mattijs Branderhorst. Zeefuik also had a goal chalked off for a foul in the build-up shortly before Brittijn's winner. The result lifts Fortuna Sittard up to sixth in the Eredivisie standings, extending their solid start to the season. Willem II, meanwhile, slump to a sixth consecutive loss and remain bottom of the table with just two points, leaving them deep in relegation trouble.
Toulouse vs Le Havre (3 - 2)
Toulouse edged a thrilling relegation six-pointer against Le Havre, coming from a goalless first half to win 3-2 at the Stadium Municipal. The standout moment was a stunning two-minute burst from debutant Casper Tengstedt, who turned the game on its head right after the break. Tengstedt opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 49th minute after Touba fouled Jorgensen in the box, then headed in a second just two minutes later from another Jorgensen cross, beating his marker in the air. Josh Maja pulled one back for Le Havre in the 71st minute, but Jorgensen restored the two-goal cushion in the 79th. Mbwana Ally Samatta set up a nervy finish with a late strike in the 88th minute, though Toulouse held on. No red cards were shown. The win lifts Toulouse off the foot of the table and eases some early-season pressure, while Le Havre remain mired in the drop zone with just two points from five games, still searching for the away form that could pull them clear of trouble.
Lyon vs Rennes (4 - 0)
Lyon put on a statement performance at Groupama Stadium, cruising past Rennes 4-0 in matchday five of Ligue 1. The standout moment came early, as Ernest Nuamah ran riot in the first half and had the game all but decided before the break. Nuamah opened the scoring in the 7th minute, finishing off a Corentin Tolisso assist, then struck again in the 30th to make it 2-0 at halftime. Zachary Athekame extended the lead just after the restart in the 48th minute, before Corentin Tolisso turned scorer himself in the 76th, capping the rout with an assist from Athekame. There were no red cards or penalties — Lyon simply dominated, controlling possession and creating far more clear chances than their visitors all night. The win reinforces Lyon's status as an early-season contender and highlights their growing strength at home. For Rennes, it's a sobering result that raises real questions about their form and defensive solidity heading into the coming rounds.
Le Mans vs Lorient (2 - 1)
Le Mans made the perfect start and never let it slip, beating Lorient 2-1 at Stade Marie-Marvingt in matchday 5 of Ligue 1. A lightning opener inside the first three minutes set the tone, and the hosts controlled the game from there.Adil Ali Mohamed Bourabaa struck in the 3rd minute to give Le Mans an early cushion, and Habib Diallo doubled the lead in the 57th minute, finishing off a pass from Lucas Bretelle. Lorient pushed back and got a goal through Isak Jensen in the 78th minute, set up by Arsène Kouassi, but couldn't find a leveller as Le Mans saw out the closing stages. No red cards were shown, though both sides picked up yellow cards in a physical, incident-filled second half.The win lifts Le Mans to 6 points and 8th place, a solid platform early in the campaign, while Lorient drop to 11th on 5 points and will need to tighten up defensively after conceding twice inside the opening hour.
Angers vs Troyes (2 - 0)
Angers made home advantage count at Stade Raymond Kopa, brushing aside Troyes 2-0 to pick up a comfortable Ligue 1 win. The hosts controlled the ball for long spells and made their quality tell in front of goal, even as Troyes pushed numbers forward looking for a way back into it. Prosper Peter broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute, rising to head home a cross from Amine Sbaï. Moments later, Troyes thought they'd equalized through Amine El Ouazzani, only for VAR to chalk it off for offside. Sbaï then turned provider into scorer, finishing off a move set up by El Ouazzani in the 57th minute to make it 2-0. Several players picked up bookings late on, but neither side had a man sent off. The win lifts Angers further up the table and offers real momentum heading into their next fixture, while Troyes continue to search for consistency and remain stuck near the bottom, still searching for the results to match their effort on the pitch.
Lommel vs Mechelen (0 - 0)
Lommel SK and KV Mechelen shared a point in a tense, chance-starved goalless draw at the Soevereinstadion. The night belonged to Lommel goalkeeper Matthias Pieklak, whose late goal-line stop denied Mechelen a certain winner and kept the hosts' resurgence going. The clearest opening fell to Lommel's Tom Reyners, who headed wide from close range after a corner in the 32nd minute. Mechelen grew into the game after the break, with Benito Raman robbing a defender in the box to tee up Malcolm Lohunanu-Mbasi, only for the 20-year-old Pieklak to deny him. He also kept out efforts from Boersma and Van Brederode. Six bookings were shown, including Reyners and Van Duiven for Lommel, and Praet, Michez, Eerdhuijzen and Decherf for Mechelen. The draw stretches Mechelen's winless run to ten matches, leaving them on just three points near the relegation zone and piling pressure on coach Fred Vanderbiest. Lommel, freshly promoted, banked a useful point after back-to-back defeats, moving to eight points.
Anderlecht vs Zulte Waregem (3 - 0)
Anderlecht made light work of Zulte Waregem, cruising to a comfortable 3-0 win built on total control of possession from the start. The game's most talked-about moment came in the 48th minute, when Tawfik Bentayeb clashed heads with Lemoine, played on dazed, and still set up a third goal before being withdrawn as a precaution. Bentayeb had opened the scoring in the 40th minute, then turned provider for Marten Winkler, who doubled the lead just after the restart in the 48th and added a third in the 54th. That final goal needed a lengthy VAR check — about six minutes — after a deflection saw the ball bounce twice before crossing the line, leaving Anderlecht boss Vitor Bruno visibly baffled by the delay. The result lifts Anderlecht up to fifth place on 13 points, just two behind fourth-placed Club Brugge, while Zulte Waregem slip to sixth on 11 despite Michael Beale's four substitutions failing to spark a comeback.
Ajax vs Excelsior (2 - 2)
Ajax dominated for long stretches at the Johan Cruijff Arena but couldn't get past a resilient Excelsior side, settling for a 2-2 draw after twice rattling the woodwork. The standout moment came in the 64th minute, when Tolu Arokodare's leveler capped a wild finish to an entertaining afternoon in Amsterdam. Julian Brandt opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, finishing off a Kasper Dolberg assist. Excelsior levelled through Lennard Hartjes in first-half stoppage time, then went ahead in the 62nd minute via Aymen Sliti. Two minutes later, Arokodare restored parity with a low finish teed up by Oscar Gloukh. Tempers flared late, with Gloukh and Excelsior's Irakli Yegoian both booked, but neither side was reduced to ten men. For Ajax, it means more dropped points at home and an extended frustrating record against Excelsior. For Excelsior, snatching a point off a dominant Ajax side shows their clinical finishing can trouble the Eredivisie's bigger clubs this season.
Sparta Rotterdam vs Heerenveen (0 - 4)
Sparta Rotterdam were blown away at Het Kasteel, crumbling 0-4 to a rampant Heerenveen in an Eredivisie clash that was decided well before the hour mark. The visitors settled first, and Nolhan Courtens broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, turning home a slick pass from Levi Smans from close range. Jacob Trenskow doubled the lead before the break with a low finish into the far corner, and Heerenveen kept dictating the game after halftime. Maxence Rivera cut inside to make it three, before substitute Marko Farji, teed up by Nick Verschuren, completed the rout late on. The win was only Heerenveen's second of the season after a sluggish start, lifting them into the top half of the table. Sparta Rotterdam, still searching for their first home win of the campaign, slide toward the bottom of the Eredivisie standings and now face mounting questions about their form at Het Kasteel.
Stuttgart vs Borussia Dortmund (0 - 1)
Borussia Dortmund kept their unbeaten start to the season alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Stuttgart, a game that stayed goalless and cagey until the closing stages finally produced the moment that mattered. For long spells it looked like the away side's control of possession would go unrewarded against a stubborn home defense. The breakthrough came in the 70th minute, shortly after fresh legs changed the tempo. Jobe Bellingham and Konstantinos Karetsas had been introduced around the hour mark, and it was Bellingham's low cross that Maximilian Beier turned home for the only goal. Before that, Stuttgart's best openings had come from Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic, both denied by keeper Gregor Kobel, while substitute Fabio Silva spurned a late chance to make it two. The result sends Dortmund to the top of the Bundesliga table, two points clear of Bayern Munich, and stretches their perfect run to four straight wins. For Stuttgart, it's another frustrating afternoon in an inconsistent campaign, leaving them stuck in 14th with just three points from their opening matches.
Nottingham Forest vs Coventry City (0 - 1)
Coventry City stunned Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, grinding out a narrow 0-1 win built on defensive discipline and one clinical moment in an otherwise cagey affair. Forest had the better of the early exchanges but found the visitors well organized and hard to break down. The breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Jay Dasilva latched onto a long ball forward, worked his way past Daniel Munoz, and finished coolly past the Forest goalkeeper in the 55th minute. Forest thought they'd salvaged a point deep into stoppage time when Igor Jesus bundled in an equalizer, only for VAR to chalk it off for a foul in the build-up. Bobby Thomas also produced a vital goal-line clearance to keep Coventry's lead intact. No red cards were shown, though Forest picked up late bookings as frustration set in. The result was a landmark one for Coventry, snapping a long winless run in the top flight and lifting them off the bottom of the table, while Forest slip down the standings and will be left to rue their wastefulness in front of goal.
Sporting Charleroi vs Cercle Brugge (3 - 2)
Charleroi made it six wins from seven league games with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Cercle Brugge KSV, cruising into a two-goal cushion before having to survive a nervy finish. The home side's fast start set the tone, and even a spirited response from the visitors wasn't enough to derail their charge up the table. Freddy Mbemba opened the scoring in the 15th minute, and Aurélien Scheidler doubled the lead ten minutes later. Cercle Brugge hit back through Dante Vanzeir in the 30th minute to make it 2-1 at the break. The second half turned on two penalties: Scheidler converted from the spot in the 61st minute after a foul on Nzita, before Steve Ngoura pulled one back for the visitors in the 73rd following a VAR review. No red cards were shown, though Charleroi picked up a handful of bookings as they held on. The win keeps Charleroi in second place with 18 points, trailing only league leaders Gent, and cements their status as one of the league's early surprise packages. For Cercle Brugge KSV, the defeat leaves them bottom of the table with just three points and still searching for their first win of the campaign.
Paris FC vs Strasbourg (2 - 1)
Paris FC brushed aside Strasbourg 2-1 at the Stade Jean-Bouin, dominating from the first whistle. The visitors barely got a touch in the opening 45 minutes, failing to register a single shot in the first half, and the hosts made the pressure count in emphatic fashion. Ilan Kebbal broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, pouncing on a defensive mix-up and chipping the keeper with a clinical finish. Pablo Pagis doubled the lead in the 57th minute with a stunning half-volley off a quick transition, marking his first goal for the club. Strasbourg pulled one back late through an unfortunate own goal from Moustapha Mbow in the 88th minute, but it was merely a consolation. Adding a subplot, Paris FC boss Liam Rosenior got the better of his former employers. The win stretches Paris FC's unbeaten run to five matches and lifts them to provisional second, just two points off leaders Monaco. For Strasbourg, it's a second straight game without a win and their first defeat of the season, leaving them stuck in sixth heading into the international break.
ADO Den Haag vs Cambuur (1 - 1)
Den Haag and Cambuur shared the points in a scrappy Eredivisie draw that swung on a moment of substitute magic. Chances were rare for most of the afternoon, but a late leveller kept the home crowd from going home empty-handed. Cambuur broke the deadlock just before the break when Fabian Kvam drilled a shot from the edge of the box that goalkeeper Kiliaan Nikiema failed to deal with. The visitors' Thijs Jansen then kept the lead intact with a string of saves before Donat Barany, on from the bench, scrambled home an equalizer around the 75th minute for his first goal in Den Haag colors. Striker Nigel Thomas was forced off on a stretcher earlier in the game, though no cards or penalties factored into the result. The point does little to ease the pressure on Den Haag, who remain winless and rooted at the bottom of the table, while Cambuur will feel they let a winning position slip.
Newcastle United vs Hull City (2 - 1)
Newcastle put a miserable midweek result behind them with a fast, ruthless start against Hull at St James' Park, racing into a two-goal cushion inside the opening ten minutes and holding on despite a nervy finish. It was the perfect response after their heavy defeat to Leeds just days earlier. Joe Willock opened the scoring in the 3rd minute before Lewis Hall doubled the lead in the 7th, both goals set up by a lively Harvey Barnes. Just before the break, Yoane Wissa saw his penalty saved by Konstantinos Tzolakis after Jacob Murphy had been fouled in the box. Hull rallied after halftime, and substitute Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled one back in the 67th minute, but a leveler never arrived. The win eases pressure on Newcastle and ends Hull's unbeaten start to the season, leaving the Tigers to regroup after their promising early form hit a bump on Tyneside.
Everton vs Ipswich Town (1 - 0)
Everton made it back-to-back home Premier League wins, edging Ipswich 1-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium in a game that swung firmly the Toffees' way after the break. The decisive moment came early, but the contest turned into a real test of Ipswich's resolve once they were down to ten men. Thierno Barry broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, turning home a deflected long-range effort from James Tarkowski for his fifth goal of the season. Ipswich pushed back through Abdul Fatawu and Leif Davis, who spurned a close-range chance, but Fatawu was then shown a second yellow in the 67th minute, leaving the visitors a man short. Barry thought he had a second soon after, but VAR chalked it off for interference from Brennan Johnson. The win keeps Everton unbeaten in the league and moving nicely under David Moyes, who continues to have Ipswich's number. For O'Neil's side, it's a frustrating afternoon that leaves them still searching for their first real foothold in the top flight this season.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal (3 - 0)
Brighton delivered a statement performance at the Amex, brushing aside reigning champions Arsenal 3-0 in a result far more emphatic than anyone expected. The standout moment came right before the break, when the Seagulls doubled their lead to leave Arsenal shellshocked heading into the dressing room.Pascal Groß opened the scoring in the 31st minute, and Charalampos Kostoulas made it two on the stroke of half-time. Chema Andrés completed the rout early in the second half. Arsenal had a penalty appeal waved away after a lunge from Gabriel, but otherwise couldn't force their way back into the game despite plenty of the ball.For Brighton, it's a third straight season they've beaten the reigning champions at home, and the win lifts them to third while confirming them as the league's top scorers. For Arsenal, it's their first defeat of the season, ending a perfect start and exposing defensive cracks Mikel Arteta will need to fix before the international break.
OH Leuven vs La Louvière (2 - 0)
OH Leuven finally found their first league win of the season, beating RAAL La Louvière 2-0 at home in a match that swung decisively after halftime. The Louvière keeper's costly dismissal proved to be the turning point, opening the door for the hosts to close things out late. Wouter George put Leuven ahead in the 32nd minute, turning in a slick assist from Abdoul Karim Traoré's clever heel pass. La Louvière thought they had a leveler when Mustapha Isah netted, but it was chalked off for offside. Goalkeeper Van den Heuvel then denied Nkoa with a sharp reflex stop to keep the visitors out. The game turned in the 82nd minute when La Louvière's Marcos Peano was sent off for a reckless challenge on Mirisola, and with seven minutes left substitute William Balikwisha curled home a tidy finish from a tight angle to make it 2-0. The win ends a six-match winless start for Leuven under coach Timmy Simons, a much-needed lift after taking just a single point from their opening games. For RAAL La Louvière, it's a frustrating night undone by a moment of madness in goal.
Werder Bremen vs Augsburg (3 - 2)
Werder Bremen pulled off a stunning turnaround against Augsburg, coming from two goals down to win 3-2 in a match that stayed level for most of ninety minutes before exploding into life. Augsburg had looked set to leave Bremen with a routine away win before the hosts produced one of the great late rallies of the young season. Augsburg took control early through Robin Fellhauer in the 18th minute, and Calvin Brackelmann doubled the lead in the 58th to put the visitors firmly in command. Bremen finally responded when Marco Grüll pulled one back in the 66th minute, setting up a frantic finish. Niclas Füllkrug leveled things with a powerful strike in the 86th minute, and substitute Mitchell Weiser, back from injury, sealed the comeback with a stoppage-time winner in the 90+2nd minute that sent the home crowd into raptures. The result carries real weight in the table. It was Augsburg's first defeat of the season after an unbeaten start, a harsh reminder of how quickly control can slip away. For Bremen, under coach Daniel Thioune, it's a statement of resilience that lifts them into the upper half of the table on seven points after four matchdays, with tougher tests against Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich looming for both sides.
Hamburg vs FC Cologne (2 - 1)
Hamburger SV finally have something to smile about, edging past 1. FC Köln 2-1 at the Volksparkstadion for their first win of the season. It came against the run of play too, with Köln dominating early exchanges and hitting the post through Thijs Dallinga before the hosts turned the game on its head right before the break. Nicolás Capaldo headed home a Grønbæk corner in the 44th minute to send Hamburg in ahead at halftime, and the lead doubled almost immediately after the restart when substitute Yussuf Poulsen, on just minutes, tapped in from close range in the 49th. Köln pushed hard for a way back and picked up several bookings along the way, before Ragnar Ache headed in a stoppage-time consolation in the 90th minute that came too late to change the outcome. For Hamburg, it's a much-needed breakthrough after a rocky start to the campaign, offering real relief and belief heading into the next round of fixtures. Köln, meanwhile, will be frustrated to leave Hamburg empty-handed despite carrying the better chances for large stretches, and will need to tighten up defensively if they want to turn strong performances into points.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Freiburg (2 - 2)
Eintracht Frankfurt twice led at Deutsche Bank Park but couldn't hold on, sharing the points 2-2 with early Bundesliga leaders Freiburg in a four-goal thriller. The hosts started fastest and looked on course for a home win before Freiburg fought back. Younes Ebnoutalib opened the scoring in the 10th minute after a slick counter-attack. Derry Scherhant leveled for Freiburg on 34 minutes, only for Jonathan Burkardt to restore Frankfurt's lead two minutes later. Yuito Suzuki completed the comeback with a volley from a Scherhant cross in the 48th minute, making it 2-2. No red cards were shown, though four bookings were handed out, and Freiburg were the sharper side overall, out-shooting Frankfurt 22-10. The draw cost Freiburg top spot in the table despite a four-match unbeaten run as leaders, while Frankfurt will feel they let two points slip after twice surrendering the lead. Scherhant's goal and assist made him the standout performer.
Borussia M'gladbach vs Mainz (3 - 4)
Borussia Mönchengladbach suffered another chaotic defeat, falling 3-4 to Mainz at Borussia-Park in a game that swung back and forth from start to finish. It was interim boss Jan-Moritz Lichte's first match in charge following Eugen Polanski's exit, and his reshuffled side simply couldn't hold on despite twice fighting back into the contest. Florian Neuhaus put the hosts ahead early in the 11th minute, but Phillip Tietz leveled things just seven minutes later, and Sheraldo Becker struck right before halftime to send Mainz in front. Isac Lidberg pulled Gladbach level again after the break, only for Kevin Diks to blaze a penalty off the post minutes later. Eric Martel and Danny da Costa then put Mainz two goals clear late on, before Shuto Machino converted a stoppage-time penalty that proved to be nothing more than a consolation. The result leaves Gladbach as the only team in the Bundesliga still without a point after four rounds, deepening the crisis that cost Polanski his job, with captain Tim Kleindienst suspended and a new permanent coach reportedly close to being named. Mainz, meanwhile, climbed to seven points under Urs Fischer and continue to look like one of the league's early surprise packages.