Annual European club competition, second tier behind the Champions League.
Celtic have suffered a heavy European defeat, with Benfica running out 4-1 winners in Lisbon after a disastrous first half. The hosts fought back in the second 45 minutes, but Celtic remain winless in the group, with questions over defensive fragility and attacking output.
Austrian side LASK has staged a late comeback to beat Sporting CP 3-2 in Lisbon, securing their first European away win in five years and grabbing their first Champions League points of the campaign. The win follows a 5-1 aggregate thriller against Celtic in August.
Celtic has moved ahead in their Champions League play-off after a 3-0 first leg in Glasgow, with Nygren and Durán scoring and Duran adding a third. LASK created chances; Celtic are in a strong position for the return leg in Linz.
Juventus has accelerated talks to sign Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, with a season-long loan including an option to buy. The move follows a summer of activity that has seen Spurs bolster the squad while Vicario seeks regular football in Italy.
Two AP News reports show striker Moreira has signed a five-year contract with Milan after moving from Strasbourg. The move forms part of Strasbourg’s broader financial shake-up following UEFA sanctions; Milan is reshaping its attack ahead of a Europa League campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur are pursuing a deal for Manchester City winger Savinho, with Omar Marmoush also in talks as part of a broader window of moves. City have already reshaped their squad, selling several players and collecting substantial transfer income. Spurs are aiming to revamp their attack after a poor start to the season, with Tonali, Fernandes and Robertson among recent arrivals.
Larne is eliminated after conceding a late penalty in extra-time to Invermen following a 2-0 lead, with Montel Gibson sent off and controversy around a handball in the dying stages.
Celtic has built a commanding 3-0 lead over LASK Linz after the first leg of the Champions League play-off. The second leg at the Raiffeisen Arena will determine whether they advance to the league phase or drop into the Europa League.
United has agreed a deal with Brighton for Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. The 22-year-old is set to join Michael Carrick’s midfield, joining Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Baleba’s signing comes amid United’s midfield rebuild after Casemiro’s departure and Ugarte’s injury.
Celtic has built a commanding advantage in the Champions League qualifier, routing LASK Linz 3-0 with Camilo Duran scoring twice as they push toward a spot in the group stage. The night showcased the team’s ambition, pace and ruthlessness, while leaving a heavier defensive task for the return leg.
Celtic has collapsed from a 4-0 aggregate lead to a 5-4 loss in Linz, exiting the Champions League playoff. Manager Martin O’Neill has taken responsibility, while players defend the team as they face a costly European setback.
Hearts have qualified for the Conference League play-off after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Rapid Vienna, then winning 4-3 on penalties. A red card to Tomas Magnusson forced a reshuffle, with Pierre Kabore and Calvin Miller delivering equaliser and stoppage-time drama. Beau Reus saved twice in the shoot-out as Hearts advance.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool are among the English clubs taking part as the league phase draw for the 2026-27 Champions League places teams into eight-match groups. PSG, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid headline pot one, with Celtic aiming to reach the knockout rounds after a 3-0 first leg win in their play-off. The draw is set for Aug. 27, 2026, with fixtures running from September.
Eight teams face an extensive Europa and Conference League schedule as the new season begins, with Bournemouth and Sunderland among the highlights, including ties against Milan and Real Sociedad and a return to European competition for Palace and Celtic.
Northern Ireland clubs face a potential loss of a European slot as Larne exits and Rangers miss out; the play-off system and finances come under scrutiny, with implications for coefficients and domestic competition this season.
Tottenham Hotspur have completed a major transfer window, signing Marmoush on a permanent deal and securing Savio in a high-value package from Manchester City. The signings bolster an attack-wide squad as De Zerbi eyes one final addition before the deadline. Kudus could return and Sarr’s departure remains under consideration.
Chelsea has completed the signing of Emi Martínez on a three-year contract for 7.5 million pounds. The goalkeeper has declared he is ready to help the club win titles, following a career at Aston Villa and success with Argentina.
Guendouzi and Greenwood have been fined and banned for their roles in a mass brawl after Fenerbahce’s Champions League play-off win over Lyon. UEFA has imposed bans and fines on both players and others involved, with further sanctions on the clubs and a Lyon coach.
UEFA has fined Red Star Belgrade 90,000 euros and banned ticket sales for their next away match after supporters chanted in tribute to Ratko Mladić, who died last week in The Hague while serving a life sentence for genocide. The incident followed a 5-1 defeat by Viktoria Plzeň on Aug. 27.
Celtic have navigated a tricky period as Yang Hyun-jun heads to the Asian Games and Kasper Hogh and Tierney return from injury. Duran and Mheuka are stepping up, with Osmand returning next month as O’Neill aims to preserve title prospects while juggling squad depth.
Arsenal has beaten Chelsea in a London derby, continuing their strong start to the season. Other results included Manchester United drawing 2-2 with Everton, and Hull City continuing to challenge xG conventions. The weekend’s slate reshapes the early table as clubs chase consistency ahead of the international break.
Sabah’s historic Champions League debut at Old Trafford is underway as Valdas Dambrauskas’s remarkable journey from a Lithuanian Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? contestant to a top coach underscores a broader rise of Azerbaijani football.
Atletico Madrid has lost 3-0 to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga and faces a challenging Champions League opener at Liverpool. Simeone cites a mixture of injuries, late arrivals and Alvarez transfer speculation as hampering preparations, while Jonathan David has joined on loan. The team seeks a sharp response in a challenging week.
Salah has opened the scoring in the fourth minute and has completed a hat-trick, with teammates contributing goals as Galatasaray slide in the league table. The match features discipline issues with Buruk sent to the stands and a red card for Ugochukwu, while Reis takes charge at Trabzonspor following Tekke’s exit.
The Carabao Cup ties see Manchester City and Norwich facing each other after City, the holders, may rest stars. Fleetwood and Liverpool advance to round four, with further ties shaping the fourth-round draw. Everton and Newcastle, Fulham and Palace, and Bournemouth and Villa also progress, setting up a busy slate of matches.
Celtic has started the Europa League campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Ferencvaros, exposing defensive fragility, midfield inefficiency, and a disjointed attack. The defeat follows a 3-0 loss to Rangers and sets a tense backdrop for the Old Firm clash this weekend.
Manchester United has suffered a damaging run of results, including a Carabao Cup exit to Brighton and a falling form that has intensified scrutiny of Michael Carrick, director of football Jason Wilcox, and the club's recruitment strategy. The latest defeats have exposed ongoing issues in energy, structure, and finishing, with questions over fitness and tactics lingering as the club searches for a plan B.
The early Premier League campaign shows Arsenal leading in xG difference, with City close behind; Manchester United and Newcastle face underwhelming starts. Brighton and Hull Ipswich show solid starts among promoted sides. Newcastle’s high finishing belies a modest xG; several teams underperform relative to chances created.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has signalled he is considering his future after a week of Old Firm defeats and a European setback, saying he will reflect with the board and may step away if needed. The club remains top of the Premiership as discussions unfold.
The European Amputee Football Federation has inaugurated its Conference League in Bucharest. Maccabi Haifa FC has defeated Ayr United 4-0 in the final, marking a milestone for amputee soccer in Europe as teams from four nations compete and build international ties.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has reaffirmed his commitment to the club after a brief period of reflection following a rough spell. He has signalled his intention to push for the league title despite a challenging run of results.
Supporters clash with Celtic leadership as protests at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship escalate tensions between the club and Dermot Desmond. Celtic fans deny involvement in balaclava incidents while criticizing governance and vowing protests to press for accountability.
Bayer Leverkusen has secured a third consecutive Europa League win, beating OFI Crete 2-0 with a Jonas Hofmann double. Juventus is held to a 2-2 draw by Rennes after a late winner is ruled out by VAR. Sunderland’s draw in Poland accompanies a busy night of European action.
Real Madrid errors late in the match give way to a dramatic comeback at the Stadio Olimpico. Mbappé marks a historic 100th Champions League appearance, while Endrick and Rudiger secure a late win for Real as Roma take an early lead.
Arsenal has moved to second in the Premier League table after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, with Noni Madueke scoring a deflected late goal. The result follows three consecutive victories as Arsenal gears up for a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Jota has returned to Celtic's first team after an ACL rupture in April 2025, featuring as a substitute in a 7-1 win over Hearts and expressing renewed confidence. He says the setback strengthened him and he expects to contribute again as he regains full fitness.