Italian goalkeeper, Manchester City captain of Italy
The Argentina international has joined Manchester City from Marseille for £1.7m and will back up Gianluigi Donnarumma after James Trafford's departure to Leeds for up to £45m. Rulli has won the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina and previously spent time with Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Ajax.
Jorge Messi has died in Rosario at 68 after a long illness, the family and Newell's Old Boys have announced. Inter Miami, Barcelona and national football bodies have paid tribute; Lionel Messi has returned to Argentina and missed Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match while teammates and clubs held moments of silence and wore black armbands.
Arsenal and Manchester City prepare for the Community Shield in Cardiff as Enzo Maresca begins life in charge at City and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal seek to defend their title amid transfer chatter and squad transitions. The match will offer clues about hunger and cohesion ahead of the new season, though it remains ceremonial with real lessons to be drawn later.
Arsenal have begun the season with a string of wins, including a hard-fought Champions League victory over Napoli decided late by Martin Odegaard, and sit among early title favourites. Manchester United have opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win at Old Trafford, while Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also taken strong early European results.
The Scotsman and Independent describe early optimism for Fantasy Premier League strategies as Arsenal prepare to host newly promoted Sky Blues, with multiple signings shaping selection debates and 100m budgets guiding decision-making.
Arsenal are ready to start Christos Tzolis against Coventry as a summer signing, with Yoane Wissa and James Trafford pushing for involvement. The squad is optimistic heading into the season opener while Ben White could deputise at right-back in Timber's absence.
Manchester City has maintained early-season momentum with a 4-1 win at Crystal Palace, led by Rayan Cherki’s two goals and Erling Haaland’s brace. Enzo Maresca’s side shows attacking fluency under the new manager, with Cherki delivering a Player of the Match performance and Haaland hitting form in back-to-back fixtures.
Manchester City’s new midfield trio—Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi—have arrived as part of a high-spending window, with City aiming to rebuild after core departures. Dias has been named captain as the club seeks to sustain its winning culture under Maresca.
City maintains a perfect start with a 1-0 win over Coventry. Haaland scores, Enzo Fernandez provides a timely debut assist, and Gianluigi Donnarumma makes crucial saves to preserve the lead. Coventry pressure intensifies but cannot find a leveller, leaving Lampard's side still searching for a first top-flight goal this season.
Everton has equalised through Tarkowski in stoppage time after Bournemouth looked set for a win in the Europa League clash at the Vitality Stadium. Evanilson had given Bournemouth the lead, but late drama allowed Tarkowski to lash home from a corner to share the spoils.
Scotland’s Bowie has not represented his country since last October but is hoping to impress new Belgium coach Pocognoli ahead of an imminent squad announcement. He starred for Sassuolo in a dramatic win over Juventus, scoring late to swing a 2-1 result in a performance that could boost his international chances.
Arsenal travel issues from a technical air-traffic disruption have delayed their Napoli trip as they prepare for a Champions League clash. Jurrien Timber is nearing a return, while Napoli announce Scott McTominay’s ablation procedure and rest. Arsenal sign teenager Mylo Bernard for their academy intake.
Manchester City have won a dramatic Manchester derby, extending their lead at the top as United push hard but fall short. A red card for Phil Foden opened a chaotic half, with Enzo Fernandez offside controversy and Haaland finishing late to seal the result.
Lionel Messi has helped Inter Miami win the Campeones Cup with a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul, sealing the club’s first Campeones Cup trophy and adding another trophy to Messi’s MLS era. Casemiro’s late header secures the win after Messi’s early headed goal; the ceremony also marks new coach Cristian Gonzalez’s first game in charge.
Coventry City has secured a first Premier League win since 2001, lifting spirits after a nightmare start that left them with four straight defeats and no goals. Lampard’s side capitalised on a late VAR call to beat Nottingham Forest, signaling a potential shift as the break approaches, though the wider reality of the season remains brutal for newly promoted clubs.
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.
France and Italy play to a 1-1 draw in Paris as Olise nets a late winner for France in a tense Nations League clash; Donnarumma and Bastoni rescue Italy with key saves and a late Upamecano red card alters the game.
City’s appeal against a landmark financial ruling remains central as they chase results on the field. Enzo Maresca’s side have won 3-0 in a dramatic return to action, while pressure mounts around ongoing charges and the potential seismic penalties.
Al-Hilal defeats Al-Ittihad 3-2 in a Saudi Clasico, Ollie Watkins stars with two goals, while Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to a 3-0 victory; the results shake up the league table as teams chase top position.
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.
PSG dominates the opening 35 minutes with goals from Doue, Dembele and Vitinha, while City fights back in the second half with Haaland scoring twice and Akliouche adding PSG’s third. The match comes amid City’s ongoing sanctions due to a financial impropriety ruling, casting doubt on a decade and a half of trophies as PSG reaffirms title credentials.
Manchester City have maintained their commanding position at the top of the Premier League table after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town at the Etihad. Erling Haaland scored twice, including a late winner, with Phil Foden also finding the net. Ipswich’s Daizen Maeda equalised early before Haaland’s double twice put City ahead, and Zian Flemming converted a late penalty for Ipswich amid stoppage-time controversy. City remain six points clear as Arsenal threaten to close the gap.
Arsenal and Manchester City have moved level on points as eight Premier League games unfold, intensifying a likely title race. Arsenal have shown resilience with a solid defence and key wins, while City remain unsettled by off-field scrutiny though still dangerous on the pitch. Tottenham and Fulham also collect wins as the league grows tighter.
Nicolas Jackson scores twice to seal Aston Villa’s 3-1 win over Manchester City at Villa Park, ending City’s seven-game winning start. Gianluigi Donnarumma has a difficult afternoon at the back, with Villa’s finishing proving decisive. Emery’s side shows resilience after summer upheaval, while City face questions over defensive robustness heading into a packed fixture list.
Nicolas Jackson scores twice as Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park, ending City’s perfect start. Erling Haaland levels, but Jackson’s second seals the win. Villa’s form improves under Unai Emery as City’s defence shows vulnerabilities amid off-field troubles.