One Football: Real Madrid 2 Atletico Madrid 4 (after extra time): Saul stunner seals Super Cup glory
Julen Lopetegui saw his Real Madrid side lose the UEFA Super Cup in his first game in charge, Atletico Madrid winning 4-2 in Tallinn.
Saul Niguez scored a sensational volley to help earn Atletico Madrid a 4-2 UEFA Super Cup triumph in extra time against city rivals Real Madrid.
Diego Costa's wonderful goal after 49 seconds, the fastest goal in Super Cup history, got Atletico off to a flyer in Tallinn on Wednesday.
But Karim Benzema headed in Gareth Bale's brilliant cross and Sergio Ramos converted a penalty awarded for a Juanfran handball to turn the tie around for Julen Lopetegui in his first game in charge of Madrid.
Despite Diego Simeone serving a touchline ban Atleti showed their fighting spirit to come from behind themselves, Costa scoring from close range before Saul's stunning strike in the 98th minute settled a gripping contest.
The brilliant Costa then combined with Vitolo to set up Koke for a drilled fourth that gave Atletico bragging rights over their rivals as well as the first European title of the season.
Atleti took the lead in the first minute of a thrilling clash, Costa rampaging away from Ramos and Raphael Varane to slam home past Keylor Navas after chasing down his own flick-on from Diego Godin's long ball.
Marco Asensio was close to equalising with a flicked finish from a Marcelo left-wing cross, but Jan Oblak made an excellent save.
Madrid equalised in the 27th minute, though, Bale delivering a wonderful deep cross from the right wing that Benzema nodded past Oblak.
With France forward Antoine Griezmann in muted form, Atletico gradually lost control of the contest and Madrid took the lead from the penalty spot after Juanfran handled in the area.
Ramos sent Oblak the wrong way from the penalty spot, scoring in the Super Cup for the second time and seemingly putting Madrid on course to win the trophy for the third year in a row.
But Marcelo's mistake on the touchline allowed Juanfran and Angel Correa to combine and set up Costa to slam home an equaliser in the 79th minute.
And when substitute Thomas Partey stood up a cross from the left, Saul was on hand to lash a vicious volley into Navas' top-left corner to regain the lead for Atletico, with Koke's fine first-time finish in the 104th minute wrapping up the scoring.
What does it mean: Atleti on track for title challenge
Atletico's key player Griezmann appears undercooked after firing France to glory at the World Cup, with the forward failing to record any touches in the Madrid box during his 57 minutes.
But victory for Atleti showed they are not as reliant on their talisman as previously. Thomas Lemar thrilled on his competitive debut, while goalscorers Koke and Saul were excellent in midfield. It is a second Super Cup for Simeone's side and a second LaLiga title could follow.
It hardly needs to be said that Madrid missed Cristiano Ronaldo. He is irreplaceable. But they must try.
Pat on the back: Saul stars again on European stage
Saul has a handy habit of scoring superb goals - he netted an outstanding solo effort in the Champions League against Bayern Munich two years ago - and he was at it again.
The technique to volley in a Thomas cross was astonishing and the fight drifted out of Madrid after Atletico retook the lead in extra time.
Boot up the backside: Navas fails to make case for selection
When a new goalkeeper has just arrived, the last thing Navas needed to do was to concede a goal at his near post. Costa's finish was hit on the volley with a serious amount of power, but Navas had left an enticing gap at his near post.
Lopetegui showed faith in the Costa Rica international but within a minute there was proof it was misplaced - Thibaut Courtois will surely be Madrid's number one this term despite not even making the bench in Tallinn.
What's next?
LaLiga kicks off this weekend, with Lopetegui's return to domestic action coming at home to Getafe on Sunday. Atletico will welcome an extra day of rest after extra-time exertions - they travel to Valencia in a clash between two of the top four sides in the league last season on Monday.
ESPN FC: Victor Moses announces international retirement
Chelsea winger Victor Moses stunned the Nigerian football community by announcing his international retirement on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old stated his desire to focus on his club career with his Premier League team, his young family, and encourage the progression of the next generation of Super Eagles players.
"I would like to announce that after much thought I have made the decision to retire from playing international football. I have experienced some of the best moments of my life wearing the Super Eagles shirt and have memories with me that will last a lifetime. Nothing will ever compete to what it felt like to represent Nigeria on behalf of our country," Moses said in a post on Facebook.
"However I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as to allow the next generation of Super Eagle stars the opportunity to step up and to flourish. We are blessed as a nation to have so many exciting young players coming through and now is their time.
"There are so many highlights that stand out for me over the years; from making my debut, to playing in two World Cups and being a part of the team to win the African Nations Cup for first time for our nation since 1994 being just a few of them.
"I have already spoken to the manager by telephone and would like to say thank you to him and his staff, the NFF and all of my teammates for all of their support over the years. Most importantly I would like to say thank you to the Nigerian people for believing in me and supporting me over the years. It's meant the world to me and my family and I will always be a proud Nigerian supporting the team. Thank you for the memories and good luck to the team for the future."
Moses' Nigeria debut took a year before it happened, due to a prolonged delay by FIFA in confirming his international switch of allegiance, - having represented England at the youth level - and a late minute withdrawal from a pair of international friendlies in 2011.
However, he did eventually make his Nigeria debut away to Rwanda in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in February 2012, and went on to make 37 appearances, scoring 12 goals for the national team.
He represented the Super Eagles in two FIFA World Cups, and emerged a winner in his solitary Africa Nations Cup in 2013.
ESPN FC: Cristiano Ronaldo is gone, so Luka Modric is more important to Real Madrid than ever
Cristiano Ronaldo has taken the headlines for Real Madrid's recent successes, and rightly so given his scoring record, but Luka Modric's role in midfield has arguably been just as important.
Modric's performances for Croatia at the World Cup (where he won the Golden Ball in taking them to the final) have catapulted him into a new tier of superstardom. Losing Ronaldo to Juventus makes Modric so much more important now than he ever was and if Real Madrid are to improve in their new era with Julen Lopetegui, keeping the Croatian will be key.
When Inter Milan came knocking for Modric earlier this window, Florentino Perez was stern and succinct. "He's not going anywhere for a euro less than €750 million [his buyout clause]," the Real president said.
Lines had been drawn in the sand and while Modric's importance to Real Madrid was never in doubt to the fans, it had now been verbalised and Perez felt his message was strong enough to warn off anyone thinking about trying to pry the Croatian away.
These exorbitant release clauses are inserted as the sign of a player's importance, along with being a bargaining tool when a club didn't want to sell. So the €750m was seen as a conversation-ender. Instead it has only ramped up talk of a move.
Modric's future is not as straight forward as Ronaldo wanting a pay hike -- as the matter of motivation blended with money and new challenges must be considered.
Marca have referred to Friday, Aug. 10 as "Day M" -- a chat between Perez and Modric has been set and it seems as though certain negotiating rules have been drawn up.
Diario AS believe a wage increase will go a long way to convincing the midfielder to stay, but report that Inter have offered the 32-year-old €10m per year after taxes for four years and another two in the Chinese Super League at the same rate -- that would see him earning €60m over six years that should see him approaching his 40th birthday. His current deal at Real Madrid would see him earning just over half that in the same timespan.
One reason it was deemed implausible as the rumours started to swell was that Modric would have to come out and publicly ask to leave. After the faith the club showed in him following his poor start to life at Real Madrid -- a start which saw Marca's website run a poll that voted him as the summer's worst signing by a landslide -- has led to over half a decade of good vibes between player and club.
Mateo Kovacic's loan to Chelsea is another reason Modric would hardly push for a move out of the club; would he really put them in such a bind without a replacement ready to come in?
Real Madrid do have plenty going for them of course. They have the €750m clause and if they don't see a Modric move as beneficial to them they can keep him for two years and let him go for free at 34 in the hope that he is not the player he is now.
Marca report that it's not a matter of just staying at the club and finding an easy solution: Modric needs to feel valued and his new status in the dressing room needs to be understood and agreed upon with the right price attached to it. The midfielder needs to feel motivated to stay at the club where he has won everything and fulfilled his duties beyond question.
Perez will likely have to put his money where his mouth is now though. Life without Ronaldo is a reality the club have to face, but the loss of Modric as well could be a blow even Real Madrid might not overcome.
ESPN FC: Kevin De Bruyne suffers knee injury at Manchester City training
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is facing a spell on the sidelines after injuring his right knee in training on Wednesday.
A club statement said the full extent of the injury is not yet known, but the 27-year-old Belgium international was undergoing tests.
De Bruyne, who was later seen on crutches, is expected to fly to Barcelona for further tests with Dr. Ramon Cugat, a specialist who treated him when he suffered a knee injury in January 2016.
Cugat also helped City teammates Ilkay Gundogan and Benjamin Mendy recover from cruciate ligament injuries.
"Kevin is a great player and it's just unfortunate that it's happened to him in training but there's more than enough depth in the squad," City right-back Kyle Walker said at the premiere for the club's upcoming documentary "All Or Nothing."
"We don't just rely on one player. It's a team game and whoever steps in will do well. Obviously, it's a big loss but we've got more than enough cover."
De Bruyne had just returned to training Aug. 6 after helping Belgium to the semifinals of the World Cup in Russia.
He was a second-half substitute in the 2-0 Premier League-opening victory over Arsenal on Sunday, coming on in the 60th minute.
His loss will be a major blow to Pep Guardiola after helping City to a record-breaking 100 points last season on the way to the title. He claimed the most assists for a second successive year although he was beaten by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah for the Player of the Year award.
City do, however, have David Silva, Bernardo Silva and Gundogan who can offset his loss in midfield. And De Bruyne's injury could present an early opportunity for exciting youngster Phil Foden.
ESPN FC: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho 'a true winner' - Daley Blind
Former Manchester United defender Daley Blind said he was grateful to play for Jose Mourinho and that his former manager's approach could help him now at Ajax.
Blind, who left United last month to return to his former club after four seasons, said his experience with Mourinho the last two years was "very positive."
"I've almost played 150 games and won four trophies with them," Blind said after a 3-0 victory over Standard Liege in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. "I've really had a great time with lots of beautiful moments. I am very thankful for the fans there that was great. I am very thankful to Mourinho. It was nice working with him."
Blind left Ajax in 2014, and he returned to the club in a transfer initially worth £14.1 million after he was deemed surplus to requirements.
He insisted that he had no problems with Mourinho despite making only seven Premier League appearances last season.
"I learned a lot [from Mourinho]," Blind said. "He is a true winner and he is the best in transferring that to the group."
Ajax settled for a 2-2 draw in the first leg after their opponents equalised in the 94th minute, and Blind, when asked if Mourinho's late-game managing could help Ajax, believed it could.
"When you look at the first away game against Liege, we can definitely make improvement there," he said.
ESPN FC: AC Milan, West Ham want Leicester recruitment head Eduardo Macia - sources
Leicester City head of senior player recruitment Eduardo Macia is wanted by AC Milan and West Ham United, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
Macia, 44, has reportedly been offered a significant pay rise by both clubs and West Ham initially sounded him out earlier this year for their director of football role before appointing Mario Husillos from Malaga in June.
However, they have maintained an interest in Macia and have offered him the chance to join the club to work alongside Husillos. It would be a similar set up to the one used by Arsenal, where head of football relations Raul Sanllehi dovetails with head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.
Milan, meanwhile, brought former Brazil midfielder Leonardo back to the club in July as their new sporting director. Leonardo now wants to bring Macia to the Serie A club to head up their recruitment team moving forward.
A former professional, Macia worked as a scout for Rafa Benitez at Valencia and Liverpool before moving to Olympiakos as the technical director in 2011. He later held similar roles with Fiorentina and Real Betis, who he left in 2016 to join Leicester as Steve Walsh's replacement.
This summer, among others, Macia has overseen the arrivals of James Maddison, Ricardo Pereira and Caglar Soyuncu. During his time at Liverpool, he played a key role in the signings of players such as Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and Raheem Sterling.
ESPN FC: Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha extends contract until 2023
Wilfried Zaha has signed a new five-year contract with Crystal Palace until June 2023 and will reportedly see him earn £130,000 a week.
Zaha, 25, had been linked with a big-money move away from Selhurst Park for much of the summer after winning the club's Player of the Year award for a third successive season.
However, he stayed and helped Palace to an opening day 2-0 victory at Fulham, scoring his side's second goal at Craven Cottage.
According to multiple reports, Zaha, who has made 288 appearances for Palace across two spells, becomes the highest-paid player at the club.
He scored a career-high nine league goals and had three assists to help Palace secure an 11th-place finish last season despite failing to win any of their first seven games.
"Wilf grew up a stone's throw from Selhurst Park from the age of four, and has been with the club since he was 12," Palace chairman Steve Parish said in a statement.
"This agreement is yet another example of his lifelong commitment to the club, and our commitment to him. This is an amazing day for everyone here at Palace, our supporters and of course Wilf -- and is richly deserved."
Zaha, who had an unhappy season at Manchester United in 2013-14 before returning to Palace, had been linked with potential moves to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur during the transfer window but no deal materialised.
"I'm very pleased," Zaha said. "Obviously, I just wanted to get it over and done with, so I can just focus on the season. I'm buzzing that we managed to get it sorted."
One Football: Zinedine Zidane 'wants to replace Mourinho at Manchester United'
Zinedine Zidane reportedly wants to replace José Mourinho as Manchester United manager next season.
Mourinho cuts an unhappy figure at Old Trafford after a troublesome pre-season tour, where he aimed digs at some of his players and criticised the board for not signing the players he wanted.
According to L’Equipe, Zidane dreams of managing in England after leaving Real Madrid in May and has set his sights on United.
The 46-year-old had been linked with a boardroom role at Juventus and even the French national team job, but after winning the World Cup Didier Deschamps looks set to stay.
Mourinho won the EFL Cup and Europa League in his first season in charge but has since failed to deliver any silverware.
Zidane won three consecutive Champions League titles, one LaLiga title and one Spanish Super Cup during his time in charge.
CNBC: The growth of US soccer is big business
Officials and guests of the New York City Football Club rang the opening bell Wednesday at the New York Stock Exchange.
Jon Patricof, president of NYCFC, was there to promote the "Hudson River Derby" — a match between his club and its cross-river rivals, the New York Red Bulls. The game will take place Aug. 22 at Yankee Stadium, NYCFC's home venue.
The New York City Football Club is a Major League Soccer team. Its first game was played March 8, 2015. Eighty percent of the team is owned by the City Football Group, which also owns Manchester City of the English Premier League, while the New York Yankees own 20 percent.
MLS has grown drastically since its first season in 1996. Starting with only 10 teams, the league now has 23 teams with three more in Nashville, Tennessee, Miami and Cincinnati on the way.
Total attendance grew from 2.9 million to 7.3 million in the last 10 years with total gross viewership in 2016 of 32 million, according to the NYCFC website.
A Gallup poll published early this year found that among 18 to 34 year-olds, watching soccer matched basketball in popularity, and surpassed baseball.
Reuters: 'Like a miracle': Ex-soccer player survives Italy bridge disaster
Former Italian soccer professional Davide Capello can only describe it as a miracle. Wearing a blue hospital gown and sitting up in bed, Capello looks physically unscathed but emotionally shattered as he describes how the road beneath his car collapsed on Tuesday, as he was driving over Genoa’s Morandi Bridge.
An 80-metre-long span of the bridge gave way in busy lunchtime traffic, sending the 33-year-old’s car and dozens of other vehicles into a terrifying free-fall which killed at least 39 people and shocked the nation.
“I heard an amazing noise. I saw the road collapsing and I went down with it,” said Capello, who played for the Italy U20 team and mainly in the lower leagues of Italian soccer before turning to coaching.
He took up a new career as a firefighter in late 2013.
Hundreds of other firefighters led the search for survivors on Wednesday, helped by sniffer dogs as well as cranes that cleared away large chunks of broken concrete.
Few were as lucky as Capello, who walked away with barely a scratch, though his car was a mangled wreck.
“I was lucky enough to land, I don’t even know how because if you saw my car. I didn’t pass out ... I felt as though a miracle happened. It was like being in a film. I saw the rescuers who arrived, the fire brigade, everyone,” he said.
He said he could not erase from his mind the image of the road giving way, with four cars in front of him.
“I feel like a miracle,” he said, before invoking the patron saint of Italian firefighters. “Saint Barbara protected me.”
BBC Sport: Barcelona 3-0 Boca Juniors: New signing Malcom scores in Joan Gamper Trophy friendly
New signing Malcom scored as Barcelona beat Boca Juniors 3-0 in a Nou Camp friendly to win the Joan Gamper Trophy.
The Brazilian winger, bought from Bordeaux for £36.5m in July, opened the scoring with a low drive in the first half before Lionel Messi chipped in.
Rafinha made it 3-0 in the second half after a fine one-two with Luis Suarez.
Messi, Philippe Coutinho and Gerard Pique were named in a strong starting line-up as Barca prepare for Saturday's league opener against Alaves.
Summer signings Clement Lenglet, Arthur and Arturo Vidal also featured as the Spanish champions made 11 changes after the break against their Argentine opponents.
Ernesto Valverde's side dominated but Samuel Umtiti had to clear the ball off the line from a Nahitan Nandez shot after Sebastian Villa had hit the post on the brink of half-time.
Coutinho came close with a curling effort in the first half and Suarez hit the roof of the net with an audacious chip from the edge of the box after the break.
Then 19-year-old Riqui Puig shot wide late in the game before Paco Alcacer slotted home - only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
BBC Sport: Sir Alex Ferguson: Former Man Utd boss taught me everything - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Molde head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says "everything he knows" about managing players was taught to him by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
The Norwegian, who spent 11 years under the Scot at Old Trafford, will lead Molde against Hibernian in Europa League qualifying on Thursday.
And he says his personality changed when he moved to England in 1996.
"Sir Alex taught me how not to become complacent and always keep the standards up," Solskjaer said.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, he added: "Everything I know about managing top footballers I learned from him."
Ferguson is recovering after having emergency surgery following a brain haemorrhage in May.
Solskajer says he has been in touch with the 76-year-old former St Mirren and Aberdeen boss since.
"Earlier this summer he text me and apologised for not replying earlier, which is typical of him," Solskjaer said. "He always has time for everyone and I might text him tonight about the game."
Solskjaer, 45, began his second spell with Norwegian top-flight side Molde in 2015 after an abject nine months in charge of Cardiff City.
He says the difficulties he suffered in firstly the Premiership, then the Championship after Cardiff were relegated, has not put him off managing again in the English game, or potentially even in Scotland.
"It gives me more motivation," he said. "I learned a lot but I'm loving it here.
"You never know what will happen in life. But at the moment my aim is to win the league again and get to the group stages in Europe again. We are not too far away."