Hibernian, FC Malisheva and David Gray
Thursday

Hibernian suffered a damaging 2-0 European qualifying defeat away to Kosovan side FC Malisheva. It was one of Hibs’ worst standalone European results, with angry travelling supporters demanding answers after the match.

Malisheva had never won a European tie before last week, making the defeat especially painful. Gray accepted responsibility, said there were no excuses and insisted Hibs must fix the tie at Easter Road.

Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski and MLS
Wednesday

Antoine Griezmann scored on his MLS debut as Orlando City beat San Jose Earthquakes 4-0. Robert Lewandowski had a quieter first league outing for Chicago Fire in a 3-2 defeat at Inter Miami, where Luis Suarez starred.

Griezmann’s goal was his 300th at club level and helped Orlando move closer to the play-off spots. Lewandowski played 62 minutes without scoring, while Miami won despite Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul resting after the World Cup.

Wrexham Women, FC Pyunik and Jenny Sugarman
Wednesday

Wrexham Women won their first ever European match by beating FC Pyunik 4-2 in Women’s Champions League qualifying. Goals from Katie Barker, Lili Jones, Ava Suckley and Natasha Thomas sealed the victory.

Wrexham reached the competition after winning the Adran Premier title for the first time last season. They will now face Riga FC on 25 July for a place in the next qualifying phase.

Hearts, Sturm Graz and Wouter Vrancken
Tuesday

Hearts suffered a damaging 4-0 defeat by Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying, leaving their hopes of progression close to over. It was Wouter Vrancken’s first match in charge after a turbulent summer.

Hearts created early chances but failed to score before being punished defensively. The defeat followed the exits of Lawrence Shankland, Derek McInnes and Cammy Devlin, deepening concern after last season’s title heartbreak.

Spain, Argentina and Ferran Torres
Sunday at MetLife Stadium

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the World Cup, with substitute Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute. Argentina were reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card.

Spain controlled the final, held Argentina without a first-half shot and kept Lionel Messi largely quiet. Torres finished after Pedro Porro and Nico Williams combined, giving Spain their second World Cup and denying Argentina back-to-back titles.

Wrexham, Manchester United and Andrey Santos
Sunday in Helsinki

Wrexham beat Manchester United 1-0 in a pre-season friendly in Helsinki, with Sam Smith scoring the only goal before half-time. Andrey Santos also made his first United appearance after joining from Chelsea.

United were missing several World Cup players, but Michael Carrick still fielded a strong side in front of 20,000 fans. Santos showed early promise in midfield, while Wrexham’s result gives them a high-profile pre-season boost.

England, France, Bukayo Saka and Kylian Mbappe
Saturday in Miami

England beat France 6-4 in a chaotic World Cup third-place play-off to secure bronze, their best finish since 1966. Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick, while Jude Bellingham added a late sixth after France almost erased a four-goal deficit.

Mbappe scored twice to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals and take control of the Golden Boot race. Michael Olise also broke the single-tournament assist record, creating another historic layer in a wild bronze match.

Denver Summit, Portland Thorns and Lindsey Heaps
Saturday

Denver Summit beat Portland Thorns 2-1 in Lindsey Heaps’ debut, with the USWNT captain wearing the armband and assisting the winner. The expansion team played in front of a sold-out 12,372 crowd at Centennial Stadium.

Heaps returned to the NWSL after four years in France and helped Denver move within one point of the play-off line. The match also marked the club’s first game at its temporary venue before a permanent stadium opens in 2028.

Sam Kerr, Gotham FC and Washington Spirit
Wednesday in New York

Sam Kerr made her official Gotham FC return in front of the largest crowd for a women’s sporting event in New York City. Gotham beat Washington Spirit 1-0 at Citi Field, with the announced attendance reaching 42,175.

Kerr came on as a second-half substitute and immediately added threat after rejoining Gotham from Chelsea. The match also underlined Gotham’s push into New York City before their planned move to Etihad Park in Queens.

Argentina, England and Lionel Messi
Wednesday in Atlanta

Argentina sealed a dramatic 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over England in Atlanta to reach Sunday’s final against Spain. England led through Anthony Gordon, but Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez headed in the stoppage-time winner.

Lionel Messi assisted both late goals, extending his knockout-stage influence as Argentina punished England’s decision to defend deep. Thomas Tuchel admitted his side became too passive after scoring, leaving England to face France in the third-place play-off.