Lionel Messi, Inter Miami and Atletico de San Luis
Wednesday

Lionel Messi scored twice and supplied an assist as Inter Miami opened their Leagues Cup campaign with a 4-2 comeback victory over Atletico de San Luis. They were his first club goals since returning from the World Cup.

Messi equalised with a first-time volley, added another from close range and created Micael’s headed goal from a corner. The performance moved him to 14 career Leagues Cup goals, briefly giving him the competition’s outright scoring record.

Fenerbahce and Sturm Graz
Wednesday

Fenerbahce defeated Sturm Graz 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying-round tie. Anderson Talisca and Mason Greenwood scored as the Turkish club established a strong advantage before next Tuesday’s return match in Austria.

Fenerbahce controlled the contest through quick attacking combinations and remained defensively secure. The winner of the tie will advance to the play-off round to face either Sparta Prague or Lyon for a place in the league phase.

Santos, Neymar and Remo
Tuesday

Santos reached the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Remo, but Neymar’s post-match behaviour triggered a heated confrontation. The substitute assisted Rony’s winner before dancing, taunting opposing staff and clashing verbally near the tunnel.

Remo president Antonio Carlos Teixeira strongly criticised Neymar’s conduct after security barriers prevented the dispute from becoming physical. The incident overshadowed Santos’ qualification and may create disciplinary consequences, despite Neymar’s decisive contribution to the winning goal.

NEC Nijmegen and Olympiakos
Tuesday

NEC earned a 0-0 away draw against Olympiakos in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying-round tie. The Dutch side produced an impressive performance despite losing midfielder Kodai Sano shortly before the scheduled kick-off.

NEC created enough opportunities to threaten a victory and defended effectively in Greece. The return leg takes place in Nijmegen next Thursday, with the winner advancing to face Union Saint-Gilloise or Bodo/Glimt in the play-offs.

Bodo/Glimt and Union Saint-Gilloise
Tuesday

Bodo/Glimt secured a 3-3 draw away to Union Saint-Gilloise in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying-round tie. Odin Bjørtuft equalised in stoppage time after the Belgian side appeared to score the winner.

Patrick Berg opened the scoring with a free-kick before both teams traded goals in a dramatic match. The return leg will be played in Norway next Thursday, with the winner progressing to the Champions League play-offs.

Motherwell, Hibernian and Ibrahim Said
Sunday

Motherwell opened their Scottish Premiership campaign with a 2-1 victory away to Hibernian. Ibrahim Said scored the decisive late goal after the visitors absorbed heavy second-half pressure and then broke forward through a quick passing move.

Alex Lowry combined with Said before releasing Dylan Williams, whose cutback created the winning finish. Motherwell also relied on goalkeeper Alex Paulsen and several defensive blocks, giving new manager Alfred Johansson a third consecutive competitive victory.

St Johnstone and Kilmarnock
Sunday

St Johnstone defeated Kilmarnock 4-3 in a dramatic Scottish Premiership opener that featured seven goals and two changes of lead. Kai Fotheringham struck the winner after the promoted side had fallen 3-2 behind during the second half.

Josh Fowler and Cheick Diabate scored earlier for St Johnstone before a Jason Holt own goal levelled the match. Manager Simo Valakari used three attacking substitutes after going behind, and the aggressive change helped produce the late comeback.

AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven
Sunday

AZ Alkmaar defeated PSV Eindhoven 4-0 in the Johan Cruyff Shield, handing the reigning Dutch champions a damaging start to the new season. The result added pressure before PSV begin their Eredivisie title defence next weekend.

PSV entered the match after a 3-1 friendly defeat by Villarreal and have completed limited transfer business. Coach Peter Bosz later dismissed concerns about Ajax’s recruitment with a sarcastic response during a tense exchange with a journalist.

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami and Columbus Crew
Saturday

Lionel Messi returned to club football 13 days after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat, appearing from the bench in Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew. Luis Suarez scored and assisted during Miami’s strong first half.

Messi entered in the 53rd minute and narrowly missed with an early attempt. Casemiro scored an own goal on his Miami home debut, while Brais Mendez equalised in the 84th minute to deny the hosts victory.

Robert Lewandowski, Chicago Fire and Charlotte FC
Saturday

Robert Lewandowski scored twice on his first appearance at Chicago Fire’s home stadium, leading a comeback victory over Charlotte FC. A crowd of 32,183 watched the Poland striker deliver his first brace since moving to Major League Soccer.

Charlotte took the lead through Pep Biel before Lewandowski equalised just 93 seconds later with a low finish. He added the winning goal after halftime by converting Robin Lod’s pass from inside the penalty area.