Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup, despite Ronaldo scoring the opening goal. Al-Hilal rallied in the second half with four goals in a 17-minute span, including two from former Newcastle and Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrović.
Borussia Dortmund opened their season with a convincing 4-1 win over Phönix Lübeck in the first round of the German Cup. New coach Nuri Sahin led the team to victory, with new signings making their debuts in a fresh start for the club.
Inter Milan, defending Serie A champions, were held to a 2-2 draw by Genoa in their opening match of the season. Marcus Thuram scored a brace for Inter but a late penalty by Junior Messias salvaged a point for Genoa. The match was notable for its dramatic ending and the return of several teams and coaches to the Italian top flight.
Mason Greenwood had a dream debut for Marseille, scoring twice as they thrashed Brest 5-1 in their opening Ligue 1 game. The former Manchester United forward, who has faced controversy due to past allegations, found the back of the net within three minutes and added a penalty in the first half. Marseille’s other new signings also impressed, with Elye Wahi scoring a penalty and Geronimo Rulli saving a penalty on his debut. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain began their title defense with a 4-1 win over Le Havre.
Manchester City, aiming for a record fifth consecutive Premier League title, kicks off their campaign against a Chelsea side under new manager Enzo Maresca. Despite their recent dominance, City faces challenges with key players missing, while Chelsea is seeking a fresh start under their new leadership.
Arsenal opened their Premier League title challenge with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka secured the victory for Mikel Arteta’s side, who were once again tipped as the main challengers to Manchester City’s dominance.
Veteran midfielder James Milner has started his record 23rd Premier League season, surpassing Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs’s previous record. The 38-year-old Brighton player made his 636th Premier League appearance, putting him 17 appearances behind Gareth Barry’s all-time record.
Paris Saint-Germain’s new signing Goncalo Ramos will be sidelined for three months after sustaining a serious ankle ligament injury during their opening day victory over Le Havre. The 23-year-old Portuguese striker, who joined the club for a record fee, will undergo surgery in the coming days.
Riiohlang Dhar, a 34-year-old from Meghalaya, has become the second Indian woman assistant referee to be selected for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, set to take place in the Dominican Republic. Her appointment is a testament to her dedication and the growing strength of women’s officiating in India.
The 2024-25 Premier League season kicks off with a clash between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium. Get all the details on team lineups, broadcast information, and key players to watch.
