Europe

MADRID, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Second-half strikes by Federico Valverde, Brahim Díaz and Endrick gave feeble Real Madrid an unconvincing 3-0 win over lowly Real Valladolid on Sunday, earning the defending champions their first win of the LaLiga season.

Although Real dominated possession, they struggled to breach Valladolid's ultra-defensive approach until breaking the deadlock from a free kick in the 50th minute, with Valverde slotting in a thunderous strike from the edge of the box.

Christian Pulisic had his best club season of his career with AC Milan in the previous campaign. A Pulisic goal vs Parma on Saturday during Milan’s 2-1 defeat showed that he looks poised for another fruitful year of goals.

Let’s start with the good news and Pulisic’s goal.

The USMNT forward equalized in the second half for Milan with one of the easier goals of his life. Rafael Leão did the hard work to get the ball deep into Parma’s box. Pulisic then made the right run at the right time to be wide open for a tap in.

Pulisic goal vs Parma

Tomas Soucek played the hero for West Ham twice on Saturday as he scored the game’s opening goal vs. Crystal Palace and then stepped in to save a ball boy.

While celebrating his goal with the away end at Selhurst Park, the excited West Ham fans tumbled over onto the field as an advertisement board collapsed. One of the Crystal Palace ball boys was then trapped under the board and weight of the fans.

Soucek was quick to respond to get the young man to safety.

Tomas Soucek ball boy moment

BRIGHTON — Brighton & Hove Albion's new manager Fabian Hürzeler said he was proud of his team's never-say-die display after they beat Manchester United 2-1 on Saturday with a winning goal in stoppage time.

Brighton came into their first Premier League home game of the season as the table toppers and almost found themselves 2-1 down before United had their second goal chalked off for offside.

MADRID — Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham sustained a muscle injury during training, the Spanish club said on Friday, and will miss key games for club and country.

The 21-year-old England international, who was a key player last season when Real won the Champions League and LaLiga titles, will be sidelined for several weeks, according to club sources.

Jude Bellingham injury

Chelsea defeated Swiss club Servette FC 2-0 in the Europa Conference League playoffs on Thursday, however a Marc Guiu miss is the big talking point.

The Chelsea youngster was given his first start for the Blues and ended up having a lowlight that will give him nightmares years from now.

In the 51st minute the 18-year-old had the entire goal gaping in front of him after robbing possession from Servette’s goalkeeper. All that was needed was a pass into the goal.

Instead Guiu made a mess of things.

Marc Guiu miss vs. Servette

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer announced his retirement from international soccer on Wednesday after playing 124 times for his country since 2009.

The 38-year-old Bayern Munich player won the golden glove when Germany won the World Cup in 2014.

Manuel Neuer retires

We have good news and bad news United States men’s national team fans. The good news is that we have an amazing Tim Weah goal vs Como goal to watch. The bad news is that he scored the goal with a hamstring injury that will see him miss time.

Juventus opened their new campaign with a 3-0 victory against newly promoted Como 1907 on Monday. USMNT forward Weah was given the start at right wing. 

Last season Weah was used in a more defensive wingback position. He proved his worth as a forward with a beautiful goal in first half stoppage time to extend his side’s lead to 2-0.

Aug 18 (Reuters) - Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was critical of his team's lack of balance and bad defending in a 1-1 draw at Mallorca in their LaLiga season opener on Sunday.

Ancelotti said his players lacked focus after taking an early lead through Rodrygo in the 13th minute but allowing Mallorca to rescue a point with a Vedat Muriqi header after the break.