Game Recaps

AUCKLAND — Olga Carmona struck late to lift Spain to a thrilling 2-1 semifinal win over Sweden on Tuesday and send the Iberians to their first Women's World Cup final.

Teenager Salma Paralluelo, Spain's quarter-final hero against the Netherlands, produced magic off the bench again, putting her side in front in the 81st minute and breathing life into what had been a slow-burning, cagey affair.

SHE'S A HERO ONCE AGAIN, IT'S SALMA PARALLUELO pic.twitter.com/lX1Vrht0ZZ

MUNICH — RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo scored a hat-trick to guide them to a 3-0 victory in the German Super Cup over champions Bayern Munich on Saturday, snatching the spotlight from record signing Harry Kane and spoiling his debut for the Bavarians.

England captain Kane had signed a four-year deal amid a media frenzy only hours earlier and made a substitute appearance in the second half but could not prevent a season-opening defeat against the German Cup winners.

Arsenal won 2-1 vs. Forest on Saturday but it was a decent first EPL game for the United States men’s national team No. 1 goalkeeper, Matt Turner.

Turner never made an appearance for Arsenal in the Premier League last season. It was only fitting that after making a $9 million transfer to Nottingham Forest his first opponent in his first EPL start was his former club.

SYDNEY — Alessia Russo's second-half goal lifted England to a thrilling 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Colombia on Saturday and into the Women's World Cup semifinals for the third consecutive time.

Lauren Hemp also scored for the European champions, who now face hosts Australia on Wednesday in Sydney for a place in their first World Cup final.

"It's exciting, what more do you want in front of a home crowd?" Russo, who was named player of the match, told ITV. "We got a bit of that tonight against Colombia. You want to play against the best teams.

Erling Haaland may never let go of the Premier League’s golden boot award. He only needed 185 seconds to score in the 2023-24 EPL opening game before he added a second goal later in the first half.

Burnley hosted the defending European and Premier League champions Manchester City on Friday and got a harsh welcome back to England’s top flight with a 3-0 battering.

The home crowd at Turf Moor were immediately silenced when Haaland scored in the fourth minute.

AUCKLAND — Pictures of Sweden fullback Jonna Andersson taking time out from celebrating her side's 2-1 World Cup quarterfinal victory over Japan to comfort Maika Hamano have spread quickly online as the pair's club connections became a talking point.

Hamano plays for Andersson's former club Chelsea, but the 19-year-old Japanese forward has spent the current season at the Swede's current club Hammarby in Stockholm.

Nashville SC defeated Club América 2-2 (6-5 on penalty kicks) Wednesday night in the Leagues Cup to advance to the quarterfinals. The result has become highly controversial with América/Mexico fans calling it a robbery.

The biggest talking point came in the penalty shootout when it initially looked like América goalkeeper Luis Malagón had won his side the game when he denied Jack Maher.

MELBOURNE — A second-half goal by Catalina Usme fired Colombia to a 1-0 win over Jamaica on Tuesday and carried the South Americans to their first Women's World Cup quarterfinal.

The captain's 51st-minute strike sent Colombian fans into delirium at a packed Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and ensured the last American team in the tournament will battle England for a place in the last four.

"We are representing the whole continent of South America," Colombia coach Nelson Abadia told reporters.

Lionel Messi added another dramatic free kick goal to his Inter Miami highlight reel as his side defeated FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 with a scoreline of 5-3 on penalties after drawing 4-4 after 90 minutes.

This was Messi’s first away game since joining Inter Miami and he didn’t disappoint. The Argentine scored yet another brace to bring his goal tally with Miami up to seven goals in four games.

He has scored three braces in a row.

As the sun crested the horizon for many Americans on Sunday morning the figurative sun set for the United States women’s national team who lost 5-4 on penalty kicks to Sweden in the Round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup.

I’m sorry to disappoint folks but I’m at a loss for words. How on Earth did the USWNT lose that game? The Swedish kryptonite continues to haunt the women.

Let’s get to where it went wrong in penalties. Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith blew it. Plain and simple. I know Kelly O’Hara would miss her kick later but let me set the scene.