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More Bellingham Heroics for Madrid in Champions League as Arsenal, Man United Are Stunned 

Football - Champions League - Group C - Napoli v Real Madrid - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 3, 2023 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal with Rodrygo. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Group C - Napoli v Real Madrid - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 3, 2023 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal with Rodrygo. (Reuters)
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More Bellingham Heroics for Madrid in Champions League as Arsenal, Man United Are Stunned 

Football - Champions League - Group C - Napoli v Real Madrid - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 3, 2023 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal with Rodrygo. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Group C - Napoli v Real Madrid - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 3, 2023 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal with Rodrygo. (Reuters)

It was an English player's night in the Champions League, even as both of the English teams in action lost.

Jude Bellingham made the difference again for Real Madrid in a thrilling 3-2 win at Napoli on Tuesday as Manchester United and Arsenal were beaten by Galatasaray and Lens, respectively.

Nine games into his Real Madrid career and Jude Bellingham is fast becoming the team's star attraction.

The England midfielder assisted Vinicius Junior for one goal to level the score at 1-1 and then tore apart the Italian champion's defense on his own to score. Even then, it needed an own-goal from Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret — after some unfortunate deflections — to hand Madrid the win.

It was the second Champions League game in a row where Bellingham played a vital role for Madrid after scoring the winning goal against Union Berlin. The 20-year-old player has eight goals and three assists so far this season since joining Madrid from Borussia Dortmund.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti paid tribute to Bellingham, saying he found it hard to believe the midfielder was still only 20.

English Teams lose

Manchester United and Arsenal both lost to teams whose better days in European soccer were in the late 1990s and early 2000s — before Bellingham was born.

A 3-2 loss at home to Galatasaray despite two goals from Rasmus Højlund — United's sixth defeat in 10 games in all competitions — means more pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

In the space of 10 minutes, United gave up a 2-1 lead and had midfielder Casemiro sent off as Ten Hag's team fell apart late against its Turkish opponent. Galatasaray scored in the 71st, won a penalty and missed it — with Casemiro picking up a second yellow card in the process — then scored again in the 81st. The winning goal was scored by Mauro Icardi, who had missed the spot kick shortly before.

That leaves United bottom of its group and four points behind Galatasaray in second place. United has conceded seven goals in its opening two Champions League games after losing its opener 4-3 to Bayern Munich last month.

Elye Wahi scored one goal and set up another to propel Lens to a 2-1 win over Arsenal. Arsenal had the lead through Gabriel Jesus' 14th-minute goal before Wahi assisted Adrien Thomasson in the 25th and then scored himself with a chip in the 69th.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said his team "missed some big chances," but is "just warming up and getting into our rhythm" at this stage of the season.

Arsenal's victory over PSV Eindhoven last time out was a landmark — a win in its first Champions League game since the 2016-17 season — but the wait for Lens was much longer. The French team last won a Champions League game back in 2002 against AC Milan and hadn't qualified for Europe's top club competition again until this season.

Winning run

Bayern kept up its record winning run in the Champions League group stage — now at 15 games going back to 2020 — but it was a tricky feat in a 2-1 win over a determined Copenhagen team.

Bayern's Jamal Musiala leveled the score after Lukas Lerager had given the Danish team the lead, and it was 18-year-old Mathys Tel who scored the winner after combining with 34-year-old teammate Thomas Müller. The action wasn't over yet, and Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich had to dive to stop an own-goal deep into added time.

Bayern hasn't lost for 36 group-stage games going back to 2017.

Heartbreak in Berlin

Two games, two heartbreaking losses in stoppage time for Union Berlin. What an introduction to the Champions League!

The German club lost its first-ever home Champions League game 3-2 to Braga on a goal in the fourth minute of added time from André Castro, two weeks after a 1-0 loss at Madrid on an equally late goal from Jude Bellingham.

Union had been leading 2-0 on two counterattack goals from Sheraldo Becker, but let Braga back into the game with two goals after failing to clear set pieces before the late winner from 35-year-old midfielder Castro. Madrid and Napoli are the other two teams in the group, meaning Union's qualifying chances have already taken a heavy blow.

The 2-2 draw between PSV and Sevilla had more than its share of drama, with goals in the 86th, 87th and fifth minute of stoppage time as PSV twice recovered from a goal down.

Real Sociedad had a smoother time as it picked up its first Champions League win for 20 years, beating Salzburg 2-0 on first-half goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Méndez.

Marcus Thuram scored the only goal of the game for last season's Champions League runner-up Inter Milan in a 1-0 win over Benfica to move level on four points with Sociedad at the top of their group.

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Sports

Carrick Confident Man Utd Can Go Far in ‘Magical’ Champions League

09 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (L) with Jonny Evans in action during a training session at Carrington Training Center, ahead of Thursday's UEFA Champions League soccer match against Sabah FK. (dpa)
09 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (L) with Jonny Evans in action during a training session at Carrington Training Center, ahead of Thursday's UEFA Champions League soccer match against Sabah FK. (dpa)
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Carrick Confident Man Utd Can Go Far in ‘Magical’ Champions League

09 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (L) with Jonny Evans in action during a training session at Carrington Training Center, ahead of Thursday's UEFA Champions League soccer match against Sabah FK. (dpa)
09 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (L) with Jonny Evans in action during a training session at Carrington Training Center, ahead of Thursday's UEFA Champions League soccer match against Sabah FK. (dpa)

Michael Carrick believes Manchester United are strong enough to compete with Europe's best on their return to the Champions League for the first time in three years.

Carrick earned his position as permanent United boss after leading the Red Devils to third place in the Premier League in his interim spell last season.

Having secured a place in Europe's elite club competition, United kick off their league phase campaign on Thursday when they face Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford.

"It's a magical competition. It's where we all want to be. When you're out of it, you realize how special it is and when you're in it, you want to make the most of it," Carrick told reporters on Wednesday.

"I think we've all seen some special, special nights and felt some special things in this competition over the years. It's the best competition to challenge yourself and to push against the best.

"We're delighted to be here, but we're not here to just enjoy the occasion. We're here to do business and go as far as we possibly can."

In two of their last three appearances in the Champions League, the three-time European champions have crashed out at the group stage and have not progressed beyond the last 16 since 2019.

United have also made a slow start to the Premier League season, taking just four points from fixtures against Hull, Ipswich and Everton.

However, many of their better performances under Carrick have come against stronger opposition.

United beat Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea in the second half of last season.

"I think we're capable of doing some really good things in this competition and going further down the line in this competition," Carrick said.

"Certainly not getting ahead of ourselves because some part of it is a new experience for some of the players.

"But the boys are used to playing European football for the most part in different competitions and we'll take that forward and we've got a squad that's strong enough to compete."

In contrast to the record-setting spending by many of their Premier League rivals, United were only able to strengthen their midfield in the transfer window.

United benefited last season from only playing 40 games -- their lowest total since the 1914/15 campaign.

Carrick, though, said his players had to embrace the challenge of a heavier workload.

"We play Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday and it's what we're here for. It's about managing the group and having trust in everyone able to play," he said.

Benjamin Sesko is in contention for his first start of the season after coming off the bench to score in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Everton.

Carrick confirmed Matthijs de Ligt is also nearing a comeback after nearly a year out with a back injury.

Sports

Courtois Given Green Light to Skip Belgium’s Nations League Campaign, Reports Say

Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois gestures after recovering from an injury during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 8, 2026. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois gestures after recovering from an injury during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 8, 2026. (AFP)
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Courtois Given Green Light to Skip Belgium’s Nations League Campaign, Reports Say

Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois gestures after recovering from an injury during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 8, 2026. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois gestures after recovering from an injury during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 8, 2026. (AFP)

Goalkeeper Thibaut ‌Courtois will sit out Belgium’s Nations League campaign but has not retired from international football, Belgian media reported on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old had said after the World Cup that he may stop playing for Belgium or seek a ‌rest this ‌season, skipping the Nations ‌League ⁠where Belgium are ⁠grouped with France, Italy, Türkiye and play six matches over the next three months.

He told reporters after Real Madrid's 2-1 win over ⁠Inter Milan in the ‌Champions League ‌on Tuesday that new Belgium coach ‌Mark van Bommel understands his ‌decision.

"I will remain available for the European Championship qualifying campaign with the national team, and I ‌understand that I will have to fight for ⁠my ⁠place just like the other goalkeepers," he told Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws.

“Physically, I don't know if I can maintain the same schedule for another four years."

The first qualifiers for the 2028 European Championship are scheduled for March next year.

Sports

Alcaraz Falls to Shelton in Epic Latest-Ever US Open Finish

Ben Shelton, of the United States, celebrates after winning against Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the quarter-final round of the US Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP)
Ben Shelton, of the United States, celebrates after winning against Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the quarter-final round of the US Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP)
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Alcaraz Falls to Shelton in Epic Latest-Ever US Open Finish

Ben Shelton, of the United States, celebrates after winning against Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the quarter-final round of the US Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP)
Ben Shelton, of the United States, celebrates after winning against Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the quarter-final round of the US Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP)

Carlos Alcaraz tumbled out of the US Open quarter-finals at 3:34 am Wednesday, falling to Ben Shelton in an epic five-set thriller that broke the record for latest finish ever at Flushing Meadows.

The big-hitting American claimed his first career win over Alcaraz, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10/7), ending the Spaniard's hopes of retaining his title in his first tournament back after a four-month injury absence.

It took a brutal four hours and 28 minutes, finishing long past the previous latest finish in New York of 2:50 am -- Alcaraz's five-set quarter-final win over Jannik Sinner in 2022.

Shelton matches his semi-final run at the US Open three years ago and booked an all-American semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, who came back from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10/6).

"That was a war, epic match, so physical," Shelton said. "Carlos is one of the greatest champions in our sport already at 23 years old.

"It's always fun being on the court against him. It's ridiculous some of the stuff he comes up with sometimes -- the most enjoyable match that I've had in my career, for sure."

Alcaraz had gone from strength to strength through his first four matches, but Shelton posed his biggest test and finally proved too much.

Shelton, pumped up by the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, reeled off nine straight games bridging the second and third sets to seize control, capitalizing on Alcaraz's flagging serve and getting the better of him in rallies that left him winded.

Alcaraz stopped the rot, mustering a break chance as Shelton served for the third set before the American closed it out.

It was a sign that Alcaraz was far from a spent force, and he roared back to take the fourth set in just 36 minutes.

The margins in the fifth set were razor thin. Alcaraz had a break chance at 2-2, then it was Shelton's turn at 4-3, but the match was destined to go all the way, to a 10-point match tiebreak that Shelton capped with an ace on match point.

After the first three matches of the day all went the distance, Alcaraz and Shelton didn't get under way until after 11 pm -- and both exploded out of the gate.

Neither man faced a break point through the first 10 games, although Alcaraz came under some self-inflicted pressure with back-to-back double faults that made for a complicated hold for 4-4.

- Shelton dialed in -

Alcaraz put together his first love hold for 5-5 then grabbed the first break in the next game, forcing a forehand error from Shelton as the American was feeling the pressure at 0-40 down.

That left the Spaniard to serve for the set, but two errors to start the game were all the opening Shelton needed.

He broke to force the tiebreaker and seized a 5-3 lead only for Alcaraz to win the last four points and pocket the set after 61 minutes.

But Alcaraz couldn't maintain the pace and as his struggles on serve increased Shelton roared away, two of his three service breaks coming courtesy of double faults from the Spaniard, including one on set point.

"I knew that my serve was only going to get better, and if I had already dialed in the return to the point that I could break him, I thought my chances were good to get that second set," Shelton said. "Once I got rolling the second set, broke him three times in that set, it was a lot easier to just play and swing more freely."