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Brighton Cruise in Conference League as Monaco Win, Ajax Lose

Brighton & Hove Albion v Kauno Zalgiris - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - October 15, 2026 Brighton and Hove Albion's Georginio Rutter celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Brighton & Hove Albion v Kauno Zalgiris - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - October 15, 2026 Brighton and Hove Albion's Georginio Rutter celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
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Brighton Cruise in Conference League as Monaco Win, Ajax Lose

Brighton & Hove Albion v Kauno Zalgiris - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - October 15, 2026 Brighton and Hove Albion's Georginio Rutter celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Brighton & Hove Albion v Kauno Zalgiris - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - October 15, 2026 Brighton and Hove Albion's Georginio Rutter celebrates after the match. (Reuters)

Brighton coasted to a 4-0 win over Lithuanian opponents Kauno Zalgiris to launch their UEFA Conference League bid Thursday, while Ligue 1 leaders Monaco earned a 2-1 victory at CSKA Sofia.

Georginio Rutter slotted in a cutback from Ibrahim Osman as Brighton took the lead late in the first half at the Amex, with the goal awarded after a VAR review as the Ghanaian just managed to keep the ball in play.

Rutter turned provider for Jack Hinshelwood as Brighton struck again on the stroke of half-time before the Frenchman netted his second of the night on 53 minutes.

Matt O'Riley headed in his first goal in over a year to complete the rout and the Seagulls extended their winning run in all competitions to five matches.

"I'm very happy to have two goals today, but more importantly is the three points. We are very happy to start the competition like this, we have a good side, we are in good shape at the moment, so we have to keep going," Rutter told TNT Sports.

Only Barcelona and Bayern Munich have scored more than Brighton's 29 goals among clubs in Europe's biggest leagues this season.

"It's not every time one player. We are a good team, everybody scores and everybody assists so I think the atmosphere of the team at the moment is very good," said Rutter.

Brighton beat Norwegian side Tromso 4-0 in the play-off round in August to reach the league phase. Their only past taste of European football came when they reached the last 16 of the 2023-24 Europa League.

However, they are viewed as favorites in the Conference League and will seek to become the third English winner in as many years after Chelsea and Crystal Palace. West Ham also lifted the trophy in 2023.

In-form striker Paris Brunner scored for the seventh time in eight games as Monaco won in Bulgaria.

The Germany Under-21 international fired Filipe Luis's team into an early lead and Ansu Fati added a second before half-time. CSKA pulled one back through Dutchman Joel Zwarts.

Four-time European champions Ajax slid to a 2-1 loss at Hajduk Split, while Atalanta eased to a 3-1 victory over Pafos.

Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was on target in Trabzonspor's 4-2 win away to Finland's KuPS Kuopio.

Freiburg, last season's Europa League runners-up and surprise Bundesliga pacesetters this term, continued their fine form with a 3-2 win over Czech side Jablonec, while Hearts drew 1-1 with Danish outfit Nordsjaelland.

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Sports

Luca Zidane Dropped from Algeria Squad for AFCON Qualifiers

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Leganes v Real Madrid - Butarque Municipal Stadium, Leganes, Spain - April 15, 2019 Real Madrid's Luca Zidane during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo
Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Leganes v Real Madrid - Butarque Municipal Stadium, Leganes, Spain - April 15, 2019 Real Madrid's Luca Zidane during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo
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Luca Zidane Dropped from Algeria Squad for AFCON Qualifiers

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Leganes v Real Madrid - Butarque Municipal Stadium, Leganes, Spain - April 15, 2019 Real Madrid's Luca Zidane during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo
Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Leganes v Real Madrid - Butarque Municipal Stadium, Leganes, Spain - April 15, 2019 Real Madrid's Luca Zidane during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo

Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane was left out of the national team squad on Thursday ahead of two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Togo, coach Brahim Hemdani said.

Zidane, 28, has recently been missing from the Algerian team, owing to injury and a two-game suspension over scuffles during an AFCON game against Nigeria in January.

But his exclusion was "based on sporting criteria", Hemdani told journalists, according to AFP. "I need to have three goalkeepers who were getting as much playing time as possible."

Hemdani called up USM Alger goalkeeper Oussama Benbot alongside Melvin Mastil of Swiss club Lausanne-Sport and Abdelatif Ramdane of MC Alger.

Zidane, a son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, joined the Fennecs after changing his sporting nationality in September 2025 to represent Algeria, where his family has roots.

The Leganes goalkeeper's absence came as a surprise, along with that of Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Ait-Nouri had been sent home in September following a reported dispute with the coaching staff during a match against Zambia.

But Hemdani said there had been "no problem" after his choice not to include the left-back in his next 26-man squad, adding that there were "criteria for inclusion".

"However, anything is possible in the future, and no one has been permanently excluded," the coach said.

Algeria are set to face Togo on November 14 and 17. They have four points from two games and are currently top of AFCON qualification Group I, which includes Zambia and Burundi.

Sports

Family and Teammates Mourn Tenerife Striker De Miguel at Funeral

Mourners accompany the hearse carrying the remains of CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel, who died Tuesday following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a soccer match, at his funeral in Navahermosa, central Spain, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Mourners accompany the hearse carrying the remains of CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel, who died Tuesday following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a soccer match, at his funeral in Navahermosa, central Spain, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
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Family and Teammates Mourn Tenerife Striker De Miguel at Funeral

Mourners accompany the hearse carrying the remains of CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel, who died Tuesday following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a soccer match, at his funeral in Navahermosa, central Spain, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Mourners accompany the hearse carrying the remains of CD Tenerife player Jesús de Miguel, who died Tuesday following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a soccer match, at his funeral in Navahermosa, central Spain, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)

Family, friends and teammates gathered in the village of Navahermosa on Thursday for the funeral of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died following an on-field collision.

De Miguel collided with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during Monday's match and was taken to intensive care. Tenerife confirmed De Miguel's death on Tuesday morning.

The Tenerife squad, club staff and majority shareholder Rayco Garcia attended the funeral, along with Royal Spanish Football Federation President Rafael Louzan, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Real Madrid President Florentino ⁠Perez and Atletico Madrid ⁠CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin.

De Miguel's coffin was carried out of San Miguel Arcangel church in a procession to the cemetery.

De Miguel's family thanked well-wishers for their support in a statement read by his agent Manuel Hernandez before the funeral.

"Feeling so much affection ⁠for Jesus and seeing the impact he had on so many people is something we will always carry with us," Reuters quoted the family as saying in the statement read by Hernandez.

"Jesus leaves a void that is impossible to fill, but also cherished memories for all of us who were fortunate enough to share our lives with him. Thank you for loving him and for standing by us."

Spanish police have opened a routine investigation into ⁠De Miguel's ⁠death.

Andorra released a statement on Wednesday, in which Owono said: "These are the most difficult days of my life."

Tenerife's match against Granada and Andorra's game with Mallorca, both scheduled for this weekend, have been postponed.

Tenerife's main rivals, Las Palmas, will play their fixture against Eldense on Sunday in blue and white colours, traditionally worn by Tenerife, as a tribute to De Miguel.

Garcia invited fans to Tenerife's stadium on Saturday to pay their respects to De Miguel in what he called 'the last goodbye'.

Sports

Qiddiya Investment Company, Golf Saudi Sign Five-Year Agreement to Operate The National Golf Club

The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, with no membership required - SPA
The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, with no membership required - SPA
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Qiddiya Investment Company, Golf Saudi Sign Five-Year Agreement to Operate The National Golf Club

The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, with no membership required - SPA
The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, with no membership required - SPA

Qiddiya Investment Company and Golf Saudi have signed a five-year agreement under which Golf Saudi will operate The National Golf Club at Qiddiya City, including managing the course and facilities, overseeing golf operations, organizing events, and developing players.

Signed by Qiddiya Investment Company Managing Director Abdullah Aldawood and Golf Saudi Chief Executive Officer Noah Alireza, the agreement will help expand golf participation, nurture Saudi talent, and establish the club as a leading international golf destination, supporting the growth of sports tourism in Saudi Arabia, SPA reported.

Aldawood said: “The National Golf Club brings Qiddiya City’s Powered by Play philosophy to life, with accessibility at the heart of its design and visitor experience. Our partnership with Golf Saudi combines world-class sporting expertise with opportunities for players of all abilities, helping nurture Saudi talent and welcome visitors from Saudi Arabia and around the world. It reflects Qiddiya Investment Company’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to increase sports participation, encourage healthier and more active lifestyles, and enhance quality of life, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”

Alireza said: “The addition of The National Golf Club at Qiddiya City to Golf Saudi’s portfolio marks another strategic milestone in our continued expansion as a golf facility operator in Saudi Arabia. Our ambition extends to building an integrated network of destinations that deliver world-class experiences, combining operational excellence, management expertise, and authentic Saudi hospitality.”

He added: “Through our partnership with Qiddiya Investment Company, we look forward to bringing our expertise and capabilities to this exceptional facility, enhancing the experience for players and visitors, and developing its potential to host leading tournaments and events at the local and international levels.”

The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, with no membership required. Its 18-hole course, designed by golf legend Sir Nick Faldo, is surrounded by the distinctive natural formations of the Tuwaiq Mountains.

The club’s message, “Play like no one is watching,” reflects its flexible approach, allowing players to choose rounds suited to their time and skill level while giving beginners opportunities to discover golf and learn its fundamentals.

The course comprises three six-hole loops, offering flexibility for shorter or full rounds. Practice and coaching facilities, beginner-friendly programs, and a future academy aim to make golf more accessible to newcomers.

Located 45 kilometers from Riyadh, The National Golf Club is part of Qiddiya City, a destination combining entertainment, sports, culture, and everyday city life. It sits alongside the planned National Tennis Centre and is surrounded by residential areas, offices, hotels, and retail developments planned for the future. The club embodies Qiddiya City’s Powered by Play philosophy by creating opportunities for sport, social connection, and active lifestyles, supporting efforts to increase sports participation and enhance quality of life.

The club joins Qiddiya City’s growing portfolio of entertainment, cultural, and sports venues, including Six Flags Qiddiya City, which has already opened, alongside Aquarabia and PlayMaker Studios. Future venues include the National Tennis Centre, Speed Park Track, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, Horse Racing Venue, and Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre. Together, these facilities will create a connected destination for international events, elite sport, broader sports participation, and everyday community life for residents, workers, and visitors.