Premier League: Liverpool vs Manchester United
Liverpool delivered a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Luis Díaz scored twice in the first half, with assists from Mohamed Salah, who also added a third goal after the break. United’s lackluster performance highlighted their ongoing struggles, with Joshua Zirkzee’s efforts being their only significant threats. This defeat leaves Erik ten Hag’s side in need of urgent solutions as they enter the international break, while Liverpool maintains an unbeaten start to the season.
La Liga: Real Madrid vs Real Betis
Real Madrid defeated Real Betis 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Kylian Mbappé starring as the match-winner. After a scoreless first half, Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 67th minute, capitalizing on Federico Valverde’s clever backheel assist. The French forward later sealed the victory with a penalty after Vinícius Jr. was brought down in the box. The win keeps Madrid unbeaten in La Liga, though they remain four points behind Barcelona in the standings.
Mbappé’s La Liga Breakthrough
Kylian Mbappé scored his first two La Liga goals for Real Madrid in their 2-0 win over Real Betis, finally breaking his scoring drought after a series of frustrating matches. His first goal came from his 25th shot of the La Liga season, while the second was a penalty. Despite numerous earlier attempts, Mbappé’s persistence paid off, helping Madrid maintain their unbeaten record. The French star, who joined Madrid from PSG in the summer, is already proving to be a key player for the team.
US Open: Gauff vs Navarro
Coco Gauff’s defense of her US Open title ended in a shocking fourth-round exit to fellow American Emma Navarro. Gauff struggled with her serve, hitting 19 double faults, including 11 in the decisive third set. Navarro capitalized on these errors, securing a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory. This defeat marked Gauff’s second consecutive loss to Navarro, following their Wimbledon encounter. Navarro’s win made her the youngest American woman since Serena Williams to reach the quarterfinals at both Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year.
Cricket: England vs Sri Lanka
Gus Atkinson’s all-around brilliance helped England secure a series-clinching victory against Sri Lanka in the second Test at Lord’s. Atkinson, who scored his maiden Test century in the first innings, took five wickets in the second, becoming only the third England player to achieve this feat in the same match. Despite resistance from Sri Lankan batsmen Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal, Atkinson’s bowling broke their resolve, leading to a 190-run win. This victory marks England’s fifth consecutive Test win and their second series triumph of the summer.
Cricket: Pope’s Struggles
England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope acknowledged his poor form after a series of disappointing performances in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka. Despite leading England to a series victory, Pope managed only 30 runs across two matches, raising concerns about his consistency. Pope, who has struggled since his strong start to the summer, admitted that form can be fleeting but remains determined to regain his touch. His performance has attracted criticism, with some questioning his suitability as a long-term captain.
Premier League: Manchester United’s Troubles
Manchester United’s early-season woes continued with a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, raising concerns about the team’s direction under Erik ten Hag. The match exposed fundamental issues within United’s squad, particularly in midfield, where Casemiro’s decline was evident. The lack of depth and questionable transfer decisions have left United vulnerable, with young Toby Collyer making his debut under challenging circumstances. The result leaves Ten Hag’s project under scrutiny just three games into the Premier League season, with urgent changes needed to stabilize the team.