logo
European Round-up: PSG open Ligue 1 title defence with narrow Nantes triumph

European Round-up: PSG open Ligue 1 title defence with narrow Nantes triumph

RTÉ News​2 days ago
Vitinha celebrated captaining Paris St Germain for the first time with the only goal as the Ligue 1 champions launched their latest title defence with a hard-fought victory at Nantes.
A PSG side featuring only four of the men – Lucas Chevalier, Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinha and Bradley Barcola – who started Wednesday night's UEFA Super Cup clash with Tottenham scratched out a 1-0 win at the Stade de la Beaujoire courtesy of the midfielder's deflected 67th-minute strike.
Julien Le Cardinal clinched a point for Brest as they fought out a thrilling 3-3 home draw with Lille.
Goals from Olivier Giroud and Hakon Haraldsson had the visitors 2-0 ahead with just 26 minutes gone, but Kamory Doumbia's double either side of half-time dragged the hosts back into it and, although Ngal'ayel Mukau fired Lille back ahead, Le Cardinal ensured it finished all square.
However, it proved a difficult day for the three promoted sides as they all went down to the only goal in their respective games.
Esteban Lepaul's ninth-minute strike was enough to ease Angers to victory over Paris FC, despite playing with only 10 men for more than half-an-hour following Louis Mouton's dismissal.
Lassine Sinayoko was Auxerre 's match-winner against Lorient, while Joaquín Panichelli's 86th-minute goal handed Strasbourg all three points at M etz.
In LaLiga, Pere Milla came off the bench to head Espanyol to a 2-1 comeback victory over Atletico Madrid.
Atleti's Julian Alvarez opened the scoring with a 37th-minute free-kick and was denied a second by a post.
But the hosts were back in it with 17 minutes remaining when Miguel Rubio equalised and there was worse to come for the visitors with just six minutes remaining when Milla headed Omar El Hilali's cross past Jan Oblak to win it.
Athletic Bilbao substitute Robert Navarro snatched a 3-2 victory over Sevilla after his side had squandered a two-goal lead.
Nico Williams' penalty and Maroan Sannadi's strike had the hosts 2-0 ahead at the break, but Dodi Lukebakio and Lucien Agoume levelled it up, only for Navarro to win it nine minutes from time.
Second half goals from Adrian Liso and Christantus Uche handed Getafe a 2-0 win at Celta Vigo as they launched their campaign in promising style.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rangers facing Champions League exit after early collapse, Real Madrid scrape to La Liga opener win
Rangers facing Champions League exit after early collapse, Real Madrid scrape to La Liga opener win

The 42

time14 hours ago

  • The 42

Rangers facing Champions League exit after early collapse, Real Madrid scrape to La Liga opener win

RANGERS' HORRENDOUS START to their Champions League play-off against Club Brugge left them with a bruising 3-1 defeat at Ibrox and staring at the exit door. In a nightmare beginning to the first leg, Gers defender Nasser Djiga inexplicably allowed a long ball past him in the third minute and grateful visiting striker Romeo Vermant coolly lofted the ball over stranded goalkeeper Jack Butland. And further strikes from Jorne Spileers and Brandon Mechele had the visitors 3-0 up after just 20 minutes. Brazilian striker Danilo pulled a goal back four minutes after the break and the home side rallied, but the Belgian outfit stood firm. The return game against Nicky Hayen's men in Belgium next Wednesday will require a huge turnaround, albeit the Govan club are assured Europa League group phase football at least. Wins over Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen in previous qualifiers revealed flaws in Russell Martin's new-look Gers side and raised concerns in the stands, as did back-to-back draws to start the William Hill Premiership campaign. And once again the former Southampton boss incurred the ire of the Light Blue legions, having made 10 changes for Saturday's 4-2 Premier Sports Cup victory over Alloa and seven for the visit of the Belgian outfit. Advertisement Mbappe spot on for Real Madrid. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappe struck from the penalty spot as Real Madrid beat a dogged Osasuna 1-0 to make a winning start in La Liga under new coach Xabi Alonso. The France striker, last season's European Golden Boot winner, scored early in the second half after he was fouled in the area by Osasuna defender Juan Cruz. It was enough to seal the points in Alonso's first game in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Madrid now unbeaten in their opening fixture of a league campaign since 2008. Trent Alexander-Arnold made his La Liga debut after his move from Liverpool, with former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen and left-back Alvaro Carreras other summer arrivals included in the starting line-up. Madrid though were without England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is expected to be sidelined until October as he recovers from a operation to solve a recurrent shoulder issue. Madrid are looking to turn the page on a disappointing end to the Carlo Ancelotti era after relinquishing both their domestic and European crowns last season. Alonso's side had to show patience against an Osasuna team that finished ninth last term. And in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division tonight, Peamount United came from behind to beat Bohemians 2-1. Ellen Dolan was Peamount's goalscoring hero. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Peas secured their first league victory since May at Dalymount Park, and ended the hosts' nine-game unbeaten run. Aoibhe Brennan broke the deadlock just before half-time, before Ellen Dolan stepped up as Peamount's two-goal hero. The Ireland U19 international had a rollercoaster seven minutes: she saw a 49th-minute penalty saved by Rachael Kelly, before making amends with a looping header two minutes later. She then added another, bagging a five-minute brace and completing a crucial turnaround win for Emma Donohue and Gary Seery's side. - With reporting from – © AFP 2025 and Emma Duffy

Mbappe penalty earns Real win over stubborn Osasuna
Mbappe penalty earns Real win over stubborn Osasuna

Irish Examiner

time16 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

Mbappe penalty earns Real win over stubborn Osasuna

Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty earned Real Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Osasuna in their opening LaLiga game of the season on Tuesday, giving Xabi Alonso a winning start in his first league match in charge of the hosts. After struggling to break down a stubborn Osasuna defence in the opening half, Mbappe won the penalty and converted from the spot six minutes after the break to give Real the lead, but the home side were unable to increase their advantage. The visitors had Abel Bretones sent off in added time for a foul off the ball on Gonzalo Garcia as Alonso's side got their league campaign off to a winning, but underwhelming start as they look to wrestle back the league title from Barcelona. Alonso's side, whose last competitive game ended in a 4-0 defeat to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals, completely dominated against a visiting side clearly content to sit back and perhaps come away with a draw, which they almost managed. Real enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 45 minutes with lots of slick passing, but their only real chances came through shots from distance, with Eder Militao's powerful strike forcing Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera into a decent save. All Osasuna's defensive work was undone shortly after the break when a foul by Juan Cruz on Mbappe was punished with a penalty, and Real's French forward stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way as the hosts finally found the net. The goal forced Osasuna out of their shell somewhat, while Real pushed to find a second goal to kill the game off, with Arda Guler unleashing a shot from outside the area which zipped just over the bar. Alonso, who started the game with three of the club's new signings -- Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras -- in his back four, then sent on 18-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono for his Real debut. Mastantuono almost made an immediate impact, with his effort from a wide angle saved by Herrera at his near post. Minutes earlier, Osasuna had their chance to snatch what would have been an undeserved equaliser but Ante Budimir headed over from inside the six-yard box. With Barcelona beating Mallorca 3-0 in their opening game on Saturday, three points were already a must for Alonso, and he did it without the injured Jude Bellingham, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Endrick, as well as the suspended Antonio Ruediger.

England U21 ace Jonathan Rowe backed by Mason Greenwood and Marseille team as Rabiot brawl sees stars transfer listed
England U21 ace Jonathan Rowe backed by Mason Greenwood and Marseille team as Rabiot brawl sees stars transfer listed

The Irish Sun

time17 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

England U21 ace Jonathan Rowe backed by Mason Greenwood and Marseille team as Rabiot brawl sees stars transfer listed

Two Premier League clubs are interested in signing Rowe MASE ON THE CASE MASE ON THE CASE England U21 ace Jonathan Rowe backed by Mason Greenwood and Marseille team as Rabiot brawl sees stars transfer listed ENGLAND Under-21s star Jonathan Rowe has been backed by Marseille team-mates over his bust-up with Adrien Rabiot. Both are suspended and have been transfer-listed by the French club. 3 Jonathan Rowe has been transfer listed by Marseille following a clash with Adrien Rabiot Credit: Alamy 3 Mason Greenwood has backed Rowe following the incident Credit: Reuters Both are suspended and have been transfer-listed by the French club. The pair clashed in the dressing room after Friday's opening 1-0 Ligue 1 loss at Rennes. Ex-Norwich winger Rowe, 22, now looks increasingly likely to join Bologna. Yet sources claim Rowe, who joined Marseille from the Canaries 12 months ago, did not instigate the row which saw both players come to blows. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL STRIKE OUT England U21 ace 'SUSPENDED after dressing room scrap with World Cup winner' Stunned team-mates who witnessed it included former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood — and the blame was put on Rabiot. Neither are now training with the first team ahead of Saturday's home clash with Paris FC. Marseille said the pair's punishment was 'due to unacceptable behaviour and in accordance with the club's internal code of conduct'. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 3 Rabiot allegedly instigated the clash Credit: Reuters

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store