The 2025/26 English Premier League season began in exhilarating fashion, with Liverpool opening on Friday night with a 4–2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield.
The match, played in an emotional atmosphere following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota’s brother, saw debutant Hugo Ekitike score early before Cody Gakpo added a second.
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo struck back with two goals, but late strikes from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah secured the win for Liverpool, with Salah’s goal equalling Andy Cole’s record of 187 Premier League goals.
Manchester City started their campaign strongly with a 4–0 win over Wolves, Tottenham brushed aside Burnley 3–0, Sunderland marked their return with a 3–0 triumph over West Ham, while Arsenal edged Manchester United 1–0 at Old Trafford.
Nottingham Forest stunned Brentford 3–1, Leeds defeated Everton 1–0, Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa shared the spoils with Newcastle in a 0–0 stalemate.
In Spain’s La Liga, Barcelona began their title defence in style, cruising to a 3–0 away win against nine-man Mallorca, with new signing Marcus Rashford making his debut. Real Madrid also started on a winning note as Kylian Mbappé scored a penalty to secure a 1–0 victory over Osasuna.
Villarreal defeated Real Oviedo 2–0, Rayo Vallecano upset Girona 3–1, while Alavés edged Levante 2–1. Athletic Bilbao produced a five-goal thriller to defeat Sevilla 3–2, Espanyol stunned Atlético Madrid 2–1, and Getafe recorded a 2–0 win at Celta Vigo.
Meanwhile, Valencia and Real Sociedad played out a 1–1 draw, and Elche were held 1–1 by Real Betis.
At the 2025 CHAN, Guinea were held to a 1–1 draw by Algeria on August 15, while Niger and South Africa shared the spoils in a goalless stalemate.
The following day, Madagascar edged Burkina Faso 2–1, and the Central African Republic and Tanzania settled for a 0–0 draw.
On August 17, Kenya claimed a narrow 1–0 victory over Zambia, before Morocco stunned DR Congo with a 3–1 triumph. August 18, South Africa and Uganda played out a six-goal thriller ending 3–3, while Algeria and Niger once again cancelled each other out in a 0–0 draw.
In Malawi the Pachema FDH Bank Cup Round of 32, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets cruised past Chilumba Barracks 5–0, with Babatunde Adepoju scoring four goals and Chawanangwa Gumbo adding one.
Kamuzu Barracks advanced with a 3–1 victory over FC Thondwe, featuring a brace from John Mchema and an own goal by Emmanuel Phiri, Chikondi Mbeya scored Thondwe’s consolation penalty.
Blue Eagles booked their place after a tense goalless draw against Songwe Border United, winning 5–4 on penalties. Silver Strikers edged Mighty Tigers 1–0 through Charles Chipala,
Creck Sporting progressed with a 1–0 win over PremierBet Dedza Dynamos thanks to Patrick Mapunza’s early goal.
Mzuzu City Hammers overcame Baka City on penalties after a 1–1 draw, triumphing 7–6. Civil Service United beat Chitipa United 3–0 on penalties following a goalless draw, while Moyale Barracks came from behind to defeat Ekhaya FC 2–1 through goals from Charles Nkhoma and Raphael Phiri.
Chatoloma Admarc pulled off a surprise, eliminating Karonga United 5–3 on penalties after a 1–1 stalemate. Mighty Wanderers completed the round with a 3–1 win over Mafco FC, with goals from Isaac Kaliati, Blessings Singini, and Felix Zulu, while China Chirwa scored Mafco’s lone goal.
