FEATURES

For the first time since clinching a second successive European Championship title back in July, England's Lionesses return to action this week, beginning their 'homecoming series' which will take the team around the country as they celebrate the summer's incredible triumph with as many fans as possible. It starts in Manchester on Saturday against Brazil, the South American champions, and moves onto Derby three days later, where Australia will be the visitors, before resuming in November with two more friendlies.

Chelsea couldn't recover from their goalkeeper's costly early red card as they suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season. The Blues shipped two goals after the Spaniard was dismissed, courtesy of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who was also sent off, and despite Trevoh Chalobah scoring late on, they succumbed to a 2-1 loss, with Cole Palmer having gone off injured.

Scottish football has been dominated by two clubs since forever. The country's first season of top-flight action in 1890-91 saw Rangers share the crown with Dumbarton as joint-winners, while Celtic finished third in the 11-team division. Since its inception, the title has only gone to a team outside the Old Firm 19 times, with the Glasgow duo taking home the remaining 110.

Featuring stamps from El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico and more, Jess Carter’s passport looks more like one belonging to a gap-year student than an England international as of late. Throw in all the flying that comes with playing your club football in the United States, for Gotham FC, and the two-time European champion must have more air miles than she knows what to do with. “I feel like you get used to it and then all of a sudden you don't,” Carter tells GOAL of all the travelling, just days before boarding her umpteenth flight of the year to report for Lionesses duty. “Everything you've then learned about how to manage yourself kind of goes out the window when you end up being on the west coast for 12 days.”

There are eye-catching fixtures everywhere you look following Thursday's ceremony in Monaco as the competition's new format was laid out

The interim boss made a strong case to land the position permanently as the Three Lions outclassed their neighbours in Dublin

The USL Championship could have two brand new finalists by Saturday, and GOAL US previews the two fixtures to see who will get there

A No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup has the potential to deliver maximum thrills in finale of 2024 NWSL playoffs

The 22-year-old has surged ahead of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho as the club's best winger - and he should be recognised as such

INDIVISA looks at the best goals from the 2024 USL Super League season

Barcelona's youth stars were in irresistible form as they routed Valencia but their veteran goalkeeper is a cause for concern

Bayern are on the lookout for a new manager after confirming that the ex-Chelsea boss will be leaving in the summer

The prodigiously gifted left-winger is already making history and megaclubs across the pond are taking notice

As the Carabao Cup proved, the Reds are blessed with a great group of homegrown players that could sustain a new era of success at Anfield

The injury-ravaged Reds had no right to beat the billion-pound Blues at Wembley but anything seems possible for this remarkable squad

The on-loan Borussia Dortmund midfielder hasn't got anywhere near the playing time he needs so far

GOAL tracks the Frenchman's fall from grace since becoming the most expensive player in history when he moved to Old Trafford in 2016

City considered signing a number of players who ended up moving to Old Trafford instead - and the blue half of Manchester must be glad they did

Four of the eight quarter-finalists have been decided, but who were the top performers in this week's UEFA Champions League matches?

The Brazilian aleady appears to be approaching the end of his time at Old Trafford, but his Japanese counterpart is just getting started

There are many Cityzens hoping to impress Pep Guardiola from afar in 2023-24, but who is performing well and who could be producing more?

The Spanish side are rumoured to be interested in the versatile right-back but a deal appears highly unlikely

The Gunners felt that they were denied a penalty in the dying seconds of Wednesday's draw with Bayern Munich - but it was a clear dive

The Herons were undone by a comedy of errors, totally losing their heads en route to an embarrassing exit of the Champions Cup.

The teenager is making waves on both sides of the Atlantic and has earned attention from the world's top clubs.

GOAL runs through all of the winners and losers on a chastening night for Mikel Arteta and his young team at the Allianz Arena

The England midfielder looked every bit the best in the world while some of the other contenders for the Golden Ball crashed out of Europe

The final four of Europe's most prestigious club competition have been decided and the FedEx Performance Zone provides the top performers of the week