Exiled Napoli striker Victor Osimhen completed a season-long loan move to Galatasaray on Wednesda...

Exiled Napoli striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/90910" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/90910">Victor Osimhen</a> completed a season-long loan move to Galatasaray on Wednesday, ending one of the summer's strangest sagas.Unable to get a move to either Chelsea or Saudi side Al-Ahli on transfer deadline day, Osimhen accepted Galatasaray's terms, which include a break clause allowing him to leave for another club in January, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5740324/2024/09/02/victor-osimhen-galatasaray-loan/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>.Napoli also lowered Osimhen's release clause to €75 million from €130 million, transfer insider <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1830720201744359781">Fabrizio Romano</a> reports, which could help facilitate a January transfer.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The deal doesn't include an option or obligation to buy Osimhen at the end of the season, according to Ornstein. Galatasaray will, however, cover the Nigerian's reported €12-million annual salary. Napoli also <a href="https://x.com/en_sscnapoli/status/1831366784878051525?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">confirmed</a> that Osimhen agreed to extend his contract with the Italian side until 2027 as part of the deal.His loan spell in Turkey officially ends on June 30, 2025.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Masquerade with a special guest. 🎭 Osimhen is here. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeToGalaOsimhen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeToGalaOsimhen</a> <a href="https://t.co/GW9MDFmmyc">pic.twitter.com/GW9MDFmmyc</a>— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) <a href="https://twitter.com/Galatasaray/status/1831363061288251799?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Osimhen couldn't force a transfer this summer despite making it clear as early as January that he wanted to leave Napoli. Chelsea <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3063877" href="https://thescore.com/news/3063877">reportedly</a> had an agreement in place with Napoli, but Osimhen couldn't agree to personal terms.While the transfer window is closed for each of Europe's top five leagues, Turkish clubs can make signings until Sept. 13. European clubs can sell players even after their window has closed.Osimhen was a protagonist when Napoli captured their third-ever Scudetto in 2023, scoring 26 goals. He scored 15 times last term despite the Partenopei's disappointing 10th-place finish.The Nigerian international's future teammates at Galatasaray include <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///uefa/players/17567" href="https://thescore.com/uefa/players/17567">Mauro Icardi</a>, former Napoli player <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///uefa/players/10463" href="https://thescore.com/uefa/players/10463">Dries Mertens</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///uefa/players/31093" href="https://thescore.com/uefa/players/31093">Michy Batshuayi</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///uefa/players/37000" href="https://thescore.com/uefa/players/37000">Lucas Torreira</a>.

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - SEPTEMBER 3: 25 year old Nigerian defender Victor Osimhen, whom Galatasaray plans to recruit, arrives in Istanbul, Turkiye on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

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Napoli outcast Osimhen joins Galatasaray on loan after transfer saga

On the first Tuesday of every month during the 2024-25 season, we'll debate which clubs are among...

On the first Tuesday of every month during the 2024-25 season, we'll debate which clubs are among Europe's elite in our Soccer Power Rankings. In the inaugural edition, we pick out the top 20 sides on the continent going into the first international break.Jump to: <a href="#Arsenal">ARS</a> | <a href="#Atleti">ATM</a> | <a href="#Barca">BAR</a> | <a href="#Brighton">BHA</a> | <a href="#BVB">BVB</a> | <a href="#Bayern">FCB</a> | <a href="#Heidenheim">HDH</a> | <a href="#Inter">INT</a> | <a href="#Juve">JUV</a> | <a href="#Leverkusen">LEV</a> | <a href="#Pool">LIV</a> | <a href="#Man%20City">MCI</a> | <a href="#Newcastle">NEW</a> | <a href="#Marseille">OM</a> | <a href="#PSG">PSG</a> | <a href="#PSV">PSV</a> | <a href="#Leipzig">RBL</a> | <a href="#Madrid">RMA</a> | <a href="#Sporting">SCP</a> | <a href="#Torino">TOR</a><h3>1. <a id="Man City" name="Man%20City">Manchester City</a> 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741608/cropped_GettyImages-2167282155.jpg?ts=1723997096" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741608/w220xh124_GettyImages-2167282155.jpg?ts=1723997096 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741608/w320xh180_GettyImages-2167282155.jpg?ts=1723997096 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741608/w640xh360_GettyImages-2167282155.jpg?ts=1723997096 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741608/w768xh432_GettyImages-2167282155.jpg?ts=1723997096 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741608/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2167282155.jpg?ts=1723997096 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Marc Atkins / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>League position: 1st in Premier League<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>None of the other 19 Premier League clubs have scored more than Erling Haaland after three rounds of fixtures. The Norwegian's seven-goal haul, including two hat-tricks, have helped lift Manchester City into first place. Rico Lewis, Kevin De Bruyne, and Bernardo Silva are among the others who've impressed. - Daniel Rouse<h3>2. <a id="Barca" name="Barca">Barcelona</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-spain">🇪🇸</a>
</h3>League position: 1st in La LigaBarcelona's perfect start to the season is a huge credit to new head coach Hansi Flick after another summer of frenzied financial gymnastics in Catalonia. Barca walloped seven goals past Valladolid on Saturday, but their clear superiority in matches against Valencia (at the Mestalla) and Athletic Bilbao was extremely encouraging. - Rouse<h3>3. <a id="Pool" name="Pool">Liverpool</a> 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743426/cropped_GettyImages-2169752815.jpg?ts=1725215503" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743426/w220xh124_GettyImages-2169752815.jpg?ts=1725215503 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743426/w320xh180_GettyImages-2169752815.jpg?ts=1725215503 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743426/w640xh360_GettyImages-2169752815.jpg?ts=1725215503 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743426/w768xh432_GettyImages-2169752815.jpg?ts=1725215503 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743426/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2169752815.jpg?ts=1725215503 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Regan / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>League position: 2nd in Premier LeagueIt's been an impressive start to Arne Slot's reign, capped off with Sunday's professional 3-0 dismantling of Manchester United. The Dutch boss has leaned on the foundations that Jurgen Klopp left behind - Federico Chiesa is the only summer addition to the senior squad - while introducing a more measured approach. - Rouse<h3>4. <a id="Inter" name="Inter">Inter Milan</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-italy">🇮🇹</a>
</h3>League position: 1st in Serie AInter's opening-day draw with Genoa turned out to be an anomaly, not a sign of things to come. The Nerazzurri quickly re-established themselves as the team to beat in Serie A with an easy win over Lecce and a 4-0 takedown of Europa League winners Atalanta. - Anthony Lopopolo<h3>5. <a id="Madrid" name="Madrid">Real Madrid</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-spain">🇪🇸</a>
</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743448/cropped_GettyImages-2169190535.jpg?ts=1725226755" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743448/w220xh124_GettyImages-2169190535.jpg?ts=1725226755 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743448/w320xh180_GettyImages-2169190535.jpg?ts=1725226755 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743448/w640xh360_GettyImages-2169190535.jpg?ts=1725226755 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743448/w768xh432_GettyImages-2169190535.jpg?ts=1725226755 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743448/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2169190535.jpg?ts=1725226755 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> THOMAS COEX / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>League position: 2nd in La LigaKylian Mbappe needed four games to score his first goals in La Liga. Now, the rest of the league is on notice. Sunday's 2-0 win over Real Betis helped Real Madrid shake off the disappointment of 1-1 draws with Mallorca and Las Palmas. - Lopopolo<h3>6. <a id="Arsenal" name="Arsenal">Arsenal</a> 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</h3>League position: 4th in Premier LeagueThe home draw with Brighton &amp; Hove Albion on Saturday left a bitter taste after Declan Rice's controversial dismissal. Still, the recent victory at Aston Villa - who did the double over Arsenal last season - was proof that the Gunners can challenge at the top again. - Rouse<h3>7. <a id="PSG" name="PSG">Paris Saint-Germain</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-france">🇫🇷</a>
</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742298/cropped_GettyImages-2168102283.jpg?ts=1724447181" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742298/w220xh124_GettyImages-2168102283.jpg?ts=1724447181 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742298/w320xh180_GettyImages-2168102283.jpg?ts=1724447181 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742298/w640xh360_GettyImages-2168102283.jpg?ts=1724447181 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742298/w768xh432_GettyImages-2168102283.jpg?ts=1724447181 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742298/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2168102283.jpg?ts=1724447181 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Xavier Laine / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>League position: 1st in Ligue 1With 13 goals scored and just two conceded, PSG have responded as well as they possibly could to life without Mbappe. Bradley Barcola seems to have benefitted the most from Mbappe's departure with four goals scored in three games. PSG's youth project is paying early dividends. - Lopopolo<h3>8. <a id="Juve" name="Juve">Juventus</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-italy">🇮🇹</a>
</h3>League position: 2nd in Serie AThe two 3-0 wins to start the season showed a hungrier and younger side to Juventus. Thiago Motta has upended Massimiliano Allegri's conservative tactics in the few months since taking the job. Sunday's goalless draw with Roma is the only thing keeping the Bianconeri from being higher on the list. - Lopopolo<h3>9. <a id="Leipzig" name="Leipzig">RB Leipzig</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-germany">🇩🇪</a>
</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742376/cropped_GettyImages-2167333027.jpg?ts=1724518337" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742376/w220xh124_GettyImages-2167333027.jpg?ts=1724518337 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742376/w320xh180_GettyImages-2167333027.jpg?ts=1724518337 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742376/w640xh360_GettyImages-2167333027.jpg?ts=1724518337 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742376/w768xh432_GettyImages-2167333027.jpg?ts=1724518337 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742376/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2167333027.jpg?ts=1724518337 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> RONNY HARTMANN / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>League position: 3rd in BundesligaJust outside of first place on goal difference, Leipzig have made the biggest early-season impression in the Bundesliga, coming back from two goals down to beat Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday and end their 35-match league unbeaten run. Summer signing Antonio Nusa is one to watch. - Lopopolo<h3>10. <a id="Bayern" name="Bayern">Bayern Munich</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-germany">🇩🇪</a>
</h3>League position: 2nd in BundesligaBayern avoided an upset on opening weekend, fighting back from 2-1 down to beat Wolfsburg after blowing a 1-0 lead. Despite the unsettling start, they remain one of three Bundesliga teams with two wins out of two. Harry Kane, last year's top scorer, is also off the mark. - Lopopolo<h3>11. <a id="PSV" name="PSV">PSV Eindhoven</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-netherlands">🇳🇱</a>
</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743539/cropped_GettyImages-2167409816.jpg?ts=1725297062" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743539/w220xh124_GettyImages-2167409816.jpg?ts=1725297062 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743539/w320xh180_GettyImages-2167409816.jpg?ts=1725297062 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743539/w640xh360_GettyImages-2167409816.jpg?ts=1725297062 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743539/w768xh432_GettyImages-2167409816.jpg?ts=1725297062 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743539/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2167409816.jpg?ts=1725297062 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Soccrates Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>League position: 1st in EredivisiePeter Bosz's side isn't slowing down after storming to the 2023-24 Eredivisie crown. The richer clubs didn't pick at PSV as many predicted, with Jordan Teze's move to Monaco the only major departure. Title heroes like Joey Veerman, Luuk de Jong, and Johan Bakayoko are starring again. - Rouse<h3>12. <a id="Atleti" name="Atleti">Atletico Madrid</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-spain">🇪🇸</a>
</h3>League position: 3rd in La LigaAtleti fans should be optimistic after an impressive summer of business at the Wanda Metropolitano. It might take a while for the new recruits to click - Julian Alvarez has been quiet so far - but a 0-0 home draw with Espanyol represents a minor blip in some strong results thus far. - Rouse<h3>13. <a id="Sporting" name="Sporting">Sporting CP</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-portugal">🇵🇹</a>
</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/cropped_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w220xh124_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w320xh180_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w640xh360_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w768xh432_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743540/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2165575916.jpg?ts=1725297176 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Carlos Rodrigues / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>League position: 1st in Primeira LigaRuben Amorim's Sporting CP have kick-started their bid for back-to-back titles with four wins in four matches. Viktor Gyokeres is registering Haaland-esque numbers with seven goals and one assist. It will be fascinating to see how Sporting fare when they host Arsenal and Manchester City in the Champions League. - Rouse<h3>14. <a id="Marseille" name="Marseille">Marseille</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-france">🇫🇷</a>
</h3>League position: 2nd in Ligue 1Marseille showed they're on the ascendancy with a 5-1 rout of Brest, last season's surprise third-place finisher in France. Mason Greenwood has contributed five of the club's 10 league goals thus far. Robert De Zerbi has overseen a massive overhaul, with 12 players arriving for a reported €85 million. - Lopopolo<h3>15. <a id="Brighton" name="Brighton">Brighton &amp; Hove Albion</a> 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741483/cropped_GettyImages-2166384049.jpg?ts=1723913510" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741483/w220xh124_GettyImages-2166384049.jpg?ts=1723913510 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741483/w320xh180_GettyImages-2166384049.jpg?ts=1723913510 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741483/w640xh360_GettyImages-2166384049.jpg?ts=1723913510 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741483/w768xh432_GettyImages-2166384049.jpg?ts=1723913510 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741483/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2166384049.jpg?ts=1723913510 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>League position: 3rd in Premier LeagueDe Zerbi lost his buzz for the Brighton job, contributing to a slide of just one win in the club's final 10 matches last season. His successor, Fabian Hurzeler, has brought back the good feeling, masterminding wins over Everton and Manchester United before earning a draw at Arsenal. - Rouse<h3>16. <a id="Heidenheim" name="Heidenheim">Heidenheim</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-germany">🇩🇪</a>
</h3>League position: 1st in BundesligaFrank Schmidt was involved in Heidenheim's promotion from the fifth tier as a player and subsequently oversaw three promotions as head coach. Now, he's guided them to the Bundesliga's summit. Chief executive Holger Sanwald is another hero of the club's rise after taking over the then-amateur outfit in 1994. - Rouse<h3>17. <a id="Leverkusen" name="Leverkusen">Bayer Leverkusen</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-germany">🇩🇪</a>
</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743296/cropped_GettyImages-2169631786.jpg?ts=1725133667" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743296/w220xh124_GettyImages-2169631786.jpg?ts=1725133667 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743296/w320xh180_GettyImages-2169631786.jpg?ts=1725133667 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743296/w640xh360_GettyImages-2169631786.jpg?ts=1725133667 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743296/w768xh432_GettyImages-2169631786.jpg?ts=1725133667 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743296/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2169631786.jpg?ts=1725133667 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Pau Barrena / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>League position: 8th in BundesligaLeverkusen's invincibility may have been shattered on the weekend, but a lot of their championship DNA remains intact. They added the DFL-Supercup to their cabinet with a shootout win over Stuttgart, beat Mainz while down a man, and scored a typically late goal to win their opener. - Lopopolo<h3>18. <a id="Torino" name="Torino">Torino</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-italy">🇮🇹</a>
</h3>League position: 3rd in Serie ATorino surprised with a 2-2 draw at AC Milan and deserved victory over Atalanta. The club is full of interesting names, including Scottish forward Che Adams, and plays a rhythmic style of football with patient buildup play. Keep an eye on Torino's development under rookie Serie A coach Paolo Vanoli. - Lopopolo<h3>19. <a id="Newcastle" name="Newcastle">Newcastle United</a> 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743541/cropped_GettyImages-2169058802.jpg?ts=1725297286" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743541/w220xh124_GettyImages-2169058802.jpg?ts=1725297286 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743541/w320xh180_GettyImages-2169058802.jpg?ts=1725297286 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743541/w640xh360_GettyImages-2169058802.jpg?ts=1725297286 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743541/w768xh432_GettyImages-2169058802.jpg?ts=1725297286 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743541/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2169058802.jpg?ts=1725297286 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>League position: 5th in Premier LeagueEddie Howe believes it will take longer to deliver success after a frustrating transfer window. But the on-pitch evidence indicates Newcastle can finish in the top four, especially with fewer injuries than last season and a schedule free of European football. Goalkeeper Nick Pope is their standout player so far. - Rouse<h3>20. <a id="BVB" name="BVB">Borussia Dortmund</a> <a href="https://emojipedia.org/flag-germany">🇩🇪</a>
</h3>League position: 4th in BundesligaIt's all change at Dortmund despite their surprise run to the 2024 Champions League final. Club icon Marco Reus moved to Major League Soccer, Niclas Fullkrug left for West Ham United, and the largely inexperienced Nuri Sahin is at the helm. Their defense looks solid so far. - RouseOn the cusp: Monaco, Girona, Fenerbahce

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Soccer Power Rankings: Early-season look at Europe's top teams

Jasmine Paolini, one of just two women to reach the fourth round at all four Grand Slam events th...

Jasmine Paolini, one of just two women to reach the fourth round at all four Grand Slam events this year, couldn't build on her run at the US Open, falling 3-6, 3-6 to Karolina Muchova on Monday in the round of 16.Muchova is back in the quarterfinals after reaching the semis a year ago in Flushing Meadows. The 28-year-old missed the Australian Open and French Open following surgery on her right wrist.Paolini, the No. 5 seed in New York, had never made it past the second round in any of her 16 Grand Slam appearances before this year. She reached the fourth round in Australia and the final at both the French Open and Wimbledon before winning Olympic gold in Paris in the doubles event.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>She ends her breakout season with an incredible 18 matches won at majors - the most an Italian woman has ever compiled in a single year and a massive upgrade on the four she previously collected in her career.

Italy's Jasmine Paolini plays a return to Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their women's singles round of 16 match on day eight of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on September 2, 2024.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Jannik Sinner never gave his third-round opponent at the U.S. Open on Saturday, C...

NEW YORK (AP) — Jannik Sinner never gave his third-round opponent at the U.S. Open on Saturday, Chris O'Connell, even a moment to contemplate pulling off the sort of monumental upsets that eliminated Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.The No. 1-ranked Sinner, suddenly the favorite to win the men's championship at Flushing Meadows next weekend, won the first five games and 21 of the first 29 points to make quite clear how things would go at Arthur Ashe Stadium and wrapped up a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over O'Connell in under two hours."I felt like he was on from the get-go," O'Connell said. "I felt a little bit clueless, to be honest. ... Every single shot, I just felt like I had to do something with it, because he was just on me. He was suffocating me."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Stepping on court less than 15 hours after Djokovic's loss to Alexei Popyrin, and two days after Alcaraz's loss to Botic van de Zandschulp, Sinner was as dominant as can be in every facet of the sport. With 23-time major champion Serena Williams watching from an Ashe suite, Sinner struck 15 aces. He never faced a break point. He won five of O'Connell's 12 service games. He finished with more than twice as many winners, 46, as unforced errors, 22."The best tennis player I've ever played, for sure," the 30-year-old O'Connell said.Since losing the first set he played in New York, against Mackie McDonald — which also was the first set Sinner had played since news emerged of a doping case that involved two positive tests in March for trace amounts of a banned anabolic steroid — the 23-year-old from Italy has performed impeccably, dropping a total of 18 games across nine sets.Trying to collect his second Grand Slam title of the year after gaining the first of his career at the Australian Open in January, Sinner will face No. 14 Tommy Paul of the United States or qualifier Gabriel Diallo of Canada in the fourth round on Monday.Perhaps there was some wariness on Sinner's part heading into Saturday, given recent events. This is, after all, only the third time in the Open era (the others were in 1973 and 2000) that two of the top three seeded men were gone before the fourth round.So Sinner woke up as the man considered likeliest to win the U.S. Open, a status that belonged to No. 3 Alcaraz — the champion at the French Open and Wimbledon this season — before the tournament began. No. 2 Djokovic — the defending champ and owner of a men's-record 24 major trophies — moved atop the odds when Alcaraz was sent home Thursday night, only to relinquish that after his own early exit Friday night.The 87th-ranked O'Connell harbored hope of producing yet another surprise, even if he's never beaten a member of the top 10 or been past the third round at a Slam.What van de Zandschulp and Popyrin did allowed O’Connell to dream of producing something similar against Sinner."I mean, yeah, I've got to believe," O’Connell said, "but I just felt that he was really on fire."There is something quite difficult about trying to follow up one career-best win with another, and van de Zandschulp didn't really show up on Saturday, eliminated by No. 25 Jack Draper 6-3, 6-4, 6-2."After the match (against Alcaraz), it was a little bit crazy," van de Zandschulp said. "You try to think about the next match but you get reminded a lot of the match the day before. So of course it was tough to play today after the last two days."Draper, a 22-year-old left-hander from Britain, is into the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second year in a row. He never has been past that stage at a Grand Slam tournament, and neither has his next opponent, unseeded Tomas Machac, a 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 winner against David Goffin.Earlier Saturday, Jasmine Paolini joined Coco Gauff as the only women to reach at least the fourth round at every major in 2024, getting that far at the U.S. Open for the first time with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 30 seed Yulia Putintseva.The fifth-seeded Paolini, a 28-year-old from Italy, had never made it past the second round in 16 appearances at majors entering this season. But she reached the fourth round at the Australian Open in January, before being the runner-up at both the French Open in June and Wimbledon in July.Now she is once again into Week 2. Paolini compiled 13 of her 22 winners off the forehand side against Putintseva at Louis Armstrong Stadium and will meet 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova on Monday.Also reaching the fourth round with a win Saturday was No. 6 Jessica Pegula of the United States. She overwhelmed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain 6-3, 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Bouzas Maneiro grabbed attention at Wimbledon by eliminating defending champion Marketa Vondrousova in the first round.___AP tennis: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tennis">https://apnews.com/hub/tennis</a>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Jannik Sinner of Italy in action agaisnt Alex Michelsen (not seen) of the United States during their Men's Singles Second Round match on Day Four of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

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No upset here as Sinner romps to lopsided 3rd-round win at US Open

The 2024 summer transfer window has slammed shut. Get caught up on deadline day with theScore's q...

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Breaking down all the major deals and rumors from transfer deadline day

Chelsea were unable to land either Victor Osimhen or Ivan Toney on deadline day.  Osimhen is stay...

Chelsea were unable to land either <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/90910" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/90910">Victor Osimhen</a> or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/24227" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/24227">Ivan Toney</a> on deadline day.Osimhen is staying at Napoli after failing to agree to personal terms with Chelsea, transfer insider <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1829635361171014022">Fabrizio Romano</a> reports. The west London outfit apparently entered exclusive talks with the Nigerian forward after Toney went forward with his €40-million move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.Al-Ahli also had a deal in place with Osimhen over a four-year contract worth €40 million per season, according to Sky Sport Italia's <a href="https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/calciomercato-osimhen-napoli-news-30-agosto-2024">Gianluca Di Marzio</a>, but were unable to agree to a fee with Napoli.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Conversely, the Italian club had reportedly reached an agreement with Chelsea.Al-Ahli <a href="https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/first-team-ivan-toney-brentford-al-ahli-transfer">finalized</a> Toney's transfer from Brentford late Friday night. The 28-year-old English international completed medical tests in London prior to the move being announced.The Saudi transfer window, unlike in Europe, remains open until October, meaning Toney was able to complete his move even after England's deadline passed at 6 p.m. ET on Friday.Unless Al-Ahli or another Saudi side rescues Osimhen, he could be out of action until the transfer window reopens in January. Napoli manager Antonio Conte is unlikely to reintegrate Osimhen into his squad, Di Marzio reports, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/2204" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/2204">Romelu Lukaku</a> handed the keys to the attack after joining from Chelsea.Osimhen scored in double figures in each of his four Serie A seasons, including a 26-goal campaign in 2022-23 when he led Napoli to the Scudetto. Toney, meanwhile, found the net 32 times over his first two Premier League seasons with Brentford.

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Osimhen stays at Napoli, Toney joins Al-Ahli despite Chelsea interest

Romelu Lukaku brought a merciful end to a miserable second spell with Chelsea on Thursday after c...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguea/players/2204" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguea/players/2204">Romelu Lukaku</a> brought a merciful end to a miserable second spell with Chelsea on Thursday after completing a permanent transfer to Napoli.The deal cost Napoli around €30 million, according to transfer insider <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1829157015639532000">Fabrizio Romano</a>.Lukaku is officially done with the Blues after spending the last two seasons on loan at Inter Milan and Roma. Chelsea cut their losses on one of their most expensive signings, having spent a reported €115 million to sign him from Inter in 2021.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The move reunites Lukaku with manager Antonio Conte, who coached the Belgian international at Inter, and could prompt Chelsea to sign Napoli's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/90910" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/90910">Victor Osimhen</a> as a replacement."Welcome, Romelu," Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis posted on X.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Benvenuto Romelu! <a href="https://t.co/u5B4hF0y0D">pic.twitter.com/u5B4hF0y0D</a>— AurelioDeLaurentiis (@ADeLaurentiis) <a href="https://twitter.com/ADeLaurentiis/status/1829156316390269319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Napoli are the eighth club of Lukaku's journeyman career. He has cost them a combined €369 million in transfer fees, according to <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/romelu-lukaku/transfers/spieler/96341">transfermarkt.com</a>.Lukaku pushed hard to return to Chelsea shortly after winning Serie A with Conte's Inter in May 2021. At the time, he said he felt "blessed to be back at this wonderful club," having played just 15 times for the west London side between 2011-14.However, the 31-year-old quickly ran into issues with Chelsea's then-manager Thomas Tuchel and faced limited action. He then criticized the German's tactics during an unauthorized interview with Sky Italia and called on Inter to re-sign him.Lukaku scored just 13 goals in 42 appearances for Chelsea before rejoining Inter in 2022 on loan. His return there didn't go to plan, either, and the Nerazzurri cut ties altogether when reports emerged that Lukaku's camp was in talks over a move to rival Juventus ahead of the 2023-24 season.The striker joined Roma toward the end of last summer despite reported interest from Saudi Arabia but managed just 13 Serie A goals there and returned to Chelsea in July. Like many of the club's outcasts, Lukaku was forced to train with the U21s until finding an exit.Now he'll get a chance to reignite his career under Conte, who coaxed 24 league goals out of Lukaku during Inter's Scudetto-winning 2021 campaign.

FRANKFURT, GERMANY - JUNE 17: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium celebrates after scoring the goal but it was offside during the Group E - UEFA EURO 2024 match between Belgium and Slovakia at Deutsche Bank Park on June 17, 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany.

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Lukaku ends Chelsea nightmare with reported €30M move to Napoli

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid finally completed the swap deal of the summer Wednesday, with Joao Fe...

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid finally completed the swap deal of the summer Wednesday, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguea/players/102327" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguea/players/102327">Joao Felix</a> rejoining the Blues on a permanent transfer and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/160089" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/160089">Conor Gallagher</a> heading to the Spanish capital.Chelsea <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5710191/2024/08/20/joao-felix-chelsea-transfer-atletico/">reportedly agreed</a> to pay around €50 million for Felix, who previously spent a disappointing six-month loan spell at Stamford Bridge during the second half of the 2022-23 season. That deal gave Atletico the funds to complete Gallagher's move for a <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1826205536888512856">reported</a> €42 million.The transaction was at risk of collapse as recently as last week. Chelsea were reportedly planning to sign Atletico striker Samu Omorodion but switched their focus to Felix after talks with Omorodion broke down.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Gallagher reportedly spent several days waiting in Madrid for his transfer to be finalized, only to return to west London last week to train on his own.Felix is Chelsea's 10th signing of the summer window, bringing the club's total spending above the £200-million mark, according to <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/chelsea-fc/transfers/verein/631">transfermarkt.com</a>. "I'm really happy to be back at Chelsea, and I can't wait to get started," Felix <a href="https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/joao-felix-is-a-chelsea-player">told</a> Chelsea's website. "I can see some familiar faces from the last time I was here, which is always nice."I loved my time here before, and I told my friends and family that I'd love to return to the Premier League one day. To do that with Chelsea is a great feeling, and I'm excited to be back."Despite captaining Chelsea regularly last season, Gallagher quickly became a sacrificial lamb for the club, which has routinely sold off homegrown players for 100% profit to fund extravagant signings. Chelsea have reportedly spent over £1 billion in the five transfer windows since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital bought the team from Roman Abramovich in May 2022.

COBHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Chelsea unveil new signing Joao Felix at Chelsea Training Ground on August 20, 2024 in Cobham, England.

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Chelsea and Atletico's Felix-Gallagher swap deal finally complete

In the blink of an eye, we're back. After a hectic summer, the 2024-25 Premier League campaign ki...

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Premier League predictions: Title winners, top 4, relegation, and more

The United States men's national team is set to hire former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager...

The United States men's national team is set to hire former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino as its new head coach, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5702243/2024/08/15/mauricio-pochettino-usmnt-head-coach/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>.Pochettino has agreed to coach the U.S. through the 2026 World Cup, which it's co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, and is scheduled to begin work Sept. 7 against Canada, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40866500/pochettino-agrees-become-united-states-coach-source">ESPN FC's Mark Ogden</a>.The Argentine can't officially sign on with U.S. Soccer until he works out a severance agreement with Chelsea, Ogden adds. He left the club in May with one year still remaining on his contract.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The job would be Pochettino's first in international management. He coached Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final, led Paris Saint-Germain to a domestic treble in France, and most recently helped Chelsea finish sixth in the Premier League, returning them to European football after a one-year hiatus.Pochettino also coached Southampton, where he met Matt Crocker, the man who led the search for the next U.S. head coach. The two were there when the Saints finished eighth in 2013.Crocker served as England's technical director from 2013-20 and joined U.S. Soccer as sporting director after a second stint with Southampton.Pochettino was considered the favorite to replace recently fired coach Gregg Berhalter - even though he was a seemingly ambitious target. The 52-year-old was one of the highest-paid managers in world football at PSG and Chelsea, and had just left the Blues amid a reported power struggle with club co-owner Todd Boehly and top management. But Crocker confirmed the federation was prepared to pay the next head coach a top-level salary.Leading up to and during the 2022 World Cup, U.S. Soccer <a href="https://apnews.com/article/berhalter-soccer-salary-049d2498c2c9f494ff99e9a2c23ddb9e">paid</a> Berhalter $2.3 million, including a $900,000 bonus for qualifying."I know it's a really competitive market out there salary-wise, and we have to be competitive to get the level of coach that I believe can take the program forward in terms of achieving the results that we need to do on the field," Crocker <a href="https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/_/id/40598928/how-much-usmnt-pay-next-coach-more-think">said</a>. "But I'm also really conscious that we need to continue to drive for higher standards and equality. I don't think that's going to be a stumbling block in terms of our investment."Our national team is a priority. It's something we're prepared to invest in and something that we will be investing in."

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Chelsea, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on May 19, 2024 in London, England.

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Report: Pochettino agrees to become next USMNT head coach

The United States women's soccer team is back on top of the podium after a 12-year wait.  Mallory...

The United States women's soccer team is back on top of the podium after a 12-year wait.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122549" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122549">Mallory Swanson</a> buried her fourth goal of the tournament to give the U.S. a 1-0 win over Brazil in Paris on Saturday, securing her country's first gold medal in women's soccer since 2012 and record-extending fifth overall.Five-time FIFA Player of the Year <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/159314" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/159314">Marta</a> couldn't turn the tide after coming on as a second-half substitute in what could be her final meaningful appearance for Brazil. The 38-year-old, who's never won the Women's World Cup or gold in any of her six Olympics, said she's retiring from international soccer at the end of the year.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Powered by attacking trio <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/199754" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/199754">Trinity Rodman</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/199760" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/199760">Sophia Smith</a>, and Swanson - who combined for 10 goals in France - the U.S. finally prevailed after settling for bronze in 2020 and finishing without a medal in 2016.The title is the team's first under new head coach Emma Hayes, the former Chelsea women's manager who only started the job in June, and its first major international championship in five years."America means more to me than most people realize," Hayes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3051874" href="https://thescore.com/news/3051874">said</a> afterward. "And I was a 20-year-old who'd come from a pretty stuffy society that didn't embrace the women's game and women in football. And I went to America and they looked after me, they nurtured me, they opened doors for me, they gave me opportunities that England never, ever gave me. And I'm just so happy, so happy to repay their faith in me."The U.S. rebounded in a big way after suffering its earliest exit from the Women's World Cup last year when it fell to Sweden in the round of 16. Before that, the U.S. lost to Canada in the semifinals of the Olympic tournament in Tokyo in 2021. The setbacks ultimately forced head coach Vlatko Andonovski to resign, leading U.S. Soccer to hire Hayes at the end of her trophy-laden 12-year spell in charge of Chelsea.The 47-year-old largely stuck to the same lineup throughout the tournament, trusting a younger core after dropping 35-year-old forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/122550" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/122550">Alex Morgan</a> from the squad. Rodman, the 22-year-old daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, and Smith, 24, each had three goals in France, and 20-year-old midfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/208161" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/208161">Korbin Albert</a>, who made just seven starts prior to the Olympics, threaded the pass that led to Swanson's opening goal in the 57th minute.But 36-year-old goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122532" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122532">Alyssa Naeher</a> - a U.S. women's national team veteran who's won two World Cups - finished the game as arguably its MVP, coming up clutch to record a third consecutive clean sheet in the knockout round.With just minutes remaining in regular time, Naeher prevented a late equalizer with the best of her four stops, clawing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122073" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122073">Adriana</a>'s close-range header out of the air to restore the U.S. as champion.

Paris , France - 10 August 2024; Mallory Swanson of Team United States celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the women's gold medal match between Team Brazil and Team United States at Parc des Princes during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France.

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USWNT wins gold for 1st time in 12 years after beating Marta's Brazil

Tottenham Hotspur struck what could turn out to be the most expensive deal of the Premier League'...

Tottenham Hotspur struck what could turn out to be the most expensive deal of the Premier League's summer transfer window with the signing of Dominic Solanke on Saturday.The striker cost £55 million up front and £10 million in potential add-ons to pluck from Bournemouth, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0k48z8e7nlo">BBC Sport's Simon Stone and Nizaar Kinsella</a>. The deal could eclipse Tottenham's club-record outlay for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/93676" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/93676">Tanguy Ndombele</a>.The fee represents a club-record outgoing transfer for Bournemouth. However, Liverpool are reportedly entitled to 20% of profit from Solanke's switch from the Reds to Bournemouth in 2019, which eventually cost around £19 million.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It's hoped Solanke will be an ideal long-term replacement for Harry Kane, the prolific homegrown striker who left Tottenham for Bayern Munich last summer. Solanke is coming off the best season of his career, scoring 21 goals in 42 appearances for Bournemouth across all competitions.The 26-year-old scored just 10 goals over four Premier League campaigns with Liverpool and Bournemouth before last season's 19-goal return. He started his career at Chelsea but only made one substitute appearance in the Champions League for the Blues.Solanke signed a contract until 2030 with Tottenham.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth at St. James Park on February 17, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.

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Tottenham bag striker Solanke from Bournemouth for reported £65M

Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski won bronze in Olympic mixed doubles tennis ...

Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski won bronze in Olympic mixed doubles tennis on Friday, beating Dutch pair Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof 6-3, 7-6 (2) for the country's first tennis medal since 2000.Canada won its only other Olympic tennis medal in Sydney when Sebastien Lareau and Daniel Nestor struck gold in 2000.Auger-Aliassime had enough steam to compete despite losing a chance to play for gold in men's singles hours earlier in Paris with a straight-sets defeat to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>But the swift turnaround seemed to have little effect on Auger-Aliassime, who won and saved points from back court and served up two aces. The 23-year-old was playing in his 10th match at the Olympics and fourth in just two days. Auger-Aliassime also competed in men's doubles but lost in the first round on Monday.He'll play for the bronze medal in singles on Saturday against Italy's Lorenzo Musetti.Auger-Aliassime and Dabrowski needed just 35 minutes to take the first set and appeared poised for an easy victory after going up 3-0 in the second. But the Dutch won six of the next nine games to force a second-set tiebreaker. The Canadians ran away with it after that.

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Gabriela Dabrowski and Felix Auger-Aliassime of Team Canada celebrate during the Tennis Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal match against Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof of Team Netherlands on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on August 02, 2024 in Paris, France.

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Auger-Aliassime, Dabrowski win bronze hours after FAA loses shot at singles gold

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) has appealed the six-point deduction that rocked Canada's wo...

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) has <a href="https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/CAS_Media_Release_ParisOG_arrival_9_and_10.pdf">appealed</a> the six-point deduction that rocked Canada's women's soccer team, with a final decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) expected before the players face Colombia in a pivotal group-stage finale Wednesday.FIFA imposed the penalty after police seized a drone used to spy on New Zealand, which Canada beat in its opening match of the group stage last week. The governing body also suspended head coach Bev Priestman and team members Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander from all soccer-related activities for one year. Lombardi was handed a suspended eight-month prison sentence for operating the drone.COC CEO David Shoemaker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3043737" href="https://thescore.com/news/3043737">said</a> Priestman was "highly likely to have been aware" of drone use in France.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The COC is requesting the points deduction be reduced or canceled outright. The suspensions aren't part of the appeal and will remain in place regardless of Wednesday's decision."The appeal is based on the disproportionality of the sanction, which we believe unfairly punishes the athletes for actions they had no part in and goes far beyond restoring fairness to the match against New Zealand," the COC <a href="https://olympic.ca/press/coc-statement-on-appeal-of-fifa-sanctions/">said</a> in a statement.Canada has already offset the deduction by beating New Zealand and France in Group A. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/159751" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/159751">Vanessa Gilles</a> scored in the 102nd minute to give Canada a dramatic 2-1 win over the host nation on Sunday."We're not cheaters," Gilles <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3045028" href="https://thescore.com/news/3045028">said</a> afterward. "We're damn good players, we're a damn good team, we're a damn good group, and we proved that today."Even if the CAS upholds FIFA's ruling, Canada can still reach the quarterfinals with a victory over Colombia on Wednesday. The defending gold medalist could even top the group if it beats Colombia and France loses to New Zealand.

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - JULY 28: Players of Team Canada celebrate after the teams victory following the Women's group A match between France and Canada during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on July 28, 2024 in Saint-Etienne, France.

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COC appealing CanWNT's 6-point deduction for spying

In possibly the last of their men's record 60 matches against each other, Novak Djokovic held off...

In possibly the last of their men's record 60 matches against each other, Novak Djokovic held off Rafael Nadal to win 6-1, 6-4 Monday on Court Philippe Chatrier and reach the round of 16 of the Olympic tennis singles tournament in Paris.Nadal was staring at a lopsided defeat after falling into a 4-0 hole in the second set. But the Spaniard - as he's done so often at Roland Garros, the site of 14 of his 22 Grand Slam victories - dug deep to erase the deficit and tie Djokovic at 4-4.Djokovic fought back and finally converted on his fourth break point to take the ninth game of the set. Nadal's comeback attempt ended shortly after.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>But the 38-year-old's Olympics aren't over. He remains in the doubles side of the draw with partner Carlo Alcaraz. The two won their debut match Saturday, scoring a hard-fought straight-sets victory over Argentinian pair Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.Djokovic will face either Germany's Dominik Koepfer or Italy's Matteo Arnaldi in the round of 16. The Serbian is trying to win Olympic gold for the first time.With the win, Djokovic extends his record over his Spanish rival to 31-29.It's unclear if Nadal will play another major singles match. Although he's on the entry list for next month's US Open, there's no guarantee he'll accept the invitation to play in New York.Nadal has been playing sporadically over the past two seasons due to a series of injuries, missing five of the last seven Grand Slam events, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year.He hasn't made it past the second round of a major since 2022.

Novak Djokovic is playing during the Men's Singles Second Round match against Rafael Nadal on the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros in Paris, France on July 29, 2024.

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Djokovic resists Nadal's late rally to advance in Olympic tennis singles

Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue urged FIFA and the International Olympic Committee not to deduct poi...

Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue urged FIFA and the International Olympic Committee not to deduct points from Canada's women's soccer team over the spying scandal that forced the program to suspend head coach Bev Priestman.Blue <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/video/impact-of-scandal-on-players-decision-on-priestmans-future-addressed-by-canada-soccer-ceo~2966532">told</a> reporters on a web conference Friday he hasn't considered withdrawing the team from the Olympics in Paris "because we feel we have handled the situation swiftly and thoroughly."While the former Golf Canada executive, who took the job in March, said he was investigating the potentially "systemic ethical shortcoming" that has thrown the program into disarray, he emphasized the players on Canada's current roster have done nothing wrong.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"The players themselves have not been involved in any unethical behavior, and frankly we ask FIFA to take that into consideration if contemplating any further sanctions," Blue <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/video/canada-soccer-ceo-admits-possibility-of-systemic-ethical-shortcoming-says-players-not-involved~2966493">said</a>. "Specifically, we do not feel that a deduction of points in this tournament would be fair to our players, particularly in light of the significant and immediate steps we've taken to address this situation."The issue of spying - which emerged after a staff member was caught using a drone to capture footage of New Zealand's training sessions before Canada's opening win over the Kiwis on Thursday - also spread to the men's team. Blue <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/video/blue-marsch-denounced-it-as-a-practice-upon-learning-of-attempted-drone-usage-at-copa~2966512">said</a> there was "attempted drone usage" during the men's run to the Copa America semifinals earlier this month but stressed it was a "significantly different" case and didn't impact any result.Blue said men's head coach Jesse Marsch learned about the drone after it happened and "forcefully" denounced its use to staff.Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker conceded that the latest information - including a report from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3043737" href="https://thescore.com/news/3043737">TSN's Rick Westhead</a> that Canada had used drones to spy on opponents at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - could tarnish the women's gold medal-winning performance there."It makes me ill," Shoemaker <a href="https://x.com/Devin_Heroux/status/1816754750278267137">told</a> reporters in France. "It makes me sick to my stomach to think there could be something that calls into question what I'm sure so many of you have heard me say over the course of the last three years, one of my favorite Olympic moments in history, that women's team winning that gold medal against all odds and those COVID restrictions."Stephanie Labbe, who saved two penalty kicks in the shootout win over Sweden in the final in Tokyo, denied using drone footage to determine which way her opponents shot. Labbe saved two other spot-kicks in the quarterfinal shootout win over Brazil."I studied HARD the night before every match," she <a href="https://x.com/stephlabbe1/status/1816807616338690088">wrote</a> on X. "Watched videos of players taking PKs in national team and club games. Made my own educated guesses based on that info. NO DRONE FOOTAGE was watched. Do not confuse great goalkeeping with cheating."Christine Sinclair, who scored an international-record 190 goals in 331 games for Canada, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C95M_15pML-/">called</a> the actions "condemnable" and ones which the players "have no control over.""I want to be clear that having been a national team player for 23 years, we were never shown or discussed drone footage in team or individual meetings I've been present for," she added.

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - JULY 25: Players of Team Canada acknowledge the fans after the Women's group A match between Canada and New Zealand during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on July 25, 2024 in Saint-Etienne, France.

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Canada's women's soccer team opened its Olympic gold medal defense with a 2-1 comeback win over 2...

Canada's women's soccer team opened its Olympic gold medal defense with a 2-1 comeback win over 28th-ranked New Zealand on Thursday, fighting through the embarrassment of a spying scandal that compelled its head coach to withdraw from the game in Saint-Etienne.Canada trailed after 13 minutes but equalized late in the first half following some slick one-touch passing. Substitute <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/199342" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/199342">Evelyne Viens</a> deposited the winner in the 79th minute after jumping on a long ball from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122108" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122108">Jessie Fleming</a> and firing past onrushing goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/159379" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/159379">Anna Leat</a> and into the far corner.Coach Bev Priestman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3042840" href="https://thescore.com/news/3042840">voluntarily withdrew</a> from the game after a member of her team was caught flying a drone over two of New Zealand's practice sessions in the lead-up to the match. Canada Soccer later <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3043737" href="https://thescore.com/news/3043737">suspended</a> the 38-year-old after learning about previous drone use. Both Canada Soccer and FIFA are investigating.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The team member who operated the drone was handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence by local authorities and sent home by the Canadian Olympic Committee.Assistant coach Andy Spence oversaw Thursday's win and will remain in charge for the remainder of the Olympics. Canada's next game is Sunday against host nation France.Canada earned its first gold medal in women's soccer at the pandemic-delayed Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, beating Sweden in a shootout. Thirteen members on the current roster were part of that championship team, and a number of them, including veterans Fleming, Kadeisha Buchanan, and Ashley Lawrence, arrived in France for their third consecutive Olympics.Fleming was influential throughout the contest, even if her teammates weren't always on the same wavelength. But she connected with Lawrence to set up Canada's equalizer in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time. Cloe Lacasse finished off the sweeping move with a shot into the upper netting.Canada controlled more than 60% possession, and just when it seemed like the team had exhausted all of its ideas, Fleming found Viens running in behind New Zealand's defense for the decisive goal."I think we feel really thankful that we had the opportunity to come out here and play today and show what it means for us to represent Canada as players," Fleming said, according to the <a href="https://x.com/Devin_Heroux/status/1816531239324541118">CBC's Devin Heroux</a>. "It's been a lot for the group."

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - JULY 25: Evelyne Viens #4 of Team Canada celebrates scoring her team's second goal with teammates during the Women's group A match between Canada and New Zealand during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on July 25, 2024 in Saint-Etienne, France.

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CanWNT rallies to beat New Zealand after spying scandal at Olympics

Canadian coach Bev Priestman voluntarily withdrew from Thursday's Olympics women's soccer opener ...

Canadian coach Bev Priestman voluntarily withdrew from Thursday's Olympics women's soccer opener against New Zealand in Saint-Etienne, France, after two members of her team were caught flying drones over their opponent's practice session.The incidents occurred Monday and last Friday. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) <a href="https://olympic.ca/press/coc-statement-on-drone-incident-in-saint-etienne/">said</a> the members responsible for the drone have been sent home and that all Canada Soccer staff will undergo mandatory ethics training.FIFA's Disciplinary Committee has since <a href="https://inside.fifa.com/legal/judicial-bodies/news/fifa-disciplinary-committee-statement">opened proceedings</a> against Canada Soccer, Priestman, and the two COC members involved, Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada. This does not represent the values that our team stands for," Priestman said."I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program. Accordingly, to emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday. In the spirit of accountability, I do this with the interests of both teams in mind and to ensure everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game is upheld."Priestman denied directing anyone to use a drone to spy on New Zealand.French police seized the drone and handed one of the members a suspended eight-month prison sentence, a local prosecutor confirmed in a statement obtained by <a href="https://x.com/Devin_Heroux/status/1816135469425365247">CBC's Devin Heroux</a>.The New Zealand Olympic Committee initially reported the incident to police and lodged a complaint with the International Olympic Committee's integrity unit and FIFA. COC CEO David Shoemaker told <a href="https://x.com/Devin_Heroux/status/1816198292990222528">Heroux</a> and reporters that New Zealand has requested Canada receive no FIFA points in the event of a win Thursday. He said he was also unaware of any further calls to disqualify the team.The COC said Canada Soccer has been "transparent and cooperative" during the investigation. The committee added it may take further action. Canada Soccer said it will conduct its own independent review and make the results public."It's ultimately compromised, I think, the integrity of our match," New Zealand interim head coach Michael Mayne told <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/soccer/canada-soccer-drone-july-24-1.7273360">The Canadian Press' Gregory Strong</a>. "We're controlling what we can control. It's an overwhelming feeling of disappointment, and I know the players are feeling the same."In September 2021, Honduras halted a training session in Toronto ahead of a men's World Cup qualifier after spotting a drone overhead. John Herdman, then coach of Canada's men's team, downplayed the incident, saying, "There's a lot of people in Canada that fly drones."

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 02: Head coach of Canada Beverly Priestman gestures during Quarterfinals - 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup between Canada and Costa Rica at BMO Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

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CanWNT's Priestman misses opener after staffers caught spying on New Zealand

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are out of Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio.  Messi r...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///copam/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/copam/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/100098" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/100098">Luis Suarez</a> are out of Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio.Messi rolled his ankle during the Copa America final on July 14. He was seen wearing a protective boot during a ceremony honoring his 45 career titles before Inter Miami's 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday. Suarez started that match after coming off the bench in Inter Miami's 3-1 victory over Toronto FC three days earlier."Leo Messi will miss the All-Star Game due to an ankle injury, while Luis Suarez, who recently returned from international duty after over 40 days away from the club, will miss the All-Star Game due to knee discomfort," Inter Miami said in a statement obtained by <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article290306519.html">Miami Herald reporter Michelle Kaufman</a>. "Their availability for Saturday's League's Cup match will be assessed based on their daily recovery process."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1114" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1114">Sergio Busquets</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1341" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1341">Jordi Alba</a> are expected to participate in Wednesday's contest, which pits the best from MLS against All-Stars from Mexico's Liga MX.Messi's absence from some of the league's biggest matches continues to hurt fans who purchased tickets from third-party websites at multiple times their face value. He's missed six contests this season and 12 since joining Inter Miami in July 2023.The Chicago Fire <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2941175" href="https://thescore.com/news/2941175">said</a> they'll offer vouchers to ticket holders if Messi doesn't play when Inter Miami visit Soldier Field on Aug. 31.Messi hasn't yet played at Lower.com Field, the home of the Columbus Crew and venue for the 2024 MLS All-Star Game. Inter Miami are scheduled to face the Crew in Columbus on Oct. 2.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - JULY 20: Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) greets fans afte a recognition ceremony for earning 45 professional trophies before the game between Chicago Fire FC and Inter Miami CF on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Messi, Suarez to miss MLS All-Star Game

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