The Spanish national team is moving steadily toward the 2026 World Cup.
The Spanish national team is moving steadily toward the 2026 World Cup.
Germany turns things around and beats Northern Ireland 3-1
▲ Spaniard Pedri (yellow) scored his team's sixth goal against Turkey in a Group E match. Photo AP
AFP
La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, September 8, 2025, p. a12
Konya. European champions Spain are firmly on their way to the 2026 World Cup. On the second day of European qualifying, they thrashed Turkey 6-0 in Konya thanks to a hat trick from striker Mikel Merino (22, 45+1, and 57). Pedri opened the scoring and then doubled it (6, 62) with astonishing effectiveness in front of the Turkish goal.
Ferran Torres (53) also joined La Roja 's celebrations to lead Group E of the UEFA qualifiers with six points, after beating Bulgaria (3-0) on Thursday in Sofia. Luis de la Fuente's team did not succumb to the hostile atmosphere announced by Turkish midfielder Arda Güler, a Real Madrid player.
The Ottoman team never showed signs of being on par with Spain and trying to snatch the points. Their defense left space for La Roja 's players to move around comfortably. Consequently, the anticipated battle between Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal and Madrid playmaker Arda Güler proved futile given the difference in quality between the two teams.
"There's a lot to improve, because it's a team that can still grow beyond my imagination. They're insatiable," De la Fuente said.
In Cologne, Germany beat Northern Ireland 3-1 to right the ship in the qualifying round, three days after their shock 2-0 defeat in Bratislava against Slovakia.
With these first three points, the Mannschaft has caught up with its opponent, who won 3-1 in Luxembourg on Thursday, but remains three points behind Slovakia, who secured a valuable victory in the Grand Duchy (1-0).
“We knew the last game was a disaster and we wanted to do better,” Wirtz told German broadcaster RTL. “It was a good performance that we can definitely build on.”
Only the top-place finisher in the group qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Failure to do so will result in the Germans having to go through the March playoff. The goals were scored by Serge Gnabry (7), Nadiem Amiri (69), and Florian Wirtz (72).
Finally, in Brussels, Belgium beat Kazakhstan 6-0 thanks to an inspired Kevin de Bruyne, who scored two goals (42 and 84) and provided the same number of assists. Three days after another thrashing (6-0) in Liechtenstein, coach Rudi Garcia's team continued to improve their attacking numbers. Jéremy Doku scored a brace (44 and 60) while Nicolas Raskin (51) and Thomas Meunier (87) completed the scoring.
In other results from the round, Georgia defeated Bulgaria 3-0, Lithuania fell at home 3-2 to the Netherlands, North Macedonia crushed Liechtenstein 5-0, Poland beat Finland 3-1, and Slovakia defeated Luxembourg 1-0.
▲ The Steelers' veteran quarterback (8) led his team to victory. Photo AP
AP and AFP
La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, September 8, 2025, p. a12
New Jersey, Aaron Rodgers had a dream debut with the Pittsburgh Steelers despite playing on the road. The veteran quarterback led his team to a 34-32 victory over the New York Jets, amid relentless boos from the New York fans at Metlife Stadium.
The 41-year-old quarterback, who played two seasons with the Jets, got his first touchdown pass when he connected with receiver Ben Skowronek in the first quarter after being sacked by defensive end Quinnen Williams.
With the Steelers trailing 19-10, the four-time NFL MVP threw his second touchdown, thanks to a trick play with tight end Jonnu Smith, who extended to touch the post in the red zone before the end of the first half.
In the fourth quarter, Rodgers gave a masterclass with the ball, throwing two touchdown passes in a span of 50 seconds: first, a five-yarder to Jaylen Warren and, after recovering a fumble, an 18-yarder to Calvin Austin. Kicker Chris Boswell completed the scoring with a 60-yard field goal.
The Jets pulled one back with rushing touchdowns by quarterback Justin Fields, who had a pass in the end zone to receiver Garret Wilson.
"They talked a lot of trash. I understand I can play better, but for now, I'm happy with winning the first game. I love this team, this franchise, and I'm grateful they gave me the opportunity because there's no better feeling than being on the field," Rodgers said.
The veteran quarterback finished the game with 22 of 30 completions, 244 yards, and four touchdowns. The Jets released him in the preseason when the new management of head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey decided to take the position in a different direction. The fans never forgave the fact that the player who arrived to lead them to the Super Bowl had abandoned them at the first opportunity.
At Lambeau Field, Jordan Love threw two touchdown passes and Micah Parsons made a sack in his debut for Green Bay, who defeated the Detroit Lions 27-13. The Packers won their 13th consecutive home opener, their longest such streak since the Miami Dolphins won from 1976 to 1988.
In other results, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 17-13; the Indianapolis Colts crushed the Miami Dolphins 33-8; the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Cleveland Browns 17-16; and the Las Vegas Raiders defeated the New England Patriots 20-13. Additionally, the Washington Commanders defeated the New York Giants 21-6; and the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Houston Texans 14-9.
San Luis women's team rescues a 2-2 draw with América
Karla Torrijos
La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, September 8, 2025, p. a12
Atlético de San Luis held off super-leader América and earned a 2-2 draw in the matchday 10 match of the 2025 Apertura tournament of the Liga MX Femenil, played yesterday at the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium.
Despite the result, the Azulcremas, who went two games without a win, retained their overall lead after earning 25 points.
The Potosinas accumulated 17 points and rose to sixth place in the standings.
The Águilas scored goals by Montserrat Saldívar (in the 20th minute) and Bruna Vilamala (24th). San Luis also added points thanks to a goal by María Fernanda Sánchez (25th) and an own goal by Jana Gutiérrez (67th).
The home side imposed their influence from the start, quickly opening the scoring. In the 20th minute, Azulcrema striker Montserrat Saldívar took possession of the ball in midfield and sped toward the opposing area, where she beat Potosí goalkeeper Ana Zárate with a cross shot to make it 1-0.
Just four minutes later, at 24, the Spaniard Bruna Vilamala extended the Americanistas' lead (2-0) with a shot from the center of the area, after connecting with an assist from Saldívar.
Despite the large advantage, the Potosinas were not intimidated and managed to reduce the gap on the scoreboard (2-1) in the 25th minute, when María Fernanda Sánchez scored after finishing off a pass sent by Aidinn López.
In the closing stages of the first half, the visitors had a golden opportunity to level the score, after referee Anakaren Pazarán awarded a penalty for a foul on Sánchez. Colombian Ilana Izquierdo was tasked with taking the penalty; however, the Azulcrema goalkeeper, Spanish Sandra Paños, guessed her shot.
In the second half, the Potosinas tied the score at 67, when, in an attempt to deflect the ball, Americanista Jana Gutiérrez ended up sending it into her own net to make it 2-2.
In the final minutes of the match, both teams created clear scoring opportunities, but neither was able to score again and had to settle for a split.
Buffaloes upset the Ravens; win 41-40 in the last minute
▲ Bills quarterback Josh Allen led his team's comeback. AP Photo
Ap
La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, September 8, 2025, p. a35
Orchard Park, N.Y., Josh Allen led Buffalo on three scores in the final four minutes, most recently a 32-yard field goal by Matt Prater as time expired, and the Bills completed an epic comeback from a 15-point deficit to stun the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 in a thrilling season-opening game.
Buffalo scored 16 points in the final 3:56, with Prater's kick capping a nine-play, 66-yard drive in the final 1:26. Allen completed 33 of 46 passes for 394 yards with two touchdowns and ran for two more.
It spoiled a strong performance by 2023 MVP Lamar Jackson, who completed 14 of 19 passes for 210 yards and two scores, while also rushing for 70 yards and another touchdown . Derrick Henry rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns for Baltimore, but also contributed to the loss by fumbling the ball with 3:06 remaining.
After the Bills pulled within 40-32 on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Keon Coleman, Henry fumbled and Buffalo capitalized, with the quarterback scoring on a one-yard run. The two-point conversion attempt failed.
At closing
Arozarena drives in three runs and scores two in Mariners' win
Ap
La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, September 8, 2025, p. a35
Atlanta. A crushing effort by Mexican-Cuban Randy Arozaren drove in three runs and scored two in the Seattle Mariners' 18-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. The player who won over Mexican fans in the 2023 World Baseball Classic had two hits in four at-bats, providing a strong performance for Seattle, where Cal Raleigh also hit his 53rd home run. Venezuelan Eugenio Suárez hit two home runs, raising his season total to 45. Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor also went deep, as the Mariners had five home runs in consecutive games for the second time in team history.
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