Giovani Lo Celso scored for Real Betis in their 1-0 win againat Alavés.
Lo Celso got his first goal of the new season for Real Betis in their win. It was a cross into the penalty area as a header hit the Alavés defender and fell to the Argentine who scored from close range.
Valentín Gómez also played his first match for his new club, coming on as a substitute for Real Betis. Ezequiel Ávila was an unused substitute.
Enzo Fernández scored for Chelsea in their 5-1 win against West Ham United.
Fernández got his first goal of the new Premier League season, scoring for Chelsea in their win. With Chelsea leading 2-1, it was a pass from Estêvão which found Enzo and he scored from close range to give Chelsea the 3-1 lead.
Aarón Anselmino was not on the bench for Chelsea while Guido Rodríguez was on the bench for Weat Ham as an unused substitute.
The 2025 Copa Libertadores quarterfinals are set, and Argentina will have strong representation with four clubs still in the race for South America’s most prestigious trophy. River Plate joined Vélez Sarsfield, Racing Club, and Estudiantes de La Plata in the final eight after defeating Libertad of Paraguay on penalties at the Monumental.
River’s dramatic 3-1 shootout win completed the list of quarterfinalists, which also includes Brazil’s Flamengo Palmeiras and São Paulo, and Ecuador’s Liga de Quito. This ensures Argentina has half of the remaining spots in the competition.
One of the standout ties will be an all-Argentine clash between Racing and Vélez. The first leg will be played in Liniers, with the return fixture at the Cilindro in Avellaneda. Security officials are evaluating the possibility of allowing visiting fans, though recent crowd incidents in continental competitions have raised concerns.
Estudiantes face a difficult challenge against Flamengo, starting in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã before hosting the return leg in La Plata. River, meanwhile, take on Palmeiras, the only team to finish the group stage with a perfect 18 points. The first leg will be at the Monumental, while the decisive match will be played in São Paulo.
Matches will be played September 16–18 (first legs) and September 23–25 (second legs).
Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami’s match against D.C. United on Saturday.
Messi did not take part in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win in the Leagues Cup against Tigres on Wednesday due to fitness issues and he will miss Saturday’s game. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano stated on Friday that Messi will miss the game. Here is what he had to say:
“Messi will rest on Saturday because of the trip and the importance of Wednesday’s match.”
Inter Miami will play Orlando SC on Wednesday in the semi finals of the Leagues Cup.
The round of 16 second leg of the Copa Sudamericana between Independiente and Universidad de Chile, played on Wednesday in Avellaneda, was canceled after serious incidents of violence in the stands. What began as a tense match with the score 1-1 early in the second half turned into a night marked by chaos, injuries, and arrests.
The match was suspended just two minutes into the second half by Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera when spectators entered the field amid escalating violence between fans. Conmebol later announced the definitive cancellation, citing a “lack of security guarantees” from the host club and local authorities.
The trouble began in the first half but escalated after the break. Fans of Universidad de Chile, located in the upper tier of a stand, threw heavy objects—including masonry pieces, broom handles, and even parts of stadium facilities—toward Independiente supporters below. Despite the ongoing violence, the match continued until pitch invasions forced a halt.
With police failing to intervene, Independiente’s ultras stormed the visiting section to confront the Chilean supporters. Videos shared on social media later showed violent attacks, including fans being stripped, beaten, and even thrown or forced to jump from the upper tier. One Chilean fan, identified as Gonzalo Alfaro, survived a fall after leaping to avoid being assaulted, reportedly landing on a roof inside the stadium.
Reports of injuries and arrests vary, but local authorities confirmed at least 23 people hospitalized, including two Universidad de Chile fans in critical condition with severe head trauma at Hospital Fiorito. Other victims were treated for stab wounds and multiple injuries. Police also detained over 120 people, with some accounts suggesting as many as 300 visiting fans were held.
The match had 650 police officers and 150 private security agents assigned, but most were stationed outside the stadium. Inside, there was little to no security presence in the visiting section, allowing the violence to escalate unchecked. Authorities had expected 2,500 visiting fans, but nearly 3,500 arrived, overwhelming the security operation.
More than an hour after the suspension, Conmebol issued a statement confirming the match’s cancellation and referring the case to its judicial bodies for further action. Club directors from both Independiente and Universidad de Chile are expected to travel to Paraguay to meet with Conmebol officials regarding sanctions and next steps.
The first leg in Santiago ended 1-0 in favor of Universidad de Chile. At the time of suspension in Avellaneda, the score was 1-1, a result that would have allowed the Chilean side to advance to the quarterfinals. Lucas Assadi opened the scoring for Universidad de Chile in the 10th minute, while Santiago Montiel equalized for Independiente in the 27th.
