First Up: Football - A Daily Football Briefing

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to defy the passing of time. Messi scored twice on what is widely believed to be his final competitive appearance in Argentina, while Ronaldo struck goals number 941 and 942 for Portugal in a 5-0 win over Armenia as he edges closer to the dream of 1000 career goals.

Elsewhere in World Cup qualifying, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, and Morocco booked their spots at the 2026 tournament, while Europe’s big hitters - Italy, Spain, and Portugal - eased through their opening fixtures. England laboured past Andorra, Kylian Mbappé climbed France’s scoring charts, and Florian Wirtz lit up Germany’s win over Northern Ireland.

However, in New Jersey, the USMNT were booed off after a 2-0 defeat to South Korea. Mauricio Pochettino is under growing pressure with his side now on a run of seven straight defeats against top-30 ranked nations. Canada fared better with a 3-0 win over Romania, while Mexico and Japan played out a goalless draw.

In the WSL, Chelsea began their title defence with victory over Manchester City, Arsenal’s new record signing Olivia Smith scored on debut, and London City Lionesses made their top-flight bow. Meanwhile, Manchester United keeper Andre Onana sealed a loan move to Trabzonspor, and Erling Haaland suffered an injury in the most unusual way - courtesy of the Norway team coach.

And to wrap things up, Peter Crouch finally paid the price for finishing bottom of his fantasy football league - donning the mascot kit for non-league Farnham Town. From Champions League finals to crossbar challenges in the seventh tier, Crouchy really can do it at every level.

💫 SUPPORT FIRST UP: FOOTBALL

🎙️ FOR FULL PODCAST EPISODES:

🗣️ FOLLOW FIRST UP: FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s the end of an era at Tottenham as Daniel Levy steps down after 24 years as executive chairman. We look back at his legacy - from transforming the club financially and delivering a world-class stadium, to years of fan unrest and managerial churn. With the Lewis family now seeking new leadership, what comes next for Spurs?

Elsewhere in World Cup qualifying, Germany were stunned 2-0 by Slovakia, while Wales picked up a vital win in Kazakhstan. Ghana dropped points in dramatic fashion against Chad, and there were key results across Europe as Spain, Turkey, the Netherlands and others continued their campaigns.

We also preview a huge weekend of international football, including England v Andorra at Villa Park, Spain’s trip to Turkey, and the return of the Women’s Super League with Chelsea hosting Manchester City and Arsenal facing London City Lionesses.

And finally, Neymar has reportedly inherited £846 million from a billionaire’s will - despite never having met him. A surreal twist in the career of Brazil’s superstar forward.

💫 SUPPORT FIRST UP: FOOTBALL

🎙️ FOR FULL PODCAST EPISODES:

🗣️ FOLLOW FIRST UP: FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's episode, we take a look at Thursday night's World Cup qualifiers as a host of European countries take centre stage, could we be seeing the return of Big Ange? Mo Salah is unimpressed with a tweet from Anfield Edition, the world's largest illegal streaming website gets taken down, and Fabio Silva's ChatGPT-generated heartfelt leaving message.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We start with Marc Guehi’s collapsed move to Liverpool, after Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner threatened to walk if the deal went through. Despite passing a medical and preparing for his flight to Merseyside, the England defender was left stranded in South London - a huge blow after he acted with total professionalism throughout the summer.

Meanwhile, Manchester City completed the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma, officially unveiled on Tuesday after Ederson’s switch to Fenerbahce was confirmed. Fulham added “Baby Isak” Jonah Kusi-Asare on loan, while Brighton’s Matt O’Riley and Ilkay Gündogan also sealed late moves.

Elsewhere, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is back in the England squad for the first time since 2018, and Grimsby Town have been fined for fielding an ineligible player in their famous Carabao Cup.

And finally, we look at the chaos inside Old Trafford, as reports claim United considered re-signing veteran striker Danny Welbeck as their summer plans unravelled.

💫 SUPPORT FIRST UP: FOOTBALL

🎙️ FOR FULL PODCAST EPISODES:

🗣️ FOLLOW FIRST UP: FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transfer Deadline Day 2024/25 delivered fireworks - and we’ve got the full round-up.

Liverpool finally landed Aleksandar Isak from Newcastle for a British record £125m fee, ending one of the summer’s longest-running sagas. But while the Reds got their man, they missed out on Marc Guehi, as Crystal Palace refused to sanction his move.

Elsewhere, Yoanne Wissa forced through a £55m transfer to Newcastle, Spurs landed Randall Kolo Muani, and Arsenal added Piero Hincapié on deadline day. Manchester United turned to Belgium’s Senne Lammens instead of Emi Martínez, Bayern Munich snapped up Nicolas Jackson after his chaotic weekend, and Fulham broke their own transfer record with the signing of Brazilian winger Kevin.

We also count down our top 5 dramas of the summer window: Isak’s social media saga, awkward chairman interviews, Bournemouth pulling off a stealth signing, and Eberechi Eze’s sensational Arsenal switch.

💫 SUPPORT FIRST UP: FOOTBALL

🎙️ FOR FULL PODCAST EPISODES:

🗣️ FOLLOW FIRST UP: FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liverpool’s perfect start continues thanks to a wonder strike from Dominic Szoboszlai - but are the Reds ready to pounce in the final hours of Transfer Deadline Day? We’ve got a full round-up of the Premier League weekend, including Brighton’s late heroics, Bruno Fernandes’ pressure penalty, and another VAR storm that cost Fulham against Chelsea.

Elsewhere, Spurs’ momentum is checked by Bournemouth, West Ham finally get their big win, and Palace continue their superb run. Also, the 447th Old Firm is a dud, PSG’s Joao Neves hitting one of the all-time great hat-tricks, and Hamburg’s first top-flight derby with St Pauli in 15 years.

Then it’s all eyes on Deadline Day: Could Liverpool land Aleksandar Isak and Marc Guehi? Will Man Utd prise Emi Martinez away from Villa, and where will Donnarumma and Vardy land before the window slams shut? Finally, Bournemouth’s bizarre 100-mile flight to London raises eyebrows - and carbon footprints.

💫 Support First Up: Football

🎙️ For Full Podcast Episodes:

🗣️ Follow First Up: Football on Social Media:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Newcastle United are set to sign Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade for just under £70m - a club-record fee that could trigger Aleksandar Isak’s long-rumoured move to Liverpool. Fabrizio Romano says the Reds are ready to make another push for the Swedish forward as the Magpies line up their new No. 9.

Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho edges closer to a £40m switch from Manchester United to Chelsea, while Spurs attempt to hijack Chelsea’s pursuit of Xavi Simons. West Ham also strengthen with the addition of Portuguese U-21 midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

We also break down Thursday’s Champions League draw, with Real Madrid set to face both Liverpool and Manchester City again, PSG visiting Barcelona, and Arsenal once more paired with Bayern Munich. Plus, Crystal Palace book their place in the Conference League group stage.

Looking ahead, it’s Chelsea v Fulham in the SW6 derby, Manchester United under pressure against Burnley, and a heavyweight clash between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield. Add in Rangers v Celtic and Lyon v Marseille, and it’s a huge weekend of football across Europe.

And finally, we investigate one of football’s great unanswered questions – how tall is Sean Longstaff really?

💫 SUPPORT FIRST UP: FOOTBALL

🎙️ FOR FULL PODCAST EPISODES:

🗣️ FOLLOW FIRST UP: FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the greatest League Cup shocks of all time unfolded on Wednesday night as League Two Grimsby Town dumped Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup. After racing into a 2-0 lead through Charles Vernam and ex-United trainee Tyrell Warren, the Mariners were pegged back late on. A penalty shootout followed that went all the way to 26 spot-kicks before Bryan Mbuemo’s miss handed Grimsby an astonishing 12-11 victory. Jubilant fans invaded the pitch to celebrate a night that will live long in club history.

Elsewhere, Rangers suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Club Brugge in Belgium to end their Champions League hopes, while Brighton, Fulham and Everton all secured comfortable progress in the Carabao Cup. The third-round draw served up ties including Liverpool vs Southampton, Newcastle vs Bradford, and a fiery South London derby between Palace and Millwall.

We also have major transfer developments. Aleksandar Isak has reportedly rejected a new Newcastle contract, with Liverpool preparing a £120m bid. Meanwhile, Manchester United could lose Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

Also we preview Thursday's European action and Wolves YouTuber Dazzling Dave has produced a terrace chant for Jorgen Strand Larsen - it may need some lyrical fine-tuning, but it’s already gone viral.

💫 SUPPORT FIRST UP: FOOTBALL

🎙️ FOR FULL PODCAST EPISODES:

🗣️ FOLLOW FIRST UP: FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Celtic’s Champions League hopes are over after a dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat to FC Kairat in Kazakhstan. Following 210 goalless minutes across two legs, Daizen Maeda’s miss handed the hosts a 3-2 shoot-out victory and a first-ever group stage place, leaving Brendan Rodgers’ side consigned to the Europa League.

In the Carabao Cup, Sheffield Wednesday stunned Leeds in a Yorkshire derby shoot-out, while Huddersfield ousted Sunderland . Wolves produced late drama against West Ham as Jørgen Strand Larsen struck twice in two minutes to seal a turnaround win, deepening the Hammers’ woes.

Elsewhere, transfer news saw Palace close on Yeremy Pino, Nicolas Jackson set for Bayern, and Rasmus Højlund linked to Napoli. And finally, Chelsea’s Liam Delap went viral - not for goals, but for his remarkable ability with cube roots.

💫 SUPPORT FIRST UP: FOOTBALL

🎙️ FULL EPISODES:

🗣️ FOLLOW US:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a night at St James’ Park. Newcastle fans made it hostile from the moment Liverpool’s bus arrived, but Arne Slot’s Reds held their nerve in a fiery, dramatic Premier League classic. Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring with a beauty, before Anthony Gordon’s rash challenge on Virgil van Dijk saw Newcastle reduced to ten - with tramlines down the Dutchman’s leg leaving little doubt about the decision.

Hugo Ekitike struck seconds into the second half, but Newcastle refused to fold. Bruno Guimarães bullied his way to a header, Will Ossula equalised late on, and Eddie Howe’s men looked like they might escape with a famous point. Then came the unforgettable moment: 16-year-old Rio Ngumoah’s first senior goal, sparking delirium for Liverpool and heartbreak on Tyneside.

Elsewhere, Inter started their Serie A campaign by thumping Torino, Gateshead produced a jaw-dropping 4-3 comeback at Yeovil after trailing 3-0 at half-time, and Everton completed the £40m signing of teenage star Tyler Dibling. In North London, Arsenal and Spurs are set to clash again in the market for Piero Hincapié, but the Gunners were hit with fresh injury news as Bukayo Saka faces a month out. Leeds continue to spend big with James Justin joining, Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka heads to Dortmund, and Brentford are standing firm on Yoane Wissa despite Newcastle’s bids.

And finally, we take you to the most English-sounding derby of them all - Biggleswade Town vs Biggleswade FC - a fierce eighth-tier rivalry with bragging rights on the line.

💫 SUPPORT FIRST UP: FOOTBALL

🎙️ FOR FULL PODCAST EPISODES:

🗣️ FOLLOW FIRST UP: FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices