It was a good night for Europe’s traditional powers. Germany beat the Netherlands in a match of few chances, France beat Belgium in the game I really should have been watching and Italy thrashed Israel in the game James Horncastle was watching.

Elsewhere, why have Nigeria forfeited their game against Libya? And why is FIFPro, the footballers’ union, launching a legal complaint against FIFA? You’ll find out here. 

Need something to read? You need JJ Bull’s guide to why Aberdeen are (sort of) Europe’s most in-form team.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5836751/2024/10/14/aberdeen-best-team-in-europe/

And if you want to know if Pep Guardiola could be England’s next manager, you need the Athletic FC podcast.

https://podfollow.com/athletic-fc-pod

Presenter: Iain Macintosh

With: Steve Hankey, James Horncastle, Nnamdi Onyeagwara, Matt Slater

Producer: Steve Hankey

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