There was loads of Friday evening motion because the Championship returned for the 2025-26 season however lots of the continent’s high groups have been additionally in motion.
Amidst the Alexander Isak storm, Newcastle confronted Spanish facet Espanyol, whereas Brentford – with out wantaway Yoane Wissa – took on Bundesliga opposition in Borussia Monchengladbach.
Final season’s Serie A runners-up Inter Milan confronted a new-look Monaco facet in France as nicely.
Learn on to see how all sides received on within the newest spherical of pre-season friendlies.
Newcastle 2-2 Espanyol
Newcastle have been held to a 2-2 draw by Espanyol in a pleasant at St James’ Park.
Regardless of Jacob Murphy’s well-taken purpose showing to have secured the win for the Magpies late on, Kike Garcia’s header within the 89th minute ensured the guests snatched a last-gasp equaliser.
The sport began brightly for Espanyol, who took the lead within the seventeenth minute by means of Edu Exposito.
The midfielder fired a chic right-footed strike from exterior the field into the highest left nook, brilliantly arrange by Roberto Fernandez.
Newcastle responded rapidly, with Matt Targett equalising simply 4 minutes later by powering a close-range header previous the Espanyol goalkeeper after a teasing cross from Lewis Miley.
The primary half additionally noticed Espanyol have been awarded a penalty following a foul on Roberto Fernandez contained in the field by Targett. Nevertheless, the spot-kick by Javi Puado was saved by Aaron Ramsdale, preserving the rating stage heading into half-time.
Jacob Murphy put Newcastle forward within the 77th minute with a scientific left-footed end from contained in the field, showing to provide the house facet the win.
However Espanyol’s persistence paid off when Pere Milla whipped in a cross that Kike Garcia met with a strong header within the 89th minute, redirecting the ball into the highest proper nook to stage the rating as soon as once more.
Newcastle will take positives from the battling spirit and attacking intent, whereas Espanyol demonstrated their risk on set items and composure to return again late.
Brentford 2-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
Brentford and Borussia Monchengladbach performed out an entertaining 2-2 draw, with each side producing moments of high quality in a vigorous encounter.
The guests struck first on the half-hour mark. After Joe Scally noticed two efforts blocked in fast succession, Haris Tabakovic’s header went extensive – however moments later, Grant-Leon Ranos pounced from shut vary to fit into the underside nook, giving Gladbach a 1-0 lead.
Brentford responded nicely, with Sepp van den Berg and Igor Thiago each going shut earlier than the break.
The second half burst into life after the restart. Fabio Carvalho, vigorous all through, pressured Nicolas into a pointy save earlier than lastly levelling within the 69th minute, ending from contained in the field following a set-piece.
Only a minute later, Mikkel Damsgaard produced a second of magic, curling a right-footed strike from distance into the underside nook to show the sport on its head at 2-1.
Gladbach, nevertheless, refused to fold. Substitute Robin Hack made a right away affect, organising Franck Honorat, who drilled a low shot from exterior the field into the underside left nook with 4 minutes remaining.
Monaco 1-2 Inter Milan
Inter Milan got here from behind to assert a 2-1 victory over Monaco in an action-packed pleasant on the Stade Louis-II.
The hosts made a dream begin, taking the lead after simply two minutes when Maghnes Akliouche fired a shocking left-footed strike into the highest nook from exterior the field.
Monaco seemed the sharper facet early on, with Lamine Camara twice forcing Yann Sommer into saves and Denis Zakaria putting the put up from distance.
Inter’s job turned more durable on 36 minutes when Hakan Calhanoglu acquired a second yellow card for a late problem, decreasing the guests to 10 males.
Regardless of the numerical drawback, the Italian facet responded after the break.
Lautaro Martinez levelled the rating on the hour mark, ending clinically from shut vary after Nicolo Barella led a swift counter-attack.
Monaco pushed to revive their benefit, with Akliouche hitting the put up from a header and Soungoutou Magassa firing over.
Nevertheless, Inter struck the decisive blow within the eightieth minute. Substitute Ange-Yoan Bonny capped one other fast break with a composed end from the centre of the field, making it 2-1.
