A dramatic late comeback was needed for Athletico Paranaense to book their spot in their second-ever Copa Libertadores final, securing a 2-2 draw away at Palmeiras after a 1-0 win at home in the first leg.

Palmeiras controlled the first leg, finishing with 63 per cent of the possession while Athletico scored from their only shot on target, so when Gustavo Scarpa equalised on aggregate less than three minutes into the second leg, it appeared the reigning back-to-back champions would run away with the tie.

With 11 shots to three in the first half, it was all Palmeiras in front of their home fans – until a VAR review deemed centre-back Murilo Cerqueira's challenge worthy of a straight red card.

Everything changed after half-time, as it was now Athletico controlling 62 per cent of the ball and dictating play, but in the 55th minute Palmeiras took control as Gustavo Gomez found the back of the net to make it 2-0, and 2-1 on aggregate.

Needing goals, Athletico subbed on Pablo, who paid immediate dividends when he scored one minute after his arrival in the 64th minute.

Pablo then turned distributor for the decisive strike, finding David Terans in the 85th minute to stick a dagger into home fans and secure the 3-2 aggregate victory.

It will be Athletico's first appearance in the final since 2005, where they lost to Sao Paulo.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has finally broken his silence regarding the team’s quarterback competition.

Mitch Trubisky will be the Steelers’ starter Sunday when they open the season at the Cincinnati Bengals, Tomlin confirmed in a press conference on Tuesday, a day after Trubisky was voted one of the team’s five captains.

"We're just really comfortable with what Mitch has shown us," Tomlin said. "He's a guy that came to us with franchise quarterback experience. He's comfortable in those shoes. He's been the focal point of a football team, in the organization before. He's had success in doing so.

"Like I mentioned when we acquired him, he took the Bears to the playoffs two out of four years. He has a winning record as a starting quarterback. Those things were attractive to us.

"His athleticism and mobility were attractive to us. He took care of the football in-stadium, all our quarterbacks did."

Trubisky won the job over 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett, who was confirmed to be the number two option. Mason Rudolph, who is entering his fourth season in Pittsburgh, is listed third on the depth chart.

The number two overall pick in 2016 by the Chicago Bears, Trubisky spent last season backing up Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills and signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Steelers this offseason after the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.

A little over a month after signing Trubisky, the Steelers used the number 20 overall pick on Pickett, who played at the University of Pittsburgh.

While it is no surprise to see the Steelers starting the more experience quarterback to start the season, many pundits and Steelers fans alike wonder if Pickett’s ascension is only a matter of time.

"I thought [Pickett’s} acceleration of development really took off once we stepped into stadiums," Tomlin said. "And once we started stepping into stadiums, his decision-making – the fluidity of it – his competitive spirit, his pinpoint accuracy, all of those things I thought really came to the forefront. I thought that he grew – and grew at a really fast pace once we got into stadiums.

"And I also think it's reasonable to expect that growth and development to continue as we push into the regular season."

Ons Jabeur believes she can win a major title following her Wimbledon run to the final, having clinched a spot in the US Open semi-final with a straight-sets victory over Ajla Tomljanovic on Tuesday.

The world number five secured her spot in the last four in one hour and 41 minutes, winning 6-4 7-6 (7-4), having trailed 5-3 in the second set.

The win was Jabeur's 43rd this season, trailing only world number one Iga Swiatek, and comes after she lost to Elena Rybakina in July's Wimbledon decider, fueling her belief that she can secure a breakthrough grand slam title.

"I believe in myself after Wimbledon," Jabeur said during her an on-court interview. "I know that I have it in me to win a [major] final. And here I am in the semi-finals."

Jabeur had reached the quarterfinals at the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 Wimbledon Championships, with her recent runner-up finish proving a breakthrough.

"I think the fact that I broke that barrier of being in the quarterfinals all the time, that did help with my confidence," she said.

"Knowing that I could make finals in grand slams really helped my game, just trying to build that experience to go into second weeks in grand slams.

"It was very tough coming here, you know, just the hard court season like wasn't that great for me. So I was trying to build more and more confidence on hard courts.

"Wimbledon helped a lot, for sure."

The 28-year-old Tunisian has made history several times, the latest being becoming the first African or Arab woman in the Open Era to reach the US Open semifinals.

On a personal level, she has now also reached the second week in all four major tournaments.

"I’m just trying to do my job here, hopefully I inspire more and more generations from Africa," Jabeur said. "It really means a lot to me."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised the performance of Jack Grealish after playing an hour in his first game back from injury in Tuesday's 4-0 Champions League win at Sevilla.

Grealish had not played since City's 4-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth on August 13 due to a minor injury.

The pressure is on the 26-year-old England international, who underwhelmed in his first season at City after joining from Aston Villa in August last year for £100million.

Grealish played 38 times, scoring six goals in all competitions last season for City, but did not live up to the expectations of his hefty transfer fee, nor play with his typical freedom.

The midfielder started and played 62 minutes against Sevilla, and while he did not score or provide an assist, Guardiola was delighted with his return.

"Jack arrived incredible in the pre-season," Guardiola said at the post-game press conference.

"In the first game against West Ham unfortunately he had a little injury. It's important for him to have again this 53, 60 minutes."

"The pitch was uncomfortable for the players. He was so aggressive in the first half, more than aggressive than Phil [Foden] in terms of goal and making the movements in there.

"Sometimes missed the last pass but it's not easy there. We need him a lot this season. Jack will be so important. He played a really good game."

Guardiola was also rapt with the debut of deadline-day signing Manuel Akanji, who only joined team training earlier this week following his move from Borussia Dortmund.

"We are delighted, just training one day and a half with us," Guardiola said.

"He showed in Dortmund his experience in Europe. A really, really good central defender that City bought to us.

"He played really well, his focus, attention. He has a quality quite similar to Aymer [Laporte], he can break the lines with a pass. He read the spaces really well. I am very pleased for him."

Erling Haaland grabbed two of City's four goals, taking his season tally to 12 since his move from Dortmund.

"I think his numbers in his career, not just here, in previous teams is quite similar," Guardiola told BT Sport. "He has an incredible sense of goal."

Haaland became the first City player to score on both his Premier League debut and Champions League debut for the club.

The 22-year-old is also the fastest player to 25 goals in Champions League history, coming across 20 games, bettering Ruud van Nistelrooy and Filippo Inzaghi's mark of 30 games.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has scoffed at a question about Napoli being "a dangerous city" despite the club warning traveling fans they could be targeted during their Champions League visit.

The Reds take on Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday in their first Champions League fixture since May's final loss to Real Madrid in Paris, where chaotic scenes unfolded outside the venue for their fans, including bottleneck queues and being sprayed with tear gas.

In the lead-up to Wednesday's game, The club issued a series of recommendations to traveling fans, warning they could be "targeted for theft, robbery or assault".

Twitter account Liverpool FC Help posted the recommendations including remaining in their hotel to drink and eat, not congregating in public areas, and avoiding the city centre, which the club's managing director Andy Hughes reiterated. He added that traveling fans should use official coaches to get to the stadium, rather than make their own way in the interest of personal safety.

But Klopp would not be drawn on that, when asked in Tuesday's press conference if he believed Naples was a "dangerous city".

"That's an embarrassing question from you," Klopp said. "You want to create headlines. I really don't understand.

"Are you from Napoli? Do you think it's a dangerous city? I don't live a normal life in Napoli. I am protected, I go to the hotel and now you ask me what I think about Napoli.

"You know exactly what people are talking about. If 'some' supporters meet 'some' supporters then 'something' can happen. Nothing to do with the city.

"But I'm not here to create headlines for you, and if you don't know what to ask anymore then that's no problem.

"I would love to go to the hotel to be honest and concentrate on the game tomorrow. It looks like you don't know what to ask anymore because of the question."

Hughes said the club understood the trip "may be a daunting prospect" for fans in light of the events in Paris.

He added: "Our supporters have faced a number of issues when traveling to Naples in the past.

"I do understand that some fans will want to make an occasion out of this trip. However, in this case I'd urge supporters not to wander into the city on their own, or to be wearing club colours during their stay in Naples."

Liverpool were grouped together with Napoli in both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 Champions League editions.

Marco Verratti was not surprised to see Leandro Paredes and Sergio Ramos square off in Paris Saint-Germain's clash with Juventus as "both players care so much".

Paredes was back at the Parc des Princes for Tuesday's Champions League group match, just six days after joining Juve from PSG on an initial loan basis.

The Argentina international was involved in a flashpoint during the first half of his new side's 2-1 loss when he got involved in a row with former team-mate Ramos.

As Paredes walked towards Ramos, the latter appeared to push away the midfielder by the throat, which the referee deemed worthy of a yellow card.

And speaking after the match, Verratti joked it was an incident that was always likely to happen between two passionate players.

"I'm good friends with [Paredes]. The odds on that happening were pretty good as I'd seen them go at it in training," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"I'd have bet my house on that happening. Both players care so much and put a lot of character into every challenge, but they always have a hug at the end."

Paredes managed 102 touches against his parent club – more than any other Juve player on their Champions League debut since Opta started recording such data in 2003-04.

Juve put up a strong second-half fight in Paris after Kylian Mbappe fired PSG into a commanding two-goal lead, though Weston McKennie's effort proved to be a consolation.

The Parisians have now won five successive home games in the Champions League for the first time since between November 2013 and November 2014 (a run of six wins).

"We were up against a strong opponent in Juve and knew we'd suffer to get the three points," Verratti said. "After a good first half we struggled a bit in the second.

"Juve relaxed a bit after their goal and started to believe. They are a great team but we worked together to bring home the result."

Mbappe's double took him on to 29 goals in the competition for PSG, one shy of Edinson Cavani's club record.

Lionel Messi and Neymar also performed well in attack, and Verratti praised head coach Christophe Galtier for getting the trio working as one.

"The coach is very intelligent. This is quite a tough team to coach," he said.

"But he made it clear to everyone that there is only one objective, which is to win, play together, enjoy our football and make it a team sport.

"To have a great season we need everyone, whether we have the ball or not, whether they are on the bench or on the field.

"Telling Messi what position to hold and where to pass is tricky, but he gave a sense of organisation and responsibility to everyone. 

"There are moments, as we saw today, where we all need to defend together. You can be as talented as you like, but it is all easier if we all work together."

Free agent big-man Montrezl Harrell has agreed to a two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. 

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the signing on Tuesday, noting that it is worth $5.2million, with the second year being a player option that Harrell can opt out of if he outperforms his contract.

The 28-year-old Harrell spent last season with the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets, averaging 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 71 games, and has previously been on teams with current Sixers coach Doc Rivers as well as James Harden. 

A second-round pick by Houston in 2015, Harrell spent his first two seasons in the NBA as a teammate to Harden with the Rockets. 

He then spent his next three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers with Rivers as the coach and was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2019-20, when he averaged career highs of 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. 

With just 29 starts in 458 career games, Harrell will again provide depth off the bench, this time backing up five-time All-Star and back-to-back MVP runner-up Joel Embiid. 

In seven NBA seasons, Harrell owns career averages of 12.9 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 62.0 per cent. 

Among the 126 active players with a minimum of 3000 field goal attempts, Harrell’s shooting percentage ranks fourth. 

Thomas Tuchel accused his Chelsea team of showing a lack of hunger after their poor away form continued with a 1-0 Champions League defeat at Dinamo Zagreb.

After making a below-par start in the Premier League, Chelsea were hoping for some respite from their first European outing of the campaign, but Mislav Orsic's well-taken goal condemned them to a dismal defeat on Tuesday.

The result leaves Chelsea playing catch-up in Group E after losing their first game of a Champions League campaign for just the third time (also against Basel in 2013-14 and Valencia in 2019-20).

Meanwhile, the Blues have lost three successive away games for the first time under Tuchel, enduring their worst run on the road since December 2020 under Frank Lampard.

Having cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines in Croatia, Tuchel said he was surprised by Chelsea's performance and hit out at their lack of application.

"I didn't see it coming, obviously I was in the wrong movie," Tuchel said. "I thought that the last game helped us. I thought the team was prepared, I thought we knew what this is all about.

"I don't really know where this performance today comes from. A lack of determination, a lack of hunger and a lack of intensity to actually do the things that we need at the highest level. 

"We are clearly not where we want to be. I'm angry about our performance. 

"It's not precise enough, it's not clinical enough, it's not aggressive enough on the ball, it's not determined enough. 

"It's not good enough individually, it's not good enough as a team."

Chelsea are also on their joint-longest run without a clean sheet under Tuchel, having conceded in six successive matches in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Dinamo became just the second team – alongside Juventus – to beat four different London clubs in European competition (Chelsea, West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal).

Chelsea could not claim to have been surprised by their opponents then, and Tuchel added: "We expected what we got, and I think we got what we got. 

"It was the story of the last few games, we started okay for 15, 20 minutes but then lacked determination, precision and maybe even lacked the smell of blood.

"We conceded a goal with two players in a counter-attack, it's never happened before. I don't understand why it happened today.

"It's clearly my job to analyse it, so this is me analysing from the sideline and it will continue. We need to be much better. 

"We are not finished, we are not happy with our results, we are not happy with the way we play in general, but I thought we were on a good way. I'm a bit surprised by this performance today."

Asked whether Chelsea underestimated Dinamo, he replied: "Me, personally, no. If we did, then we have a huge problem. Honestly, we have a huge problem if we did."

Chelsea travel to Fulham for their next Premier League match on Saturday, before hosting Salzburg in the Champions League next Wednesday.

Massimiliano Allegri was left frustrated by a "wasted chance" after his Juventus team lost 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain.

Juve's Champions League campaign looked set to get off to a humbling start at the Parc des Princes when Kylian Mbappe's double put PSG 2-0 up inside 22 minutes.

Yet some sloppy finishing and poor defending from their hosts allowed Juve back into it in the second half, with Weston McKennie heading home to reduce the deficit.

Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a fine stop to deny Dusan Vlahovic and Manuel Locatelli had a late effort blocked close to the line, and while Juve were fortunate not to concede more at the other end, they ultimately gave a strong account of themselves despite losing to PSG for the first time in a competitive fixture.

Allegri previously declared Benfica – who beat Maccabi Haifa 2-0 on Tuesday – as Juve's main rivals in Group H, but the Bianconeri's coach was in the end disappointed not to get a result against PSG.

"We played a good game, it's a wasted chance, we had to be more clear-headed in the final minutes," Allegri told Canale 5, as reported by Football Italia.

"We had to create more chances on the left, we didn't do it enough. We could have been dangerous in those situations with McKennie wide on the right. We must improve, it's a wasted chance."

Juve lost their opening match to a Champions League campaign for just the second time in their 23 seasons in the competition (W13 D8), also losing to Barcelona in September 2017 (3-0), but after going down fighting – registering just two shots fewer than PSG (13 to 15) and a similar expected goals value (1.1 to 1.5) – midfielder Adrien Rabiot shared his coach's frustration.

"We started badly, in the first 20 minutes we suffered," he said, via Football Italia. "We could have done even more, being more clinical. I am a bit angry, especially because of the first half. We conceded two early goals, too early, and the game changed.

"We proved that we could do better in the second half, we had chances, but we must continue to work and think of Benfica at home [in the next game].

"We have to work, find the right system and the right players on the pitch, but I think that tonight we did better than in league games.

"Unfortunately, when we lose there is always criticism for the players and the coach. We reacted well in the second half and I am glad of it, we showed good things but we must work, it's a long season and we know it."

Shakhtar Donetsk captain Taras Stepanenko said it was beyond his "wildest dreams" to thrash RB Leipzig 4-1 in their Champions League opener at the Red Bull Arena.

Igor Jovicevic's team became the first Ukrainian side to compete in the Champions League since the country was invaded by Russia, and they marked the occasion with an unlikely victory on their travels.

Despite enjoying just 32 per cent of the possession and attempting a mere four shots on target, Shakhtar scored with each of those through a Marian Shved double and further goals from Mykhaylo Mudryk and Lassina Traore.

Jovicevic's visitors finished with an expected goals total of just 1.2, compared to the 1.4 of Leipzig, who thought they had got back into the game through Mohamed Simakan's equaliser – only to fall apart soon after.

The defeat for Leipzig potentially leaves coach Domenico Tedesco's future in doubt, with the Bundesliga side winning only one of five league games, but this was a memorable victory for Shakhtar.

"I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams such a game with four goals for us. But we played well and I feel we deserved that result tonight," Stepanenko told reporters.

"I have been with the club for over a decade. This is a new team, but many of these young players are from the Shakhtar academy, so they have the Shakhtar spirit and this really helps us a lot.

"We are a tight group and have a lot of spirit. When I saw the draw, I immediately knew it was going to be a tough group, but I also knew we have a good team and should be able to get results.

"We want to progress, but with young players sometimes you are lacking consistency."

Shakhtar already have more points (three) and goals (four) than they earned in the entirety of last season's group stage (two points, two goals).

Their next task will see them face Celtic, who were 3-0 losers to reigning European champions Real Madrid in the other Group F game, but for now Jovicevic expressed his delight after seeing his positivity pay dividends.

"When the counter-attack for the third goal came and the ball was at Mudryk's feet, I already raised my arms in celebration because I know from training that he scores when he is through one on one with the keeper," Jovicevic said. 

"I tried to give this positive energy and it's all about being positive."

Shved became the 10th different Ukrainian player to score on his Champions League debut and just the second of those to do so while playing for Shakhtar – after Stepanenko in November 2010.

Jovicevic added praise for Shved, who also became the first Ukrainian to score a brace in the competition since Junior Moraes for Shakhtar at Lyon in October 2018.

"I know Marian Shved from my time at Lviv, and when Sevilla took him, I wanted him back," Jovicevic said.

"Now I am happy that he is back in my team. He is a hard worker, quick and powerful, and I know what he is capable of."

Stefano Pioli claimed Milan could have done more in their 1-1 Champions League draw at Salzburg, as he acknowledged next week's clash with Dinamo Zagreb has already taken on extra importance. 

Milan fell behind to a terrific solo effort from Noah Okafor after 28 minutes of their Champions League opener, but claimed a share of the spoils thanks to Alexis Saelemaekers' fierce left-footed finish.

The Rossoneri have now avoided defeat in 14 of their last 15 opening group-stage matches in the competition (W10 D4 L1), but they struggled to break down their resolute hosts despite taking charge in the second half.  

Milan enjoyed 65 per cent of the possession in Salzburg – their highest such figure in the Champions League since records began – but Rafael Leao's late deflected effort was the closest they came to a winner.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Pioli expressed his satisfaction with the point, but highlighted the Rossoneri's need to improve. 

"It was a good result with a sufficient performance but not of a high level. If the quality level is not raised there are dangers," Pioli said.

"We could have done better, but they are strong, we bring home a positive result. 

"The boys know how to recognise when they are good on the pitch, today we struggled on the second balls and they could start again with their dangerous forwards. 

"There was a lack of speed in the construction, we could have found better solutions and when we did, we were dangerous.

"We could have taken up the space better to play a little more of the game in their half."

Having watched Group E favourites Chelsea slip to a demoralising defeat at Dinamo Zagreb earlier on Tuesday, both sides had the chance to take charge of the race for qualification.

Milan face Dinamo in their next continental outing next Wednesday, and Pioli admits the Croatian outfit's victory over the Blues has heightened the importance of that match.

"I did not expect the result between Dinamo Zagreb and Chelsea," he admitted. "This teaches us that in football there are no obvious matches. 

"Salzburg are a good team and last year they never lost at home. The next match for us will have an important weight." 

With Tuesday's result, Salzburg are unbeaten in five home Champions League games (W3 D2), while they have not started any of their five campaigns in the competition with a loss (W1 D4).

Only Deportivo La Coruna (also five times) also played in as many Champions League seasons without ever losing their opening match.

Rossoneri defender Fikayo Tomori echoed his coaches' views, expressing relief at remaining unbeaten against resolute opponents.

"It was the game we expected. They are strong on pressing and very fast up front," he said. "We played well, we could have done better, but a point on this field is difficult to take. 

"So we are happy, even if we are also aware that we can do more. We knew it would be difficult. Taking a point in Salzburg is not bad at all. 

"We played well, but not at our level. The group is open, the next match against Dinamo Zagreb, we have to do better and win. We can qualify." 

Kylian Mbappe says Paris Saint-Germain are well aware of where they have fallen short in the Champions League, though offered a reminder that it is not an easy tournament to win.

Mbappe's first-half double against Juventus on Tuesday ultimately proved enough for PSG to secure a 2-1 win in their opening Group H fixture at Parc des Princes.

PSG were sensational in the first half, with Mbappe converting his two shots – both volleys – to put them into a seemingly commanding position after 22 minutes.

Yet Mbappe's selfishness when he went for goal instead of squaring to Neymar early in the second half, followed by some poor defending and goalkeeping at a corner, allowed Weston McKennie to drag Juve back into the contest.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made his second error leading to a goal in six Champions League appearances for PSG, atoned for his part in McKennie's goal with a superb save from Dusan Vlahovic, while Manuel Locatelli saw a goal-bound shot blocked late on.

PSG had their chances to put the game to bed, with Mbappe drilling wide after superb play between Lionel Messi and Neymar, with the latter seeing a wonderful volley saved by Mattia Perin late on.

While PSG failed to live up to the dominant first-half display after the break and allowed Juve back into it to the extent that they finished with a similar shot count (15 to 13) and expected goals (1.5 to 1.1), Mbappe claimed the squad are well aware of areas of improvement.

"There is a small difference between the first and the second half. We know that we have some shortcomings," he said in an interview with RMC Sport. 

"My failure [to make it] 3-0? I missed a lot of goals in my life, I'm going to score a lot and miss a lot. These are facts of the game. It's not by missing that you penalise your team, it's by thinking about the failures.

"We have things to work on, It's normal, it's the Champions League. If it was easy, we would have won it by now."

Mbappe's double took him on to 29 goals in the competition for PSG, one shy of Edinson Cavani's club record.

His sentiment was echoed by team-mate Vitinha, who said: "It's only the beginning, we have to improve. We also saw that we did some good things.

"In the second half, we should have controlled the game better, but it doesn't matter, we shouldn't give too much importance to that. It's up to us to work."