A second-half double from substitute Jamie Gittens earned Borussia Dortmund a 2-0 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt in their first Bundesliga game of the season.
Dortmund, who finished fifth last season, broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute on Saturday after struggling to find their rhythm against a feisty Frankfurt, who contained their opponents with high pressing.
England under-21 international Gittens scored with a superb strike from a tight angle that sailed into the top far corner after cutting inside the box from the right.
Frankfurt came close to a late equaliser but saw their hopes of salvaging a point dashed as Gittens scored his second after a quick counter-attack in stoppage time.
The result earned Nuri Sahin his first three points at the helm of the hosts.
Data Debrief: Dortmund worthy winners
Gittens only scored once in 25 Bundesliga appearances last season, but he is off to a flyer in 2024-25.
And while Dortmund were not at their best and the result was not sealed until the third minute of added time, it would be hard for Frankfurt to argue that the hosts were not worthy winners.
BVB had 70.2% of the possession and racked up 20 shots on goal, with Frankfurt only managing seven going the other way.
New signing Pascal Gross impressed for Dortmund, setting up the opening goal as one of six chances he created in the match. His total was at least double anyone else on the pitch managed.
Wolfsburg 2-3 Bayern Munich: Kompany off to winning start after late Gnabry strike
A late goal by Serge Gnabry secured Bayern Munich a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Wolfsburg on Sunday, giving Vincent Kompany a winning start in the Bundesliga.
Wolfsburg started brightly, but the visitors made the better chances in the first half, taking the lead after fine work by Sacha Boey down the right to set up Jamal Musiala for an easy tap-in.
However, Bayern were punished for a slow start after the break, as Boey brought down Tiago Tomas in the box, and Lovro Majer made no mistake from the spot.
Wolfsburg created all kinds of trouble for the visitors' defence and Majer gave them the lead in the 55th minute, having also struck the post shortly before.
Thomas Muller became Bayern's all-time record appearance-maker in the Bundesliga seconds before Jakub Kaminski's own goal levelled the scores in the 65th minute.
But Gnabry struck with eight minutes left on the clock to secure all three points for the Bavarians.
Data Debrief: History maker
While the plaudits from the game will go to the goalscorers, Muller cemented himself in the Bayern history books with the most appearances - Sunday was his 474th Bundesliga match for the club, overtaking Sepp Maier.
Bayern have now scored in each of their last 32 Bundesliga games against Wolfsburg (93 goals in total). It's the longest-scoring run against any particular side in their history.
The visitors are now unbeaten in their season-opener in each of the last 13 seasons (won 11, drawn two), a new record for a team in Bundesliga history.
St Mirren 0-3 Celtic: Johnston ensures emphatic win as Bhoys maintain perfect start
Celtic maintained their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season with an emphatic 3-0 victory over St Mirren on Sunday.
Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate struck in the first half to put the Bhoys in control, with Alistair Johnston scoring in the second to ensure they would leave with all three points.
Celtic got off to a superb start, with captain McGregor latching onto James Forrest's lay-off to pick out the bottom-right corner inside the opening three minutes.
The visitors' dominance was rewarded with a second goal just after the half-hour mark, with Hatate coolly slotting in via the inside of the far post.
St Mirren started the second half on the front foot, though only Jaden Brown tested Kasper Schmeichel, who got down well to hold onto his low shot.
Celtic soon took control once more, with Johnston darting into the box to meet Nicolas Kuhn's low cross and rifle in a third goal in the 71st minute to settle the game.
Data Debrief: Leading from the front
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers could not have asked for a better start to their title defence, with nine points on the board after three games, having scored nine and conceded none.
McGregor has proven invaluable already, and he netted his second goal in as many games, already matching his tally from last season.
Celtic have now won each of their last nine Scottish Premiership games, a good run of form with Old Firm rivals Rangers next up.
KFC reaffirms commitment to youth development with JMD$15 million sponsorship for 2024 ISSA Schoolboy Football Season
Quick-service food giant Restaurants of Jamaica (ROJ), through its flagship brand KFC, recently announced a JMD $15 million sponsorship investment for the 2024 ISSA Schoolboy Football season. This sponsorship marks another significant milestone in KFC's ongoing commitment to nurturing Jamaica’s young football talent, helping to shape the future champions of the nation.
As the new season prepares to kick off on Saturday, September 7, KFC is set to continue its long-standing tradition of supporting Jamaican youth both on and off the football field. KFC Jamaica’s Marketing Manager, Andrei Roper, expressed the brand’s excitement for the upcoming season, stating, “We’re thrilled to be back on board for this journey with our young and talented athletes in what promises to be a season filled with standout performances and memorable moments. Schoolboy Football provides a platform for our young boys to realize their full potential and even plot a path for their future. It gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills not only on the field but in becoming upstanding young men, and so KFC sees this competition as the perfect opportunity to help set them up for success and also to help give back to the community.”
KFC’s involvement in the ISSA Schoolboy Football season goes beyond the financial sponsorship, reflecting the brand’s broader commitment to the development of youth and the community. In a touching gesture, KFC has also donated JMD $500,000 through their KFC Add Hope Outreach Programme to former standout football player Alinton Frankson. Alinton, who previously played for Paul Bogle High, Excelsior High, and the SportsMax Elite League, had his promising career cut short by a devastating injury that led to a diagnosis of lymphoedema, a condition that has severely impacted his health.
KFC Marketing Manager, Andrei Roper (right) seals the deal with Alinton Frankson (left) at the recent launch of the 2024 Schoolboy Football Launch at the National Stadium.
Expressing his gratitude for KFC’s support, Alinton said, “I am incredibly grateful for this generous donation from KFC. The journey toward securing the necessary funds for my treatment has been daunting, and this support has provided tremendous relief. Words cannot fully capture the depth of my appreciation, but I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has shown their support. I am also deeply thankful to the other brands, such as Digicel, that have contributed to my recovery. Without this assistance, I would be uncertain about how to restore my health and regain normalcy. Although it has been challenging to come to terms with being unable to participate in the sport I hold so dearly, I remain committed to maintaining a positive outlook and placing my trust in God.”
KFC Jamaica has a long history of supporting youth development through sports, and this latest sponsorship is part of a broader initiative that also includes contributions to basketball and track and field. Earlier this year, KFC sponsored the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) Star Search Basketball and Life Skills Camp, as well as the Jump Ball Basketball Camps. Additionally, KFC entered into a brand partnership with national triple jump sensation Jaydon Hibbert ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
With its continued investment in Jamaica's young athletes, KFC not only fuels the passion and potential of these future stars but also strengthens its legacy as a key supporter of youth development in the country. As the 2024 ISSA Schoolboy Football season approaches, KFC's involvement promises to add another layer of excitement to a competition that has become a crucial part of Jamaica's sporting culture.
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