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• Yamal ruled out of Serbia clash due to muscle injury

  Lamine Yamal will miss Spain's Nations League clash against Serbia after sustaining a muscle injury during their 1-0 win over Denmark on Saturday.

  Yamal was replaced by Sergio Gomez in the 93rd minute of their encounter at the Estadio Nueva Condomina and was seen limping after the game.

  He had endured multiple tackles during the contest, raising concerns over his fitness. Despite the precautionary exit, the Spanish medical team found no significant injury.

  The 17-year-old has since been replaced in Luis de la Fuente's squad by Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo Riquelme for the match against Serbia in Cordoba.

  "The tests did not reveal any structural injury, and the medical staff of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed it is a case of muscle strain," the Spain national team said in a statement on Sunday.

  "Prioritising the player's health and to avoid any risk of injury ahead of the upcoming match against Serbia, it has been decided to withdraw him from the squad."

  Yamal has continued his impressive form from Euro 2024 into the current LaLiga season for Barcelona, scoring five goals in 11 appearances in all competitions. 

  Only Sevilla's Chidera Ejuke (28) has completed more dribbles in the league than Yamal (27), with his 18 chances created for Hansi Flick's side, a total only bettered by Raphinha (32) in Barcelona's ranks. 

  Yamal announced himself on the international stage during Spain's European Championship success earlier this year, notching four assists and one goal at the tournament. 

  While only in the infancy of his promising career, Spain head coach De la Fuente believes the treatment Yamal is currently experiencing is something he must get used to.

  "The referee has to protect these talented players, but Lamine has to get used to it. I would love it to be a bed of roses, Flower Power, but this sport is like that," De la Fuente said.

  "Lamine displayed an exceptional attitude and generated a lot for us from the right flank. He has a special talent.

  "I had a teammate who used to say: 'What do you want, kisses (from the opponents)?' Teams will use the weapons they can within the rules."

• Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City: Shaw grabs late winner at Anfield

  Khadija Shaw's second-half double propelled Manchester City to a 2-1 win over Liverpool as they capped off a fine week in style.

  Olivia Smith's stinging 41st-minute strike put the Reds ahead at Anfield on Sunday, but last season's leading Women's Super League scorer Shaw inspired the City comeback.

  The Jamaican headed in from Lauren Hemp's pinpoint delivery in the 58th minute, before taking centre stage late on.

  In the second minute of stoppage time, Shaw shrugged off the challenge of Niamh Fahey and lashed home a venomous effort into the top-right corner to secure the points for Gareth Taylor's team.

  The victory ends a fantastic week for City, who beat Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday and moved top of the WSL with 10 points from their four matches.

  Data Debrief: Liverpool's Anfield hoodoo 

  City won the corresponding fixture 4-1 last season, but were pushed much closer this time around before eventually claiming their ninth win against the Reds in the space of 11 meetings in the WSL.

  Liverpool might want to reconsider whether they play their biggest matches at Anfield, too, given they have now played four WSL matches there and lost every single one (three to Everton, one to Man City).

  City are now unbeaten in their opening four WSL matches for the first time since 2019-20, and last year's runners-up look well set to challenge again this term.

• 'It's a joy to watch these players' – Spain boss De la Fuente

  Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said it is "a joy" to coach his team given their immaculate form in recent months.

  La Roja beat Denmark 1-0 in the Nations League on Saturday, extending their unbeaten run to 13 games in all competitions.

  The European champions last lost in March, when they went down 1-0 to Colombia, who subsequently went on to reach the Copa America final this year.

  Spain attempted 25 shots against Denmark, equalling their highest tally in a Nations League game (25 against Ukraine in September 2020), and De la Fuente was quick to hail the quality of his players.

  "We're happy, first of all, with the win," he told UEFA's media channels.

  "Given how the match developed, we knew it was going to be a very tough game.

  "It fit perfectly in the game plan we had. It's a joy to watch these players, regardless of whether they’ve had more or fewer opportunities [to play] before.

  "We have an exceptional group of footballers who, when they get their chance, show their full potential.

  "It's great for Spanish football. Today, with what we saw, this win becomes even more significant. Playing against Denmark, a fantastic team, and being able to dominate, especially in the second half, control the situation, and dictate the tempo of the game, I think that's something to be very happy about – I certainly am."

  Martin Zubimendi, who started in midfield in the absence of injured Rodri, netted the winner against the Danes.

  That was the Real Sociedad midfielder's first international goal, but also the first time he has scored from outside of the box in his senior career.