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• Arsenal bounce back with Valerenga victory as Barcelona hit Hammarby for nine

  Arsenal began life after Jonas Eidevall by getting their Women's Champions League campaign back on track with a 4-1 victory over Valerenga.

  Eidevall resigned as the Gunners' head coach on Tuesday after three years in charge, following a poor start to the 2024-25 season.

  Nevertheless, with interim boss Renee Slegers taking over, Arsenal bounced back on Wednesday with a comfortable win at Emirates Stadium.

  Just two minutes had elapsed when Emily Fox slotted home the opener, while Alessio Russo was denied by the offside flag soon after.

  The hosts made it 2-0 on 29 minutes when Mariona Caldentey powered through the middle of the park before finding Beth Mead, whose deflected shot was parried by the goalkeeper, and subsequently tucked away by Caitlin Foord at the far post.

  However, a lapse in concentration allowed Valerenga to pull a goal back before the break, Olaug Tvedten halving the deficit after pouncing on Laia Codina's mistake.

  The Gunners gave themselves breathing space five minutes from time, as a neat move culminated in Stina Blackstenius crossing for Caldentey, who fired into the roof of the net.

  Caldentey was involved again as Arsenal added further gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time, her precise pass releasing Russo to slot home through the legs of Valerenga goalkeeper Tove Enblom, with the Gunners comfortably ensuring their run of never losing their opening two matches of a Champions League campaign continued.

  Meanwhile, reigning champions Barcelona bounced back from their matchday one defeat to Manchester City with an emphatic 9-0 rout of Hammarby, in their first meeting in the competition with the Swedish side.

  Barca had won all nine of their previous home group-stage matches in the competition, and eased into a 3-0 half-time lead with Caroline Hansen, Claudia Pina and Alexia Putellas on target.

  Pina and Hansen doubled up after the break, while there were further strikes from Mapi Leon, Ewa Pajor and Esmee Brugts, as well as a last-minute Fridolina Rolfo penalty.

  Barca finished with 5.84 expected goals (xG) to Hammarby's 0.44, and 33 shots to seven.

• Messi tips Lautaro for Ballon d'Or after 'spectacular year'

  Lionel Messi is backing Lautaro Martinez to win this year's Ballon d'Or, believing his Argentina team-mate deserves the accolade "more than anyone else".

  The two players were on target during the world champions' commanding 6-0 victory over Bolivia on Tuesday, Messi bagging a hat-trick while setting up Lautaro for their side's second goal.

  It has been a 2024 to remember for Lautaro, who top-scored with 24 goals as he captained Inter to the Scudetto last season.

  The forward was also the leading marksman during the Copa America with five goals, including an extra-time winner as Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in the final.

  Lautaro's exploits have seen him shortlisted for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, with the winner being announced on October 28.

  Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior is among the favourites to land the accolade, along with Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri.

  However, eight-time winner Messi feels his compatriot should be the leading candidate for the award.

  "He had a spectacular year; he scored in the [Copa America] final, he was the top scorer. He deserves the Ballon d'Or more than anyone else."

• Sahin urges Dortmund supporters to keep the faith despite slow start

  Nuri Sahin has called for calm after Borussia Dortmund's slow start to the season, urging supporters not to cast doubt on the path the club are on. 

  Dortmund sit seventh in the Bundesliga standings after claiming 10 points from their opening six games, though they entered the international break on the back of a defeat. 

  Kevin Vogt and Yorbe Vertessen's goals helped Union Berlin to a 2-1 win, marking Dortmund's second consecutive away loss, taking only one point on their travels so far.

  Sahin, who was appointed Dortmund's boss in June, has insisted his team's away form is a priority, though his full focus remains on this Friday's home clash with St. Pauli. 

  "It's not that I want to run away from away games or anything, but it's just a fact that we've only picked up one point from the three away games in the league...," Sahin said. 

  "If you're 16th in the away table, you're not going to achieve your goals. You have to build on that.

  "We can very happily do that before the game against Augsburg... Then we can talk about it. But now my full focus is on the home game against St Pauli.

  "To cast doubt on our path after six matchdays would be fatal.

  "That's not what we're doing. We're going to go our own way. Of course, you have to make adjustments with every game you play."

  Sahin also took the time to congratulate former coach Thomas Tuchel, who on Wednesday was confirmed as England's new boss. 

  Tuchel managed Dortmund for two seasons between 2015-2017, leading them to the DFB Pokal in his second term at the helm. 

  The German won 67 of his 107 games in charge (D23 L17), ending with a win percentage of 62.6%, a total he only bettered during his time at Paris Saint-Germain (74.8%). 

  Sahin worked with Tuchel for two seasons, and wished his former manager well in his new adventure.

  "I can only congratulate the FA on getting a great coach. I dare not say, whether it will work out or not," Sahin said.

  "I have great admiration for Thomas Tuchel. I know that he can give this team a lot... congratulations to a very good head coach."