9:30 AM ET It’s finally here! ESPN’s Battle of the Leagues, presented by EA Sports FIFA 22, began with eight teams, all-star selections representing some of the best leagues in the world, and we’re down to the final two. The French Ligue 1, defending champions from 2020 and wonderfully coached by Julien Laurens, take on

5:00 PM ET Jeff Carlisle Close U.S. soccer correspondent Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC. Eric Gomez The games between Mexico and the United States have emerged as some of the most heated on the soccer calendar. Who can forget Rafa Marquez’s harsh red on Cobi Jones at the

8:33 AM ET Adriana Garcia France forward Karim Benzema “will not be excluded” from the national team if he is found guilty in his trial over alleged blackmail, according to France Football Federation president Noel Le Graet. A French court will hand down a verdict on Nov. 24 with the prosecutors’ office having recommended a

6:49 PM ET Danny Lewis The summer transfer window was unlike any other; see all the major deals and check out how we graded the biggest signings. And just because the window is shut until January, that doesn’t mean the rumours won’t keep coming. Here is the latest gossip and speculation. TOP STORY: Barca tracking

6:20 AM ET The Premier League has been criticised for not allowing clubs to support a Boxing Day campaign. Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images The Premier League has refused a request from clubs to wear their away kits at home matches on Boxing Day in support of homeless charity Shelter. Shelter tweeted on Tuesday it is launching

6:45 PM ET Danny Lewis The summer transfer window was unlike any other; see all the major deals and check out how we graded the biggest signings. And just because the window is shut until January, that doesn’t mean the rumours won’t keep coming. Here is the latest gossip and speculation. TOP STORY: United eye

9:00 AM ET The United States and Mexico face off in World Cup qualifying this Friday at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium (stream LIVE on ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET). Stakes and emotions are always high when these sides clash, especially after two epic summer matches in tournament finals. Will the U.S. make it three in a row

5:00 AM ET The strange story of Iago Aspas grows curiouser and curiouser. By the end of Saturday afternoon he’d contributed to Barcelona‘s downfall — again — scoring twice as Celta Vigo came back from three goals down to draw 3-3 in the 96th minute. By the end of Sunday night, with Spain unable to

6:45 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects to survive the international break and remain in charge for Manchester United‘s next game against Watford, sources told ESPN. The Norwegian has spoken to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward since the demoralising 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday but has so far been given no indication

1:27 PM ET Yunus Musah had only heard about it. The fire. The intensity. The bags of urine flying from the stands like gross, golden grenades. Tall tales, you know? Lore. Musah had heard stories, but it wasn’t until this summer that he finally saw a sliver of it with his own eyes. It wasn’t