There was loads of Friday evening motion because the Championship returned for the 2025-26 season however lots of the continent’s high groups had been additionally in motion.
Amidst the Alexander Isak storm, Newcastle confronted Spanish aspect Espanyol, whereas Brentford – with out wantaway Yoane Wissa – took on Bundesliga opposition in Borussia Monchengladbach.
Final season’s Serie A runners-up Inter Milan confronted a new-look Monaco aspect in France as nicely.
Learn on to see how all sides acquired on within the newest spherical of pre-season friendlies.
Newcastle 2-2 Espanyol
Newcastle had been held to a 2-2 draw by Espanyol in a pleasant at St James’ Park.
Regardless of Jacob Murphy’s well-taken objective showing to have secured the win for the Magpies late on, Kike Garcia’s header within the 89th minute ensured the guests snatched a last-gasp equaliser.
The sport began brightly for Espanyol, who took the lead within the seventeenth minute via Edu Exposito.
The midfielder fired a elegant right-footed strike from outdoors the field into the highest left nook, brilliantly arrange by Roberto Fernandez.
Newcastle responded rapidly, with Matt Targett equalising simply 4 minutes later by powering a close-range header previous the Espanyol goalkeeper after a teasing cross from Lewis Miley.
The primary half additionally noticed Espanyol had been awarded a penalty following a foul on Roberto Fernandez contained in the field by Targett. Nevertheless, the spot-kick by Javi Puado was saved by Aaron Ramsdale, preserving the rating stage heading into half-time.
Jacob Murphy put Newcastle forward within the 77th minute with a scientific left-footed end from contained in the field, showing to offer the house aspect the win.
However Espanyol’s persistence paid off when Pere Milla whipped in a cross that Kike Garcia met with a robust header within the 89th minute, redirecting the ball into the highest proper nook to stage the rating as soon as once more.
Newcastle will take positives from the battling spirit and attacking intent, whereas Espanyol demonstrated their risk on set items and composure to return again late.
Brentford 2-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
Brentford and Borussia Monchengladbach performed out an entertaining 2-2 draw, with either side producing moments of high quality in a full of life encounter.
The guests struck first on the half-hour mark. After Joe Scally noticed two efforts blocked in fast succession, Haris Tabakovic’s header went broad – however moments later, Grant-Leon Ranos pounced from shut vary to fit into the underside nook, giving Gladbach a 1-0 lead.
Brentford responded nicely, with Sepp van den Berg and Igor Thiago each going shut earlier than the break.
The second half burst into life after the restart. Fabio Carvalho, full of life all through, pressured Nicolas into a pointy save earlier than lastly levelling within the 69th minute, ending from contained in the field following a set-piece.
Only a minute later, Mikkel Damsgaard produced a second of magic, curling a right-footed strike from distance into the underside nook to show the sport on its head at 2-1.
Gladbach, nevertheless, refused to fold. Substitute Robin Hack made an instantaneous influence, organising Franck Honorat, who drilled a low shot from outdoors the field into the underside left nook with 4 minutes remaining.
Monaco 1-2 Inter Milan
Inter Milan got here from behind to say a 2-1 victory over Monaco in an action-packed pleasant on the Stade Louis-II.
The hosts made a dream begin, taking the lead after simply two minutes when Maghnes Akliouche fired a shocking left-footed strike into the highest nook from outdoors the field.
Monaco regarded the sharper aspect early on, with Lamine Camara twice forcing Yann Sommer into saves and Denis Zakaria placing the put up from distance.
Inter’s activity turned tougher on 36 minutes when Hakan Calhanoglu acquired a second yellow card for a late problem, decreasing the guests to 10 males.
Regardless of the numerical drawback, the Italian aspect responded after the break.
Lautaro Martinez levelled the rating on the hour mark, ending clinically from shut vary after Nicolo Barella led a swift counter-attack.
Monaco pushed to revive their benefit, with Akliouche hitting the put up from a header and Soungoutou Magassa firing over.
Nevertheless, Inter struck the decisive blow within the eightieth minute. Substitute Ange-Yoan Bonny capped one other fast break with a composed end from the centre of the field, making it 2-1.
