There is a title race brewing at the top of the Swiss Super League!
FC Lugano, owned by American billionaire and Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto, entered Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with Young Boys as the pace-setters, and they’re still the pace-setters after a thrilling 2-2 draw.
It’s been 77 years since FC Lugano last won the Swiss title! Scroll down to read more about their story. Also included - some action from Saturday’s match.
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Elsewhere, Rangers dominated the first Old Firm derby of the season, the worst miss ever (?) was witnessed in the English Championship and the U20 Women’s World Cup progressed into the knockout rounds.
Let’s take a look at everything 👇
Something Swiss 🇨🇭
Long-time readers of The Soccer Dispatch might know a bit about FC Lugano’s story after this newsletter in January 2025.
After years of financial uncertainty off the pitch and mediocrity on it, the Bianconeri are now one of Switzerland’s best teams with Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Young Boys keeping them top of the Swiss Super League.
FC Lugano have moved into a new stadium this season and are aiming to win the title for the first time since 1949.
Something unusual
Set pieces are all the rage at the moment. Managers are always attempting to devise new routines to catch opponents cold and France’s U20 team might have set a new standard.
Check out this routine at the U20 Women’s World Cup. France scored from this in their 4-0 win over Ghana and as a society we must ensure Mikel Arteta doesn’t see this.
Something at the U20 WWC 🌍
The big games are coming thick and fast at the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup and they don’t come much bigger than Brazil v England!
Gisele scored a winner for Brazil in the FIFTH minute of stoppage time to ensure her team made the knockout rounds with a perfect record of three wins from three games.
Something in Glasgow 🏴
It was Rangers’ day in Sunday’s Old Firm Derby - the first Old Firm derby of the season!
The Ibrox side were dominant as they scored three unanswered goals against Celtic, one of which was scored by former Portland Timbers striker Kevin Kelsy who got his first taste of the rivalry.
Rangers supporters displayed this pre-match tifo depicting Ian Ferguson and Mike Galloway having a friendly cuddle in an Old Firm clash in the 1990s.
Celtic have had the edge over their fiercest rivals for the best part of a decade-and-a-half and had started this season the stronger of the two sides. Indeed, Martin O’Neill’s side are setting the early pace at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Slowly, but surely, though, Rangers are starting to find form under new manager Derek McInnes. Their next game? Another Old Firm derby this weekend!
Something wide open
There are bad misses. And then there’s this!
Luis Vázquez must have been imagining his celebration when this ball dropped to him a couple yards out from an open goal. Somehow, though, the Birmingham City player put his shot over the bar…
Worst miss ever?!
Something on fire 🔥
Who is the most in-form forward in Europe right now? Haaland? Kane? Mbappe? Nope - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the age of 37!
By scoring in Deportivo La Coruna’s 1-1 draw against Getafe on Sunday, the former Arsenal and Dortmund striker kept up his incredible record of having scored in every league game this season. Five goals in five games.
Something Irish 🇮🇪
Time to check in on the League of Ireland and this stunner by Stephen Walsh for Galway United!
Walsh will surely be a Puskas Award contender with this effort against Bohemians. The fact it went in off the underside of the bar made it even better.
Something at the F1 🏎️
Lando Norris claimed pole position at the first-ever Madrid Grand Prix and was awarded his price by a familiar face.
Diego Simeone was the guest of honour. Or the guest of dishonour? The Atletico Madrid manager is a master of the dart arts, after all.
Something in college
This European newsletter writer will admit to being baffled by the American college sports eco-system. For my context - my college football team played in front of two people and a dog.
These scenes, however, are amazing! Look at the celebrations after Wisconsin scored a late equaliser against Ohio State. Sceeeeeeenes!
Something 4,500 km away
The Coupe de France is one of the most unique cup competitions in world football - read more about it here!
AS Miquelonnaise from the island of Miquelon off the coast of Canada travelled 4,500 km to face seventh-tier US Lesquin in the third round. Les Oranges, as they’re nicknamed, won.
They’ll need to travel back to France for the next round.
Something in Ecuador 🇪🇨
Ecuador have appointed a new manager and he’s a familiar face to fans of South American football.
Marcelo Gallardo will take charge of La Tri after leaving River Plate earlier this year. The former Argentinean international is known for his attacking style of play which will be quite the gear shift for Ecuador!
We’ll be keeping an eye on this. Should be interesting… 👀
Something misjudged
Club Brugge thought they were signing a safe pair of hands when they landed Yann Sommer in the summer transfer window.
The experienced Swiss goalkeeper, however, has made a series of early-season blunders for his new team - including this one against Royal Antwerp.
Something distracting 🤪
Besiktas striker Oh Hyeon-gyu had an interesting method of distracting the opposition goalkeeper before a freekick.
The South Korean made all sorts of faces and arm gestures in Besiktas’ comfortable 3-0 win over Erzurumspor on Friday. They are the ones setting the pace at the top of the Turkish Super Lig!
Something Argentine 🇦🇷
In just two years, Thiago Almada has played for Atlanta United, Botafogo, Lyon, Atletico Madrid and now River Plate.
The Argentinean international is already endearing himself to his latest set of fans, scoring a stoppage time winner for River Plate in Saturday’s match against Atletico Tucuman.
Something unveiled
Could you have guessed where former Chelsea and Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech is currently playing his football before reading this newsletter?
Botafogo is the answer and the Moroccan was unveiled by the Brazilian club over the weekend, and in some style!
Something asleep 😴
Only two weeks ago, a stunning Dumbarton goal from the halfway line made the pages of this newsletter.
This week, it’s a goal conceded by Dumbarton that deserves your attention. What was the goalkeeper doing?!
Some TSD content you might have missed… 🗞️
🇰🇷 Will South Korea’s World Cup hangover affect their Asian Games chances?
Serious questions are being asked of those running South Korean football!