The Norwegian title race couldn’t be ANY closer! The top two can’t be separated!
Bodo/Glimt’s thrilling 3-2 win over Viking means the two Eliteserien rivals are tied on points, goal difference, wins, draws, losses. Goals for is the only thing keeping Viking at the top of the standings.
Title races don’t get any tighter than this. Scroll down for more about the ongoing duel between Bodo and Viking.
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Elsewhere, an American college match was stopped due to a grizzly bear invasion, James Milner is still running, even in retirement, and Spain won yet ANOTHER tournament.
Let’s take a look at everything 👇
Something in Norway 🇳🇴
A five-goal thriller between Bodo/Glimt and Viking ultimately swung in the favour of last season’s Champions League last 16ers and the Norwegian title race is all the better for it.
Jens Petter Hauge scored the winner in a fiery match that saw BOTH managers sent off for their conduct on the touchline. That tells you something about what’s at stake!
“It was a bit comical,” said Bodo captain Patrick Berg when asked about the confrontation between Kjetil Knutsen and Morten Jensen.
“We talked about it before the game, that we and the coaching team had to keep our heads cool. At least we managed it out on the field - I haven’t seen the situation, but it’s clear that Kjetil didn’t manage it as well as we did.”
The result means that it’s all level at the top of the Norwegian Eliteserien table with just FIVE matches left to play.
Between this and the recent success of Bodo and Viking in the Champions League, there’s plenty to keep an eye on in Norwegian football right now.
Something in the U17 WWC 🏆
It was a big weekend in the U17 Women’s World Cup with the semi-finals set for Wednesday.
North Korea are the defending champions and produced a statement performance by sending the USA packing with a 3-0 victory. There were also wins for Brazil, Japan and Nigeria.
As I covered for The Soccer Dispatch in 2024, North Korea are a youth football superpower in the women’s’ game!
Something in the Superclasico 🇦🇷
Boca Juniors claimed the bragging rights in Sunday’s Superclasico and brought along their umbrellas to shield themselves from River Plate’s tears.
That’s some epic trolling, you have to say. Extra bonus that it looks really cool. Lautaro Di Lollo gave Boca the win with River reduced to 10 men after only 10 minutes. It was a long match for them!
Something in South America 🌎
An INSANE Copa Libertadores Femenina final ended with Cruzeiro getting their hands on the trophy following a penalty shootout.
The match finished 4-4 after 120 minutes. Corinthians had a three-goal lead, but somehow allowed their advantage to slip. Goalkeeper Camila made the decisive save in the shootout as Cruzeiro became continental champions for the first time.
Something four-midable
FC Twente produced their biggest-ever Eredivisie win by thumping Excelsior 9-0 on Sunday - and Wout Weghorst scored FOUR of the nine goals!
The 34-year-old is still delivering the goods with FC Twente sitting fourth in the Dutch top flight table, just two points off the pace being set by leaders Feyenoord.
A reminder that Eric Ten Hag is FC Twente sporting director. Ten Hag and Weghorst - name a more iconic duo! You can’t!
Something rousing 🥹
Sunday’s Edinburgh Derby went Hibernian’s way and the Leith side celebrated with a little sing-song.
Sunshine on Leith by The Proclaimers is possibly the best anthem in world football and this newsletter will take every opportunity to include it. Hibs will face Rangers in the Scottish League Cup final after beating Hearts.
Something in Latvia 🇱🇻
RFS clinched the Latvian Virsliga title over the weekend, winning their FOURTH national championship in six years.
The club was founded only 10 years ago, yet they have become the dominant force of Latvian football in that time. RFS will take their place in Champions League qualifying next season.
Something grizzly 🐻
We’ve seen a whole zoo of animals invade football pitches in the past - dogs, cats, racoons (respect for Raquinho. If you know, you know). But how about a bear?!
This US college match was stopped after a family of bears decided they wanted a front row seat.
Let’s be real, they could have taken whatever they wanted. A bite out of the centre forward? Sure. Whatever you want.
Something familiar
Oh look, Spain have won yet another title. Yawn. How boring. Grow up.
This time, Spain got their hands on the U15 World Cup, beating Czechia 5-0 in the final in Baku.
So, again, just to recap - Spain are currently champions of the World Cup, the Women’s World Cup, the European Championships, the Women’s Nations League, the men’s U19 Euros, the Women’s U19 Euros, U20 Women’s World Cup and now the U15 World Cup.
Something spectacular
Lucas Ocampos has surely put his name into contention for this year’s Puskas Award because…. my word! What a goal this is!
The Argentinean attacker scored this stunner of an overhead kick for Monterrey against Tijuana and it’s difficult to envisage a better, more spectacular goal being scored in 2026.
Sensational stuff!
Something from 4-1 down
4-1 up and cruising after 62 minutes, Lausanne surely thought they were on course for a big win in their efforts to avoid relegation from the Swiss Super League.
Instead, defending Swiss champions Thun fought back to sensationally snatch a 5-4 victory clinched by a winning goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Reminder - Sir Jim Ratcliffe is Lausanne owner. Everything he touches turns to shit! 💩
Something evocative
The spirit of Ronaldinho was evoked in the final of the Rio de Janeiro Favelas Cup!
Midfielder Juanny scored this freekick only she truly knows if she meant to loop the goalkeeper with a shot into the top corner. This Scotsman maintains Ronaldinho knew what he was doing… 😈
Something running 🏃
James Milner is having a lovely time in retirement, running marathons. Because of course he is!
The former Aston Villa, Brighton, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder never stopped running in his playing days, so why stop now?
Something from waaaaay out 🚀
Goal of the Weekend (besides the Ocampos goal, of course) might well have been scored in the Australian Championship. Btw - if you want to know more about the new Australian second tier, this newsletter from a year ago might help!
Alen Harbas pinged this one in from at least 30 yards out for Sutherland Sharks (great club name, no notes). That’s what you call a thunderbastard!
Something Belgian 🇧🇪
Remember Radja Nainggolan? Belgian international midfielder with the crazy hair and neck tattoos.
Well, Nainggolan is still playing at the age of 38 and scored this belter for Patro Eisden in the Belgian second division. You never lose it!
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