Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring their second goal in August 24, 2026
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Donyell Malen’s hat-trick got Roma off to a blistering Serie A start in a 4-0 win over Fiorentina, and Chelsea delivered a perfect Premier League opening for new coach Xabi Alonso on Monday (August 24, 2026).
Chelsea beat Fulham 3-2 with the aid of a strike from club record signing Morgan Rogers.
Both La Liga games were tied; Malaga and Deportivo A Coruna drew 1-1 and Levante and Osasuna ended goalless.
Roma tops Serie A
Malen converted three passes from Paolo Dybala to score in the 27th, 52nd and 60th minutes and make Roma one of nine clubs with full points after the Serie A opening weekend. Substitute Niccolò Pisilli completed the rout four minutes from time.
Second half substitute Davide Frattesi scored five minutes into his Lazio debut to give the capital club a 1-0 win at Bologna.
In a game that featured few chances and eight yellow cards, five in the first half, Frattesi’s cool finish from Boulaye Dia’s superb backheeled pass, ensured a winning start for new Lazio coach Gennaro Gattuso.
The win was a relief for Gattuso, coming a week after his side’s shock Italian Cup exit at the hands of Serie B club Mantova.
Rogers scores on debut
In an entertaining London derby, Brazilian João Pedro put Chelsea ahead in just 32 seconds, only for Josh King to level midway through the first half. Rogers restored Chelsea’s lead four minutes from halftime and the impressive Cole Palmer made it 3-1 four minutes into the second period.
Gonzalo García cut the deficit five minutes later with a close-range header, and although Fulham poured forward in search of an equalizer it ended 3-2 to the visitor at Craven Cottage.
The result marked a satisfying start for Alonso but was a disappointment for his former Spain teammate Álvaro Arbeloa in the Fulham dugout.
All square in Spain
In Spain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored for the second consecutive game but it was not enough to give Deportivo A Coruna all three points against Malaga in a contest between promoted sides.
Aubameyang, who got his name on the scoresheet in last week’s 1-1 draw against Elche, took a superb throughball from Luismi Cruz and skipped round a static goalkeeper to put the home side ahead after 21 minutes.
However, Chupete equalized from the penalty spot 13 minutes later when Rafita Garrido was brought down by Lucas Noubi.
Earlier, Osasuna drew 0-0 with Levante. Levante’s first point of the season followed an opening weekend defeat by Espanyol.
Penalties and late comebacks in Germany
In the German Cup, Wolfsburg needed penalties to avoid a shock exit at the hands of fourth-tier Altglienicke. The Bundesliga club came from behind three times to leave it 3-3 after extra time and then scraped through 6-5 on penalties.
Schalke also survived a scare at fourth-tier Hallescher. The sides were tied 2-2 after 90 minutes but Schalke, newly returned to the Bundesliga after a three-year absence, scored three times in extra time to progress to the second round.
Cologne and Hamburg both won at third tier sides, Cologne beat Würzburger Kickers thanks to a brace from Isak Johannesson and Hamburg easily overcame Verl 3-0.
Published – August 25, 2026 11:36 am IST
