Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward left in the eighth inning of the team’s 3-0 victory against the Houston Astros on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Ward had his head up as he was tracking down a ball hit by Ramón Urías in the outfield before running face-first into the metal scoreboard at Daikin Park.

The outfielder walked toward the Angels’ bullpen for assistance as teammates came to his aid with a towel to cover a cut he received after crashing into the screen.

Ward was carted off the field and did not return to the game.

The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports’ newsletter.

One of the best atmospheres in wrestling awaits.

WWE returned to France today, where an electric crowd showed out for Clash in Paris 2025. It was the second premium live event to take place in the country and first one since Backlash 2024. That event, held in May last year, was one that wrestling fans will remember for years to come thanks to one of the most raucous crowds in recent memory.

The fans certainly made this another fun international event. Five matches took place Sunday, headlined by a fatal four-way for the World Heavyweight Championship and John Cena facing Logan Paul as his farewell tour reaches its end.

All in all, zero titles changed hands, but that didn’t stop several of the matches from delivering. The fatal four-way was fantastic and offered a totally unexpected ending that shocked fans. Logan Paul vs. John Cena wasn’t just fun, it was riveting and showcased the best of what both wrestlers had to offer. Sheamus vs. Rusev was violent, dirty, harsh, everything a donnybrook should be.

This was certainly one of the best international events in recent memory. Here are the highlights from the event.

Follow USA TODAY Sports for all the action from Clash in Paris 2025:

Rollins retains title thanks to his wife

After Jey Uso stuck his neck out to protect a defenseless Roman Reigns, the fatal four-way started off as bad as it could have for him, with CM Punk delivering a kick that would make titans shiver.

Uso remained out of the fight for about two minutes after that, allowing LA Knight to attempt a quick pin on Punk, who promptly kicked out.

Punk was gifted a few moments alone in the ring with the damaged Uso, and Punk took advantage, damaging Uso even worse, but Punk was pulled out by Rollins, who proceeded to keep laying hands on Uso until LA Knight returned to team up on Rollins.

Rollins would be the first to dominate the ring, walking around and laying individual hits on each competitor about five times each, but he never really had an opportunity to attempt a pin. Once everyone recovered, their gameplan was clear though. They all ganged up on Rollins. At one point, LA Knight threw Punk off Rollins, just to get a few licks in himself. No one was making a push for the title. They just wanted to kick Rollins into the ground and throw him through a table, even teaming up to lay everything out.

However, that plan fell through when Uso took the opportunity to return Punk’s early kick. Uso would also land a super kick on LA Knight and follow Rollins into the crowd to hit him with a few uppercuts.

When the four returned to the ring, Rollins had the first opportunity for a win, pinning Punk while LA Knight and Jey Uso were recovering. Punk kicked out though.

At that point, it was anyone’s match, every contender had their own moment with a chance to win. Everyone had a pin attempt, but interference, kick outs, and counterattacks were common.

Uso shined throughout the match, even with his injured ribs, he put up great fights against the other contenders. While he did usually lose his individual fights, even taking a harsh kick to the face from LA Knight, Uso often found himself in the middle of the action, causing havoc and problems for anyone trying to overlook him.

In general, the wrestlers with the most chances to win were Seth Rollins and CM Punk. Each of the were laying out competitors and attempting pins left and right, but neither was able to seal a victory. Rollins, specifically, was targeting Punk, even going out of his way to mock Punk, telling him that he hopes he never has a match in WWE again. He screamed, ‘I hate you. I hate your family, and I want you to go away.’

Right after that brief monologue, Rollins grabbed a chair and was all alone in the ring with Punk. Rollins attempted to seriously hurt Punk, but Punk was just able to evade the move, and nearly countering Rollins had it not been for a low blow from Becky Lynch, who flew in to save her husband.

That interference was all Rollins needed. Punk was out for the count, and Rollins pinned him with ease. WWE’s power couple of Rollins and Lynch each maintained their titles tonight.

While a return from Breakker or Reed was expected, it would’ve cost The Vision two titans, but instead it was a best-case scenario for the group. Not only did Rollins retain the title, but neither Breakker nor Reed will suffer suspension.

John Cena doles Logan Paul a lesson in respect

As much as Cena wanted to teach Logan Paul to show respect in this match, Paul put up a good fight, giving the former champion a run for his money at multiple points throughout the fight. No matter what great maneuver Paul pulled in this fight though, the crowd was entirely behind Cena, even mirroring Cena’s classic ‘U Can’t See Me’ taunt after Cena laid Paul out center ring.

Paul’s athleticism was on full display in this fight. The YouTuber was flipping over the ropes, flipping out of throws from Cena and was crawling all over old man Cena throughout the fight, constantly putting Cena in uncomfortable positions. However, Cena was able to turn some of those moves around, nearly getting Paul to tap out on occasion.

The pair traded pins for the next fifteen minutes or so. Paul got the upper hand late in the fight, slamming Cena on the ring multiple times and even mocking Cena with a ‘U Can’t See Me’ chant of his own right in Cena’s face. Cena would not go down like that though. He wouldn’t even go down after Paul hit him with his titanium-loaded right hand.

About thirty minutes into the match, both fighters were extremely tired, but Paul still managed to kick up from the floor without his hands, showing that his youth was turning into a massive advantage. After everything Cena had thrown at Paul, Paul still had the energy to pull of athletic feats other wrestlers can only dream of.

Paul used that energy to mock Cena once again, but just like the first time, Cena turned that around. Paul was looking for an AA, but it was countered and Cena managed to slam Paul, but Paul kicked out without much issue.

Cena kept his foot on the gas though, hitting Paul with back-to-back Attitude Adjustments. Paul tried his best to avoid the inevitable, hitting Cena with that deadly right hand again, but Cena merely shook it off and pinned Paul for the win.

Rusev defeats Sheamus in a good ol’ fashioned donnybrook

This match was as back-and-forth as any match can be, which is to be expected from a donnybrook. No rules, no one holds back. From kendo sticks to shillelaghs to barstools. Everything was used as a weapon in this fight.

Rusev and Sheamus traded blows the whole time. However, the tide turned when Rusev tried to embarrass Sheamus by holding him over the rope and beating Sheamus’ drum, which is normally a move reserved to Sheamus.

Sheamus showed why it was his move, doing the same thing to Rusev three separate times. Once over the ropes, once over the bar setup outside the ring, and once outside the barrierrs. All of that resulted in a pin attempt for Sheamus that Rusev was shockingly able to kick out of.

The battle continued and returned to its back-and-forth nature. It was unclear who had the advantage, and the French crowd responded with ‘This is awesome’ chants. Every blow landed by Rusev was retaliated by Sheamus. The match moved all over the venue, including the top of whiskey barrels placed alongside the announcer’s tables.

That was one of the defining moments of the match. Rusev had Sheamus in a monster hold, knees in his back, hands over his chin. It looked like Sheamus might tap out, which wouldn’t have done anything since the submission would had to happen in ring, but it emphasized how much pain Sheamus was in. However, Sheamus didn’t tap. In fact, he turned it around, launching Rusev onto tables next to the barrels. After Sheamus dragged Rusev back into the ring, he attempted to pin again, but Rusev managed to kick out.

Rusev responded by shattering a shillelagh across Sheamus’ body. That type of blow would normally devastate your average wrestler, but Sheamus managed to kick out. However, the fight wouldn’t last much longer. Rusev would use the broken shillelagh to hold Sheamus in a painful position. The shillelagh was shoved into Sheamus’ mouth as Rusev stuck his knees in Sheamus’ back.

For jus the second time in his storied career, Sheamus tapped out.

Becky Lynch retains Intercontinental Championship

The Man started this match off hot, taunting, disrespecting, and downright humiliating Bella. Bella needed to kick out of two pin attempts before even really getting a shot at Lynch.

In general, Bella never really had a strong stretch. Most opportunities Bella had were brief counterattacks on Lynch. When Lynch would pin Bella, Bella would occasionally turn it around and turn it into a slam or counterpin. However, Lynch was fighting like her life depended on it the whole match.

The only problem was that no matter how much Lynch threw at Bella, Bella looked fresh. At times, it looked like she was smiling when Lynch would pull her in a chokehold or pin.

Bella’s best opportunity came after Lynch missed a launch from the corner. Lynch’s miss put her off-balance, and Bella took advantage, putting Lynch in a chokehold. Lynch was able to reach the ropes to break the hold, but Bella maintained her momentum, keeping the pressure on Lynch.

Ultimately, that enthusiasm from Bella is what would do her in. After slamming Lynch off the steel steps, and hitting Lynch with a Manhandle Slam. Lynch stayed resilient.

Lynch would seal the victory by securing a Lynch-pin afer rolling over Bella’s back.

Wyatt Sicks retain against The Street Profits

This title rematch got off to a weird start, as Angelo Dawkins dominated the start of the match, but teammate Montez Ford still hit Dawkins with a hard tag to get in the ring against Dexter Lumis. Dawkins was clearly displeased with the decision.

Although Ford would hit Loomis hard, Lumis ouwld be able to tag Joe Gacy and the pair would put a serious beatdown on Ford in the opposite corner, far away from Dawkins. Ford would kick out of three pin attempts before finally being able to tag Dawkins back in.

Dawkins destroyed Joe Gacy, hitting him in a series of flying kicks and neckbreakers before trying to finish the fight with a swanton bomb. Gacy was able to kick out.

The Street Profits absolutely dominated the fight from that point on. It was getting so bad that the rest of the Wyatt Sicks had to step in, with Nikki Cross and Uncle Howdy holding Ford back, preventing him from helping Dawkins, which ultimately allowed Lumis and Gacy to pin Ford for the win and retention of their tag team title.

Adam Pierce kicks Reed, Breakker out of Paris La Défense Arena

Backstage, Adam Pierce wasted no time telling Reed and Breakker off. He informed fans that Uso would be hobbled for his match later and Roman Reigns was being taken to the hospital.

Pierce kicked the pair out of the venue, telling them that they would not be allowed near the Paris La Defense Arena for Rollins’ fatal four-way title defense match. Pierece even went as far as threatening suspension without pay if either of them stepped in to help Rollins later.

Of course, The Vision is stronger than Pierce can handle right now, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see either Reed or Breakker make an appearance tonight to help Rollins regardless.

Roman Reigns beats Bronson Reed, The Vision gets last laugh

It took a while for this match to get started as the crowd in Paris went crazy at Reigns’ entrance. The crowd really enjoyed Roman Reigns’ subtle jeers at Paul Heyman, Reigns’ former wise man, who now sides with Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed.

Reigns rode that crowd support to early domination in the match, pushing Reed into the corner and landing a series of solid blows. However, that momentum would come to a screeching halt when Reigns would try to lift Big Bronson Reed over his head at center ring. Reed’s weight proved too much though and Reigns collapsed, with Reed landing on his head.

That’s the shift that Reed needed. The match moved outside the ring, where Reed dominated, even slamming Reigns on the announcer’s table. Even when the match moved back into the ring, Reigns struggled to find an advantage. Every time Reigns looked like he was going to make a move, Reed would counterattack and lay Reigns flat.

Reed was doing so well in the fight, he even taunted Reigns with the stolen sneakers that Paul Heyman had around his neck ringside. Reed and Breakker stole those sneakers from Reigns at SummerSlam, and Reigns clearly hasn’t forgotten.

After that, Reed tried to add to his collection, looking to untie Reigns’ shoes in the ring, but Reigns retaliated, landing two clotheslines, a slap, and pushing Reed over the ropes, before hitting Reed with a drive-by drop kick. Reed, ever tough, stayed standing through most of it, even after Reigns landed two Superman punches, the Aus-zilla was able to kick out of a pin attempt.

Reigns went for his finisher after, loading up a Samoan spear, but Reed countered it with a drop kick, knocking Reigns out of the ring. Reed then flew out of the ring and landed on Reigns, much to the chagrin of the Parisian crowd.

Reed would miss the ensuing Tsunami but would hit Reigns with a massive slam. Reigns would be able to kick out though. Reed was shocked. But he wasn’t finished. Reed dragged Reigns to the corner and prepared for another Tsunami, but Reigns quickly recovered and landed a huge punch on Reed followed by a Samoan drop which left Reed on all fours. Reed tried to recover but the moment he got up, Reigns had a spear loaded up and knocked Reed out cold. It was an easy pin after that.

Reigns wasn’t done though. As Paul Heyman lay down, checking on Reed. Reigns snuck back into the ring. Heyman turned around and was shocked to see his former Tribal Chief staring him down. Heyman begged for mercy, even acknowledging Reigns as tribal chief and telling Reigns that ‘the world is yours.’

Reigns merely gestured for Heyman to return his shoes. Heyman obliged. But Reigns wanted more. He put Heyman in a guillotine, choking out the wise man who betrayed him at WrestleMania. Heyman tried to tap out, but Reigns didn’t let up. Heyman fell to the mat unconscious.

As Reigns celebrated atop the announcer’s table, Reed’s ally Bron Breakker came out of nowhere to spear Reigns, taking his moment of glory away from him.

Reed and Breakker took that time to help Heyman out of the ring. Reigns was clearly in pain, but tried to leave the ring on his own. Unfortunately, Bron Breakker came back for Round 2, landing another spear on Reigns.

Security tried to escort Breakker away from Reigns, but Reed kept them away, even shoving Reigns back into the ring, where Breakker stood over him and placed him in prime position for Reed to land a tsunami.

Reigns was done at that point. EMTs needed to be called, and Reigns was carried off on a stretcher. Or at least he was supposed to be…when Reed and Breakker returned again. Reed hit Reigns with another Tsunami, while Reigns lay defenseless on the stretcher.

Finally, Main Event Jey Uso burst into the ring to help his cousin, trying to fight off both Breakker and Reed, putting himself on the line when he has his own championship match later today. It was a truly selfless act. But The Vision were too much for Uso to handle. Breakker hit Uso with a spear. Reed hit Reigns with a third tsunami.

Finally, security did their job and escorted Reed and Breakker out. The damage was obviously done though. It’s very likely that Reed and Breakker will face serious repercussions for their actions.

Watch: Clash in Paris 2025 preshow

When is Clash in Paris 2025?

Clash in Paris 2025 is on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Clash in Paris 2025 start time

Clash in Paris starts at 2 p.m. ET. The preshow begins at noon ET.

Where is Clash in Paris 2025?

The event takes place at Paris La Défense Arena in Paris.

How to watch Clash in Paris 2025

Clash in Paris will stream on Peacock, but you must have a premium or premium-plus subscription to watch. Internationally, it will be available on Netflix in most markets.

The event will also be available to watch at select Regal Cinemas theaters around the country. 

Clash in Paris 2025 preshow: how to watch

The Clash in Paris preshow will be available to watch on Peacock, and on WWE’s social channels, including YouTube.

Stream WWE Clash in Paris on Peacock

Clash in Paris 2025 match card

Matches not in order

Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match: Sheamus vs. Rusev
Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
John Cena vs. Logan Paul
Women’s Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Nikki Bella
Fatal four-way match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. CM Punk vs. LA Knight vs. Jey Uso

Will there be Clash in Paris 2025 post-show?

Yes, the post-show will begin immediately following the conclusion of the event. It will be available to watch on Peacock, and on WWE’s social channels, including YouTube.

Clash in Paris predictions

USA TODAY Sports’ wrestling writers predict Clash in Paris. See the full predictions for the entire event here.

Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match: Sheamus vs. Rusev

Jordan Mendoza: Rusev
Richard Morin: Rusev

Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed

Jordan Mendoza: Bronson Reed
Richard Morin: Roman Reigns

John Cena vs. Logan Paul

Jordan Mendoza: John Cena
Richard Morin: Logan Paul

WWE Tag Team Championship match: The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis) (c) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)

Jordan Mendoza: The Wyatt Sicks
Richard Morin: The Wyatt Sicks

Women’s Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Nikki Bella

Jordan Mendoza: Becky Lynch
Richard Morin: Becky Lynch

Fatal four-way match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. CM Punk vs. LA Knight vs. Jey Uso

Jordan Mendoza: Seth Rollins
Richard Morin: Seth Rollins

Paris crowd expected to be loud

It won’t be hard to notice the crowd noise at Clash in Paris as WWE is back in France, where one of its most memorable shows in recent memory happened.

In May 2024, WWE held Backlash 2024 that featured one of the loudest and stunning crowds in wrestling. It really kicked off the electricity with Jey Uso’s entrance and had iconic moments like singing Randy Orton’s entrance music and AJ Styles phenomenal introduction.  

Expect much of the same this time around, from singing to chants unique to France.

Match canceled: Where is Naomi?

One match that won’t happen at Clash in Paris is the Women’s World Championship bout. It was originally scheduled to be champion Naomi against Stephanie Vaquer after she won a battle royal at Evolution.  

However, Naomi announced on Aug. 18 she was pregnant and was relinquishing the title as a result, officially canceling the match.

What happens to Women’s World Championship?

Raw general manager Adam Pearce determined no championship match would take place at Clash in Paris for the vacant title, but it will be awarded soon. Vaquer will face an opponent to be named later for the championship at a later date.

John Cena farewell tour approaching end

We are almost done seeing John Cena in a WWE ring.

Clash in Paris will mark the 28th appearance of 2025, and with 36 promised in his final year of wrestling, there are only eight shows left for the WWE icon after the show. His career will culminate with Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13.

Of the eight shows left, six are confirmed. His next appearance will be on the Sept. 5 edition of SmackDown. Here are the rest of the dates known:

Sept. 5: SmackDown (Chicago, Illinois)
Sept. 15: Raw (Lowell, Massachusetts)
Sept. 20: Wrestlepalooza (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Oct. 11: WWE Crown Jewel: Perth (Perth, Australia)
Nov. 29: Survivor Series (San Diego, California)
Dec. 13: Retirement match at Saturday’s Night Main Event (Location TBD)

Clash in Paris final WWE PLE on Peacock

Clash in Paris 2025 will be the final WWE premium live event to air on Peacock as the company will shift its content to ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service. The first WWE event on ESPN’s platform will be on Sept. 20 with Wrestlepalooza.

The 53-man roster isn’t the only cut for Kansas City Chiefs players to make.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding has been called America’s royal wedding and that’s not far off. She’s the most famous woman on the planet, an icon for both her musical talents and business acumen. He’s the biggest name in this country’s biggest sport, a three-time Super Bowl champion who had already made the pop culture crossover before they started dating.

Their wedding guests will be a “Who’s who” of entertainment, sports and fashion, and no one’s going to want to miss it. Unless Swift and Kelce have their big day at Arrowhead Stadium, however, choices will have to be made. Given that the Chiefs players, coaches and their significant others alone would be about 200 people, some are bound to be left out.

Here’s a look at who’s on the A team, who’s on the practice squad and who’s going to be a free agent when it comes to the Wedding of the Century:

IN

Andy Reid. The Kansas City Chiefs coach, who knew Swift’s father from his days with the Philadelphia Eagles, played matchmaker for the two. Of course he’s on the guest list.

Heck, they should have him officiate.

Patrick Mahomes. Duh. He and Kelce are BFFs — Kelce was one of Mahomes’ groomsmen when the quarterback got married — and his wife and Swift have become fast friends. He’s not only going, he’s probably in the wedding party.

Xavier Worthy. Swift was so excited when the Chiefs drafted the speedy wide receiver that her friends wondered if she’d lost her mind. He’s done nothing since then to temper that enthusiasm.

The entire offensive line. Offensive skill players know who’s responsible for their success.

Chris Jones. This one is a little tough because Swift had bonded with Jones’ former girlfriend, sitting together at games and posing for photos together. But Jones is, along with Kelce and Mahomes, the face of the Kansas City franchise and the captain of its defense, so he gets priority.

Kareem Hunt. Kelce has long been one of the running back’s biggest supporters, calling him “family” after last season’s AFC championship. Hunt also got an invite to the Eras’-themed birthday party Kelce threw for Swift last season, and was in a group photo with Kelce, Swift, Mahomes and center Creed Humphrey.

Isiah Pacheco. He and his longtime girlfriend joined Swift and Kelce in Kelce’s box for Thursday night’s game between Cincinnati, Kelce’s alma mater, and Nebraska.

Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis. They’re both anchors of the defense. More significantly, they were both drafted by the Chiefs and have spent their entire careers in Kansas City.

MAYBE

Drue Tranquill. Integral part of the defense but this is only his third season with the Chiefs.

Rookies. Coveted as these invites will be, they’re going to need to do something to make a big impression. Except Jake Bringingstool. Tight ends gonna look out for tight ends.

Bryan Cook. A defensive player, so might not know Kelce as well as other teammates. He did go to Cincinnati, however.

Ryan Reynolds. He’s the head strength and conditioning coach/director of sports science, not the one married to Blake Lively. Still, might not want to risk a mix-up.  

MAKE OTHER PLANS

Harrison Butker. A guy who thinks women are second-class citizens invited to the wedding of the biggest Boss Lady there is and the guy who loves nothing more than to spotlight and celebrate her and her successes?

Hah, hah, hah. I can’t even say it with a straight face.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

Lionel Messi will pursue his 47th title for club and country when Inter Miami visits the Seattle Sounders for the 2025 Leagues Cup final on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Messi is healthy after a stellar return from a recent right hamstring injury, scoring two goals in a 3-1 win against Orlando City in the semifinals to propel Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup final.

Inter Miami and Seattle were two of the three MLS clubs to represent Major League Soccer in the FIFA Club World Cup and have been two of the best teams in the league since the tournament earlier this summer.

Seattle has outscored their Leagues Cup opponents 13-2 en route to the final, while losing just once despite three draws in their last 14 matches across all competitions.

Inter Miami has two losses in their last 14 matches overall, and navigated Messi’s injury to beat Club Necaxa, Pumas UNAM and Tigres UANL before he returned to beat Orlando for the first time this season last Wednesday.

“We know the rival very well; they’ve had a great tournament and scored many goals. With their fans behind them, they’ll be eager to win, just like us,” Inter Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul, also Messi’s World Cup champion teammate, said before the match.

Inter Miami could win its second Leagues Cup title and their third of the Messi era with a win in Seattle. Inter Miami won the first Leagues Cup in stellar fashion, outlasting Nashville SC on the road in a 10-9 penalty shootout in August 2023. They also won the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield.

USA TODAY Sports will have full coverage of the Leagues Cup final between Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders. Follow along for updates.

Watch the Leagues Cup final on MLS Season Pass How to buy Inter Miami vs Seattle Sounders Leagues Cup Final soccer tickets

What time is the Seattle Sounders vs. Inter Miami Leagues Cup final?

The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. in Seattle and 9 p.m. in Argentina) at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Where to watch Leagues Cup 2025 final on TV and live stream?

The match is available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV,  and the Apple TV+ channel on Amazon Prime, Xfinity and DirecTV. The match is also available in Spanish on Univision and TUDN.

Is Messi playing tonight?

Yes, Messi is expected to play in the match, coach Javier Mascherano confirmed one day earlier.

Seattle Sounders vs. Inter Miami starting lineups

Messi is expected to be in Inter Miami’s starting lineup. Both clubs will announce their starting lineups roughly an hour before the match.

Seattle Sounders vs. Inter Miami: Leagues Cup betting odds

Seattle is the favorite to win the Leagues Cup final. Here are the betting odds during regulation, according to BETMGM.

Seattle: +105
Draw: +240
Inter Miami: +195
Over/under: 2.5 goals

Seattle Sounders vs. Inter Miami Leagues Cup prediction

Inter Miami 3, Seattle Sounders 2: Lionel Messi scores two goals, Luis Suarez adds another, and Inter Miami hoists the Leagues Cup trophy after a thriller in Seattle. While the Sounders have been one of the best clubs in MLS since the Club World Cup, Messi returned to form from a hamstring injury and should propel Inter Miami to their third trophy together. — Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter.

Flashback: Inter Miami wins 2023 Leagues Cup highlights

Messi scored an early goal, and Inter Miami outlasted Nashville SC in penalty kicks to win the 2023 Leagues Cup title shortly after his arrival to MLS and the U.S.

Messi to join Argentina after Leagues Cup final

Messi will play with Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela in Buenos Aires on Sept. 4. The match could be one of the last matches Messi plays in his home country, with no other matches scheduled in the next year.

“It’s going to be a very, very special match for me because it’s the last qualifying match,” Messi said after the Orlando City match. “I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more matches after [Venezuela], but it is a very special match, so my family will be there with me: my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings. We’re going to live it like that. I don’t know what will happen next.”

Messi, 38, has yet to declare he will play with the defending champions in the next World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Messi upcoming schedule with Inter Miami and Argentina

Sept. 4: Argentina vs. Venezuela (World Cup qualifying)
Sept. 9: Ecuador vs. Argentina (World Cup qualifying)
Sept. 13: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Sept. 16: Inter Miami vs. Seattle Sounders, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Sept. 20: Inter Miami vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Sept. 24: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Sept. 27: Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Sept. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)

A historic rival on the heels of a run to the College Football Playoff championship game awaits Mario Cristobal and No. 10 Miami in Week 1 of the 2025 college football season.

The Hurricanes will face Marcus Freeman and the No. 5-ranked Fighting Irish, breaking in new quarterback CJ Carr. The Fighting Irish will travel to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, to take on the Hurricanes.

Notre Dame had a heated quarterback battle in training camp, which resulted in Carr beating out Kenny Minchey and others. Carr, the grandson of former Fighting Irish coach Lloyd Carr, was the No. 6-ranked quarterback of the 2024 recruiting class, per 247Sports’ Composite rankings.

Facing Carr is Beck, who won two national championships as a Georgia backup and is entering his third season as a college starter. One of the most sought-after transfer portal recruits from the offseason, Beck is looking to rebuild his NFL draft stock similar to Cam Ward, who went No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after a huge year with the Hurricanes under returning offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.

Follow along here for live updates of Miami and Notre Dame’s top-10 matchup against Miami in Week 1.

Watch Miami vs Notre Dame live with Fubo (free trial)

Miami vs Notre Dame score

Miami vs Notre Dame live updates

This section will be updated.

Miami vs Notre Dame uniform matchup

Here’s a look at Miami and Notre Dame’s uniform matchup, as both historic rivals are set for classic looks in Week 1.

What time does Miami vs Notre Dame start?

Date: Sunday, Aug. 31
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)

Notre Dame-Miami is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday, Aug. 31, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

What TV channel is Miami vs Notre Dame on today?

TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (freetrial)

Notre Dame-Miami will air live on ESPN, with streaming options on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Miami vs Notre Dame predictions

Mike Berardino, South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame 24, Miami 17.
Tom Noie, South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame 24, Miami 20.

Jonah Winston, brother of Jameis Winston, committed to Florida State.
The three-star wide receiver announced his decision after FSU upset Alabama.
He chose FSU over offers from Arkansas and Maryland.

There’s another Winston on the way to Tallahassee.

Three-star wide receiver Jonah Winston, brother of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston, has committed to play football for Florida State next fall.

Winston announced his decision moments after FSU upset No. 8 Alabama on Saturday, Aug. 30.

The 5-foot-9 Winston is a senior at Hoover (Alabama) High School. In his first game of the season, Winston caught seven passes for 79 yards and a touchdown against IMG Academy.

He chose Florida State over Arkansas and Maryland, among other schools. He is the 23rd commitment in the Seminoles’ 2026 class, and the sixth receiver to announce his intention to play for FSU.

Alabama lost to Florida State 31-17 in their season opener, their first opening-game loss since 2001.
Tulane emerged as a potential Group of Five playoff contender after defeating Northwestern.
Tennessee showcased a strong offense in their win against Syracuse.

Fifteen years of unparalleled dominance gone and erased – poof! – in the span of a season and one game.

Nick Saban isn’t walking through that door. Heck, AJ McCarron isn’t, either. There is no rationale reason for optimism.

After losing to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma in coach Kalen DeBoer’s debut, the No. 8 Crimson Tide opened 2025 with an embarrassing 31-17 loss at unranked Florida State, which ended last season at or near the very bottom of the Power Four. The loss was Alabama’s first in a season opener since 2001.

There is nothing Alabama does particularly well and some obvious flaws, including the play of an offense that averaged just 4.6 yards per play. From drops to missed blocks to missed assignments, Alabama’s offense managed to combine poor preparation with poor execution. Defensively, the Tide allowed 6.1 yards per play and 10.9 yards per pass attempt.

This is what Alabama resembles a game into DeBoer’s second year: an average program farther away from the national championship than at any single point during the Saban era.

And given what’s unfolded since a win against Georgia last September, it’s become incredibly hard to see how DeBoer’s tenure gets back on track.

That makes the Tide the biggest losers of the first Saturday of the 2025 season. Coming in second is No. 1 Texas, which lost 14-7 at No. 2 Ohio State in one of the most hyped season openers in recent history:

Winners

Ohio State

The win against Texas will reinsert the defending national champions atop the US LBM Coaches Poll as the Longhorns tumble down the rankings. But that’s just the beginning. It’s difficult to overstate the long-term impact the result of Saturday’s season opener will have on both teams along with the Big Ten and SEC, especially in how the selection committee eventually assesses the Buckeyes, Longhorns and these two conferences.

Playing with a reworked roster and coaching staff, the Buckeyes squeezed just enough from an unimposing offense to score the type of victory that will linger deep into the regular season and beyond. While games against Penn State and Michigan will determine the Big Ten, the odds of Ohio State making the playoff in some capacity have increased dramatically.

There’s plenty of improvement needed on the offensive end after the Buckeyes gained just 203 yards on 3.8 yards per play, including only 2.3 yards per carry. Before Saturday, the Buckeyes’ fewest yards in a regular-season game since 2016 was 252 yards in last year’s loss to Michigan. By default, Julian Sayin outplayed Manning by avoiding turnovers and focusing his attention on star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who had a game-high six receptions.

But this was to be expected: OSU was overhauling things on offense behind new personnel and a new offensive coordinator. That there are similar changes underway on defense speaks to the ability of that unit to keep the Buckeyes at or near the top of the FBS while the offense rounds into form. The defending national champions passed a high-profile test to open the year and should only get better from here.

LSU

No. 9 LSU forced Cade Klubnik into a late incompletion on fourth down and with No. 4 Clemson in the red zone to win 17-10 in the other Death Valley and reclaim a huge chunk of the momentum lost during a disappointing 2024 season. Beyond flipping the script given the program’s winless mark in season openers under Brian Kelly, this one puts LSU back on the map as a legitimate contender for the SEC crown and national championship. The defense stepped up: Clemson managed just 261 yards of offense and only 1.6 yards per carry. While that performance will reignite criticism of Clemson’s offense, the story coming out of Saturday is about the growth seen from LSU after multiple years in a row of dismal defensive numbers.

Florida State

We won’t know for a bit whether beating Alabama actually means anything when it comes to the Seminoles’ chances of a worst-to-first climb in the ACC. But from a symbolic perspective, it’s hard to top the deep meaning behind a win against the Crimson Tide. At a minimum, the victory speaks to the way Mike Norvell remade the program in the offseason, especially in hiring new coordinators Gus Malzahn and Tony White. Another big addition was former Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos who was dead-on accurate when he said in June that Alabama didn’t “have Nick Saban to save them” anymore.

Tulane

Tulane is the current favorite for the Group of Five’s bid to the playoff after Boise State’s stunning loss at South Florida on Friday night and the Green Wave’s 23-3 win against Northwestern. Brigham Young quarterback transfer Jake Retzlaff threw for 152 yards and ran for a game-high 113 yards with two touchdowns. The Wildcats are one of three Power Four teams in non-conference play for Tulane, joining Duke and No. 15 Mississippi. Splitting games against the Blue Devils and Rebels while losing just once in American play should leave Tulane atop the Group of Five in December.

Tennessee

The No. 18 Volunteers suffered no post-Nico Iamaleava hangover by beating Syracuse 45-26 in Atlanta behind 281 yards of total offense and three scores from new starting quarterback Joey Aguilar. The Appalachian State and UCLA transfer paced a balanced offense that threw for 247 yards and ran for 246 yards and two touchdowns on 6.2 yards per carry. Based on Saturday, the Volunteers have to be taken seriously as an SEC contender.

John Mateer

Oklahoma’s new quarterback looked the part of an impact transfer by completing 30 of 37 throws for 392 yards with four touchdowns as the Sooners beat Illinois State 35-3. The 392 yards set a new program record for a debut. While beating the Redbirds tells us nothing about the Sooners’ chances in the SEC or against Michigan next week, it’s clear that grabbing Mateer and coordinator Ben Arbuckle away from Washington State is going to have a hugely positive impact on this offense.

Losers

Texas

The Longhorns will spend the rest of the regular season trying to make up ground against a schedule that includes No. 4 Georgia, No. 17 Florida, No. 21 Texas A&M and Oklahoma. While we only have one year of data at our disposal, Texas could conceivably lose twice in the SEC and still be in position for an at-large playoff bid. But the issues run deeper for the Longhorns, and include early questions about Manning, the overall state of the offense and whether there is enough experienced talent to play with and beat the best teams in the FBS. Bellyflopping into the regular season after months of acclaim as the SEC favorite, Texas never resembled the team many expected to go wire to wire atop the Coaches Poll.

Arch Manning

No player reflects this disappointment more than Manning, who went 17 of 30 for 170 yards, averaging an anemic 5.7 yards per throw, with a touchdown and an interception to go with another 38 rushing yards. (There might not have been more commercials featuring Manning during the Fox broadcast than completions against the OSU defense from Manning, but it was close.) His struggles were underscored by the fact 98 of his passing yards came in the final five minutes after Texas trailed by 14. This is essentially a nightmare scenario for the youngest member of the quarterback dynasty: Texas lost while Manning was very unimpressive, and the talking-head coverage of the Longhorns and their quarterback this week will be absolutely brutal.

Kalen DeBoer

He’ll shoulder the blame for Alabama’s latest failure, as he should. The next few months will determine whether DeBoer returns in 2026, though you’d have to think he’d get at least one more year unless the Tide completely disintegrate in SEC play. More than a result of evaluation, development or game-day preparation, DeBoer’s current predicament can be linked to a fateful choice: to replace the greatest coach in program history and inherit Saban-era expectations. It’s always better to replace the guy who replaces the guy, you know.

Cade Klubnik

Clemson’s road to the playoff still goes through teams such as Miami, SMU and the rest of the ACC’s upper crust. In the end, the LSU loss does much more to Clemson’s reputation and level of national respect than to the Tigers’ overall playoff odds. (That respect level just took a big hit, by the way.) There’s going to be a more concrete impact on Klubnik, who began the year as one of the co-leaders for the Heisman Trophy but will have a hard time moving past a mediocre game in the loss. The senior hit on 19 of 38 throws for 230 yards and an interception.

Kansas State

After dropping the Week 0 opener to No. 21 Iowa State in Dublin, No. 20 Kansas State struggled to put away North Dakota of the Championship Subdivision before scoring with 42 seconds left to win 38-35. This one featured a better game from quarterback Avery Johnson, who had 318 passing yards and three scores, but narrowly getting past an FCS opponent doesn’t help rebuild the Wildcats’ diminishing credibility with Big 12 play around the corner.

Steve Sarkisian says he learned a strategy tweak that’s needed in how to handle Arch Manning.
After Arch Manning struggles against Ohio State, Texas coach says expectations for quarterback were ‘out of control.’
Are days of undefeated national champs in the past? Texas left to hope so.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Steve Sarkisian admitted to a strategic misstep. He should have run Arch Manning more in the first half. Absorbing a hit or two in the run game could have allowed Texas’ dual-threat quarterback to settle in against Ohio State.

“We’re learning a little better formula for him,” Sarkisian said of Manning after No. 1 Texas lost, 14-7, to No. 2 Ohio State in a game in which the Texas quarterback failed to find a rhythm.

Sarkisian got something else wrong, too, when he said “expectations were out of control, on the outside” for Manning.

Out of control? Really? Fair play to Sarkisian for having Manning’s back, but that quote sounds like just the type of thing a losing coach would say after his quarterback spent the afternoon misfiring.

We’re talking about the grandson of Archie Manning, a Southern icon, and the nephew of fellow greats Peyton and Eli. We’re talking about a former five-star recruit whom Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Lane Kiffin and plenty of coaches in between coveted. We’re talking about a quarterback who enjoys an enviable complement of supporting talent within a program funded by an impressive NIL war chest.

True, a television pundit or two got carried away while pressing the throttle down on the Manning hype train, but I hardly think it’s “out of control” to expect that Manning play up to his surname or his recruiting ranking or his NIL paycheck. He did neither against Ohio State, and Sarkisian’s correct that his game plan should have embraced Manning’s speed and leaned on his legs more when his arm betrayed him.

“I’ve got to let him go play,” Sarkisian said.

There’s plenty of season left to play, too, so although Sarkisian’s off base about the expectations being outsized – they were Manning sized, not inappropriately sized – he’s right about this much: “Let’s finish the book before we judge him,” Sarkisian said. “This is one chapter.”

An inauspicious start, though. No denying that. Manning didn’t try to.

“Ultimately, not good enough,” he said. “It starts with me. … I’ve got to play better for us to win.”

Silver linings for Texas, but not at quarterback

Don’t blame the Texas defense. That unit played well enough that I cannot discount the possibility of Texas, as Sarkisian put it, facing Ohio State again in December or January.

Don’t blame a young offensive line, either, or a run game that supplied Texas with 166 yards. This result falls on Manning being unable to find a groove.

And, still, Texas was driving inside Ohio State territory in the final two minutes with a chance to tie a road game against the defending national champions.

Which is to say, not all hope is lost, for either Texas or its quarterback.

Texas went 1 for 5 on fourth-down opportunities. Manning got stuffed on a fourth-down sneak from the 1-yard line. If a few fourth downs go the other way …

Shoulda, woulda, coulda is a loser’s chorus, but the game also showed Texas isn’t a lost cause. It’s unproven, though, just how great of an asset it possesses at quarterback, even if Manning did have to go against a secondary that Sarkisian aptly described as elite.

Is this as bad as Arch Manning will play? ‘I sure hope so.’

Remember, the defending national champions lost not once but twice last season.

“I think the days of a national champion being undefeated are over, especially when you play in games like this, and you play in the conference we play in,” Sarkisian said.

He’s left to hope he’s right about his theory on undefeated champs going the way of the fullback run game into the history books.

Manning said he didn’t feel rattled in his first career road start, but he fooled me on that. He bounced his first pass a few yards short of his target. He sailed a few other throws high or off the mark. He didn’t seem to totally trust himself on a feeble third-quarter throw that became easy bait for an interception. Manning’s lack of downfield strikes until Ohio State had a two-touchdown lead were concerning.

By the time Manning’s final pass came up short of the first-down marker, those “out of control” expectations had altered course.

He’s no longer oddsmakers’ Heisman Trophy frontrunner. Never mind that Heismans are won in November and December, and not lost in August. Texas’ national championship odds took a hit, too.

This cannot be the best Manning will play.

Was this as bad as he’ll play this season?

“I sure hope so,” Manning said. “I do think so.”

That’s the expectation, anyway.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs have arrived as 16 drivers begin their chase for the 2025 championship.

The 10-race playoffs kick off Sunday, Aug. 31 at Darlington Raceway, where drivers will seek to conquer the track known as “Too Tough to Tame.” The primetime race will be a test of skill and endurance, and a constant battle between playing it safe and utilizing the high line to go for broke with mere inches separating the car from the outside walls.

A victory today by any of the 16 playoff drivers guarantees automatic advancement into the Round of 12, but points will also be at a premium as the championship contenders strive to remain above the cut line with the first elimination race just two weeks away.

But the playoff drivers won’t be racing alone. They will still have to contend with the rest of the field, and those racers will be just as hungry to take the checkered flag and celebrate in victory lane.

USA TODAY Sports will have full coverage of the Cook Out Southern 500 in Darlington, South Carolina. Follow along for live updates and highlights of the action.

What time does the NASCAR playoff race at Darlington start?

The Cook Out Southern 500 is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 31 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.

How to watch NASCAR race today: Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington

Date: Sunday, Aug. 31
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: USA Network
Streaming: Peacock, HBO Max, Sling TV and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.
Location: Darlington Raceway

Stream the NASCAR race at Darlingon on Fubo

What is the weather forecast for the NASCAR playoff race at Darlington?

Drivers, crew members and fans alike couldn’t have asked for better conditions for the Cook Out Southern 500. The Weather Channel is calling for sunny skies and temperatures right around 80 degrees when the green flag drops. After the sun goes down, skies will remain clear, and temperatures will fall into the 70s and perhaps high 60s for the checkered flag. Precipitation will not be a factor at all tonight.

What is the lineup for NASCAR playoff race at Darlington?

Here is the lineup for tonight’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (car number in parentheses; P=playoff driver):

(11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota
(19) Chase Briscoe (P), Toyota
(21) Josh Berry (P), Ford
(45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota
(5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet
(1) Ross Chastain (P), Chevrolet
(20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota
(23) Bubba Wallace (P), Toyota
(3) Austin Dillon (P), Chevrolet
(2) Austin Cindric (P), Ford
(24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet
(12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford
(7) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
(22) Joey Logano (P), Ford
(17) Chris Buescher, Ford
(54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
(99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
(41) Cole Custer, Ford
(43) Erik Jones, Toyota
(88) Shane Van Gisbergen (P), Chevrolet
(9) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet
(16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
(8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
(38) Zane Smith, Ford
(71) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet
(77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
(60) Ryan Preece, Ford
(34) Todd Gilliland, Ford
(48) Alex Bowman (P), Chevrolet
(42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
(10) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
(6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
(35) Riley Herbst, Toyota
(4) Noah Gragson, Ford
(47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
(51) Cody Ware, Ford
(44) Derek Kraus, Chevrolet
(66) Timmy Hill, Ford

How many laps is the NASCAR Cup race at Darlingon?

The Cook Out Southern 500 is 367 laps around the 1.366-mile track for a total of 501.32 miles. The race will have three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 70 laps; Stage 2: 160 laps; Stage 3: 170 laps.

What TV channel is the NASCAR Cup race at Darlington on?

The Cook Out Southern 500 will be broadcast on USA Network, the channel for most of the Cup Series playoffs. Pre-race coverage will start at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cup race at Darlington?

Yes, the Cook Out Southern 500 will be streamed on Peacock, HBO Max, Sling TV and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are on paid leave amid a gambling investigation.
The investigation started after unusual betting activity surrounding two of Ortiz’s pitches in June.
Ortiz was initially placed on leave in July, with Clase following a few weeks later.

Major League Baseball has revealed that Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz will remain on nondisciplinary paid leave ‘until further notice’ as part of an ongoing gambling investigation.

MLB said in a statement released on Sunday, Aug. 31, that the league and the players union had agreed to give Clase and Ortiz extended leave while the probe was in progress. Neither player is expected to return to the team this season.

The investigation began when a sportsbook flagged two pitches Ortiz threw during games in June that drew unusual betting interest. In both instances – June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals – Ortiz’s first-pitch sliders were well out of the strike zone.

After those two incidents were brought to MLB’s attention, Ortiz was placed on leave July 3. In his first season with Cleveland after being acquired in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ortiz was was 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA in 16 starts.

Clase, the Guardians’ All-Star closer, was put on leave a few weeks later on July 28 as part of the same investigation.

Clase led the American League with 47 saves in 2024, and had a 5-3 with 24 saves and a 3.23 ERA this season.

The Guardians (68-66) entered play on Sunday three games behind the Mariners for the third and final AL wild card playoff spot.