football

• The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 is hosted by Qatar and will kick off on November 3, with the final on November 27.
• The tournament will start with two matches: South Africa vs Bolivia, and Costa Rica vs the United Arab Emirates.
• The U-17 World Cup final will take place at Doha’s 45,000-seat Khalifa International Stadium.
• All matches until the final will be played across eight pitches at the Aspire Zone complex in Al Rayyan.
• The U-17 World Cup 2025 is the first to be played in the 48-team format instead of the previous biennial 24-team tournaments.
• The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups for the tournament, with 104 matches in total.
• The group stage will run until November 11, with the 32-team knockout stage scheduled to begin on November 14.

Here are the details on the teams, groups, format, match fixtures, kickoff times and venues for FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025:

Groups and teams

⚽ Group A: Qatar, Italy, South Africa, Bolivia
⚽ Group B: Japan, Morocco, New Caledonia, Portugal
⚽ Group C: Senegal, Croatia, Costa Rica, United Arab Emirates
⚽ Group D: Argentina, Belgium, Tunisia, Fiji
⚽ Group E: England, Venezuela, Haiti, Egypt
⚽ Group F: Mexico, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Switzerland
⚽ Group G: Germany, Colombia, North Korea, El Salvador
⚽ Group H: Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Zambia
⚽ Group I: USA, Burkina Faso, Tajikistan, Czechia
⚽ Group J: Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Panama, Ireland
⚽ Group K: France, Chile, Canada, Uganda
⚽ Group L: Mali, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi Arabia

Format

The top two nations in each group automatically qualify for the knockout rounds, while the eight best third-place teams will also proceed further.

Winners of the last-32 advance to the round of 16, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals and the final.

In knockout fixtures, if a game is level at the end of normal playing time, no extra time shall be played, with a penalty shootout determining the winner.

Match schedule

⚽ Group Stage

3 November 

Group A: South Africa vs Bolivia (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group C: Costa Rica vs United Arab Emirates (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group C: Senegal vs Croatia (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:00 pm/13:00 GMT)

Group B: Japan vs Morocco (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group D: Argentina vs Belgium (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group B: New Caledonia vs Portugal (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 6:15 pm/15:15 GMT)

Group A: Qatar vs Italy (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Group D: Tunisia vs Fiji (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

4 November 

Group F: Ivory Coast vs Switzerland (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group H: Brazil vs Honduras (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm /12:0 GMT)

Group F: Mexico vs South Korea (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:00 pm/13:00 GMT)

Group E: Haiti vs Egypt (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group G: Germany vs Colombia (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group E: England vs Venezuela (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 6:15 pm/15:15 GMT)

Group G: North Korea vs El Salvador (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Group H: Indonesia vs Zambia (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

5 November 

Group I: Tajikistan vs Czechia (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group J: Panama vs Ireland (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group J: Paraguay vs Uzbekistan (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:00pm/13:00 GMT)

Group L: Austria vs Saudi Arabia (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group L: Mali vs New Zealand (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group I: USA vs Burkina Faso (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 6:15 pm/15:15 GMT)

Group K: France vs Chile (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Group K: Canada vs Uganda (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

6 November 

Group A: Bolivia vs Italy (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group B: Portugal vs Morocco (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group B: Japan vs New Caledonia (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:00 pm/13:00 GMT)

Group D: Argentina vs Tunisia (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group D: Fiji vs Belgium (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group C: United Arab Emirates vs Croatia (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 6:15 pm/15:15 GMT)

Group A: Qatar vs South Africa (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Group C: Senegal vs Costa Rica (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

7 November 

Group E: England vs Haiti (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group G: El Salvador vs Colombia (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group G: Germany vs North Korea (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:00 pm/13:00 GMT)

Group E: Egypt vs Venezuela (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group F: Mexico vs Ivory Coast (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group F: Switzerland vs South Korea (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 6:15 pm/15:15 GMT)

Group H: Brazil vs Indonesia (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Group H: Zambia vs Honduras (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

8 November 

Group I: Czechia vs Burkina Faso (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group K: Uganda vs Chile (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group L: Mali vs Austria (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:00 pm/13:00 GMT)

Group K: France vs Canada (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group I: USA vs Tajikistan (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group J: Paraguay vs Panama (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 6:15 pm/15:15 GMT)

Group J: Ireland vs Uzbekistan (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Group L: Saudi Arabia vs New Zealand (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

9 November 

Group D: Fiji vs Argentina (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group D: Belgium vs Tunisia (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group B: Portugal vs Japan (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group B: Morocco vs New Caledonia (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group C: United Arab Emirates vs Senegal (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group C: Croatia vs Costa Rica (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group A: Bolivia vs Qatar (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Group A: Italy vs South Africa (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

10 November 

Group F: Switzerland vs Mexico (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group F: South Korea vs Ivory Coast (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group G: El Salvador vs Germany (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group G: Colombia vs North Korea (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group H: Zambia vs Brazil (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group H: Honduras vs Indonesia (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group E: Egypt vs England (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Group E: Venezuela vs Haiti (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

11 November 

Group K: Uganda vs France (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group K: Chile vs Canada (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Group J: Ireland vs Paraguay (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group J: Uzbekistan vs Panama (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Group I: Czechia vs USA (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group I: Burkina Faso vs Tajikistan (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Group L: Saudi Arabia vs Mali (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Group L: New Zealand vs Austria (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Rest days on 12 and 13 November 

⚽ Round of 32

14 November

Match 1 (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Match 2 (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Match 3 (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:00 pm/13:00 GMT)

Match 4 (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Match 5 (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Match 6 (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 6:15 pm/15:15 GMT)

Match 7 (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Match 8 (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

15 November

Match 9 (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Match 10 (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Match 11 (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:00 pm/13:00 GMT)

Match 12 (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Match 13 (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Match 14 (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 6:15 pm/15:15 GMT)

Match 15 (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Match 16 (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Rest days on 16 and 17 November

⚽ Round of 16

18 November

Match 1 (Aspire Zone, pitch 8, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Match 2 (Aspire Zone, pitch 3, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Match 3 (Aspire Zone, pitch 1, 4:00 pm/13:00 GMT)

Match 4 (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Match 5 (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Match 6 (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 6:15 pm/15:15 GMT)

Match 7 (Aspire Zone, pitch 9, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Match 8 (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Rest days on 19 and 20 November

⚽ Quarterfinals

21 November 

Quarterfinal 1 (Aspire Zone, pitch 4, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Quarterfinal 2 (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 4:30 pm/13:30 GMT)

Quarterfinal 3 (Aspire Zone, pitch 2, 5:45 pm/14:45 GMT)

Quarterfinal 4 (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Rest days on 22 and 23 November

⚽ Semifinals

24 November

Semifinal 1 (Aspire Zone, pitch 5, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

Semifinal 2 (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 6:45 pm/15:45 GMT)

Rest days on 25 and 26 November 

Third-place playoff

27 November (Aspire Zone, pitch 7, 3:30 pm/12:30 GMT)

⚽ Final

27 November 

Final (Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, 9pm/18:00 GMT)

A large group of former UCLA football players sent a letter to chancellor Julio Frenk earlier this month asking for besieged athletic director Martin Jarmond to be replaced “to reestablish the university’s commitment to excellence, both on and off the field.”

The 64 players, who represent multiple eras of UCLA football spanning coaches Bob Toledo to Chip Kelly and include several who went on to play in the NFL, wrote to “express deep concern with the current direction of UCLA Athletics under Martin Jarmond. Despite the resources, history, and opportunities at his disposal, Mr. Jarmond has not demonstrated the level of leadership or vision consistent with UCLA’s proud legacy. Rather than building on the foundations of greatness established by those before him, his tenure has fallen short of advancing UCLA to its rightful place among the nation’s premier programs.

“UCLA deserves an athletic director who understands that this role is not merely about administration, but about stewardship of a legacy — one rooted in excellence, historic achievement, and national leadership. Unfortunately, Mr. Jarmond has not embodied these values, nor has he positioned UCLA Athletics to rise to the standard its history demands.”

The letter went on to call for new leadership, saying it was part of a movement “bigger than any one of us. Former players have joined forces — through countless calls, texts, and meetings — to push this cause forward. We are united in our commitment to protecting the proud legacy of UCLA football and athletics.”

A UCLA spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jarmond has come under fire since the dismissal of coach DeShaun Foster after only 15 games illuminated the athletic director’s stewardship of the football program. Jarmond’s refusal to fire Kelly before Kelly abruptly left in February 2024 to take a job as offensive coordinator at Ohio State led to the whirlwind hiring of Foster, a position coach whose deficiencies as a head coach were on full display while posting a 5-10 record that included an 0-3 start this season.

Others have since criticized Jarmond for a broad range of shortcomings, including an insufficient response to leaked donor data, lowered expectations for success involving a once-proud football program and carte blanch spending that has led to staggering athletic department deficits.

A petition seeking Jarmond’s removal or resignation garnered 1,462 signatures and a mobile billboard truck circled Westwood with messages such as “UCLA Football Deserves Better Fire AD Martin Jarmond” and “$7 Million Buyout for UCLA’s AD? Failure Never Paid So Well.”

Some have questioned why Jarmond was granted a contract extension in May 2024, at a time when UCLA was transitioning from outgoing chancellor Gene Block to Frenk. According to the terms of that extension, Jarmond would be owed roughly $7.1 million, or the full amount of a contract that runs through June 30, 2029, if he was terminated without cause.

Many appear to want him gone before then. Before each of the football team’s last two home games at the Rose Bowl, an airplane has flown over the stadium pulling a banner calling for his dismissal.

Lucas Paqueta wants to leave West Ham, Tottenham are keen on Scott McTominay, and Napoli will make another attempt to sign Kobbie Mainoo.

Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta, 28, is keen to leave West Ham in January. (Times – subscription required), external

Tottenham are keen on signing 28-year-old Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay from Napoli. (Teamtalk), external

Napoli will make another attempt to sign 20-year-old England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United in January. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Manchester City have opened negotiations with Spain defensive midfielder Rodri, 29, over a new contract and are confident of striking a deal by the end of the year. (TBR Football, external)

Tottenham are unlikely to sign Marc-Andre ter Stegen from Barcelona in January, but a loan move to Chelsea could be possible for the Germany goalkeeper, 33. (Teamtalk), external

Chelsea and Tottenham showed serious interest in Morgan Rogers, 23, during the summer but Aston Villa are currently holding talks with the England attacking midfielder over a new contract. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Fabio Carvalho will leave Brentford in January, with a permanent move being considered for the 23-year-old Portuguese winger. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Sunderland are plotting another loan move for Marc Guiu in January after Chelsea recalled the 19-year-old Spanish striker just two games into a loan move they agreed last summer. (Football Transfers), external

Chelsea are looking to strengthen at right-back with the addition of Strasbourg’s Guela Doue, though Aston Villa and Brighton are also in the race for the 23-year-old Ivory Coast defender. (Football Transfers), external

Liverpool are among the clubs considering a move for Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez, with Newcastle and Aston Villa also in the race to sign the 21-year-old Ecuador centre-back. (Ekrem Konur), external

Manchester United are in negotiations over a transfer for AIK’s 16-year-old Swedish forward Kevin Filling. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Robbie Keane, Kieran McKenna and Ange Postecoglou are all on the shortlist to succeed Brendan Rodgers as the next permanent Celtic manager. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

HIGH SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

MONDAY’S RESULTS

Quarterfinals

DIVISION 1

JSerra 41, Santa Margarita 0

Dos Pueblos 12, Edison 6

Huntington Beach 20, Camarillo 6

Orange Lutheran 41, San Marcos 18

TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE

(Games at 5 p.m. unless noted)

Quarterfinals

DIVISION 2

Newbury Park at Bishop Amat

Ventura at Corona del Mar, 6 p.m.

Downey at Westlake

El Toro at Upland

DIVISION 3

Sunny Hills at La Serna

Glendora at Long Beach Poly

Mission Viejo at El Modena

La Habra at Eastvale Roosevelt

DIVISION 4

Canyon Springs at West Ranch

Riverside King at Great Oak

Riverside Poly at Temecula Valley

Royal at Compton

DIVISION 5

Moreno Valley at Rancho Alamitos

Norte Vista at Castaic

Don Lugo at Anaheim

Vista Murrieta at Vasquez

DIVISION 6

Leuzinger at Cerritos

Loara at Adelanto

Alemany at Estancia

Palm Desert at Hillcrest

Note: Semifinals (all divisions) Nov. 1; Finals (all divisions) Nov. 7-8 at Fred Kelly Stadium.

Ex-Premier League striker Jamie Cureton tells Monday Night Club on his desire to still play football aged 50, after scoring his debut goal for Kings Park Rangers meaning he has scored in the top-10 tiers of English football.

READ MORE: Cureton, 50, scores in 10th tier to ‘complete football’

LISTEN: Monday Night Club

Manchester United and Newcastle monitor Elliot Anderson, Barcelona lead Mason Greenwood chase, Jobe Bellingham not interested in Manchester United.

Manchester United and Newcastle are closely monitoring England midfielder Elliot Anderson, with Nottingham Forest demanding a fee between £100m and £120m for the 22-year-old. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Barcelona lead the chase for Marseille’s England forward Mason Greenwood, though Tottenham and West Ham are also interested in the 24-year-old. (Teamtalk), external

Jobe Bellingham has no interest in joining Manchester United, who had been weighing up a potential loan deal for Borussia Dortmund’s 20-year-old English midfielder. (Mirror), external

Manchester United will block transfer requests from England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 20, and Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee, 24, if they ask to leave in January. (Sun), external

Manchester United have given Napoli the green light to exercise their obligation to buy Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, 22, in January. (Mirror), external

West Ham have made Lille and Brazil defender Alexsandro their top priority for the January transfer window, with the 26-year-old valued at £26m. (ESPN Mexico – in Portuguese), external

Vinicius Jr, 25, is “seriously considering” the prospect of leaving Real Madrid after voicing his frustration towards manager Xabi Alonso, who substituted the Brazil forward late in Sunday’s El Clasico win. (AS – in Spanish), external

Juventus have initiated discussions with former Napoli and Italy boss Luciano Spalletti, 66, about becoming their head coach after sacking Igor Tudor. (Gianluca di Marzio – in Italian), external

Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle are monitoring Porto and Spain striker Samu Aghehowa, 21. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Hi, and welcome to another edition of Prep Rally. I’m Eric Sondheimer. It’s Mater Dei at St. John Bosco week. With one week to go in the football regular season, here’s the unbeaten teams: Westlake (9-0), Laguna Beach (9-0), St. John Bosco (9-0), Sierra Canyon (9-0), Crean Lutheran (9-0), Corona del Mar (9-0), Oxnard Paciifica (9-0), Crespi (9-0), Rio Hondo Prep (9-0), Rowland (9-0) and Palisades (9-0).

Receiver Madden Williams will be a key player for St. John Bosco.

(Craig Weston)

The Trinity League championship will be decided Friday night when St. John Bosco hosts Mater Dei. St. John Bosco will either win the title outright with a victory or there will likely be a three-way tie among the Braves, Mater Dei and Santa Margarita. Then it will be up to the computer to decide playoff seedings.

St. John Bosco needs a win to stay ahead of unbeaten Sierra Canyon for the No. 1 seed in Division 1. The top six teams look clear: 1. St. John Bosco, 2. Sierra Canyon, 3. Corona Centennial, 4. Santa Margarita, 5. Mater Dei, 6. Mission Viejo. The last two spots of an eight-team bracket might go to Servite and Orange Lutheran, which play each other Friday. Pairings will be announced Sunday at 10 a.m.

One of the best games of last week was the battle of the unbeatens, Laguna Beach at Dana Hills, before a packed crowd. Laguna Beach prevailed 49-40 with quarterback Jack Hurst throwing five touchdown passes and 387 yards passing.

Norco gave Corona Centennial all it could handle in a 59-49 loss. The Cougars attempted six consecutive onside kicks and recovered two. Receiver Blake Wong had 14 catches for 214 yards and three touchdowns.

Bishop Diego defeated St. Bonaventure 35-27 to improve to 8-1. Behind the scenes, former St. Bonaventure coach Joe Goyeneche is now an assistant at Bishop Diego, so that game had special meaning.

San Clemente handed Los Alamitos its first defeat, 28-9. Los Alamitos has another tough matchup Thursday night, hosting 8-1 Mission Viejo at Artesia High.

Quarterback Colin Creason has led Los Alamitos to an 8-0 record.

(Craig Weston)

Los Alamitos quarterback Colin Creason had to wait three years to finally start a varsity game. Here’s the report on his rise for the Griffins.

It’s time for the 101st meeting between Fillmore and Santa Paula. It will be played Thursday night at Larrabee Stadium in Ventura to take care of the large fan bases.

The Loyola-Sierra Canyon game Friday night has the Riordan family split. Brothers Madden and Jordan are on different sides. Madden is the star defensive back for Sierra Canyon. Jordan is secondary coach for Loyola. Madden used to be a ball boy for Loyola when Jordan played for the Cubs.

Somto Nwude of Crespi did something at SoFi Stadium that not even future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald achieved. He had six sacks in a win over Harvard-Westlake. That’s a school record.

Newbury Park quarterback Brady Smigiel has had surgery on his knee for a torn ACL.

Here’s this week’s top 25 rankings by The Times.

Here’s the top individual performances from last week.

Here’s this week’s schedule of games. A lot of games are Thursday night this week to avoid Halloween on Friday.

The 90th edition of the East L.A. Classic on Friday night drew a crowd estimated at 14,000 at East L.A. College.

(Craig Weston)

The 90th edition of the Garfield vs. Roosevelt East L.A. Classic drew a crowd estimated at 14,000 at East Los Angeles College. Garfield won 37-30 to wrap up the Eastern League championship. Here’s the report.

Crenshaw defeated King/Drew 6-2 to win the Coliseum League championship and improve to 8-1. Here’s the report.

Crenshaw football coach Robert Garrett.

(Robert S. Helfman)

One interesting aspect is that Crenshaw coach Robert Garrett has been on administrative leave. He started the season with 290 wins and will get credit for every Cougar victory as long as he’s eventually reinstated, so he may reach the historic figure of 300 wins without being allowed to be on the field this season. Garrett would be the 16th coach in state history to be at 300 wins, according to CalHiSports.com.

Senior running back Darnell Miller of Santee broke the City Section rushing record with 502 yards against Jefferson. He had 33 carries and scored five touchdowns. The state record is 619 yards held by Ronnie Jenkins of Hueneme.

South Gate junior quarterback Michael Gonzalez is showing he’s one of the best in the City Section. Here’s the report.

Birmingham has won 53 consecutive games against City Section opponents.

The big game of the week is Thursday. San Pedro is hosting Carson to decide the Marine League championship. Playoff pairings will be announced Saturday after 5 p.m. It’s going to be a close call whether Birmingham or Carson will be the No. 1 seed depending on the outcome of San Pedro vs. Carson.

Here’s this week’s top 10 City Section rankings.

Coach of the year

Crenshaw interim coach Terrance Whitehead speaking with quarterback Daniell Flowers.

(Robert H. Helfman)

There are numerous candidates for football coach of the year this season. So many have been doing terrific coaching jobs.

Here’s a look at possible candidates.

The Southern Section Division 1 flag football quarterfinals are set for Monday, and there’s should be some terrific games.

Top seeded JSerra plays at Santa Margarita. Dos Pueblos is at Edison. Huntington Beach will travel to Camarillo for a 7 p.m. showdown. Orange Lutheran is at San Marcos. The semifinals at Saturday.

Here’s updated pairings.

In the City Section, Wilson knocked off Northern League power Eagle Rock for the first time 18-7. City Section pairings come out Saturday.

Girls volleyball

Venice is seeded No. 1 in the City Section Open Division girls volleyball playoffs that begin Monday and Wednesday. Here’s the link to pairings.

In the Southern Section, a key Division 1 playoff match as Mira Costa at Marymount on Tuesday. Here are the complete pairings.

Cross-country

At the Mt. SAC Invitational, Braelyn Combe of Corona Santiago ran a meet course-record time of 16:53.

Mira Costa finished first in the girls team competition. Great Oak was second.

San Clemente topped the boys team competition. Redondo Union was second.

Top girls’ players staying home

McDonald’s All-American Kennedy Smith of Etiwanda.

(Greg Stein)

There’s rising talent in girls’ basketball in Southern California, and the coaches at UCLA and USC agree that the big change is keeping the talent in Los Angeles.

In the old days, top players would look to leave for national powers back east to receive TV exposure. UCLA and USC have become a first option as their programs rise nationally.

Here’s a look at how the changes are affecting girls basketball.

More transfer problems

In case schools in the Southern Section haven’t noticed, just because a school sends in transfer paperwork and approves a valid change of residence or even a sit-out period transfer doesn’t mean it can’t be switched to ineligible when additional information is provided.

That happened again last week when Orange Lutheran’s football team forfeited two wins at the start of the season after an investigation determined that a previously approved student who submitted valid change of residence paperwork had not moved.

Here’s the report.

Be like Shohei

Jared Grindlinger of Huntington Beach has now been named to USA Baseball national teams in three different age groups.

(Nick Koza)

Shohei Ohtani is inspiring a generation of high school baseball players to try pitching and hitting at the same time like he does for the Dodgers.

One of those players is junior Jared Grindlinger of Huntington Beach, an outstanding outfielder and pitcher. He and others discussed the challenge at practices and their admiration for what Ohtani keeps accomplishing.

Here’s the report.

Water polo

The chase begins to try to beat top-seeded Newport Harbor in the Southern Section water polo playoffs.

The Division 1 favorite all season, Newport Harbor has lost only once, to San Diego Cathedral Catholic.

Evan Wu of Santa Margarita.

(Lloyd Sicard)

Santa Margarita is seeded No. 2 and has Evan Wu, who has scored 111 goals this season. Here’s a look at Wu.

Here’s the playoff pairings.

Basketball

Donovan Webb, a 6-foot-4 junior point guard at Golden Valley, has been receiving rave reviews for his skills.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

The first high school basketball media day was held at Canyon on Saturday, bringing together coaches and players from the Foothill League.

Here’s a look at some players to watch, including junior point guard Donovan Webb of Golden Valley.

Notes . . .

St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro, left, shakes hands with Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson in 2022 at the Rose Bowl. Bosco won 24-22.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The Rose Bowl will be the site for the Southern Section Division 1 football championship game on Friday, Nov. 28. It will be the first time for the Pasadena stadium to host the final since nearly 16,000 fans showed up for St. John Bosco vs. Mater Dei in 2022. The girls flag football final is at El Modena. . . .

L.A. Southwest College will host the City Section Open Division championship football game on Saturday, Nov. 29. . . .

Sierra Canyon’s boys and girls basketball teams will compete in the Hoophall Classic in January. Also making the trip back east are Ontario Christian girls and boys teams from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, St. John Bosco, Mater Dei and Inglewood. Here’s the schedule. . . .

Cornerback CJ Lavender of Mater Dei, having the best season of any Monarch defensive back, has committed to UCLA after previously being committed to Washington. . . .

Offensive lineman Andre White from Rancho Cucamonga has committed to UNLV. . . .

Distance runner Millie Bayles from Trabuco Hills has committed to Brigham Young. . . .

Jacob Webster, a 6-foot-4 quarterback at Oak Hills, has committed to Loyola Marymount for baseball. . . .

Jaylin Conard, a junior guard who played at DNA Prep, has transferred to St. Francis. . . .

Barron Linnekens, a senior center for Harvard-Westlake, has committed to Washington University in Missouri. . . .

Kobee Finnikin, a senior first baeman from Rancho Mirage who is committed to Cal Baptist, has transferred to Corona. He was the Desert Sun athlete of the year in 2024. . . .

Josh Irving, a 6-foot-11 center at Pasadena, has committed to Texas A&M. . . .

Luke Barnett, a top shooting guard at Mater Dei, has committed to Kansas. . . .

L.A. Jordan officially canceled its football season last month for lack of players. The school had a successful coach last season in Derek Benton, who moved to Fremont. First-year coach James Boyd was let go in the middle of this season. . . .

From the archives: Bear Bachmeier

Quarterback Bear Bachmeier poses for a photo on his family’s three-acre plot of land while attending Murrieta Valley.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

There’s a bear on the loose in Provo, Utah. Bear Bachmeier, a freshman quarterback from Murrieta Valley, has led Brigham Young to an 8-0 record. He originally attended Stanford, then transferred to BYU. His brother, Hank, is a former college quarterback and brother Tiger transferred from Stanford to BYU with him.

Bachmeier wore No. 47 in high school and sometimes ran as if he were a fullback. His toughness and intelligence are two qualities he showed throughout high school.

Here’s a story from 2021 on Bear throwing to Tiger for the first time in high school.

Here’s a profile on Bachmeier in 2023 explaining his background and family history.

Recommendations

From Thenewstribune in Tacoma, a story on the son of a former NFL receiver starring as a receiver.

From Elisportsnetwork.com, a story on a football coach being suspended in Washington and his staff refusing to coach. He has since been reinstated.

From MaxPreps.com, a story on a high school football team in Minnesota that keeps losing and losing (150 straight losses) but won’t quit.

From the Daily Pilot, a story on a student at Corona del Mar writing a book on flag football.

Tweets you might have missed

Until next time….

Have a question, comment or something you’d like to see in a future Prep Rally newsletter? Email me at [email protected], and follow me on Twitter at @latsondheimer.

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

WEEK 10

(All games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

CITY SECTION

Central League

Belmont at Bernstein

Mendez at Hollywood

Roybal at Contreras

Coliseum League

Dorsey at Fremont

Washington at King-Drew

East Valley League

Chavez at Monroe

Grant at Verdugo Hills

North Hollywood at Fulton, 3 p.m.

Sun Valley Poly at Arleta, 3 p.m.

Eastern League

Bell at LA Roosevelt

Legacy at Huntington Park

South Gate at South East

Exposition League

Jefferson at Manual Arts

Marine League

Carson at San Pedro, 7:30 p.m.

Northern League

Franklin at Lincoln

LA Marshall at LA Wilson

Southern League

Maywood CES at Los Angeles, 2 p.m.

Valley Mission League

Granada Hills Kennedy at Reseda

San Fernando at Canoga Park

Sylmar at Panorama

West Valley League

Birmingham at Chatsworth

El Camino Real at Taft

Granada Hills at Cleveland

Western League

Fairfax vs. Palisades at SoFi Stadium, 6 p.m.

Venice at LA Hamilton

Westchester at LA University

Nonleague

Eagle Rock at Garfield

Hawkins at West Adams

SOUTHERN SECTION

605 League

Artesia at Pioneer

Glenn at Cerritos

Almont League

Montebello at San Gabriel

Alpha League

Mission Viejo at Los Alamitos

Baseline League

Chino Hills at Rancho Cucamonga

Damien at Ayala

Etiwanda at Upland

Bay League

Leuzinger at Lawndale

Big West Lower League

Great Oak at Riverside King, 7:30 p.m.

Murrieta Mesa at Corona Santiago, 7:30 p.m.

Corona at Temecula Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Big West Upper League

Norco at Vista Murrieta, 7:30 p.m.

Eastvale Roosevelt at Murrieta Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Bravo League

Corona del Mar at Yorba Linda

Tesoro at San Juan Hills

Channel League

Buena at Moorpark

Royal at Oak Park

Citrus Belt League

Beaumont at Redlands East Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Citrus Valley at Cajon

Yucaipa at Redlands

Citrus Coast League

Channel Islands at Carpinteria

Conejo Coast League

Westlake at Calabasas

Cottonwood League

Riverside Prep at Temecula Prep

Santa Rosa Academy at Trinity Classical

Del Rio League

Whittier at California

Delta League

El Modena at Cypress

Tustin at Capistrano Valley

Desert Empire League

La Quinta at Palm Desert

Rancho Mirage at Palm Springs

Xavier Prep at Shadow Hills

Desert Sky League

Granite Hills at Silverado

Epsilon League

Crean Lutheran at Laguna Hills

La Habra at Foothill

Foxtrot League

Dana Hills at Northwood

Fountain Valley at Aliso Niguel

Gateway League

Downey at Dominguez

Mayfair at La Mirada

Golden League

Lancaster at Antelope Valley

Littlerock at Quartz Hill

Hacienda League

Diamond Bar at Chino

Los Altos at Walnut

South Hills at Covina

Inland Valley League

Heritage at Perris

Iota League

Santa Ana at Anaheim Canyon

Ironwood League

Cerritos Valley Christian at Ontario Christian

Ivy League

Paloma Valley at Liberty, 6 p.m.

Riverside North at Vista del Lago

Kappa League

Garden Grove at Segerstrom

St. Margaret’s at Westminster

Lambda League

La Palma Kennedy at Sunny Hills

Placentia Valencia at Fullerton

Marmonte League

Camarillo at St. Bonaventure

Mid-Cities League

Compton Early College at Lynwood

Norwalk at Bellflower

Miramonte League

Ganesha at Duarte

Garey at Bassett

La Puente at Workman

Mission Valley League

El Monte at Gabrielino

Mountain View at Arroyo

Rosemead at Pasadena Marshall

Mojave River League

Oak Hills at Hesperia

Serrano at Ridgecrest Burroughs

Montview League

Azusa at Pomona

Ontario at Nogales

Sierra Vista at Hacienda Heights Wilson

Moore League

Compton vs. Long Beach Poly at Veterans Stadium

Long Breach Cabrillo at Long Beach Jordan

Long Beach Wilson at Lakewood

Mountain Pass League

Tahquitz at West Valley

Temescal Canyon at San Jacinto

Mountain Valley League

San Bernardino at Miller, 7:30 p.m.

Ocean League

West Torrance at El Segundo

Omicron League

Buena Park at Woodbridge

Garden Grove Pacifica at Portola

Pacific League

Arcadia at Crescenta Valley

Burbank Burroughs at Burbank

Hoover at Glendale

Pioneer League

North Torrance at Torrance

Redondo at South Torrance

Rio Hondo League

Monrovia at Temple City

River Valley League

La Sierra at Norte Vista

Patriot at Jurupa Valley

Ramona at Rubidoux

Sierra League

Charter Oak at Bonita

Claremont at Colony

Los Osos at Glendora

Sigma League

Estancia at Santa Ana Valley

Ocean View at Rancho Alamitos

Santa Ana Calvary Chapel at Los Amigos

Skyline League

Carter at Arroyo Valley

Sun Valley League

Banning at Desert Mirage, 4 p.m.

Sunbelt League

Hemet at Rancho Christian

Tango League

Loara at Costa Mesa

Westminster La Quinta ar Anaheim

Tri County League

Dos Pueblos at San Marcos

Valle Vista League

Alta Loma at San Dimas

Diamond Ranch at Baldwin Park

Northview at West Covina

Zeta League

Godinez at Century

INTERSECTIONAL

Santee at Rio Hondo Prep

8-MAN

CITY SECTION

Valley League

East Valley at Sherman Oaks CES

South LA College Prep at Valley Oaks CES

SOUTHERN SECTION

Coast Valley League

Coast Union at San Luis Obispo Classical Academy, 5 p.m.

Maricopa at Valley Christian Academy

Heritage League

Lancaster Desert Christian at Lancaster Baptist, 6 p.m.

Majestic League

Public Safety Academy at Calvary Baptist, 3 p.m.

Tri-Valley League

Cate Flintridge Prep

Fillmore vs. Santa Paula at Ventura

Sage Hill at Chadwick, 3 p.m.

Nonleague

CSDR at California Lutheran, 3 p.m.

Mojave at Milken

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

CITY SECTION

Exposition League

Angelou at Marquez

Marine League

Narbonne at Banning, 7:30 p.m.

Nonleague

Diego Rivera at Rancho Dominguez

SOUTHERN SECTION

Almont League

Keppel at Alhambra

Bell Gardens at Schurr

Alpha League

San Clemente at Edison

Angelus League

Alemany at St. Pius X-St. Matthias

Cathedral at St. Francis

Paraclete at St. Paul

Bay League

Culver City at Inglewood

Palos Verdes at Mira Costa

Big West Upper League

Chaparral at Corona Centennial

Bravo League

Villa Park at Newport Harbor

Camino Real League

Mary Star at St. Bernard

St. Genevieve at St. Monica

Channel League

Ventura at Oxnard

Citrus Coast League

Del Sol at Nordhoff

Santa Clara at Grace

Conejo Coast League

Rio Mesa at Newbury Park

Thousand Oaks at Santa Barbara

Cottonwood League

Webb at Silver Valley

Del Rey League

Crespi at Cantwell-Sacred Heart

Salesian at La Salle

St. Anthony at Harvard-Westlake

Del Rio League

El Rancho at Santa Fe

Delta League

Western at Trabuco Hills

Desert Sky League

Barstow at Adelanto

Desert Valley League

Coachella Valley at Indio

Twentynine Palms at Yucca Valley

Epsilon League

Huntington Beach at El Dorado

Foothill League

Golden Valley vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons

Valencia at Castaic

West Ranch at Canyon Country Canyon

Foxtrot League

Laguna Beach at Orange

Gano League

Chaffey at Montclair

Don Lugo at Rowland

Gateway League

Warren at Paramount

Gold Coast League

Viewpoint at Brentwood

Golden League

Eastside at Knight

Highland at Palmdale

Inland Valley League

Canyon Springs at Moreno Valley

Lakeside at Citrus Hill

Iota League

El Toro at Troy

Sonora at Irvine

Ironwood League

Heritage Christian at Capistrano Valley Christian

Village Christian at Aquinas

Ivy League

Rancho Verde at Orange Vista

Kappa League

Brea Olinda at Esperanza

Lambda League

La Palma Kennedy at Sunny Hills

Marina at Beckman

Manzanita League

Desert Chapel at Anza Hamilton

San Jacinto Valley Academy at California Military Institute

Vasquez at Desert Christian Academy

Marmonte League

Oaks Christian at Simi Valley

Oxnard Pacifica at Bishop Diego

Mesquite League

Big Bear at Arrowhead Christian

Western Christian at Linfield Christian

Whittier Christian at Maranatha

Mid-Cities League

Gahr at Firebaugh

Mission League

Chaminade at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame

Gardena Serra at Bishop Amat

Sierra Canyon at Loyola

Mission Valley League

El Monte at Gabrielino

Mojave River League

Sultana at Apple Valley

Mountain Valley League

Indian Springs at Pacific

San Bernardino at Miller

Ocean League

Hawthorne at Compton Centennial

Omicron League

Katella at Irvine University

Pacific League

Pasadena at Muir

Pioneer League

Santa Monica at Peninsula, 3 p.m.

Rio Hondo League

La Canada at San Marino

San Andreas League

Colton at San Gorgonio

Kaiser at Rim of the World

Sierra League

Charter Oak at Bonita

Skyline League

Bloomington at Fontana

Rialto at Riverside Notre Dame

Sun Valley League

Desert Hot Springs at Cathedral City

Sunbelt League

Hillcrest at Valley View

Riverside Poly at Arlington

Sunkist League

Eisenhower at Summit

Jurupa Hills at Grand Terrace

Tango League

Garden Grove Santiago at Bolsa Grande

Tri County League

Hueneme at Agoura

Trinity League

Mater Dei at St. John Bosco

Orange Lutheran vs. Servite at Orange Coast College

Santa Margarita at JSerra

Zeta League

Saddleback at Magnolia

8-MAN

CITY SECTION

City League

Animo Robinson at USC Hybrid

New Designs Watts at Stella

SOUTHERN SECTION

Agape League

Academy for Careers & Exploration at Hesperia Christian

Freelance League

Villanova Prep at Malibu, 3 p.m.

Majestic League

Highland Entrepreneur at United Christian

Nonleague

Lighthouse Christian at Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Christian, 6:30 p.m.

INTERSECTIONAL

Pasadena Poly at New Designs University Park

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

8-MAN

SOUTHERN SECTION

Coast Valley League

Cuyama Valley at Coastal Christian, 6 p.m.

Express League

Downey Calvary Chapel at Legacy College Prep

Frontier League

Thacher at Laguna Blanca, 1 p.m.

Heritage League

Faith Baptist at Santa Clarita Christian

Nonleague

Avalon at Southlands Christian, 12 p.m.

Follow the build-up, analysis and live text commentary of the game as Madrid host Barcelona for Spain’s El Clasico.

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

Second Round

DIVISION 2

Bishop Amat 25, Cajon 0

Newbury Park 26, Portola 18

Ventura 40, Northwood 27

Corona Del Mar 7, Linfield Christian 6

Downey 25, San Clemente 6

Westlake 20, Beckman 6

El Toro 19, Aliso Niguel 18

Upland 33, Gahr 23

DIVISION 3

La Serna 20, Foothill 13

Sunny Hills 20, Moorpark 0

Long Beach Poly 26, Norco 7

Glendora 13, Millikan 12

Mission Viejo 20, Corona Santiago 6

El Modena 25, Rancho Cucamonga 6

Eastvale Roosevelt 16, Santa Paula 13

La Habra 27, Bellflower 8

DIVISION 4

Canyon Springs 26, Temecula Prep 13

West Ranch 19, Inglewood 6

Riverside King 41, Gardena Serra 25

Great Oak 25, Schurr 18

Temecula Valley 33, St. Mary’s Academy 22

Riverside Poly 20, Chaminade 14

Compton 25, Claremont 13

Royal 14, Antelope Valley 6

DIVISION 5

Moreno Valley 13, Quartz Hill 12

Rancho Alamitos 18, San Gorgonio 7

Norte Vista 19, Northview 13

Castaic 14, Hacienda Heights Wilson 12

Don Lugo 12, Azusa 6

Anaheim 20, Long Beach Jordan 19

Vasquez 12, Westridge 0

Vista Murrieta 7, Buena Park 0

DIVISION 6

Leuzinger 25, Brentwood 13

Cerritos 8, Montebello 6

Loara 18, Garey 14

Adelanto 12, Artesia 7

Estancia 13, El Rancho 6

Alemany 12, Paramount 6

Palm Desert 13, Gabrielino 7

Hillcrest 20, Godinez 6

MONDAY’S SCHEDULE

(Games at 5 p.m. unless noted)

Quarterfinals

DIVISION 1

JSerra at Santa Margarita

Dos Pueblos at Edison

Huntington Beach at Camarillo, 7 p.m.

Orange Lutheran at San Marcos

Note: Quarterfinals (Divisions 2-6) Oct. 28; Semifinals (all divisions) Nov. 1; Finals (all divisions) Nov. 7-8 at Fred Kelly Stadium.

Bryan Mbeumo’s match-winning goal in stoppage time elevated Manchester United to fourth on the Premier League ladder.

Manchester United’s improvement under coach Ruben Amorim continued as Matheus Cunha, Casemiro and two goals from Bryan Mbeumo secured a 4-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, their third successive Premier League win.

Looking to build on last weekend’s first victory at Liverpool since 2016, Cunha arrowed home a sublime 24th-minute strike into the bottom corner, the Brazilian’s first goal for United.

There was fortune about the second from Casemiro 10 minutes later, his shot taking a huge deflection before finding the net, but Mbeumo’s well-taken third just after the hour mark put the hosts in complete command.

Danny Welbeck’s sublime free kick against his former club pulled one back for Brighton, before Charalampos Kostoulas’s header in stoppage time ensured a nervy finish at Old Trafford.

With Brighton committing everyone forward in search of the equaliser, Mbeumo fired a fine strike into the roof of the net to lift United to fourth in the standings. Brighton stayed 12th.

“I enjoy it a lot here,” Mbeumo told Sky Sports. “It hasn’t been easy at the start. It’s a new environment, a new expectation, but I think with the link-up with the team, everything is going the right way.

“The work we put in, the togetherness we give on the pitch, is key. I like the challenges, I came here to a big club, and we want to fight for the best places.”

Brighton big test for United

The visitors provided a big test for an improving United, given that since the start of the 2021-22 season no team has won more league games against United than Brighton.

United’s victory against Liverpool last weekend was the first time Amorim had achieved back-to-back league wins since taking charge 11 months ago, but the manager insisted the revival would be undone if they slipped to another loss to Brighton.

Welbeck forced a fine save from United goalkeeper Senne Lammens early on as Brighton started brightly, but Cunha’s pinpoint finish settled home nerves. Since the start of last season, Cunha has scored more goals from outside the box than any other Premier League player in all competitions.

Casemiro’s deflected strike deservedly put a dominant United further ahead, with more chances coming and going to extend the hosts’ lead before the break.

Mbeumo followed up his goal at Liverpool with the third to put United into a seemingly unassailable position.

Proof that they are far from the finished article yet came, however, as mistakes crept in and Welbeck started the Brighton comeback.

United appeared on the ropes when Kostoulas pounced to narrow the deficit to 3-2, but Mbeumo’s 96th-minute strike secured the three points as the home side won three straight league victories for the first time since August 2024.

“We put ourselves in a really difficult position,” Welbeck said. “We have a great group. We got two goals and were close to maybe getting a third. It didn’t happen, but it is a good sign we showed character.”

Premier League holders Liverpool’s title defence continues to stutter as Brentford’s recovery persists.

Champions Liverpool suffered a fourth successive Premier League defeat as they lost 3-2 at Brentford to continue their miserable run of form in London.

Arne Slot’s stumbling side fell behind after five minutes on Saturday when Dango Ouattara volleyed in following a long throw, and Kevin Schade went through to make it 2-0 in the 45th.

Milos Kerkez replied for the visitors in first-half stoppage time with his first Liverpool goal from Conor Bradley’s cross.

Liverpool’s expected second-half siege never really materialised, however, and Igor Thiago restored Brentford’s two-goal advantage from the penalty spot on the hour mark.

Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool hope with a clinical finish in the 89th minute, but they had left it too late.

It is the first time since 2021 that Liverpool have lost four successive league games, with three of those matches being in London after defeats at Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

They are now sixth in the table on 15 points, four points behind leaders Arsenal, who could extend that margin on Sunday when they host Crystal Palace.

Brentford’s second win in a row moved them up to 10th place, two points behind Liverpool.

Brentford fans taunt Liverpool manager Slot

The home fans took delight in taunting Liverpool manager Arne Slot with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning”, and while the Dutchman need not worry about that, the sense of his side’s title defence wilting was palpable.

They looked fragile at the back and were often out-muscled by Brentford. Doubts about Salah’s lack of impact will also continue, despite him slamming home a fine late goal to end a more than a month-long scoreless run in the Premier League.

Brentford’s threat from long throws could not have escaped Slot’s attention, but his side were caught cold by the tactic on a chilly night in southwest London.

Michael Kayode wound up a long delivery into the box, and when Kristoffer Ajer flicked it on, Ouattara reacted superbly to hook his volley past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool responded with chances for Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo, but they were not convincing and were undone again as halftime loomed. Mikkel Damsgaard’s superb long pass sent Schade away, and he kept his composure to beat Mamardashvili.

Kerkez fired home from close range in the fifth minute of stoppage time, despite fierce Brentford protests about an infringement.

Brentford earned a penalty when Virgil van Dijk clipped Ouattara’s foot on the edge of the area, and after a long VAR check, referee Tim Robinson awarded a spot-kick, and Thiago coolly slotted his shot down the middle.

Salah’s instant control and finish set up a chaotic period of stoppage time that took the game into its 100th minute, but Brentford held on for a thoroughly deserved three points.

A look at the top performers from high school football across the Southland during Week 9.

RUSHING

• Dean Gibson, Corona Centennial: Rushed for 183 yards and four touchdowns in win over Norco.

• Eli Robinson, Tustin: Rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns in win over Western.

• Gaven Zamora, North Hollywood: Rushed for 119 yards in nine carries and scored two touchdowns in win over Chavez.

• Radley Geiss, Dana Hills: Rushed for 237 yards and five touchdowns in loss to Laguna Beach.

• Ethan Mundt, Troy: Gained 184 yards and scored three touchdowns in win over Irvine.

• Journee Tonga, Leuzinger: Rushed for 195 yards and one touchdown, passed for 73 yards and two touchdowns in win over Mira Costa.

• Jeremiah Watson, Murrieta Valley: Rushed for 199 yards in loss to Vista Murrieta.

PASSING

• Dominick Catalano, Corona Centennial: Passed for 331 yards and three touchdowns in win over Norco.

• Julian Medina, Norco: Passed for 384 yards and six touchdowns in loss to Corona Centennial.

• Jack Hurst, Laguna Beach: Passed for 387 yards and five touchdowns in win over Dana Hills.

• Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo: Passed for 361 yards and two touchdowns, ran for one touchdown in win over Edison.

• Taylor Lee, Oxnard Pacifica: Passed for 375 yards and two touchdowns in win over Simi Valley.

• Seth Solorio, San Pedro: Passed for four touchdowns, ran for one touchdown in win over Gardena.

• Chris Fields, Carson: Had six touchdown passes in win over Narbonne.

• Michael Gonzalez, South Gate: Passed for 305 yards and five touchdowns in win over Huntington Park.

• Jack Thomas, Palisades: Passed for 421 yards and seven touchdowns in win over Hamilton.

• Koa Malau’ulu, St. John Bosco: Passed for 219 yards and three touchdowns in win over Servite.

• Thaddeus Breaux, Hamilton: Passed for 382 yards and three touchdowns in loss to Palisades.

RECEIVING

• Blake Wong, Norco: Caught 14 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns in win over Corona Centennial.

• Kristian Leslie, Hamilton: Made 10 catches in loss to Palisades, giving him 98 receptions, breaking the City Section record for most catches in a regular season.

• Elyjah Staples, Marquez: Made four touchdown catches, ran for a touchdown and had two sacks and two fumble recoveries in win over Manual Arts.

• Thomas Jones, Long Beach Wilson: Caught four passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns in win over Long Beach Jordan.

• Jaxson Rex, San Clemente: Caught nine passes for 112 yards and three touchdowns in win over Los Alamitos.

• Jack Junker, Mission Viejo: Caught 10 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns in win over Edison.

• Anthony Jacobs Jr., Oxnard Pacifica: Had five catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns in win over Simi Valley.

• Demare Dezeurn, Palisades: Caught nine passes for 172 yards and four touchdowns in win over Hamilton.

DEFENSE

• Jaden Walk-Green, Corona Centennial: Scored his fifth touchdown of the season on defense by returning a fumble in win over Norco.

• Joshua Kerst, San Clemente: Had three sacks in win over Los Alamitos.

• Jack Norman, Dana Hills: Had interception and recovered a fumble on onside kick in loss to Laguna Beach.

• Brennan Martinez, Vista Murrieta: Had two touchdowns on interception returns in win over Murrieta Valley.

• Nick Yakubik, Palos Verdes: Had two interceptions in win over Inglewood.

• Duvay Williams, Gardena Serra: Returned interception for touchdown in win over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• DJ Parker, Hamilton: Returned a kickoff 81 yards for touchdown vs. Palisades.

• Jack Strosnider, Mira Costa: Blocked a punt and scored touchdown in loss to Leuzinger.

• Carter Sobel, Sierra Canyon: Made field goals from 25 and 43 yards in win over Bishop Amat.

Follow our live build-up with team news coverage before our live text commentary stream of the EPL clash.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

CITY SECTION

Central League

Bernstein 28, Roybal 20

Contreras 55, Mendez 17

Hollywood 48, Belmont 0

Coliseum League

Dorsey 37, Washington 12

Crenshaw 6, King/Drew 2

Eastern League

Garfield 37, L.A. Roosevelt 30

Exposition League

Santee 61, Angelou 0

Marine League

Carson 50, Narbonne 0

San Pedro 49, Gardena 14

Metro League

Hawkins 38, Locke 6

Northern League

Eagle Rock 49, L.A. Wilson 7

Lincoln 35, L.A. Marshall 28

Southern League

Diego Rivera 33, West Adams 18

Valley Mission League

Granada Hills Kennedy 21, San Fernando 12

Sylmar 42, Reseda 0

Van Nuys 43, Panorama 36

West Valley League

Birmingham 23, Granada Hills 16

El Camino Real 45, Chatsworth 6

Taft 21, Cleveland 13

Western League

Fairfax 21, L.A. University 20

Palisades 46, LA Hamilton 30

Venice 21, Westchester 8

Nonleague

Fremont 30, Maywood CES 15

Los Angeles d. L.A. Jordan, forfeit

SOUTHERN SECTION

Almont League

Bell Gardens 43, Keppel 6

San Gabriel 27, Alhambra 20

Schurr 42, Montebello 7

Alpha League

San Clemente 28, Los Alamitos 9

Mission Viejo 37, Edison 20

Angelus League

Cathedral 28, St. Pius X-St. Matthias 14

Paraclete 42, St. Francis 35

St. Paul 41, Alemany 7

Baseline League

Chino Hills 27, Damien 19

Rancho Cucamonga 41, Etiwanda 7

Upland 37, Ayala 0

Bay League

Culver City 48, Lawndale 0

Leuzinger 27, Mira Costa 14

Palos Verdes 31. Inglewood 12

Big West Lower League

Corona Santiago 37, Corona 21

Great Oak 36, Temecula Valley 13

Murrieta Mesa 51, Riverside King 24

Big West Upper League

Vista Murrieta 42, Murrieta Valley 35

Bravo League

Corona del Mar 47, Tesoro 8

San Juan Hills 28, Villa Park 10

Yorba Linda 41, Newport Harbor 14

Channel League

Buena 28, Oxnard 26

Moorpark 42, Royal 6

Citrus Belt League

Beaumont 56, Citrus Valley 3

Cajon 67, Redlands 0

Redlands East Valley 43, Yucaipa 41

Conejo Coast League

Calabasas 42, Rio Mesa 14

Thousand Oaks 17, Newbury Park 7

Westlake 33, Santa Barbara 14

Cottonwood League

Silver Valley 36, Riverside Prep 33

Salesian 40, St. Anthony 0

Del Rio League

California 28, Santa Fe 23

La Serna 42, Whittier 8

Delta League

Trabuco Hills 28, Cypress 7

Desert Empire League

Palm Desert 35, Palm Springs 28

Desert Valley League

Coachella Valley 28, Twentynine Palms 0

Yucca Valley d. Indio, forfeit

Epsilon League

Crean Lutheran 31, Huntington Beach 28

Foothill 31, El Dorado 13

Foothill League

Golden Valley 43, West Ranch 28

Valencia 38, Hart 7

Foxtrot League

Aliso Niguel 17, Orange 10

Laguna Beach 49, Dana Hills 40

Gano League

Chaffey 63, Don Lugo 14

Rowland 44, Montclair 7

Gateway League

Downey 40, Warren 0

La Mirada 37, Paramount 16

Mayfair 42, Dominguez 18

Golden League

Knight 26, Littlerock 14

Palmdale 48, Eastside 10

Quartz Hill 41, Antelope Valley 7

Hacienda League

Chino 29, South Hills 22

Los Altos 49, Diamond Bar 35

Inland Valley League

Heritage 35, Citrus Hill 34

Perris 33, Canyon Springs 7

Iota League

Troy 21, Irvine 20

Ironwood League

Aquinas 46, Capistrano Valley Christian 7

Cerritos Valley Christian 35, Heritage Christian 25

Village Christian 62, Ontario Christian 14

Ivy League

Liberty 21, Rancho Verde 19

Orange Vista 52, Riverside North 14

Vista del Lago 55, Paloma Valley 54

Kappa League

Esperanza 27, Westminster 21

Segerstrom 14, Brea Olinda 7

Marina 14, La Palma Kennedy 7

Manzanita League

Anza Hamilton 31, California Military Institute 14

Vasquez 64, Desert Chapel 14

Marmonte League

Bishop Diego 35, St. Bonaventure 27

Oaks Christian 42, Camarillo 6

Oxnard Pacifica 42, Simi Valley 20

Mission League

Chaminade 52, Loyola 0

Gardena Serra 35, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 16

Sierra Canyon 40, Bishop Amat 0

Mission Valley League

El Monte 38, South El Monte 21

Gabrielino 61, Pasadena Marshall 0

Rosemead 21, Arroyo 13

Mojave River League

Hesperia 33, Sultana 28

Mountain Pass League

San Jacinto 63, West Valley 0

Mountain Valley League

Miller 14, Pacific 13

West Torrance 35, Compton Centennial 6

Pacific League

Burbank d. Glendale, forfeit

Pasadena 49, Arcadia 14

Pioneer League

North Torrance 48, South Torrance 14

Redondo Union 40, Peninsula 21

Torrance 49, Santa Monica 14

Rio Hondo League

Monrovia 35, San Marino 7

South Pasadena 48, Temple City 6

San Andreas League

Colton 56, Rim of the World 49

Kaiser 28, San Gorgonio 21

Skyline League

Arroyo Valley 38, Fontana 19

Bloomington 50, Riverside Notre Dame 18

Rialto 7, Carter 6

Sun Valley League

Banning 37, Cathedral City 6

Desert Hot Springs 35, Desert Mirage 20

Sunbelt League

Rancho Christian 7, Hillcrest 0

Riverside Poly 28, Valley View 10

Tango League

Loara 28, Garden Grove Santiago 27

Tri-County League

Agoura 25, San Marcos 6

Fillmore 24, Dos Pueblos 17

Santa Paula 27, Hueneme 16

Trinity League

Mater Dei 40, JSerra 7

Santa Margarita 28, Orange Lutheran 7

St. John Bosco 42, Servite 0

Valle Vista League

Alta Loma 21, Northview 20

Zeta League

Saddleback 42, Century 6

Nonleague

El Segundo 35, El Rancho 18

Desert Christian Academy 30, Viewpoint 6

INTERSECTIONAL

Rancho Dominguez 42, Verbum Dei 20

St. Monica 55, Franklin 21

8-MAN

SOUTHERN SECTION

Majestic League

Cornerstone Christian 43, Highland Entrepreneur 0

Tri-Valley League

Sage Hill 42, Cate 16

INTERSECTIONAL

Fresno Christian 84, Hesperia Christian 28

CSDR 70, Model School for the Deaf (Washington D.C.) 24

Chelsea captain Reece James explains how Thiago Silva’s influence continues to have an impact on his career, and how it was good to catch up at the Club World Cup, as he sits down with Kelly Somers for The Football Interview.

Watch: Reece James – The Football Interview in full here

England international Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on loan from childhood club Manchester United in July.

Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford says he hopes to remain at the Spanish club beyond his loan spell from Manchester United, describing the move as the change he needed after spending his entire career in England.

Barcelona are covering Rashford’s wages during this season-long loan after the Manchester-born player accepted a pay cut with an option to buy set at about 30 million euros ($35m).

Rashford’s United contract runs through 2028, but his future at Old Trafford appears bleak after falling out with manager Ruben Amorim last year. The 27-year-old has since rediscovered his form under Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.

“For sure,” Rashford told ESPN on Thursday when asked if he wanted to remain in Barcelona. “I’m enjoying this football club, and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player it is an honour.”

The England international, who first revived his form during a short loan spell at Aston Villa last season, has gone a step further at Barcelona, scoring five goals and providing six assists in 12 appearances across all competitions.

Before what would be his first El Clasico on Sunday, Rashford said his move abroad has given him a new perspective.

“People forget this, but 23 years of my life was with Manchester United. So sometimes you just need a change. I think maybe this is the case with me, and I’m enjoying everything,” he said.

The hosts got into the end zone on each of their opening two drives, with Herbert making an eight-yard touchdown pass to Oronde Gadsden II before Kimani Vidal, who finished with 117 rushing yards, punched in his first NFL touchdown from three yards.

Herbert then launched a 27-yard pass to the corner for Ladd McConkey to help make it 21-3 at half-time, but the Chargers quarterback gave up his only interception midway through the third quarter.

The Vikings took advantage, with Carson Wentz finding Jordan Addison at the back of the end zone to make it 24-10, but the hosts emphasised their dominance with a Tre’ Harris touchdown and two field goals in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings are now 3-4 and Wentz struggled on his fifth start in place of the injured JJ McCarthy, throwing for 144 yards, one touchdown and one interception while being sacked five times.

McCarthy has been out with a high ankle sprain suffered in week two but head coach Kevin O’Connell hopes the second-year quarterback can return next week, when the Vikings face a tough game at divisional rivals the Detroit Lions.

“If JJ is healthy, JJ will play,” said O’Connell. “I believe we’re right around the corner from seeing him be healthy, have a week of preparation and go compete.”