This Week in Football: England Rampant and City Fallout (Sep 28–Oct 04, 2026)

International breaks usually serve up sloppy football and needless injuries, but this week produced genuine drama across Europe. From a record-breaking blowout in Rijeka to high-stakes political backstabbing in Zurich, the narrative mill never stopped grinding.

Here is your weekly breakdown of the seven stories that actually mattered over the last seven days.

England Run Amok in Rijeka, But Real Tests Await

Putting seven goals past Croatia on their own patch is not something you see every day. Thomas Tuchel’s side turned what promised to be a tricky Nations League trip into a complete mismatch, dismantling an aging Croatian team that looked stuck in slow motion. Anthony Gordon put the game to bed early, Jude Bellingham ran the show from midfield, and Alex Scott looked remarkably calm on his full international debut alongside Elliot Anderson.

Tuchel was quick to acknowledge that a single autumn victory does not erase summer heartbreak. As The Guardian reported, the England manager remains realistic about the long road ahead.

Let’s not lose our heads just yet. Croatia were dreadful, Mateo Kovacic missed an absolute sitter at 3-0, and beating a fading powerhouse in a small stadium of schoolkids proves very little. The real benchmark arrives on November 15 when England face Spain in Madrid. Until then, beating Croatia 7-0 makes for great headlines, but Tuchel knows his legacy hinges on doing it against top-flight competition.

Manchester City’s Verdict Leaves the Game in Limbo

The long-awaited verdict on Manchester City has finally landed, sending shockwaves through the Premier League hierarchy. While City have already lodged an appeal, rival clubs are openly pressing for severe commercial penalties or outright expulsion. The fallout is messy, with primary sponsor Etihad Airways reportedly considering legal action of their own as the club fights to preserve its reputation.

Meanwhile, former City boss Pep Guardiola was spotted taking in Paris Fashion Week alongside his daughter, stepping out in public for the first time since the news broke. Guardiola appeared detached from the legal chaos unfolding in Manchester, leaving executives and lawyers to clean up the mess. Debates are already raging over how record books should treat City’s domestic titles.

Jonathan Wilson argued in print this week that the league should simply leave blank spaces next to City’s winning years rather than hand trophies retroactively to runners-up. It is a bold suggestion that highlights the anger felt across English football. Stripping titles might sound extreme, but leaving permanent asterisks in the history books feels like the only honest outcome.

Cristiano Ronaldo Storms Out on Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo is 41 years old, but his flair for theatrical exits remains entirely undiminished. Following a selection disagreement with national team manager Jorge Jesus ahead of Portugal’s clash with Denmark in Copenhagen, Ronaldo packed his bags and flew back to Madrid on his private jet. It was a classic demonstration of star power over team cohesion.

The reaction inside the camp was swift damage control. As Bruno Fernandes revealed details of private chats with both men, he attempted to downplay the rift publicly.

Fernandes insisted the two personalities need to sort out their arguments behind closed doors, calling Ronaldo the nation's ultimate symbol. But Jesus has made it clear that no individual sits above the squad. Ronaldo’s inability to accept a reduced role is fast becoming a major distraction Portugal simply does not need.

Swiss FA Abandons Gianni Infantino

In a surprising political twist, the Swiss Football Association (SFV) officially withdrew their support for Gianni Infantino’s upcoming re-election bid as FIFA president. Having backed his candidacy as recently as June, the SFV executive committee backtracked on Wednesday, announcing they could no longer justify standing behind their Swiss-born compatriot.

Infantino has faced persistent calls to step down over governing scandals and controversial expansion plans. For his own home association to publicly pull the plug is a stinging blow. It exposes mounting frustration among European federations who feel ignored by FIFA’s central leadership.

Whether this decision triggers a broader rebellion among UEFA members remains open to question. Infantino still holds massive clout across smaller voting confederations in Africa and Asia. Yet losing his home base is an embarrassing symbol of discontent that FIFA’s spin doctors cannot easily brush aside.

Scotland Win for Pocognoli as Robertson Hits 100

Sébastien Pocognoli finally got his first win as Scotland manager with a professional 2-0 victory over North Macedonia in Skopje. Kieron Bowie got things started in the seventh minute with a sharp finish, before John McGinn sealed the points from the penalty spot. Scotland even survived a late red card and a tense VAR reversal to secure a clean sheet.

The match belonged to Andy Robertson, who earned his 100th cap for his country. Robertson becomes just the second male player in Scottish history to hit a century of international appearances, capping off a remarkable decade of consistency on the left flank.

Ben Gannon-Doak provided much-needed spark up front, giving Scotland’s attack actual teeth after two listless outings under Pocognoli. Beatable opponents or not, Skopje has historically been a graveyard for Scottish qualification campaigns. Winning comfortably there provides Pocognoli with some valuable breathing room.

Jurgen Klopp Takes Aim at German Media

Three games into his tenure as Germany manager, Jurgen Klopp is already at war with the press. Following recent questions regarding Joshua Kimmich’s tactical role in midfield, Klopp snapped at journalists, offering sarcastic replies rather than breakdown analysis. It is not the first time he has boiled over since taking the job.

Klopp previously condemned squad leaks as pathetic and warned reporters that he would walk away if his family faced media harassment. His defensive posture suggests the pressure of managing the national side is already getting under his skin. German journalists are not known for soft questions, and Klopp’s honeymoon period ended before it ever truly began.

Picking fights with reporters after three matches is a risky strategy. If Germany put together a string of convincing wins, Klopp can get away with his trademark sharp tongue. But if results falter, turning the press pack into enemies will only accelerate the scrutiny.

Celtic Fans Bring Protest to St Andrews Golf Course

Celtic’s internal strife spilled onto the golf course this week when fans targeted principal shareholder Dermot Desmond during the Alfred Dunhill Links tournament at St Andrews. Protesters threw tennis balls onto the fairways toward the 76-year-old billionaire, forcing tournament security guards to escort Desmond off the course.

Celtic board management quickly issued a statement condemning the action, calling the disruption unacceptable. Supporters have grown increasingly vocal about Desmond’s tight purse strings and structural stagnation at Parkhead, choosing a high-profile celebrity golf event to make their anger heard.

While launching tennis balls at a golf tournament is petty, it highlights how deep the rift runs between Celtic's hierarchy and their fanbase. Desmond can ignore protests inside Celtic Park, but having his personal leisure interrupted on national television will be far harder to brush off.

Looking Ahead

The international break wraps up on Tuesday with England hosting the Czech Republic at Wembley, where Tuchel will look to maintain momentum before November's marquee clash against Spain. Meanwhile, Scotland host their next Nations League fixture hoping Pocognoli's new tactical shape holds firm against stiffer opposition.

Off the pitch, expect Manchester City’s legal appeal to dominate headlines alongside further fallout from Ronaldo’s national team walkout. International football never stays quiet for long, and next week promises to deliver plenty more drama.