On This Day

Messi Argentina Home Farewell: A Brace Sinks Venezuela (2025)

Messi Argentina home farewell: on 4 September 2025 Messi scored twice in a 3-0 win over Venezuela at the Monumental, his final home World Cup qualifier.

Ronaldinho Barcelona Debut Goal (2003): The Midnight Strike Against Sevilla

Ronaldinho Barcelona debut goal, 3 September 2003: a run from halfway and a rising shot off the bar past Sevilla, the strike that made Barcelona fall for him.

Mesut Ozil Arsenal Signing: Wenger’s £42.4m Statement (2013)

Mesut Ozil Arsenal signing: on deadline day, 2 September 2013, Arsenal broke their club record to sign Ozil from Real Madrid for a reported fee of £42.4m.

Germany 1-5 England (2001): Owen’s Hat-Trick in Munich

Germany 1-5 England, 1 September 2001 in Munich: Michael Owen's hat-trick and Steven Gerrard's first goal humiliated the hosts in a World Cup qualifier.

Jay-Jay Okocha’s Goal Past Oliver Kahn (1993): The Bundesliga’s Greatest Solo

On 31 August 1993, Jay-Jay Okocha's solo goal past Oliver Kahn sealed Eintracht Frankfurt's 3-1 win over Karlsruher SC, Germany's 1993 Goal of the Year.

Everton 3-6 Chelsea (2014): The Nine-Goal Goodison Park Classic

On 30 August 2014, Everton lost 3-6 to Chelsea in a nine-goal Goodison Park classic, Diego Costa scoring inside the first minute and again at the death.

Three Points for a Win: The Day Football Rewrote Its Maths (1981)

On 29 August 1981, English football became the first in the world to award three points for a win, a Jimmy Hill reform designed to reward attacking play.

Argentina’s Olympic Football Gold (2004): Athens, Tevez and Six Clean Sheets

On 28 August 2004, Argentina beat Paraguay 1-0 in the Athens Olympic final, Carlos Tevez scoring to win the gold without conceding a goal all tournament.

Celtic 6-2 Rangers: The Demolition Derby (2000)

On 27 August 2000, Celtic beat Rangers 6-2 at Celtic Park in Martin O'Neill's first Old Firm derby, the Demolition Derby of Scottish football history.