Soccer

Shortly after lighting up the European Championship, two of the world's most exciting young players shone on club soccer's biggest stage. With mixed fortunes, however.

MONACO (AP) — Barcelona's perfect start to the season hit its first stumbling block when defender Eric Garcia was sent off after just 11 minutes at Monaco in the revamped Champions League on Thursday.

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — Victor Boniface didn’t have to score to make a big impression for Bayer Leverkusen on its return to the Champions League on Thursday.

Making 104 senior appearances for Canada over a 20-year span, Atiba Hutchinson embodied quiet professionalism and leadership. "He's very humble but his influence is as strong as I've ever seen on men," said former national team coach John Herdman.

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Two days after a 9-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Dinamo Zagreb fired coach Sergej Jakirović on Thursday.

Canada, fuelled by a 2-1 win over the U.S. and scoreless draw with Mexico, has jumped two places to No. 38 in the FIFA men's world rankings released Thursday. Of the top six CONCACAF teams, Canada was the only one to move up.

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich's home stadium will be on Franz Beckenbauer Square after the city government decided to honor the German soccer great, who died in January aged 78 , by renaming the area around the Allianz Arena.

LONDON (AP) — A soccer player who once appeared for Arsenal in the Champions League has been charged in connection with trying to smuggle cannabis worth 600,000 pounds ($800,000) through a British airport.

PARIS (AP) — Marseille's promising start to the French league season has given its demanding fans hope of a sustained title challenge.

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Into the final year of his contract at Manchester City, questions are being asked again about Pep Guardiola's future.