Bayern lift German Super Cup

Stuttgart, Aug. 18: Harry Kane and Luis Diaz scored as Bayern Munich beat Stuttgart 2-1 away on Saturday to lift the German Super Cup for a 10th time.

The match, which opens the German season with the league and cup winners facing off, was held for the first time since it was renamed for football legend Franz Beckenbauer, who died in 2024.

A year into their attacking partnership, Michael Olise and Kane were again Bayern's most dangerous, combining for the opener with 18 minutes played.

Off balance and falling, Kane collected Olise's pass and hit a low shot across the grass and into the bottom corner for his 86th goal in his 97th Bayern appearance.

Pushed on by a 60,000-strong home crowd, Stuttgart went looking for an equaliser late in the second half but Bayern broke through on the counter, Diaz heading in from close range with 13 minutes left.

Diaz ran to the corner post and sat on the grass, mimicking former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota's video-game celebration.

It was the latest tribute for Portugal winger Jota, who died in a car accident in July. Stuttgart pulled a goal back through Jamie Leweling in stoppage time.

The win netted Kane a second team trophy of his career after the 32-year-old broke his duck to win the Bundesliga last season.

Praising his charges for a "deserved win", Bayern captain Joshua Kimmich said the victory would set the tone for the season.

"We wanted to show everyone that we're here. Wins and titles are not a given -- we have to appreciate them," Kimmich told Germany's Sat 1 network.

Bayern open the Bundesliga season on Friday at home against Leipzig while Stuttgart face Union Berlin in the German capital a day later.

Barca open title defence with win

Spanish champions Barcelona opened their Liga campaign on Saturday with an island cruise as they played almost an hour against nine men on their way to a 3-0 victory in Mallorca.

Barcelona's second-half stroll did not please coach Hansi Flick.

"They're three important points, but I didn't like the match," he told broadcaster Movistar. "After going two goals up and following Mallorca's two red cards, I think the team only gave 50 percent and I didn't like that."

"Playing at 50 or 60 per cent is not possible against nine players."

Two of Barcelona's Ballon d'Or nominees combined to put the visitors ahead after seven minutes, Lamine Yamal crossing for Raphinha to head in. Yamal played a key role in the second goal after 23 minutes. Mallorca defender Antonio Raillo headed away the teenager's shot and then fell to the ground.

Barcelona strolled through the second half. Flick brought on summer loan signing Marcus Rashford, whose league registration only cleared on Saturday morning, for his Liga debut.

Deep into injury time Yamal picked up the ball on the right, left three defenders trailing as he cut across the top of the penalty area and curled a left-foot shot into the top corner with the final kick of the game.

"He surprises you every day. He's a spectacular player," said Flick.

In the evening's late games Valencia drew 1-1 at home to Real Sociedad. Diego Lopez gave the hosts a 57th-minute lead, Takefusa Kubo replied three minutes later.

In Vitoria, Argentine centre back Facundo Tenaglia fired home from close range after a free kick in added time to give hosts Alaves a 2-1 victory over promoted Levante.

Spurs get Frank off to flier 

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank enjoyed a "dream" home debut with a 3-0 win over Burnley, while Erling Haaland inspired new-look Manchester City's 4-0 rout of Wolves on the opening weekend of the Premier League season on Saturday.

Frank was seconds away from launching his era in charge with a trophy until a late Paris Saint-Germain revival won the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

The former Brentford boss replaced Ange Postecoglou despite the Australian ending Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League last term.

Frank's bid to revive Tottenham's league fortunes got off to the perfect start in north London.

Richarlison made the most of the faith shown in him by Frank as the Brazilian turned in Mohammed Kudus' cross to open the scoring.

The pair combined again on the hour in more spectacular fashion as Richarlison's bicycle kick converted the Ghanaian's delivery.

Brennan Johnson was Tottenham's Europa League final hero with the only goal against Manchester United and he began the new season by racing clear to slot in the third.

"Perfect start or dream start. A good performance against a difficult opponent. I will just enjoy it and I hope the players, the club and the fans enjoy it because that is important," Frank said.

At Molineux, Pep Guardiola unveiled his City revamp as he bids to bounce back from last season's third-place finish. City's failure to defend the title after winning it for the previous four seasons has prompted a major overhaul from Guardiola.

Despite Haaland's double, it was new signing Tijjani Reijnders who stole the show with a hand in all of City's first three goals.

"We knew he is a top signing for the coming years for City," said Guardiola on Reijnders outstanding Premier League debut after a £46.5 million move from AC Milan.

"Of course we have changed after last season with many injuries and problems - fresh energy this season."

Newcastle missed the wantaway Alexander Isak as they failed to find the breakthrough against 10-man Aston Villa in a 0-0 draw at Villa Park.

The Magpies were the dominant side even before Ezri Konsa's red card for bringing down Antony Gordon 24 minutes from time.

Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz struck in the 96th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw at Brighton after Matt O'Riley's penalty put the Seagulls in front.(AFP)