Rangers Rout Celtic, Infantino's World Cup Gamble, and a Day of Late Drama

Rangers emphatically settled the first Old Firm contest of the season, beating Celtic 3-0 in the Scottish League Cup at Ibrox. Captain Dan Neil scored twice and Kevin Kelsy added a third, handing manager Derek McInnes a defining result early in his tenure and eliminating Celtic from the competition. It was the kind of victory that shifts momentum — and scrutiny — significantly in Glasgow.

Away from the pitch, Gianni Infantino's proposal to inject $20 billion of private capital into the World Cup, with JP Morgan and Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital among the reported partners, cast a long shadow over the day. The plan, floated in the aftermath of the 2026 tournament, drew immediate calls for independent oversight and reignited fundamental questions about who football's flagship event ultimately belongs to. Separately, Cristiano Ronaldo called for lifetime bans after fans directed chants referencing the late Diogo Jota at his close friend Rúben Neves during a Saudi Pro League match — a grim episode that left the league facing pressure to respond firmly.

In the Premier League, Hull continued their remarkable unbeaten start with a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, Mohamed Belloumi scoring twice before João Pedro spared Chelsea's blushes. Nottingham Forest won at Villa Park for the first time in 32 years through Igor Jesus's 88th-minute strike, while Tottenham drew a fourth consecutive blank and were booed off at home against Everton. Lauren James starred as Chelsea's women thrashed Manchester United 5-0 in the WSL.