They failed to win any of their opening nine games, but only four teams (Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa) have taken more than Bournemouth’s 45 points since!

Meanwhile in Spain, former Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga has just saved a penalty from former Everton forward Sandro Ramírez with his face.

Míchel vs Pimienta at 13:00 today!

Then Valverde’s Athletic Club (5th) take on Atlético Madrid (4th) with just three points between them – having already beaten them three times this season…

This discussion with Jon Mackenzie the perfect warm-up for two fascinating games.

Direct attack: An open-play sequence that starts in the defensive half and ends in a shot or a touch in the penalty area in under 15 seconds.

United conceded another five today, including four in extra-time... 📈

Here’s a way to concisely summarise each Premier League club’s attacking style - which combination of players most frequently gets the ball from outside the box to in it? Huge variety and one truly absurd combination. Some top data viz from Thom Harris ⬇️
theathletic.com/5425462/2024/0…

Despite a clear counter-attacking plan from Real Madrid and a desire to contain & control from Manchester City, it didn't take long for last night's tie to descend into glorious chaos.

This was a classic heavyweight contest taken out of the tacticians' hands.

📝 Thom Harris

Part four of The Athletic | Football’s up-and-coming manager series, and they’ve let me wax lyrical about Garcia Pimienta 🇮🇨

His Las Palmas side deal in record-breaking extremes and are fascinating to watch, even without a consistent route to goal ⬇️

theathletic.com/5338610/2024/0…

James Rodriguez was football's next superstar in 2014, shining brighter than anyone else at the World Cup in Brazil.

The former Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Everton playmaker's club career has tailed off over the past few years — but he is still the go-to man for Colombia,…

“The national team makes him feel a special kind of way” 🇨🇴

James Rodríguez rolled back the years last night, but Colombia’s golden boy is still only 32, and has plenty more to give.

No matter his club form, he’ll always hold the international stage ⬇️

theathletic.com/5362689/2024/0…

Full-time: Colombia 1-0 Spain 🇨🇴

A game which got better as it went on, decided by Daniel Muñoz's acrobatic volley at the back post 🦅

Colombia are unbeaten in 20 games, and have beaten Brazil, Germany and now Spain along the way.

Could they cause a stir at the Copa América?

On comes Pau Cubarsí, to make his Spain debut at 17 years, 1 month and 19 days old.

He becomes the second youngest player in Spanish national team history, only behind Lamine Yamal, who is now also on the pitch.

They were both born in 2007, by the way... 🤯

GOALLL COLOMBIA 🇨🇴

James Rodríguez has brought this game to life!

First he hits a rocket of a shot from 30 yards, tipped over by Remiro, and now he's played a delightful ball to set Luis Díaz away.

He skips into the area and crosses for Muñoz to volley home at the back post 🦅

Fantastic save from Camilo Vargas to deny Gerard Moreno, who sends a vicious volley towards the bottom left corner.

Colombia have brought on James Rodríguez to much excitement, while David Raya has made way for Real Sociedad's Alex Remiro for another international debut 👏

Half time, goalless, and it's not been a classic. Spain slightly on top.

Luís Diaz and Pedro Porro have squared off three times, but the ball isn't sticking, even when he breezed past on the final attempt.

Hoping for a raft of changes at the break to switch things up 🔄

Dani Vivian is inches away from a dream debut goal, but a thumping header flies just over the crossbar.

No prizes for guessing who tees him up... Grimaldo with a perfect cross 🎯

Spain with the stronger start to the game, but no major chances after 15 minutes.

Grimaldo is a constant outlet, and has whipped in a few good crosses that have been dealt with by a towering Colombian defence, but so far it's all going through Merino and Zubimendi in midfield.

Really nice atmosphere here tonight, Colombia in particular with a lot of support in the stands.

James Rodríguez gets the loudest cheer of the night, closely followed by Álvaro Morata on the Spanish bench, interestingly enough.

Kick-off is imminent ⚽️

No start for 17-year old Pau Cubarsí, but Spain do hand a deserved debut to centre-back Dani Vivian, who has been colossal for some time for Athletic Club.

Grimaldo gets another shot at left-back, while Zubimendi and Merino start together for the 32nd time this campaign 🔵⚪️

🚨 𝑻𝑰𝑻𝑼𝑳𝑨𝑹

Así sale nuestra Selección Colombia para enfrentar a España en Londres en el primer amistoso internacional.

#TodosSomosColombia 🇨🇴

I’m at the London Stadium for The Athletic | Football tonight 🇪🇸🇨🇴

Looking forward to a competitive game – Spain have won their last eight in a row, while Colombia have not lost in over two years, since a 1-0 defeat to Argentina.

Updates to follow!