Football

Bayern Munich's resurgence continued on Saturday as they thrashed Stuttgart 4-0 at home, with Harry Kane's hat-trick proving decisive. The victory ended a three-game winless run in all competitions and propelled Bayern back to the top of the Bundesliga on goal difference.Kane, who had not scored in four games for club and country, broke the deadlock in the 57th minute with a stunning long-range effort. He doubled his tally just three minutes later with a clinical finish from inside the box. The England captain completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, tapping home from close range.Bayern sporting director Max Eberl hailed Kane's performance, describing him as a "killer." "It was nice with that first goal, and the two afterwards showed what a killer he is," Eberl said.Kane, who has now scored 57 goals in all competitions for Bayern, admitted to feeling relieved after ending his goal drought. "There's always talk when you don't score for a while as a striker," he told Sky Germany. "I always believed in myself, my abilities and my teammates -- that was clear today."Bayern coach Vincent Kompany praised Kane's unwavering hunger for goals. "He's always hungry, even in training," Kompany said. "He's always scored goals and always will -- that will never change."The victory was a timely boost for Bayern ahead of their midweek Champions League clash with Barcelona. Kompany acknowledged the importance of the upcoming match but emphasized the need to celebrate their latest triumph. "We can celebrate a bit, but then it keeps going against Barcelona," he said.

Erling Haaland's relentless scoring prowess propelled Manchester City to the summit of the Premier League with a second consecutive hat-trick in a 3-1 triumph over West Ham United on Saturday. The Norwegian sensation, who terrorized Ipswich Town last weekend, repeated his treble feat to amass an astonishing 70 goals in just 69 Premier League appearances since joining City from Borussia Dortmund.City's title defense has commenced with an ominous display, leaving their rivals in awe after securing four consecutive league crowns. The English champions stand alone as the only team to emerge victorious in all three opening fixtures, largely due to Haaland's electrifying start."There are no words for him. All we can do is help him improve and provide him with as many chances as possible," said Pep Guardiola, City's manager.Guardiola enjoyed the luxury of resting key players Rodri, John Stones, and Kyle Walker after their Euro 2024 exploits, while Phil Foden missed the match due to illness. In contrast, Haaland enjoyed a summer break from international duty and appears rejuvenated."I feel great, I feel energized. I had a long vacation and pre-season," Haaland remarked. "Only footballers understand the importance of a break. You need to rest your body and mind because it's a long season. It's not as easy as people think. I feel fresh, and that's the most important thing."After scoring in the opening weekend victory at Chelsea and netting his 10th City hat-trick against Ipswich, Haaland has now established a Premier League record of seven goals in the first three games of a season.West Ham's downfall was self-inflicted as they surrendered possession deep in their own territory, allowing Bernardo Silva to set up Haaland for a composed finish past Alphonse Areola. City appeared poised to seize control of the match, but Areola denied Kevin De Bruyne before the Belgian struck the crossbar.However, West Ham's first meaningful attack resulted in an equalizer, aided by a City blunder. Jarrod Bowen drove into the City box and his low cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Ruben Dias.City swiftly regained their composure and restored their lead with an intricate move that culminated in a thunderous finish. Rico Lewis' pass found Haaland, who unleashed a powerful shot past Areola.Haaland could have added an assist before the break, but Lewis squandered his deft lay-off. City's failure to find the elusive third goal left the door open for West Ham in the second half. A swift counter-attack saw Bowen set up Mohammed Kudus, who rattled the post with a fierce effort.Haaland, however, had the final say, sealing the three points with a clinical finish. The 24-year-old was played in by Matheus Nunes and confidently chipped the ball over substitute goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. Fabianski denied Haaland a fourth goal in stoppage time.West Ham's second defeat in three games leaves Julen Lopetegui's side languishing in 14th place.

Barbra Banda, the Zambian striker, has cemented her status as one of the most prolific goal scorers in women's football. Her recent hat-trick against Australia at the Paris Olympics 2024 marked a historic achievement, making her the first player to score three hat-tricks in the tournament's history.Banda's remarkable performance comes as no surprise, given her impressive track record. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, she became the first player to record back-to-back hat-tricks, etching her name in the history books. Her tally of 53 goals in just 60 matches for Zambia makes her Africa's all-time leading scorer.In addition to her Olympic exploits, Banda has also made a significant impact in the National Women's Soccer League (NSWL) in the USA. After signing a lucrative $2.1 million deal, she joined the Orlando Pride in April and has already scored 12 goals in 12 games.Banda's success stems from her unpredictable nature and her ability to seize opportunities. "I feel when I'm given a chance, I have to utilize my chances very well," she said. "So when I get a spot, I think I have a chance to score. I just have to put it [in the back] of the net."Zambia will now face Germany in its final group-stage game on Wednesday, July 31. With Banda in their ranks, they will be hoping to continue their impressive run and make a deep run into the tournament.