There was plenty of Friday night action as the Championship returned for the 2025-26 season but many of the continent’s top teams were also in action.
Amidst the Alexander Isak storm, Newcastle faced Spanish side Espanyol, while Brentford – without wantaway Yoane Wissa – took on Bundesliga opposition in Borussia Monchengladbach.
Last season’s Serie A runners-up Inter Milan faced a new-look Monaco side in France as well.
Read on to see how each side got on in the latest round of pre-season friendlies.
Newcastle 2-2 Espanyol
Newcastle were held to a 2-2 draw by Espanyol in a friendly at St James’ Park.
Despite Jacob Murphy’s well-taken goal appearing to have secured the win for the Magpies late on, Kike Garcia’s header in the 89th minute ensured the visitors snatched a last-gasp equaliser.
The game started brightly for Espanyol, who took the lead in the 17th minute through Edu Exposito.
The midfielder fired a sublime right-footed strike from outside the box into the top left corner, brilliantly set up by Roberto Fernandez.
Newcastle responded quickly, with Matt Targett equalising just four minutes later by powering a close-range header past the Espanyol goalkeeper after a teasing cross from Lewis Miley.
The first half also saw Espanyol were awarded a penalty following a foul on Roberto Fernandez inside the box by Targett. However, the spot-kick by Javi Puado was saved by Aaron Ramsdale, keeping the score level heading into half-time.
Jacob Murphy put Newcastle ahead in the 77th minute with a clinical left-footed finish from inside the box, appearing to give the home side the win.
But Espanyol’s persistence paid off when Pere Milla whipped in a cross that Kike Garcia met with a powerful header in the 89th minute, redirecting the ball into the top right corner to level the score once again.
Newcastle will take positives from the battling spirit and attacking intent, while Espanyol demonstrated their threat on set pieces and composure to come back late.
Brentford 2-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
Brentford and Borussia Monchengladbach played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, with both sides producing moments of quality in a lively encounter.
The visitors struck first on the half-hour mark. After Joe Scally saw two efforts blocked in quick succession, Haris Tabakovic’s header went wide – but moments later, Grant-Leon Ranos pounced from close range to slot into the bottom corner, giving Gladbach a 1-0 lead.
Brentford responded well, with Sepp van den Berg and Igor Thiago both going close before the break.
The second half burst into life after the restart. Fabio Carvalho, lively throughout, forced Nicolas into a sharp save before finally levelling in the 69th minute, finishing from inside the box following a set-piece.
Just a minute later, Mikkel Damsgaard produced a moment of magic, curling a right-footed strike from distance into the bottom corner to turn the game on its head at 2-1.
Gladbach, however, refused to fold. Substitute Robin Hack made an immediate impact, setting up Franck Honorat, who drilled a low shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner with four minutes remaining.
Monaco 1-2 Inter Milan
Inter Milan came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Monaco in an action-packed friendly at the Stade Louis-II.
The hosts made a dream start, taking the lead after just two minutes when Maghnes Akliouche fired a stunning left-footed strike into the top corner from outside the box.
Monaco looked the sharper side early on, with Lamine Camara twice forcing Yann Sommer into saves and Denis Zakaria striking the post from distance.
Inter’s task became harder on 36 minutes when Hakan Calhanoglu received a second yellow card for a late challenge, reducing the visitors to ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Italian side responded after the break.
Lautaro Martinez levelled the score on the hour mark, finishing clinically from close range after Nicolo Barella led a swift counter-attack.
Monaco pushed to restore their advantage, with Akliouche hitting the post from a header and Soungoutou Magassa firing over.
However, Inter struck the decisive blow in the 80th minute. Substitute Ange-Yoan Bonny capped another rapid break with a composed finish from the centre of the box, making it 2-1.
