Real Madrid easily defeated Schalke 3-0 in a friendly in Germany. Mbappe opened the scoring, Huijsen and Espi also found the net, helping "Los Blancos" have a convincing dress rehearsal before the new season.

The Vietnam national team secured a 2-0 victory at Kuala Lumpur Stadium in the first leg of the semi-finals, but coach Kim Sang Sik is not entirely satisfied. The South Korean tactician emphasized that the team still has many areas to improve before the second leg at My Dinh Stadium on August 19.

Malaysia suffered a 0-2 defeat to the Vietnam national team in the first leg of the semi-final, but coach Tan Cheng Hoe remains optimistic. The manager asserted that his team "has not lost the entire war" and will look to create a surprise in the 90 minutes of the second leg at My Dinh.

On August 17, Beijing time, renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano broke major exclusive news: Barcelona has reached an agreement with Manchester City for Rodri's transfer, and City has given the green light to Barcelona's latest offer, with the deal fully completed.

In a pre-season friendly that concluded on August 17, Beijing time, Liverpool defeated last season's Serie A 4th-placed team Como 2-0 at Anfield, ending their pre-season campaign with a comprehensive victory. In this match, Liverpool manager Iraola fielded his strongest lineup. New signing, center-back Yakai, made his debut, while starters such as Isak, Wirtz, Van Dijk, Gakpo, and Szoboszlai also featured.

In the early hours of August 17, Beijing time, renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano broke the exclusive news that 30-year-old Manchester City midfielder Rodri is about to join Barcelona. Romano even used his iconic "HERE WE GO" to confirm the deal is done.

In a spotlight match of the WTA1000 Cincinnati women's singles second round held on August 17 (Beijing time), China's 36th-ranked Wang Xinyu battled through three sets to overturn Paris Olympic runner-up Donna Vekic (world No. 34) with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory, marking her first appearance in the Cincinnati round of 32.

On August 17, Beijing time, renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano announced with his iconic "HERE WE GO" that 32-year-old Portuguese international winger João Cancelo has officially terminated his contract with Saudi giants Al-Hilal. It is reported that Cancelo has agreed to give up part of his remaining salary for the final year at Al-Hilal. His annual net salary at the club was €15 million, plus an additional €2.25 million in bonuses.

Without dominating the match or holding much possession, Vietnam still secured a convincing victory over host Malaysia in the first leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinals.

In a preseason friendly concluded on August 17 Beijing time, Real Madrid cruised past Bundesliga promoted side Schalke 04 3-0, finishing their summer preparations with an unbeaten record of three wins and one draw. The match saw Real Madrid field their strongest lineup, with key players like Mbappé, Vinícius, and Valverde all starting. New signings Bernardo Silva and Konaté also made the starting XI.