Isak nets double and Barcola debuts in Liverpool's first win of season under new coach

IPSWICH, England (AP) — Alexander Isak scored twice and Bradley Barcola debuted as Liverpool got its first win in the Premier League under its new coach after beating Ipswich 2-0 away on Friday.

Liverpool had been held to a pair of 2-2s against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in Andoni Iraola’s first games in charge.

But Liverpool got clicking right from kickoff at Ipswich as Isak struck twice in the opening minutes from a pair of assists by Cody Gakpo.

Barcola went on for his first action in a Liverpool shirt as a 63rd-minute substitution. He joined from Paris Saint-Germain on Monday in a deal worth 123 million pounds ($166 million).

Isak got going in the sixth when the Sweden international took a Gakpo pass on the right side of the box and struck a powerful shot that hit goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen before finding the net.

Gakpo set up Isak again just three minutes later. He used the outside edge of his boot to bend a long forward pass behind the defense to meet his teammate’s run. Isak did the rest by switching foot before firing home.

Ipswich, promoted at the end of last season, has two losses and one win in its return to the top flight.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Liverpool's Bradley Barcola, centre, controls the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool in Ipswich, England, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Ipswich Town's goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, left, makes a save ahead of Liverpool's Bradley Barcola during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool in Ipswich, England, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Ipswich Town's Dara O'Shea, left, kicks the ball ahead of Liverpool's Bradley Barcola during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool in Ipswich, England, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Ipswich Town's Dara O'Shea, left, challenges for the ball with Liverpool's Cody Gakpo during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool in Ipswich, England, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with Liverpool's Milos Kerkez, right, after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool in Ipswich, England, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

BERLIN (AP) — Saki Hayashi and Japan set records for three-pointers on the first day of the Women’s Basketball World Cup while Caitlin Clark also starred on her tournament debut for the United States on Friday.

Hayashi scored nine three-pointers to beat the previous record of eight as she helped Japan to a 102-97 win over Mali. Altogether, Japan scored 20 to beat its shared team record from 1994.

Mali led for most of the game before Mai Yamamoto brought Japan level for the first time at 79-79 with 6:30 left in the final quarter. Kokoro Tanaka completed the scoring with a free throw.

Aminata Sangare contributed 22 points for Mali. Her team had been looking for its second-ever World Cup win after beating Senegal in overtime in the 2010 tournament. Mali lost all five games at the last World Cup in Australia.

Clark had 14 points and 11 assists to help the U.S. beat China, which was led by 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu, 94-61 in its opener at the Max-Schmelling-Halle. It was the same Berlin venue where the U.S. defeated Russia in the final for the 1998 title, the country’s sixth.

Rhyne Howard also scored 14 points and Jackie Young added 12 for the Americans, who have won 31 consecutive World Cup games dating to a loss in the 2006 semifinals.

They next turn attention to Italy on Saturday as they bid for a fifth consecutive title.

France lived up to its billing as one of the favorites with a comprehensive 99-53 win over Hungary.

Dominique Malonga, Gabby Williams and Marine Johannes each scored 17 points for the Olympic silver medalist.

Awa Fam led Spain to another win over Germany, contributing 17 points in a dominant 83-53 victory.

Despite vocal support from home fans in the 14,000-seat Berlin Arena, Germany did not lead at any stage and has failed to beat Spain in eight competitive meetups.

Leonie Fiebich scored 13 points to lead Germany, followed by Nyara Sabally with 10.

Spain next plays Mali on Saturday, when Germany faces Japan.

Steph Talbot scored 19 points as Australia defeated Puerto Rico 70-54.

Australia lost its opening games at the last World Cup and at the Olympics, so the victory takes the pressure off coach Sandy Brondello’s team with the four group winners in the expanded 16-team tournament progressing straight to the quarterfinals.

Australia next faces Turkey on Sunday.

Emma Meesseman had 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists to lead European champion Belgium to the 89-75 victory. She scored nine of those points in the final two minutes of the third quarter as Belgium outscored Turkey 27-9 in the third period. Turkey held a 45-44 lead at the end of the first half.

Kennedy Burke scored 15 points to lead Turkey.

Cecilia Zandalasini led Italy to its first World Cup win upon its return to the tournament after 32 years, 63-54 over the Czech Republic.

Italy’s wait since 1994 was a team’s longest for appearances at the competition.

Zandalasini had 19 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Also, Park Ji-hyun scored 27 to lead South Korea to a 99-81 opening victory over Nigeria.

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

United States' Caitlin Clark holds the trophy for the player of the game during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between China and the United States in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Spain's Awa Fam reaches for a ball against the defense of Germany's Leonie Fiebich during a Women's World Cup basketball game between Germany and Spain, in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Germany's Alexis Peterson in action during a Women's World Cup basketball game between Germany and Spain, in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Spain's Megan DiLeo looks to shoot against Germany's Leonie Fiebich during a Women's World Cup basketball game between Germany and Spain, in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Mali's Aminata Sangare, right, and Japan's Yuki Miyazawa during the women's World Cup basketball match between Mali and Japan, in Berlin Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

The Japanese team acknowledges fans after the women's World Cup basketball match between Mali and Japan, in Berlin Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Mali's Aminata Sangare and Japan's Yuki Miyazawa vie for the ball during the women's World Cup basketball match between Mali and Japan, in Berlin Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Japan's Mai Yamamoto, right, is challenged by Mali's Djeneba N Diaye during the women's World Cup basketball match between Mali and Japan, in Berlin Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Australian players react during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between Australia and Puerto Rico in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Puerto Rico's Denise Solís and Australia's Jade Melbourne rebaound during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between Australia and Puerto Rico in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Australia's Ezi Magbegor lays up during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between Australia and Puerto Rico in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)