VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France (AP) — Yet again, Ireland forward Troy Parrott scored a decisive goal in green and white on the big stage.
World Cup qualifying games for Ireland. His first Spanish league meeting with Real Madrid. Now on Real Betis’ return to the Champions League after a 21-year absence.
Parrott, on his Champions League debut, struck in the 53rd minute for what proved to be the winning goal in Betis' 3-2 victory over Lille.
The 24-year-old forward took the ball into his stride about 30 meters (yards) from goal and advanced to strike a left-footed shot low into the far corner of the Lille net.
Three minutes later, Lille’s Ethan Mbappé was sent off for elbowing Betis defender Natan in the face, and the visitors from Seville saw out the win.
Parrott’s latest winning goal came just four days after he ensured Betis beat Real Madrid in La Liga. Then, he had come off the bench to pounce in the 81st with a shot from close range.
That goal was sweeter as Madrid coach Jose Mourinho had Parrott as a teenage prospect when they were both at Tottenham — and gave him barely any game time.
Parrott had various loan spells away from Tottenham then built his reputation in the past two seasons at AZ Alkmaar.
His name went global last November in stunning back-to-back games for Ireland to keep alive 2026 World Cup qualifying hopes.
Parrott scored both goals to beat Portugal 2-0 in Dublin, when Cristiano Ronaldo was famously sent off, then a hat trick in Budapest to beat Hungary 3-2, capped by a poacher’s goal deep into stoppage time.
A 16 million euros ($18.6 million) move to Betis came three weeks ago and his impact has been immediate.
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Real Betis players celebrate after scoring during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Lille and Real Betis in Lille, France, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Airport security checkpoints have been the end of the line since soon after the 9/11 attacks for most friends and relatives who want to see off departing passengers. That is changing at some U.S. airports.
The Transportation Security Administration is allowing eligible TSA PreCheck members without tickets to pass through security and enter gate areas, reviving a tradition that largely disappeared after the attacks 25 years ago this week.
“As an exclusive benefit for our most trusted travelers, this new program makes it easier to return to the gate for welcomes and send-offs, meet friends during a layover, and enjoy dining and shopping along the way, bringing back the moments that once defined air travel,” TSA said on its website.
The program, called Gateside by TSA PreCheck” is free, but interested members must apply online one to three days before their planned visits and receive approval before going to the airport. If approved, they can enter security using a TSA PreCheck lane with an acceptable form of identification. The passes are valid for one calendar day, but reentries are allowed on that day.
TSA says members of other trusted-traveler programs who have a Known Traveler Number also can apply for access to the gates.
The program is initially available at 13 airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City International Airport, according to TSA. The agency says it plans to expand the program to more airports in the coming months.
Before the Sept. 11 attacks, individuals without tickets generally could accompany ticketed passengers to their gates. The attacks prompted sweeping changes to airport security, including restrictions on access to secure areas of airports.
FILE - Travelers walk through a TSA security checkpoint at Reagan National Airport in Washington, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
