Marcus Rashford, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Julian Alaphilippe and Teofimo Lopez – 25 of the best sports images of the week

We pick out some stunning pictures from the last seven days

French rider Julian Alaphilippe falls after crashing into a motorbike during the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, October 18. AFP

Norway's Lucas Braathen during the FIS Ski World Cup men's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, on October 18. Reuters

New Zealand's Jordie Barrett scores his team's second try during his team's 27-7 Bledisloe Cup win against Austrilia at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday, October 18. AP

Teofimo Lopez, right, on his way to a unanimous victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas - on Saturday, October 18 - to become the undisputed world lightweight champion. Getty

Team Trek rider Gianluca Brambilla rides during Stage 14 of the Giro d'Italia, a 34,1-kilometer individual time trial between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, on Saturday, October 17. AFP

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale leaps to head the ball during his team's 3-3 Premier League draw with West Ham United on Sunday, October 18. AFP

A crowd of more than 46,000 watches New Zealand's Bledisloe Cup win over Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday, October 18, after coronavirus restrictions were lifted earlier in the month. Getty

Athletes take part in the Roy Nasr Memorial Triathlon in Dubai on Friday, October 16. Race ME

Brazilian Jessica Andrade of Brazil takes down Katlyn Chookagian of the US in their women's flyweight bout at UFC Fight Night on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, October 18. Getty

The Tampa Bay Rays celebrate after reaching the World Series for only the second time after a 4-2 game-seven win over the Houston Astros - on Saturday, October 17 - to seal the series 4-3. AP

A skier on the opening day of the Les 2 Alpes French resort on Friday, October 16. AFP

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is tackled by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the Premier League match at Goodison Park on Saturday, October 17. The Dutchman was forced to leave the pitch injured and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. AP

The start of the Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Handicap at Kempton Park Racecourse on Tuesday, October 20, in Sunbury, England. Getty

Germany's Stefan Luitz during the FIS Ski World Cup men's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, on October 18. Reuters

Cyclists wait as Italian Air Force acrobatic unit Frecce Tricolori perform ahead of Stage 15 of the Giro d'Italia, a 185-kilometer route between Base Aerea Rivolto and Piancavallo, on Sunday, October 18. AFP

Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring Manchester United's winning goal in their 2-1 Champions League win at Paris Saint-Germain, on Tuesday, October 20. Reuters

Action from the Nascar Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, October 17. AFP

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts the catches a fly ball hit by Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves during Game 7 of the MLB National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, October 18. AFP

The peloton at Monte Bondone during Stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia, a 203km route between Bassano del Grappa and Madonna di Campiglio, on Wednesday, October 21. AFP

France players training in Marcoussis, south of Paris, on Wednesday, ctober 21, ahead of the rugby international against Wales. AFP

Riders at the start of the motocross MXGP Grand Prix, part of the FIM Motocross World Championship, in Lommel. Belgium, on Sunday, October 18. AFP

Athletes taking part in the Roy Nasr Memorial Triathlon in Dubai on Friday, October 16. Race ME

Inter Milan's Stefan de Vrij and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan during the Serie A match at the San Siro stadium on Saturday, October 17. The Swedish striker scored twice as Milan won the derby clash 2-1. AFP

Renato Paratore, of Italy, during the pro-am ahead of the Italian Open at Chervo Golf Club, on Wednesday, October 21. Getty

Runners and riders clear a fence during the Nick Embiricos Memorial 2020 Handicap Chase at Plumpton Racecourse on Monday, October 19. Getty

The relentless football schedule continued at full steam across Europe this week.

In England, Manchester United enjoyed a fantastic few days with success in the Premier League – beating Newcastle United 4-1 - and the Champions League – winning 2-1 at Paris Saint-Germain.

Striker Marcus Rashford, in particular, had a week to remember, hitting the target twice at Newcastle then grabbing a late winner in France.

It was a week to forget for Gareth Bale, though. He made his first appearance since returning to Tottenham Hotspur, only to see Spurs throw away a three-goal lead to draw with West Ham United after the Welsh attacker came on as a second-half substitute.

In Italy, the irrepressible Zlatan Ibrahimovic roared back from Covid-19 enforced isolation to score both goals in AC Milan's derby victory against Inter Milan in Serie A.

It was also a busy week in the fighting world. At UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, Jessica Andrade made history by beating Katlyn Chookagian to become the first woman in the UFC to register victories in three different divisions.

In the boxing ring, Teofimo Lopez stunned Vasiliy Lomachenko by winning on points in Las Vegas to become the undisputed world lightweight champion.

You can see a selection of the best images from the action in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next picture, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.