diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index fab468c..bde798d 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,15 @@
 
 All notable changes to MMM-MessageCenter are documented in this file.
 
+## 0.8.1 - 2026-10-11
+
+### Changed
+
+- Put the leading team and higher score first in numeric head-to-head halftime,
+  score, and final messages, with visible lead, tie, and final indicators.
+- Preserve provider ordering for non-numeric and ranked results instead of
+  guessing at sport-specific standings.
+
 ## 0.8.0 - 2026-10-10
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index fcdb33d..4e3566c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -471,6 +471,12 @@ Use MyScoreboard's `leagueEvents` overrides to opt low-scoring leagues into
 MLS goals are included while NBA games continue to use the quieter global
 start, halftime, and final list.
 
+For numeric head-to-head scores, MessageCenter puts the leading team and higher
+score first with a visible lead, tie, or final marker. Non-numeric scores and
+ranked events retain the provider's original order rather than applying
+head-to-head assumptions; the source module remains responsible for standings,
+golf, racing, and similar sport-specific meaning.
+
 The source module remains responsible for selecting teams, retrieving scores,
 and deciding when a game reaches each milestone. MessageCenter only validates,
 normalizes, and presents the event. Either module continues to operate normally
diff --git a/integrations/my-scoreboard.js b/integrations/my-scoreboard.js
index 889bc6d..333acb9 100644
--- a/integrations/my-scoreboard.js
+++ b/integrations/my-scoreboard.js
@@ -43,6 +43,44 @@
     return null;
   }
 
+  function numericScore(value) {
+    if (typeof value === "number" && Number.isFinite(value)) return value;
+    if (typeof value !== "string" || !/^-?\d+(?:\.\d+)?$/.test(value.trim())) return null;
+    const number = Number(value);
+    return Number.isFinite(number) ? number : null;
+  }
+
+  function scoreBody(module, event, away, awayScore, home, homeScore, fallbackKey) {
+    if (!["game.halftime", "game.score", "game.final"].includes(event)) {
+      return module.translate(fallbackKey, { away, awayScore, home, homeScore });
+    }
+
+    const awayNumber = numericScore(awayScore);
+    const homeNumber = numericScore(homeScore);
+    if (awayNumber === null || homeNumber === null) {
+      return module.translate(fallbackKey, { away, awayScore, home, homeScore });
+    }
+
+    if (awayNumber === homeNumber) {
+      const key = event === "game.final" ? "SPORTS_FINAL_TIED" : event === "game.halftime"
+        ? "SPORTS_HALFTIME_TIED"
+        : "SPORTS_SCORE_TIED";
+      return module.translate(key, { away, awayScore, home, homeScore });
+    }
+
+    const awayLeads = awayNumber > homeNumber;
+    const values = {
+      leader: awayLeads ? away : home,
+      leaderScore: awayLeads ? awayScore : homeScore,
+      trailer: awayLeads ? home : away,
+      trailerScore: awayLeads ? homeScore : awayScore
+    };
+    const key = event === "game.final" ? "SPORTS_FINAL_WINNER" : event === "game.halftime"
+      ? "SPORTS_HALFTIME_LEADER"
+      : "SPORTS_SCORE_LEADER";
+    return module.translate(key, values);
+  }
+
   root.MessageCenterAdapters.register({
     id: "my-scoreboard",
     priority: 800,
@@ -76,7 +114,7 @@
         source,
         entityId: payload.gameId.trim(),
         title: module.translate("SPORTS_MATCHUP", { away, home }),
-        body: module.translate(eventConfig.bodyKey, { away, awayScore, home, homeScore }),
+        body: scoreBody(module, payload.event, away, awayScore, home, homeScore, eventConfig.bodyKey),
         urgency: eventConfig.urgency,
         retention: eventConfig.retention,
         timestamp,
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 8d9d2e0..e9e6b01 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "mmm-messagecenter",
-  "version": "0.8.0",
+  "version": "0.8.1",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "mmm-messagecenter",
-      "version": "0.8.0",
+      "version": "0.8.1",
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
         "express": "^5.2.1",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index f7e1896..f161af1 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "mmm-messagecenter",
-  "version": "0.8.0",
+  "version": "0.8.1",
   "description": "Hardware-independent notification and attention hub for MagicMirror²",
   "private": true,
   "type": "commonjs",
diff --git a/test/MMM-MessageCenter.test.js b/test/MMM-MessageCenter.test.js
index 7663991..ae0520f 100644
--- a/test/MMM-MessageCenter.test.js
+++ b/test/MMM-MessageCenter.test.js
@@ -1334,14 +1334,14 @@ test("normalizes MyScoreboard start, halftime, and final milestones with calm li
         id: "NBA:MIA@ORL:game.final",
         type: "sports.game.final",
         title: "Miami Heat at Orlando Magic",
-        body: "Final. Miami Heat 101, Orlando Magic 108.",
+        body: "✓ Orlando Magic 108 · Miami Heat 101 — Final",
         urgency: "attention"
       },
       {
         id: "NBA:MIA@ORL:game.halftime",
         type: "sports.game.halftime",
         title: "Miami Heat at Orlando Magic",
-        body: "Halftime. Miami Heat 49, Orlando Magic 55.",
+        body: "▲ Orlando Magic 55 · Miami Heat 49 — Leads at halftime",
         urgency: "attention"
       },
       {
@@ -1382,16 +1382,42 @@ test("normalizes distinct opt-in MyScoreboard score events", () => {
   assert.deepEqual(module.messages.map(({ id, body }) => ({ id, body })), [
     {
       id: "USA_MLS:CLB@ORL:game.score:0-2",
-      body: "Score update. Columbus Crew 0, Orlando City SC 2."
+      body: "▲ Orlando City SC 2 · Columbus Crew 0 — Leads"
     },
     {
       id: "USA_MLS:CLB@ORL:game.score:0-1",
-      body: "Score update. Columbus Crew 0, Orlando City SC 1."
+      body: "▲ Orlando City SC 1 · Columbus Crew 0 — Leads"
     }
   ]);
   assert.equal(module.messages[0].expires, base.timestamp + 60000 + 2 * 60 * 60000);
 });
 
+test("makes tied head-to-head scores clear at a glance", () => {
+  const module = instance();
+
+  module.notificationReceived("MYSCOREBOARD_GAME_EVENT", {
+    event: "game.score",
+    gameId: "USA_MLS:CLB@ORL",
+    away: { name: "Columbus Crew", score: "1" },
+    home: { name: "Orlando City SC", score: "1" }
+  }, { name: "MMM-MyScoreboard" });
+
+  assert.equal(module.messages[0].body, "= Columbus Crew 1 · Orlando City SC 1 — Tied");
+});
+
+test("preserves the provider order when scores are not directly comparable", () => {
+  const module = instance();
+
+  module.notificationReceived("MYSCOREBOARD_GAME_EVENT", {
+    event: "game.final",
+    gameId: "ranked:event",
+    away: { name: "Driver One", score: "P1" },
+    home: { name: "Driver Two", score: "P2" }
+  }, { name: "MMM-MyScoreboard" });
+
+  assert.equal(module.messages[0].body, "Final. Driver One P1, Driver Two P2.");
+});
+
 test("allows MyScoreboard event lifetimes to be configured", () => {
   const module = instance({
     internalNotifications: {
@@ -1432,7 +1458,7 @@ test("updates a duplicate MyScoreboard milestone silently and preserves read sta
   );
 
   assert.equal(module.messages.length, 1);
-  assert.equal(module.messages[0].body, "Halftime. Miami Heat 49, Orlando Magic 56.");
+  assert.equal(module.messages[0].body, "▲ Orlando Magic 56 · Miami Heat 49 — Leads at halftime");
   assert.equal(module.messages[0].unread, false);
   assert.equal(module.notifications.some(({ name }) => name === "SHOW_ALERT"), false);
 });
diff --git a/translations/de.json b/translations/de.json
index 3335270..3f98545 100644
--- a/translations/de.json
+++ b/translations/de.json
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@
   "SPORTS_GAME_HALFTIME": "Halbzeit. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
   "SPORTS_GAME_SCORE": "Spielstand. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
   "SPORTS_GAME_FINAL": "Endstand. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
+  "SPORTS_HALFTIME_LEADER": "▲ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Führt zur Halbzeit",
+  "SPORTS_HALFTIME_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Remis zur Halbzeit",
+  "SPORTS_SCORE_LEADER": "▲ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Führt",
+  "SPORTS_SCORE_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Remis",
+  "SPORTS_FINAL_WINNER": "✓ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Endstand",
+  "SPORTS_FINAL_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Endstand",
   "SOURCE_HOME_ASSISTANT": "Home Assistant",
   "SOURCE_SMARTTHINGS_HOME_ASSISTANT": "SmartThings über Home Assistant",
   "SOURCE_SMARTTHINGS": "SmartThings"
diff --git a/translations/en.json b/translations/en.json
index 0c7320a..ee1b3dd 100644
--- a/translations/en.json
+++ b/translations/en.json
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@
   "SPORTS_GAME_HALFTIME": "Halftime. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
   "SPORTS_GAME_SCORE": "Score update. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
   "SPORTS_GAME_FINAL": "Final. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
+  "SPORTS_HALFTIME_LEADER": "▲ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Leads at halftime",
+  "SPORTS_HALFTIME_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Tied at halftime",
+  "SPORTS_SCORE_LEADER": "▲ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Leads",
+  "SPORTS_SCORE_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Tied",
+  "SPORTS_FINAL_WINNER": "✓ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Final",
+  "SPORTS_FINAL_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Final",
   "SOURCE_HOME_ASSISTANT": "Home Assistant",
   "SOURCE_SMARTTHINGS_HOME_ASSISTANT": "SmartThings via Home Assistant",
   "SOURCE_SMARTTHINGS": "SmartThings"
diff --git a/translations/es.json b/translations/es.json
index 122b507..9e44263 100644
--- a/translations/es.json
+++ b/translations/es.json
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@
   "SPORTS_GAME_HALFTIME": "Descanso. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
   "SPORTS_GAME_SCORE": "Marcador. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
   "SPORTS_GAME_FINAL": "Final. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
+  "SPORTS_HALFTIME_LEADER": "▲ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Lidera al descanso",
+  "SPORTS_HALFTIME_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Empate al descanso",
+  "SPORTS_SCORE_LEADER": "▲ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Lidera",
+  "SPORTS_SCORE_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Empate",
+  "SPORTS_FINAL_WINNER": "✓ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Final",
+  "SPORTS_FINAL_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Final",
   "SOURCE_HOME_ASSISTANT": "Home Assistant",
   "SOURCE_SMARTTHINGS_HOME_ASSISTANT": "SmartThings mediante Home Assistant",
   "SOURCE_SMARTTHINGS": "SmartThings"
diff --git a/translations/fr.json b/translations/fr.json
index 7f9ecc6..08f45df 100644
--- a/translations/fr.json
+++ b/translations/fr.json
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@
   "SPORTS_GAME_HALFTIME": "Mi-temps. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
   "SPORTS_GAME_SCORE": "Mise à jour du score. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
   "SPORTS_GAME_FINAL": "Score final. {away} {awayScore}, {home} {homeScore}.",
+  "SPORTS_HALFTIME_LEADER": "▲ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Mène à la mi-temps",
+  "SPORTS_HALFTIME_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Égalité à la mi-temps",
+  "SPORTS_SCORE_LEADER": "▲ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Mène",
+  "SPORTS_SCORE_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Égalité",
+  "SPORTS_FINAL_WINNER": "✓ {leader} {leaderScore} · {trailer} {trailerScore} — Score final",
+  "SPORTS_FINAL_TIED": "= {away} {awayScore} · {home} {homeScore} — Score final",
   "SOURCE_HOME_ASSISTANT": "Home Assistant",
   "SOURCE_SMARTTHINGS_HOME_ASSISTANT": "SmartThings via Home Assistant",
   "SOURCE_SMARTTHINGS": "SmartThings"