Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 33-cü turunun“Araz-Naxçıvan” – “Zirə” matçı meydan sahiblərinin 3:2 hesablı qələbəsi ilə başa çatdı.

Arena.az Sumqayıtda baş tutmuş bu matçın yekun protokolunu və icmalını təqdim edir.

Azərbaycan Premyer Liqası
33-cü tur
23 may

“Araz-Naxçıvan” – “Zirə” 3:2
Qollar: Patrik Andrade, 15. Felipe Santos, 33. Ramon Maçado, 73 – Ruan Renato, 69. Martins Junior, 83.
Qolla nəticələnməyən penalti: Martins Junior, 90+6.
Sarı vərəqələr: Rahil Məmmədov, 18 (qeyri-idman hərəkəti) – Ruan Renato, 33 (hakimin qərarına etiraz). Brahim Konate, 50 (qeyri-idman hərəkəti).
Rəsmi şəxsə göstərilən sarı vərəqə: Rəşad Sadıqov, 33 (hakimin qərarına etiraz).
Artırılan vaxt: Birinci hissədə 2 dəqiqə, ikinci hissədə 6 dəqiqə.
Saat 19:00. “Sumqayıt Arena”, 200 tamaşaçı.

Baş hakim: Əkbər Əhmədov.
Baş hakimin köməkçiləri: Akif Əmirəli, Zeynal Zeynalov.
Dördüncü hakim: İslam Məmmədov.
VAR: Kamal Umudlu.
AVAR: Asiman Əzizli.
Hakim-inspektor: İmanxan Sultani.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Eldar Məmmədov.

Araz-Naxçıvan: 94. Tərlan Əhmədli, 34. Ürfan Abbasov (k), 4. Rahil Məmmədov, 14. Ülvi İsgəndərov, 26. Ömər Buludov (70. Çarlz Boli, 78), 24. Mustafa Əhmədzadə, 6. Patrik Andrade, 10. Felipe Santos, 11. Ba-Muaka Simakala (16. Ramon Maçado, 71), 77. Bruno Franko, 19. Bar Kohen (86. İbrahim Piriyev, 71).
Ehtiyat oyunçular: 12. Kristian Avram, 8. Coşqun Diniyev, 33. Elmir Cəfərov.
Baş məşqçi: Andrey Demçenko.

Zirə: 13. Aydın Bayramov, 70. Namiq Ələsgərov (11. Junior Martins, 58), 8. İsmayıl İbrahimli, 7. Rövlan Muradov (32. Qismət Alıyev, 66), 14. Elçin Əlicanov, 29. Ceyhun Nuriyev, 4. Ruan Renato (k), 9. Davit Volkov (22. Eren Aydın, 76), 93. Brahim Konate (10. Georgi Papunaşvili, 58), 5. Ange Mutsinzi, 6. Eldar Quliyev (73. Anatoli Nuriyev, 58).
Ehtiyat oyunçular: 97. Tyaqo Silva, 41. Anar Nəzirov, 19. Rüfət Abdullazadə, 26. Stefan Akka, 30. Rikardo Martins, 17. Ayron Qomis.
Baş məşqçi: Rəşad Sadıqov.

“Zirə”nin baş məşqçisi Rəşad Sadıqov Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 33-cü turunda “Araz-Naxçıvan”a qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Sumqayıtda baş tutmuş görüşü “Zirə”nin 2:3 hesablı məğlubiyyəti ilə başa çatıb.

Rəşad Sadıqov matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:

“Mövsümün son oyunu idi və avrokuboklara vəsiqə şansımız qalmadığı üçün bu matça köklənmək çox çətin oldu. Buna baxmayaraq, futbolçularımız əzmkar oyun nümayiş etdirdilər. Olduqca maraqlı keçdi. Bu gün qələbə də qazana bilərdik, lakin sadə səhvlərdən qollar buraxdıq. Mövsümü artıq bitirdik, indi yalnız gələcəyi düşünmək lazımdır. Üç cəbhədə sona qədər mübarizə aparsaq da, təəssüf ki, hər birində son anda nəticəni əldən verdik. Əsas olan odur ki, futbolçular əzmkar oynadılar. Alınmayan məqamlardan isə mütləq düzgün nəticə çıxarmalıyıq. Bütün kollektivimizə, azarkeşlərimizə və rəhbərliyimizə dərin minnətdarlığımı bildirirəm.

Mükafatçıları təbrik edirəm. Avrokuboklarda iştirak edəcək komandalara uğurlar arzu edirəm, onların hər biri buna tam layiq idi. Çempionatla bağlı bəzi məyus edən tərəflər də var idi. Meydançaların durumu, oyunların fərqli stadionlarda keçirilməsi məsələsi… Ancaq bu gün məğlub olan tərəf bizik və istədiyimiz nəticə ortada olmadığı üçün çox şey danışmayacağam. Çünki fərqli anlaşıla bilər.

Növbəti mövsüm indikindən daha rəqabətli bir yarış olacaq. Biz də əlimizdən gələni edəcəyik ki, bu rəqabətə tab gətirə bilək. Uzun illərdir Azərbaycanda əsas hədəf avrokuboklara qatılmaqdır. Son iki ildə çempionatı ikinci pillədə başa vurmuşduq, avrokuboklarda pley-offa qədər irəliləmişdik. Rəqiblər də bizə fərqli köklənirdilər. Fikrimcə, növbəti mövsüm bizim üçün daha yaxşı olacaq.

Orxan Məmmədov futbolu çox sevir. Bu klub 12 ildir fəaliyyət göstərir və son 6 ildə mən də buradayam. Orxan müəllim, nəticələr pis olanda da komandanı tənqid etməyib, müzakirələrimiz olub, amma kiminsə üzərinə həddindən artıq getməyib. Kubokun finalında məğlub olanda da meydana düşüb futbolçuları təbrik etdi. O, daim komandanın yanındadır. Orxan müəllimdə böyük futbol təfəkkürü var”.

“Araz-Naxçıvan”ın baş məşqçisi Andrey Demçenko Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasinin 33-cü turunda “Zirə”yə qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Sumqayıtda baş tutmuş görüşü Naxçıvan təmsilçisinin 3:2 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb.

Andrey Demçenko mövsümdəki son oyunun ardından təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:

“Qələbə qazanmaq hər zaman xoşdur. Futbol oynamağa çalışdıq. Layiqli qalibiyyət əldə etdiyimizi düşünürəm. Qarşımızda yaxşı rəqib var idi. “Zirə” nə istədiyini bilən, çox yaxşı təşkilatlanmış komandadır. Baş məşqçinin işi görünür, topu hara gəldi vurmağa çalışmırlar, futbol göstərməyə çalışırlar. Futbolçularımı qələbə münasibəti ilə təbrik etdim. Biz layiqli qələbə qazandıq. “Zirə”ni üstələməyə çalışdıq. Təəssüf ki, bəzi xırda vəziyyətlərdə səhvlər edir, rəqibə şans verirdik. Qapımızda da qol görürdük. Amma daha çox möhkəmlənmək, daha yüksək yerlər üçün daha səliqəli, daha ağıllı futbol oynamaq lazımdır. Topu möhkəm saxlamaq, sadə vəziyyətlərdə rəqibə verməmək lazımdır. Bu gün hardasa bəxtimiz də gətirdi. Son dəqiqələrdə qapımıza penalti təyin edildi. Heç-heçə də ola bilərdi, amma qələbə qazandıq”.

Türkiyəli məşhur iş adamı Acun Ilıcalının sahibi olduğu “Hall Siti” komandası futbol üzrə İngiltərə Premyer Liqasına vəsiqə qazanıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komanda bu gün keçirilmiş pley-offun final matçında “Midlsbro”nu məğlub etməklə buna nail olub.

Londondakı “Uembli” stadionunda baş tutmuş qarşılaşma “Hall Siti”nin 1:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb. Oyundakı yeganə qolu 90+5-ci dəqiqədə Oliver Makbörni vurub.

Xatırladaq ki, Çempionşipin müntəzəm mövsümünün nəticələrinə əsasən, daha əvvəl “Koventri Siti” və “İpsviç Taun” komandaları birbaşa Premyer Liqaya vəsiqə qazanmışdılar.

2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün yekunlarına əsasən Premyer Liqanı tərk etmiş komandalardan isə ikisi məlumdur. Bunlar sonuncu tur ərəfəsində 19 xalla sonuncu pillədə qərarlaşmış “Vulverhempton”, eləcə də 21 xalla 19-cu olan “Börnli”dir. 36 xalla 18-ci yerdə qərarlaşmış “Vest Hem” elitanı tərk etməyə digər əsas namizəddir. Lakin bu komanda həlledici turda qalib gəlsə və “Tottenhem” (38) məğlub olsa, elitanı londonlular tərk edəcəklər.

Almaniyanın Frankfurt şəhərində karate üzrə böyüklər arasında Avropa çempionatı keçirilir.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Azərbaycan karateçisi Mədinə Sadıqova qadınların -55 kq çəki dərəcəsində qızıl medal qazanaraq Avropa çempionu olub.

Bununla da o, Azərbaycan karate tarixində böyüklər arasında Avropa çempionu olan ilk azərbaycanlı qadın karateçi kimi tarixə düşüb.

Misli Premyer Liqasının XXXIII turunun “Araz-Naxçıvan” – “Zirə” oyunundan (3:2) sonra birincilərin baş məşqçisi Andrey Demçenko fikirlərini bölüşüb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis matçla bağlı bunları deyib:

“Qalib gəlmək xoşdur. Bunun üçün çox çalışdıq və nail olduq. “Zirə” yaxşı komandadır və nə istədiyini bilir. Onlarda məşqçi işi görünür. Layiqli qələbə qazandıq, komandamı təbrik edirəm. Təəssüf ki, bəzi xırda səhvlərimiz də oldu. Rəqib bundan yararlanıb, qollar vura bildi. Daha yaxşı oynamaq üçün sadə vəziyyətlərdə topu rəqibə vermək olmaz. Son dəqiqədə qapıçımız penaltini dəf etdi. Oyun heç-heçə də ola bilərdi.

Şahin Cəfərov

Misli Premyer Liqasının XXXIII turunun “Araz-Naxçıvan” – “Zirə” oyunundan (3:2) sonra qonaq komandanın baş məşqçisi Rəşad Sadıqov jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis əvvəlcə görüşlə bağlı fikirlərini bölüşüb:

– Mövsümün son oyunu idi. Həqiqətən, avrokuboklara şansımız qalmadığı üçün matça köklənmək çətin oldu. Buna baxmayaraq, futbolçular əzmkar oyun göstərdilər. Bugünkü matç, dünən burda baş tutan “Sumqayıt” – “Qarabağ” oyunu (3:4) və digərləri, iddia qalmasa da, maraqlı keçdi. Bütün kollektivlər sona qədər mübarizə apardılar. Bu gün qələbə də qazana bilərdik, yaxşı şanslarımız oldu. Sadə səhvlərdən qollar buraxdıq. Mövsümü bitirdik, gələcəyi düşünmək lazımdır. Kollektivimizə, azarkeşlərimizə, rəhbərliyimizə dərin minnətdarlığımızı bildirirəm. Üç cəbhədə də sona qədər mübarizə apardıq. Hər birində son anda nəticəni əldən verdik. Vacib məqam odur ki, futbolçular əzmkar oynadılar. Nələrsə alınmadı, bunlardan nəticə çıxarmalıyıq.

– Çempionatı necə dəyərləndirərdiniz?
– Mükafatçıları, hamını təbrik edirəm. Avrokuboklarda iştirak edəcək komandalara uğurlar arzu edirəm, hər biri buna layiq idi. Bəzi məyus edən tərəflər var idi – meydançalar, oyunların fərqli stadionlarda keçirilməsi. Ancaq bu gün məğlub olan tərəfik, istədiyimiz nəticə olmadığı üçün çox şeyi danışmayacağam, fərqli anlaşıla bilər.

– Buraxdığınız birinci qolda qapıçının kobud səhvi oldu. İkinci qolda da sanki hakim xətası var idi…
– Aydın Bayramov özü də başa düşür ki, ilk qol onun məsuliyyəti idi. Amma Patrik Andrade də ağıllı zərbə vurdu. İkinci qoldan baş açmadım, VAR çağırdı, amma hakim öz qərarında qaldı. Sonuncu dəfə bizdə belə şey olanda, uzun müddət danışıldı. Görək, bu dəfə izah necə olacaq… Ümumiyyətlə, son iki matçda qaçırdığımız şanslar, buraxdığımız qollar ümumi mövsümün mənzərəsidir. Ötən illə müqayisədə daha yaxşı oyunlarımız oldu. Amma nəticələr olanda hər şey əla hesab edilir, nəticə olmayanda isə neqativ məqamlar önə çıxarılır.

– Mükafatçılardan üçü əcnəbi baş məşqçidir…
– İstər yerli, istərsə də əcnəbilər ambisiyalı komandalara gəliblər. “Sabah”, “Neftçi”… “Turan Tovuz”a gəlincə, Berdıyevdən əvvəl Ayxan Abbasov orda yaxşı sistem qurmuşdu. Berdıyev də əlavələr edib, transferlər götürməklə fərqli səviyyəyə apardı. Amma məsələ tək əcnəbilərlə bağlı deyil. Klublar, klub rəhbərləri ciddi işlər görürlər, bunu danmaq olmaz. Hazırda iddialı komandalar ciddi seleksiya aparırlar. Bu, təkcə yuxarı pillələrdə qərarlaşanlara deyil, orta sıralarda olanlara da aiddir. Bu gün klub rəhbərləri çalışır ki, çempionatın səviyyəsi artsın və rəqabətə tab gətirsinlər. 8 il əvvələ boylansaq, görərik ki, klubların formalaşmasına çox vəsait ayrılmayıb. Amma bu gün hamı əlindən gələni edir. İnanıram ki, bu mövsüm ən azı üç klubumuz avrokuboklarda pley-off oynayacaq.

– Maliyyə məsələsi vacibdir. Sizdən daha yüksək büdcəsi olanlarla rəqabət aparmaq çətin deyil?
– Çətin deyil, amma əsas məsələ yayda seleksiyanı yaxşı etməkdir. Növbəti mövsüm daha rəqabətli yarış olacaq. Əlimizdən gələni edəcəyik ki, buna tab gətirə bilək. Uzun illərdir, Azərbaycanda əsas hədəf avrokuboklara qatılmaqdır. Son iki ildə ikinci olmuşduq, avrokuboklarda pley-offlara getmişdik. Rəqiblər də bizə fərqli köklənirdi. Fikrimcə, növbəti mövsüm bizim üçün daha yaxşı olacaq.

– Klub rəhbərliyi bu gün oyunu stadiondan izləyirdi. Sizcə, növbəti mövsümdə də bu hal davamlı olacaq?
– Orxan Məmmədov futbolu sevir.  Bu klub 12 ildir fəaliyyət göstərir. Son 6 ildə mən də burdayam. Orxan müəllim, nəticələr pis olanda da komandanı tənqid etməyib, müzakirələrimiz olub, amma kiminsə üzərinə həddindən artıq getməyib. Kubokun finalında məğlub olanda da meydana düşüb futbolçuları təbrik etdi. O, daim komandanın yanındadır. Orxan müəllimdə böyük futbol təfəkkürü var. Onlara təşəkkür edirəm, biz əlimizdən gələni etdik, sadəcə bəzi məqamlar çatmadı ki, istədiyimizə nail olaq.

Şahin Cəfərov

Vincenzo Italiano hinted his Bologna future is far from certain after a 3-3 draw with Inter and rumours linking him with Napoli and Milan. ‘I will meet with the club and we’ll draw our conclusions.’

The Rossoblu concluded the campaign with a chaotic 3-3 thriller against Scudetto and Coppa Italia winners Inter, fumbling a 3-1 lead to be held late on.

Their situation was already guaranteed anyway, missing out on European qualification, despite reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League against Aston Villa.

At the final whistle, Italiano first leg his players salute the fans, then went under the Curva to give his own wave amid reports he will leave the Stadio Dall’Ara.

Italiano will not confirm Bologna future

“We closed this season very well, unbeaten in the last four games,” Italiano told DAZN Italia.

“We were unable to perform the sporting miracle of achieving seventh place, but I am still happy because we have some very strong teams ahead of us. The fans recognised it was a long, exhausting and exciting season. We got it wrong at times, but also had some real highs.”

The rumours maintain that Italiano is set for a significant step up in his career, seen as an alternative to Max Allegri at Milan and Antonio Conte at Napoli.

“It is not the first time I’ve been asked about my future and it is starting to create some undue pressure. I will meet with the club, we don’t have Europe to plan for, so we’ve got to understand what we want to do. And then we will draw our conclusions.

“We’ve had some moments with these fans that can never be wiped out, even by a few negative situations. The Coppa Italia we won together will remain in the trophy room,” continued Italiano.

“These were two incredible years going around Europe. We think that something extraordinary was achieved, now it’s important to plan carefully, because these people want and deserve to see a great Bologna.

“This atmosphere must be protected and things done properly. Because there are very strong teams in this league, but others could still push in and have their say. That someone could be Bologna.”

Maurizio Sarri said Lazio were ‘not structured to win this season,’ but paid tribute to ‘phenomenal’ Pedro ahead of his final game for the club.

The match with Pisa kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

There is a sense of farewell in the stadium, because it is the final match of his Lazio career for Pedro after five years, and the team is wearing special patches on their jersey to mark the occasion.

Sarri and Pedro say goodbye to Lazio

“Pedro has had a phenomenal career, won everything it was possible to win, and been an example for everyone both on and off the field. He is phenomenal in every way,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

It is also likely to be the last game here for Sarri, with reports he is on the verge of an agreement to take over Atalanta next term.

Although he was not asked specifically about his future, the coach did note why he was ready to walk away.

“We got the silver medal in the Coppa Italia, we were unable to win the Final, but I don’t think this team was structured to win this season,” said Sarri.

“This game reflects our whole season, we are missing eight or nine players. It has been a continual situation of difficulty, we have to make do with what we’ve got.

“My mood? Calm.”

Pedro also spoke to the media before kick-off and it seems as if he is not entirely ready to hang up his boots yet, despite the end of his Lazio adventure.

“It’s natural to be emotional at this moment, especially with my teammates and the fans, the staff, Sarri who I’ve known for many years. I look back over so many special moments, it was tough, but I want to go out on a high today and enjoy this game,” Pedro told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is hard to choose a single moment, I think I gave my all for this jersey. I would’ve liked to win something here, it wasn’t possible. This has been a very, very difficult season for us, especially without the fans.

“I would like to have a good memory of my last game here.”

Despite knowing it would be the last chance to say goodbye to Pedro, the Lazio ultras did not suspend their boycott of the home games, so the stadium will again be disconcertingly empty.

Italy legend Paolo Maldini was in Istanbul today for a meeting with Fenerbahce Presidential candidate Hakan Safi, who already met with him in Milan.

The former defender turns 58 next month and has been out of work since his shock dismissal as technical director of Milan in June 2023.

Maldini targeted by Fenerbahce candidate

He has said repeatedly that he would not work for any other club within Italy other than his beloved Rossoneri, but the same might not be true of teams abroad.

This is all still hypothetical, as Hakan Safi is only a candidate to be President of Fenerbahce, who hopes that having Maldini lined up will help his election to the top job.

Following reports of a dinner meeting in Milan a couple of weeks ago, Turkish transfer expert Yagiz Sabuncuoglu posted an exclusive picture this evening of Maldini sitting down with Hakan Safi in Istanbul.

ÖZEL | Fenerbahçe Başkan adayı Hakan Safi, İtalyan futbol adamı Paolo Maldini ile futbol planlaması ve stratejisi için İstanbul'da bir araya geldi. Maldini yapılacak görüşmelerin ardından İstanbul'dan ayrılacak. pic.twitter.com/PKEzBdBhSt

— Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) May 23, 2026

It is believed that the Italian will fly out of Turkiye following the scheduled meetings.

Although some had suggested he could have a role in the Italian Football Federation, there was never any real progress on that front.

Inter came back from 3-1 down to hold Bologna in a 3-3 thriller, including a fantastic Federico Dimarco free kick, bizarre Piotr Zielinski own goal and Andy Diouf scorcher.

The Nerazzurri celebrated their Scudetto and Coppa Italia Double, so released Hakan Calhanoglu, Marcus Thuram, Manuel Akanji and Denzel Dumfries early, with Davide Frattesi injured. The hosts closed their campaign without Riccardo Orsolini, Nicolò Cambiaghi, Martin Vitik and Nicolò Casale, but Lorenzo De Silvestri started on his 38^th birthday ahead of probable retirement.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Jonathan Rowe had an early effort blocked and was denied by a splendid Yann Bisseck sliding tackle, while Santiago Castro’s first touch let him down after Josep Martinez got into a tangle playing out from the back.

Inter took the lead with their first real scoring opportunity, as Dimarco celebrated his Serie A MVP status with a sensational free kick curled into the near top corner. With seven goals and 17 assists, no defender contributed to more goals in the last 20 years of the top five European Leagues. His celebration also hinted the Dimarco family is growing.

The lead did not last long, as Federico Bernardeschi flicked on a throw-in with his heel to send Castro into the box, then was ready to prod home the rebound from seven yards when Stefan de Vrij cut him off.

Remo Freuler ballooned over from eight yards after an awkward bounce, while Rowe drilled just wide, then Carlos Augusto made the decisive block from six yards as Castro met the Freuler assist.

Bologna turned it around before half-time, as Tommaso Pobega’s volley from the edge of the area took a double deflection off Petar Sucic and Lautaro Martinez to totally wrongfoot the Inter goalkeeper.

If there were doubts on who to credit with that goal, the Bologna third was definitely an Inter own goal. Juan Miranda pulled back from the left by-line for Bernardeschi, but Piotr Zielinski got there first and accidentally turned into his own net from close range.

Bernardeschi fired straight at the Inter goalkeeper, while Lukasz Skorupski’s leg turned a Carlos Augusto effort onto the side-netting from close range.

Andy Diouf dribbled between two down the right and his finish thumped the base of the near post, allowing Francesco Pio Esposito the easiest of tap-ins on the rebound.

It was nearly 4-2 moments later, as Castro stood up a cross and the acrobatic Rowe volley didn’t connect from six yards, while Diouf and Lewis Ferguson drilled wide.

Diouf was fired up and ran onto the perfectly-weighted pass from 20-year-old Luka Topalovic, taking one touch before smashing the right-foot finish into the roof of the net from a tricky angle.

This goal made for an interesting statistic, as it means each of the last three times Inter won the Serie A title, they did it by scoring 89 goals.

Bologna 3-3 Inter

Dimarco 22 (I), Bernardeschi 25 (B), Pobega 42 (B), Zielinski og 48 (B), Pio Esposito 64 (I), Diouf 87 (I)

23-05-2026 17:00

MatchDay 38

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Inter

3 - 3

Player statistic

1st half

		22'		Federico Dimarco
Federico Bernardeschi		25'
		41'		Lautaro Martínez
Tommaso Pobega		42'

2nd half

Piotr Zielinski		48'
		64'		Pio Esposito
		77'		Henrikh Mkhitaryan
		86'		Andy Diouf (Assist: Luka Topalović)

Match statistic

45

Possession %

55

11

Total shots

11

3

Shots on target

5

5

Shots off target

5

3

Blocked shots

1

1

Corners

4

2

Offsides

15

Fouls

14

Bologna

Inter

Starting lineups

1

Lukasz Skorupski

Goalkeeper

5

Eivind Helland

Defender

81'

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

29

Lorenzo De Silvestri

Defender

67'

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

67'

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

67'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

88'

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

54'

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

74'

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

81'

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

54'

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

54'

Substitutes

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

23

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

17

João Mário

Defender

30

Benja Domínguez

Attacker

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

67'

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

67'

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

67'

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

81'

24

Thijs Dallinga

Attacker

88'

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

57

Iwo Kaczmarski

Midfielder

48

Mattia Mosconi

Attacker

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

54'

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

54'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

54'

43

Matteo Cocchi

Defender

74'

58

Luka Topalović

Midfielder

81'

While Italian reports suggest Aurelio De Laurentiis has no intention of selling Napoli, The Athletic maintains the American consortium still has hope a deal can be done for over €2 billion.

The Corriere dello Sport claimed this morning that De Laurentiis had received and promptly rejected a proposal worth around €2 billion, cutting off the talks before it even reached the due diligence stage.

Napoli sale story has conflicting reports

However, The Athletic insist the situation is not quite so clear-cut, as the American group remains confident it can still resolve the existing sticking points and reach an agreement.

This source insists the negotiations began over six months ago and have only recently stalled.

The consortium is said to be represented by Matt Rizzetta, President of Serie C team Campobasso and Napoli Basket, while he is also a founder and managing partner of private equity firm Underdog Global Partners.

His plan would be to unite the football and basketball teams of Naples into a multi-sport operation.

Their ambition would include an offer to privatise and redevelop the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, although any kind of privatisation of stadiums is extraordinarily difficult in Italy.

Napoli are one of the only clubs to consistently run at a profit in Italian football, but that is also largely because De Laurentiis revived it in Serie C2 following bankruptcy in 2004.

They won the Scudetto twice in the last four years, and have qualified for the Champions League.

Christos Tzolis has been linked with a move away from Club Brugge during the summer transfer window.

The player has now admitted that a move to Manchester United will be hard to turn down for him. Tzolis maintains that he is happy at the Belgian club, but it would be difficult to turn down a move to Old Trafford.

The Greek international has been linked with multiple clubs, and it will be interesting to see whether Manchester United is willing to make an offer to sign him. They could use more quality in the attacking unit, and the 24-year-old would be an excellent addition. He has been in spectacular form for the Belgian club this season.

“United could convince me,” he admitted to Het Nieuwsblad. “Such a massive club with so much history. It would be hard to say no to that.”

Tzolis has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season and picked up 28 assists. He could add a new dimension to the Manchester United attacking unit. His recent comments will also serve as encouragement for Manchester United. They should look to make an acceptable offer to get the deal done.

Manchester United will be competing in the UEFA Champions League, and they need multiple quality players at their disposal. They will need to rotate the team to keep the key players fresh and help them perform well across multiple competitions.

Tzolis is a talented young player with a bright future who could be a star for Manchester United. He has the ability to make an immediate impact, and he is at an age where he could improve further. The deal could be worth doing for Manchester United this summer.

Club Brugge will not want to lose the player easily, and they could demand a premium for him. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.

The post Man United monitoring explosive 21-goal star who says “it would be hard to say no” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Yan Diomande in recent months.

The 19-year-old Ivorian has been outstanding for RB Leipzig and is on PSG’s radar as well.

According to reports from Spain, the player could cost around €120 million this summer. Liverpool are leading the race for his signature, and they are looking to revitalise their attacking unit with the signing of the 19 year old.

Diomande can operate on either flank, and he will add goals and creativity to the team. He could be the ideal long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, who has decided to leave the club.

The Ivorian has 13 goals and 10 assists this season, and he has all the attributes to develop into a world-class player with the right guidance. The move to Liverpool would be ideal for him, and regular football in the Premier League could bring out the best in the player.

Meanwhile, the report claims that Liverpool have a significant advantage over other clubs looking to sign the player. Apparently, their sporting project is very attractive to the player, and he wants to join them. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool is prepared to pay  €120 million to sign the player.

There is no doubt it would be an expensive acquisition, but he is a young player with plenty of time to justify the investment. If he manages to fulfil his potential in the near future, the deal could look like a masterstroke.

Liverpool has struggled to create chances in the final third this season, and adding more unpredictability to its attack would be ideal. Diomande will add explosive pace and flair to the team and create opportunities for his teammates.

The post Liverpool leading race for 23-G/A PSG target who is keen on Anfield move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing the Chelsea defender, Josh Acheampong. 

The 19-year-old has struggled for regular opportunities, and he could be open to leaving the club in the summer. However, Chelsea values the player highly and considers him an untouchable asset. It will be interesting to see if the player decides to force and exit.

He needs to play regularly at this stage of his career, and Manchester United might be able to provide him with more opportunities. The young defender is highly rated across England and Manchester United. Need a quality long-term replacement for Harry Maguire.

Acheampong could prove to be an excellent acquisition.

Ben Jacobs said about Acheampong on The United Stand: “Murillo has been discussed in the past.

“A more right-sided option, Josh Acheampong, who Chelsea have always said, he is just not for sale. Period.

“And I am led to believe that’s a genuine stance.

“But Acheampong, who is also on the radar of Manchester City, is going to have to understand heading into the new season under a new manager, how often is he going to play?

“Because Chelsea are looking to sign another new starting centre-back.

“Maybe, if Alonso reverts to his favoured back-three, Acheampong gets more opportunities, maybe he doesn’t.

“So, Chelsea’s perspective is he’s pretty much untouchable,  but information is that the player would be interested in exploring options if he feels he is not going to be getting regular game time next season.”

Manchester United have secured Champions League qualification, and they need to improve the team to do well in multiple competitions. They will look to compete with elite clubs next season, and they need more quality on the team. The 19-year-old defender would be a future investment for them, and he could develop into a key player for the club.

Manchester United have done well with grooming young players over the years, and they could help the Chelsea prodigy fulfil his potential.

The post Manchester United plotting surprise move for “untouchable” Chelsea ace appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bayern Munich have decided to take a step back from signing Givairo Read, amid interest from Manchester City in the Dutch right-back, according to Bild journalist Christian Falk. Falk wrote on CFBayernInsider: “It is TRUE: Bayern Munich have pulled back their interest in Givairo Read ahead of the summer transfer window. “This is because they’re […]

The post Bayern Munich step back from Givairo Read deal appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Bayern Munich step back from Givairo Read deal appeared first on Soccer News.

Tottenham Hotspur central defender Micky van de Ven would want to move to Liverpool if the Reds came after him, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Jacobs said about Van de Ven on The United Stand: “Micky van de Ven, they (Manchester United) won’t make an approach unless Tottenham go down. “If Tottenham stay up, I think […]

The post Micky van de Ven would want to join Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Micky van de Ven would want to join Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.

Chelsea have no plans to sell Josh Acheampong, despite interest in the defender from Manchester United, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Jacobs said about Acheampong on The United Stand: “Murillo has been discussed in the past. “A more right-sided option, Josh Acheampong, who Chelsea have always said, he is just not for sale. Period. “And […]

The post Chelsea do not want to sell Josh Acheampong to Manchester United appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Chelsea do not want to sell Josh Acheampong to Manchester United appeared first on Soccer News.

Bayern Munich are interested in signing Josko Gvardiol from Manchester City in the summer transfer window, according to Bild journalist Christian Falk. Falk wrote on his website, CFBayernInsider: “There’s another defender in Manchester who could be a little hotter by comparison – and that’s Joško Gvardiol (24). “Lothar Matthäus said he heard that Bayern Munich […]

The post Bayern Munich linked with Josko Gvardiol appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Bayern Munich linked with Josko Gvardiol appeared first on Soccer News.

Manchester United will not pay €100million to sign Ivory Coast international winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italian journalist said about Man Utd and Diomande on his YouTube channel on Friday evening: “The name of Yan Diomande remains, for sure. “Liverpool are in conversations, in active talks, with […]

The post Man Utd will not pay €100m for Yan Diomande appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Man Utd will not pay €100m for Yan Diomande appeared first on Soccer News.

Liverpool could try to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain if they are unable to get a deal done for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. Romano said about Liverpool, Diomande and Barcola on his YouTube channel on Friday evening: “Liverpool are in conversations with Yan Diomande, Paris Saint-Germain, too. “Paris Saint-Germain had […]

The post Liverpool target Bradley Barcola as Yan Diomande alternative appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Liverpool target Bradley Barcola as Yan Diomande alternative appeared first on Soccer News.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola would love to become the new Liverpool manager, according to ESPN journalist Julien Laurens. When asked on ESPN FC if Iraola could reverse his decision to leave Bournemouth, Laurens said: “No. “It’s a good idea, and it’s a bit of a shame when you get to that point, if they do make […]

The post Andoni Iraola wants to become Liverpool manager appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Andoni Iraola wants to become Liverpool manager appeared first on Soccer News.

Chelsea have no plans to sell Levi Colwill in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Liverpool are interested in a 2026 summer deal for the central defender, with former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp having also previously shown interest in the Englishman. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on Transfer Insider podcast: “Liverpool would love to […]

The post Chelsea will not sell Levi Colwill to Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Chelsea will not sell Levi Colwill to Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.

Bayern Munich have decided to take a step back from signing Givairo Read, amid interest from Manchester City in the Dutch right-back, according to Bild journalist Christian Falk. Falk wrote on CFBayernInsider: “It is TRUE: Bayern Munich have pulled back their interest in Givairo Read ahead of the summer transfer window. “This is because they’re […]

The post Bayern Munich step back from Givairo Read deal appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Bayern Munich step back from Givairo Read deal appeared first on Soccer News.

Tottenham Hotspur central defender Micky van de Ven would want to move to Liverpool if the Reds came after him, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Jacobs said about Van de Ven on The United Stand: “Micky van de Ven, they (Manchester United) won’t make an approach unless Tottenham go down. “If Tottenham stay up, I think […]

The post Micky van de Ven would want to join Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Micky van de Ven would want to join Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.

Chelsea have no plans to sell Josh Acheampong, despite interest in the defender from Manchester United, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Jacobs said about Acheampong on The United Stand: “Murillo has been discussed in the past. “A more right-sided option, Josh Acheampong, who Chelsea have always said, he is just not for sale. Period. “And […]

The post Chelsea do not want to sell Josh Acheampong to Manchester United appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Chelsea do not want to sell Josh Acheampong to Manchester United appeared first on Soccer News.

Bayern Munich are not looking to sign Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer transfer window, according to Bild journalist Christia Falk. Falk wrote on CFBayernInsider: “It is NOT TRUE: Bayern’s Munich’s interest in Nathaniel Brown is hot at the minute.  “It’s true that Nathaniel Brown is of interest to Bayern but things have not […]

The post Bayern Munich not interested in Nathaniel Brown appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Bayern Munich not interested in Nathaniel Brown appeared first on Soccer News.

Bayern Munich are interested in signing Josko Gvardiol from Manchester City in the summer transfer window, according to Bild journalist Christian Falk. Falk wrote on his website, CFBayernInsider: “There’s another defender in Manchester who could be a little hotter by comparison – and that’s Joško Gvardiol (24). “Lothar Matthäus said he heard that Bayern Munich […]

The post Bayern Munich linked with Josko Gvardiol appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Bayern Munich linked with Josko Gvardiol appeared first on Soccer News.

Manchester United will not pay €100million to sign Ivory Coast international winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italian journalist said about Man Utd and Diomande on his YouTube channel on Friday evening: “The name of Yan Diomande remains, for sure. “Liverpool are in conversations, in active talks, with […]

The post Man Utd will not pay €100m for Yan Diomande appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Man Utd will not pay €100m for Yan Diomande appeared first on Soccer News.

Liverpool could try to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain if they are unable to get a deal done for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. Romano said about Liverpool, Diomande and Barcola on his YouTube channel on Friday evening: “Liverpool are in conversations with Yan Diomande, Paris Saint-Germain, too. “Paris Saint-Germain had […]

The post Liverpool target Bradley Barcola as Yan Diomande alternative appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Liverpool target Bradley Barcola as Yan Diomande alternative appeared first on Soccer News.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola would love to become the new Liverpool manager, according to ESPN journalist Julien Laurens. When asked on ESPN FC if Iraola could reverse his decision to leave Bournemouth, Laurens said: “No. “It’s a good idea, and it’s a bit of a shame when you get to that point, if they do make […]

The post Andoni Iraola wants to become Liverpool manager appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Andoni Iraola wants to become Liverpool manager appeared first on Soccer News.

Chelsea have no plans to sell Levi Colwill in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. Liverpool are interested in a 2026 summer deal for the central defender, with former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp having also previously shown interest in the Englishman. Journalist Pete O’Rourke said on Transfer Insider podcast: “Liverpool would love to […]

The post Chelsea will not sell Levi Colwill to Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Chelsea will not sell Levi Colwill to Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.

Richard Hughes has reportedly started a process to replace Arne Slot. This could be the end.

Arne Slot is under intense pressure at Liverpool after an incredibly disappointing season. The Reds have collapsed after winning the title in 2025, putting up what could end up being the third-worst title defence of the Premier League era.

Only Chelsea in 2016 and Leicester City in 2017 will have put up worst defences. Both sacked their managers.

But because of a quirk in the league table - and the increased number of places - Liverpool are on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League despite their shocking form. That appears to be enough to keep Slot in a job.

Though, that doesn't mean work isn't being done on potential replacements. Foot Mercato claims that sporting director Richard Hughes is working in the background on potentially hiring Andoni Iraola.

Iraola will leave Bournemouth in the summer after a brilliant spell in charge. It was Hughes who hired him for the Cherries and the report suggests he's now 'discreetly' starting a process on hiring the Spaniard once again.

It does appear that Slot will be given the start of next season, however. The Reds are hiring one of his old Feyenoord coaches, for one, while the Dutchman has openly talked about his involvement in transfer window plans.

But should things go sour next season - and if he's still available - Iraola may well be the one Hughes turns to. He's preparing for that case, certainly.

Andoni Iraola: Situation Summary

Bournemouth Historic Campaign and Stats

As of 23 May 2026, Andoni Iraola is preparing to conclude a historic season. The 43-year-old manager has guided the Cherries into the top six, recently securing a European place for the first time in club history following a draw with Manchester City. Nominated for Premier League Manager of the Year, Iraola’s high-intensity system saw the club go on a brilliant 16-match unbeaten streak.

Confirmed Departure and Future

Bournemouth confirmed on 14 April that Iraola will leave this June after rejecting a new contract, ending a stellar three-year tenure. The club has already lined up his successor. Heavily linked with a return to Athletic Club, rumors also suggest Iraola is willing to wait for a potential opening at Liverpool later this year if Arne Slot is dismissed. Chelsea and Crystal Palace have also added him to their shortlists.

Syracuse vs. Notre Dame box score: Live stats from NCAA men's lacrosse semifinal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's lacrosse team looks to advance but will have to get through the Syracuse Orange first. The two schools with ACC ties meet in the NCAA semifinals Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia.

This isn't a new step for the Irish, who have won two of the last three NCAA Championships, with titles in 2023 and 2024. Notre Dame owns a 32-26 record in its 29 trips to the NCAA Championship. Josh Yago was huge in ND's 15-9 win over Johns Hopkins in the quarterfinals, finishing with three goals and four assists.

As for the Orange, they're the only returning semifinal team from last year. Syracuse took down No. 4 North Carolina behind a six-point day from Joey Spallina. They'll need him to be on fire again in this match-up.

The winner advances to Monday’s national championship game against No. 1 Princeton, who defeated Duke 14-7 on Saturday.

15:00- 1st Quarter

Syracuse vs. Notre Dame live box score NCAA men's lacrosse semifinal

Syracuse Orange

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

How to watch Syracuse vs. Notre Dame: 2026 NCAA men's lacrosse semifinal

Game time: 2:30 p.m. ET 

TV: ESPN2 

More NCAA News

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Rangers snag corner infielder from Rockies who hit 33 home runs in Triple-A originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Texas Rangers have added a corner infielder via waivers from the Colorado Rockies. 

First baseman Blaine Crim was claimed by Texas and optioned to Triple-A Round Rock, according to Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors. 

Crim spent the first six seasons of his minor league baseball career in the Rangers organization before making his Major League debut with the AL West club in 2025. 

He wound up getting 61 plate appearances with the Colorado Rockies last year after being designated for assignment by the Rangers, hitting five home runs with a .851 OPS. 

MORE: Mets projected to still sell at trade deadline by ex-MLB GM

The 28-year-old has shown above-average power in the minors, hitting 33 home runs in 134 games with Triple-A Round Rock in 2024. 

Crim began the year on the Rockiess' IL with an oblique strain. He has three minor league options, which the Rangers could use to their advantage in the event of injuries to regulars in the infield. 

More MLB news:

• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Roman Anthony might’ve been overhyped for Red Sox
• Dodgers still have a Roki Sasaki problem
• Chase Burns becomes first Reds pitcher with elite stat line since 1922
• Yankees’ Aaron Judge on track to become first player in MLB history with five 50+ homer seasons

Traditions aren’t an easy thing to let go. That’s why it was so jarring when the UCLA Bruins left the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten Conference back in 2024. Aside from the football field, every other UCLA team has had some success in the Big Ten, including the No. 1 ranked Bruins baseball team.

No. 1 UCLA just wrapped up their winningest regular season in program history and are now in the midst of a Big Ten tournament run, after coming up just short last year with a second place finish. 2026 is as good a chance as any for UCLA to bring home another national title, something the team hasn’t done since 2013.

247 Sports writer Jack Savage, who’s the son of UCLA’s head coach John Savage told the story of how his father found out that UCLA was headed to the Big Ten, with it being Mick Cronin who broke the news to him. What made things even trickier for Savage was the fact he didn’t have much time to absorb the news, as it was the day of his daughter’s wedding.

“They were both pretty stunned and couldn't believe it. The two friends exchanged a few quips (and expletives), but knew there was no time to dwell. My dad didn't exactly have much time to process a career-altering move considering he had to walk his oldest daughter down the aisle the next day,” Savage wrote. “Nowadays conference realignment feels like old hat, and something that happens every other day. But back then, it basically felt like the world was ending. No one knew what to think. Sure, it was one thing for Texas and Oklahoma to join the SEC. But USC and UCLA going to the Big Ten?”

Just two seasons later, UCLA baseball is looking right at home in their new conference.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Mick Cronin was the one who told UCLA baseball of the Big Ten move

One of Auburn basketball's newest additions will arrive on the Plains, coming off winning some major awards. Tigers signee Narcisse Ngoy was named MVP of the Elite 2 League in France, per Justin Hokanson of On3. Ngoy also won the league's defensive player of the year award.

Winning the MVP award should give Auburn fans a lot of hope for the 2026-27 college basketball season. The seven-footer will be part of a rebuilt front-court for the Tigers. Auburn picked up transfer portal additions at center with Owen Freeman from Creighton and Bukky Oboye from Santa Clara. With Oboye and Ngoy, the Tigers will have much-needed rim protection they lacked last season. They also added forwards Thomas Dowd (Troy) and Adam Olsen (South Alabama).

Ngoy had a great season for Poitiers, averaging 10.7 points per game and leading the league with 11.7 rebounds per game. According to the Auburn Observer, Ngoy had 107 more rebounds than the No. 2 player in that category. For the season, he had a total of 434 rebounds and led the league in block shots per game with 2.7. His offensive game is mostly around the basket, but he can give the Tigers some elite defense around the basket.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Phillip on Twitter @PJordanSports

This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn basketball: Narcisse Ngoy wins Elite 2 League MVP Award

Serie A side Napoli have been pursuing a move for Maurizio Sarri for many days now and he was viewed as a replacement for Antonio Conte. They’re now expected to meet defeat, with Atalanta closing in on his appointment.

The Italian was stuck in a tug of war between the two clubs. Napoli handed him an offer but La Dea held a meeting to rush him into a decision.

Alfredo Pedulla now reports that that he is expected to end up as the next Atalanta manager. He will have a meeting with Lazio CEO Claudio Lotito on Thursday to iron out details of his exit.

La Dea have prepared a two-year deal with the option for a third year and are offering Sarri a wage of around €3 million per season. This seems enough, with the deal expected to go through soon.

Deal brave but sensible

Many can turn up their noses at the fact that Sarri isn’t joining his former club in Napoli. But moving to Atalanta makes sense because of the presence of Cristiano Guintoli.

He was close to Sarri during their time at Napoli, which will help the manager a lot at this point of his career. The spell at Lazio saw him often find himself lacking support and this can change in Bergamo, who always have a project in mind that relies on attacking and progressive football. Sarri will get the right platform to execute his ideas.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN

CHICAGO (AP) — The scuffling Chicago Cubs recalled outfielder Kevin Alcántara from Triple-A Iowa before their game Saturday against Houston and designated infielder Nicky Lopez for assignment.

Slumping four-time Gold Glove left fielder Ian Happ was out of the lineup, replaced by Michael Conforto as Chicago tried to end a six-game losing streak. The Cubs are 2-10 following a 20-3 run that included two separate 10-game win streaks and had propelled them to 27-12, the best record in the majors on May 8.

The 23-year-old Alcántara was batting .242 with 15 home runs and 32 RBIs and a .906 OPS in 41 games with Iowa. His 15 homers were tied for the most by a Triple-A player entering Saturday. Alcántara has played in 13 games with the Cubs during call-ups over the past two seasons and has a .238 average with one RBI in 22 plate appearances.

The Cubs acquired Lopez from Colorado on April 23. He went 0-for-5 in four games.

The Cubs have scored 18 runs during their six-game slide and Happ, in his 10th season, has struggled.

The switch-hitting 31-year-old has only one hit and two walks in his past six games, while striking out 14 times in 26 plate appearances.

“I think the thing from yesterday is we just need to give Ian a break,” manager Craig Counsell said. "And look, we've got a lot of guys not hitting. That's kind of why we're in the middle of this right?

“But I think Ian's feeling it the most and so he's the guy we're giving a break to.”

Counsell said Alcántara figures to see playing time as he shakes up his club.

“Kevin's on the roster,” Counsell said. “You know there are spots to get him in there.”

___

AP MLB: MLB ' Latest News, Stats, and Scores

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Shreyas Iyer hit 101 not out as Punjab Kings stayed in the hunt for the Indian Premier League knockouts and ended a six-match losing streak on Saturday.

Suryansh Shedge shepherded Iyer to his maiden IPL hundred as Punjab reached 200-3 in 18 overs and topped Lucknow Super Giants' 196-6 by seven wickets.

Punjab moved into the fourth and last open playoff spot but could be bumped out by Sunday’s results.

Rajasthan Royals plays at Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders host Delhi Capitals on the last day of league games. Victory for Rajasthan will knock out Punjab and Kolkata. Delhi was eliminated on Saturday owing to Punjab’s win.

Lucknow finished 10th with 10 losses in 14 games.

Lucknow was missing Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram for its final game. Josh Inglis replaced Marsh and hit a third half-century in five games. Inglis got to 50 off 28 balls. Overall, he hit nine boundaries and two sixes in scoring 72 off 44.

But Inglis kept losing partners to Punjab fast bowler Marco Jansen (2-33) and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (2-25) and Lucknow crawled to 196.

Mohammed Shami returned to action for Lucknow and dismissed Punjab opener Priyansh Arya for a golden duck. Shami also bowled Cooper Connolly for 18 as Punjab slipped to 22-2.

But Iyer and opener Prabhsimran Singh added 140 off 76 balls in Punjab’s fifth highest partnership in tournament history.

Singh hit his sixth half-century of the season off 28 balls. Iyer got to 50 off 33 balls.

Singh hit two sixes and seven fours in his 69 off 39, and was out lbw to Arjun Tendulkar in the 15th over.

Iyer then charged to the finish, hitting five sixes and another 51 runs off the next 18 balls. Shedge held back and fed Iyer the strike as often as possible. Iyer notched his first IPL hundred with his fifth six.

Iyer became only the third Punjab skipper to hit an IPL hundred after Adam Gilchrist in 2011 and Lokesh Rahul in 2020.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Captain Shreyas Iyer brought up his first Indian Premier League century with a match-winning six as Punjab Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Iyer set up the win with a 140-run third-wicket partnership with Prabhsimran Singh (69) and then brought up his 51-ball ton in style as Kings chased a target of 197 with two overs to spare.

Victory in the final match of their regular season ends a run of six consecutive defeats for Kings, who won six of their opening seven fixtures, with the other game a no result.

They move above Rajasthan Royals into the fourth and final play-off place, but could be overtaken by either Royals or Kolkata Knight Riders, who both play on the final day of the regular season on Sunday.

Josh Inglis made 72 from the top of the order for bottom side Lucknow, who reached 196-6 after being put into bat.

Ayush Badoni (43 off 18 balls), Rishabh Pant (26) and Abdul Samad (37 not out) all chipped in runs for the home side, who finish their 14-game campaign with four wins and 10 defeats.

Kings lost Priyansh Arya, caught by Arjun Tendulkar off Mohammed Shami, from the first ball of their reply, and the India seamer bowled Cooper Connolly (18) two overs later.

Iyer and Prabhsimran settled any nerves as they dominated the Lucknow attack, with their partnership eventually ended when Tendulkar trapped the latter lbw at the end of the 15th over.

Five short of his century and needing three for victory, Iyer finished the match in memorable fashion, hitting his fifth six of the match high over long-on.

It wasn’t easy but the UCLA Bruins are headed to the Big Ten Conference tournament semifinals after walking-off the Purdue Boilermakers on a Mulivai Levu sacrifice fly on Friday in their tournament opener. 

Purdue led for most of the game, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning partially thanks to an error by UCLA. The Bruins started Wylan Moss, who lasted 3.1 innings with three walks, one strikeout and one earned.

Logan Reddemann did not return in the game for UCLA, with five relievers combining for 5.2 innings of one run ball. The Bruins bullpen kept an energetic Boilermaker offense at bay, keeping things close for the quiet UCLA lineup.

Shortstop Roch Cholowsky led off the sixth inning with a single and was brought home by outfielder Payton Brennan on a sacrifice fly to cut the lead in half. Purdue outfielder Brandon Rogers pushed the lead back to two in the seventh inning with a home run.

The game’s craziest half inning occurred in the bottom of the eighth. Third baseman Roman Martin came to the plate with one on and two out and nearly delivered a game-tying home run. The ball was called a home run after Martin initially legged out a triple, but after review Martin would have to settle for just the triple. 

ROMAHA

After review, it's an RBI triple to make it a one-run game!

📺@BigTenNetwork#GoBruinspic.twitter.com/HiJ3RjhOCf

— UCLA Baseball (@UCLABaseball) May 23, 2026

Will Gasparino would knock in Martin to even the game at 3-3 heading into the ninth inning. Easton Hawk pitched a clean ninth inning for UCLA, giving the Bruins a chance to win it in the bottom of the frame.

Back-to-back errors by Purdue to begin the half inning gifted the Bruins a rally. Dean West moved the runners over with a sac bunt, Purdue answered by intentionally walking Cholowsky to load the bases with one out.

HEY BRUINS, WELCOME TO THE BIG 10 SEMIFINALS 😋

A rally by UCLA in the last two innings to give them this 4-3 win!#NCAABaseball x 🎥 BTN / @UCLABaseballpic.twitter.com/5hObOvpJU9

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) May 23, 2026

Levu didn’t try to do too much, delivering a fly ball to right field that was plenty deep enough to score the game-winning run. 

The win sets up a matchup versus the USC Trojans in the semifinals on Saturday with a start time of 12:00pm. UCLA has handled USC this season, going 3-0 while scoring a combined 31 runs over the three games.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA walks-off Purdue 4-3 in Big Ten tournament quarterfinals

Inside USA's World Cup roster 2026: Pulisic leads host nation as Pochettino selects USMNT squad originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The hopes of a nation are on the shoulders of the United States men as they welcome teams from around the globe to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.

Led by Christian Pulisic and the "golden generation" of American players, 26 players will don the stars and stripes to help the USMNT push for a deep run into the competition.

With the home field advantage, the United States will be targeting their first quarterfinal appearance since 2002 and second ever in the modern World Cup era. A deep run in the competition could potentially see soccer in the United States make a never-before-seen leap into the upper echelon of global football powers, but a disappointment could conversely condemn the sport to second-rate in the country.

The Sporting News has all the key details on USA's World Cup squad below.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

USA World Cup roster 2026

Mauricio Pochettino is set to officially name his final squad on Tuesday, May 26.

Teams had until Monday, May 11 to submit to FIFA an official preliminary list of 35-55 players, from which they are required to name a final roster by Saturday, May 30.

Below is a predicted list of 26 players anticipated to be named to the USA rosterer, based on The Guardian's report which included what they claim to be the final, official roster. Caps and stats are correct as of May 14.

MORE:Why Gio Reyna was right to be selected to the USMNT World Cup roster

USA World Cup qualifying results

As one of the hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States qualified automatically for the competition alongside fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico. None of the three hosts were required to compete in CONCACAF qualification, as three other North and Central American sides reached the tournament.

USA World Cup history

The best finish for the United States at a World Cup was their third-place finish in the very first edition of the competition back in 1930. However, their best result at a modern World Cup is reaching the quarterfinals, which they have done just once back in 2002 by beating Mexico in the Round of 16. Therefore, the U.S. has never beaten a non-CONCACAF opponent in the World Cup Round of 16.

• World Cups appearances: 11
• Best finish: 3rd place (1930)
• All-time record (W-L-D): 8-6-19
• All-time goals scored: 37
• All-time goals conceded: 62
• Goal differential: -25

USA World Cup squad analysis

Former Champions League winner Christian Pulisic remains the face of this United States national team, as the poster child for this generation of talent now reaching its prime.

He is joined by the likes of Weston McKennie, Chris Richards, and Tyler Adams as the core group of players in the squad, while Folarin Balogun, Sergino Dest, and Antonee Robinson can all be considered part of that collection as well.

The final selection proved to be extremely surprising with Mauricio Pochettino taking a huge risk with an extremely thin midfield. Believed to be the deepest position in the USMNT player pool, injuries and individual selections have left it glaringly empty for the summer tournament. The omission of Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris was most surprising.

This is, unquestionably, the most talented group of players the USMNT has ever had entering a World Cup tournament, but that does not mean it will translate to results — it hasn't so far, that's for sure. A midfielder may have been sacrificed to cover for an injury to Chris Richards, as the Crystal Palace midfielder was included on the final roster but an extra defender was also present in Mark McKenzie.

Largely, the main group of players on this roster are known long before the roster reveal. Matt Freese has emerged as the starting goalkeeper at a position that has lost its depth in recent years, while there are questions about who will be named to the striker position behind Balogun.

MORE:Why Alejandro Zendejas was the right choice for the USMNT World Cup roster

USA injuries ahead of World Cup

The United States have lost two players to injury with just weeks until the start of the FIFA World Cup.

While he was not expected to start, Patrick Agyemang had positioned himself well to be amongst the strikers named to the roster, but will not participate in the tournament after he ruptured his Achilles in April, ruling him out of the competition.

Also not available for selection is Johnny Cardoso who picked up an ankle injury in Atletico Madrid training after being tackled hard by a teammate, requiring surgery which will rule him out of World Cup action.

Tanner Tessmann also surprisingly missed out on selection, and it's speculated that a muscle injury two weeks ago — thought at the time to be minor — could have played a role in this decision. Chris Richards suffered what appeared to be a nasty ankle injury while playing for Crystal Palace, one which threatens his chances of playing in the UEFA Conference League final, but it is reportedly not expected to keep him out of the World Cup.

Additionally, defender Cameron Carter-Vickers tore his Achilles back in November and is out of World Cup contention.

MORE:The latest on the injury to Chris Richards ahead of the 2026 World Cup

USA players to watch at World Cup

Beyond Christian Pulisic, there are a number of U.S. players to keep an eye on throughout the World Cup tournament.

The most in-form individual entering the competition is Folarin Balogun, who is expected to start at striker for the United States. Balogun has enjoyed a tremendous second half of the season, finding the back of the net in nine of the last 11 Ligue 1 matches of the 2025/26 season, including eight in a row from February 21 to April 19.

The influence of Tyler Adams in midfield is noticeable when he is on the pitch, as a key force in breaking up counter-attacks and ushering possession forward. With Gio Reyna making the final roster, he is always mercurial when on the pitch for the United States and could be an enjoyable watch.

MORE:Diego Luna a surprise USMNT omission for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Who is USA's coach at the World Cup?

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino is one of the highest-paid national team coaches in the world. Hired as a mercenary to replace the sacked Gregg Berhalter in the aftermath of their disastrous Copa America group stage exit, Pochettino is one of the top coaches in the world currently, and was a massive get for the U.S. as they hope to put their best foot forward on home soil.

This is Pochettino's first-ever national team job, but he has managed top clubs like PSG, Tottenham, and Chelsea in his career. He is known as a strong man-manager but also a tactically astute coach who can get the most out of his players.

Unless he harbors a surprising love for the USMNT, Pochettino is not expected to re-sign with the national team after the World Cup, and will thus be considered one of the top available managers on the market following the conclusion of the competition.

MORE:Breaking down Mauricio Pochettino's tactics with the USMNT

Can USA replace players on World Cup roster?

Once the final roster is official, participating teams at the World Cup could only make changes before the first game of the tournament, and only in the case of extraordinary circumstances.

According to the official tournament rules (page 32), "a player listed on the final list may only be replaced in the event of serious injury or illness up until 24 hours before the start of his team's first match."

USA World Cup history

The United States have never won the World Cup, not even close. A third-place finish at the first-ever World Cup in 1930 is the closest they've been, and they have reached the quarterfinals just once since qualifying in 1990 for the first time in 40 years.

MORE:A complete breakdown of the USMNT draw at the 2026 World Cup

• Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 16 (March 2026)
• World Cup titles: 0
• World Cup appearances (last): 11 (Qatar 2022)
• How USA qualified, W-L-D: Automatic (Host nation)
• World Cup record:
  • Games: 33 GP (8 W, 6D, 19L)
  • Goal difference: -25 (37 GS, 62 GA)

USA World Cup schedule

As a Pot 1 host team, the United States was automatically pre-drawn into Group D. Their competitors in the group will be Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey who qualified out of the UEFA playoff in March.

USA and Group D match schedule

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

• Last time the World Cup was in United States
• Revisiting the first World Cup in 1930
• Most World Cup wins by country
• Future World Cup locations for 2030 and beyond
• Guide to host countries, cities for 2026 World Cup

Betfred Super League

Toulouse (8) 18

Tries:Roumanos, Ashall-Bott, Ulberg Goals: Shorrocks 3

Wakefield (10) 22

Tries: Pratt, Faatili, Tevaga, Nikotemo Goals: Rourke 3

Wakefield withstood a late Toulouse rally as they battled back from 8-0 down to win and keep up the pressure on Hull KR and Warrington in the Super League.

Daryl Powell's side scored twice inside five first-half minutes to turn the game around after Toulouse made a flying start in the Stade Ernest Wallon when James Roumanos went over.

Wakefield scored four unanswered tries through Oliver Pratt, Caius Faatili, Jazz Tevaga and Seth Nikotemo, before Josh Rourke was controversially sin-binned to allow Toulouse back into this seesaw game.

Olly Ashall-Bott and Paul Ulberg took full advantage to score inside three minutes before Pratt made a late try-saving tackle on Benjamin Laguerre as Wakefield hung on.

Wakefield have strengthened their grip on fifth with their eighth Super League win of the campaign, while unlucky Toulouse remain next to bottom.

Toulouse began well and Cesar Rouge had a try disallowed because Jay Pitts was taken out in the build-up, before Jake Shorrocks kicked a penalty to give them the lead when Joe Cator was taken out off the ball.

Roumanos extended the home side's lead on 17 minutes when he cut through the Wakefield defence to crash over, with Shorrocks adding the conversion to make it 8-0.

Jayden Myers had a score disallowed for Wakefield before they crossed the line twice in five minutes. First, Pratt produced a diving finish to touch down one-handed in the corner to half the deficit on 22 minutes.

Then Mason Lino played a great short pass to Faatili, who powered over for his fourth try in two games, with Rourke landing the conversion to put Wakefield ahead 10-8.

Wakefield stretched their lead to 16-8 when Tevaga spun round to score a try converted by Rourke.

Toulouse wasted numerous chances to score and Tiaki Chan failed to hold Ashall-Bott's pass with the try line beckoning.

Nikotemo powered over after a fine break through the middle by Rourke in the 57th minute and Wakefield looked out of sight.

But then Rourke was sin-binned for a deliberate obstruction and Ashall-Bott went over for his ninth Super League try.

Toulouse turned the screw on Wakefield's 12 men, and Ulberg scored in acres of space on the right before Pratt kept out Laguerre in the final minutes with a superb tackle.

Toulouse: Ashall-Bott; Laguerre, Polselli, Quai-Ward, Ulberg; Rouge, Shorrocks; Roumanos, Hands, Chan, Stefani, O'Kane, Cator.

Interchanges: Marion, Butler, Gillam, Wallace.

Wakefield: Rourke; Pratt, Hall, Scott, Myers; Trueman, Lino; McMeeken, Smoothy, Rodwell, Nikotemo, Vagana, Pitts.

Interchanges: Tevaga, Hamlin-Uele, Faatili, Lolesio.

Referee: James Vella

The Oklahoma City Thunder talked to the media just a dozen hours after they picked up one of their most impressive playoff wins with this group. Shrugging off a quick 15-point deficit and injuries to Jalen Williams and Ajat Mitchell, they delivered a 123-108 Game 3 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

The Thunder relied on the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and friends formula. The two-time MVP winner orchestrated the game with 26 points and 12 assists. Off the bench, OKC's reserves tallied a franchise record 76 points. Jared McCain had 24 points. Jaylin Williams had 18 points.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace spoke to the media on Saturday afternoon. They will face the Spurs in a big-time Game 4 that could decide how long this series plays out.

Here's everything the Thunder said on Saturday, May 23:

Mark Daigneault on Ajay Mitchell: “No update… I know (what he’s dealing with) but I'm not giving an update on it. It'll be a listing tonight.” pic.twitter.com/O8kQjigzuj

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Mark Daigneault on Holmgren and Wallace making All-Defense Teams: “I'm happy for both of them. They earned it. I also think it's a team award. When two guys are recognized the top 10 defenders in the league, it's certainly because the team defended the way it did this season.” pic.twitter.com/ArlzoyEVvv

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Mark Daigneault on his postgame routine: “We had a team dinner last night. My parents were here, dinner with my parents, and then I watched the film last night. I usually watch the film out of the game. I'm usually pretty wound up after the game, anyways.” pic.twitter.com/5o0v8IG4fF

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Mark Daigneault on OKC being undefeated on the road these playoffs: “It’s hard to win playoff games on the road, as you saw last night. That took our best punch to win that game the way we did last night, and it still wasn't easy. Despite the fact that it was a 15-point win.” pic.twitter.com/WNP16NyEK8

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Mark Daigneault on Jared McCain gaining trust in the locker room: “These guys aren't skeptical people. They're not cynical when a new person comes in. They’re willing to see the best in somebody.” pic.twitter.com/rwId2DH7fP

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Chet Holmgren on how they’ve limited Wembanyama the last 2 games: “Yeah sorry. No gameplan stuff.” pic.twitter.com/7P17CE5QQQ

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Chet Holmgren on leaning on their playoff experience: “You have to go through very emotional games in order for that to happen. Game 57 against a tanking team isn't going to be an emotional game. These playoff games are really a different feeling.” pic.twitter.com/sYHcIJi7ZS

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Chet Holmgren on being named to All-Defense First Team: “Couldn't be more thankful for any individual recognition that I get. I think we have an All-Defensive Team on our team… We got dudes on this team that show up and go to war on that end every single night.” pic.twitter.com/b0vQV5uClo

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Chet Holmgren on being named to All-Defense First Team: “Couldn't be more thankful for any individual recognition that I get. I think we have an All-Defensive Team on our team… We got dudes on this team that show up and go to war on that end every single night.” pic.twitter.com/b0vQV5uClo

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Cason Wallace on being named to All-Defense Second Team: “It feels good. My support team is very happy. Just being able to share this accomplishment with them. It’s a lot of fun.” pic.twitter.com/2VpqAxOnPa

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Cason Wallace on Jared McCain’s Game 3: “He's been getting buckets since he got here. We weren't all the way surprised.” pic.twitter.com/OKeNoJrZG7

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

Cason Wallace on SGA ignoring the online hate: “He's comfortable with who he is. Whether he goes out there and has a good game, bad game, he's gonna play as hard as he can. He’s gonna try to do what he can to win… He’s trying to be the best player on the floor.” pic.twitter.com/U79nIdv0U5

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 23, 2026

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Recap: Everything OKC Thunder said on Saturday, May 23

Florida State alumni have gone on to have wildly successful careers in the pros and in the coaching ranks, and baseball is adding yet another bullet point to its already impressive resume.

The NC State Wolfpack has hired former Seminole Chris Hart as the next head coach of its baseball program, Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan announced. Hart becomes the 17th head coach in NC State baseball history after working with the program for the previous 22 seasons.

Hart graduated from Florida State in 2003 with a degree in Sport Management and joined NC State in 2005 to serve as the Director of Baseball Operations. Under Mike Martin's coaching at FSU, Hart played 195 games for the Seminoles and helped them reach the College World Series in 1999 and 2000.

In 2021, Hart was named the Baseball America National Assistant Coach of the Year for his work with the Wolfpack. When asked about the decision, Corrigan explained why they promoted him.

"He loves NC State and has chosen to stay, despite numerous opportunities to leave. We could go out and search nationally for our new head coach, but I'm so glad that we didn't have to because the best man for the job was right here."

Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of FSU news, notes, and opinions. Jacob Smith is a contributor for FSU Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. You can also follow Jacob on X at @jsmith_sports.

This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU Baseball: NC State hires Seminoles alum Chris Hart

The Pittsburgh Steelers almost completely reinvented their receiving corps this offseason, trading for veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. — but one respected insider believes he's being sorely overlooked.

On Friday, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly claimed that Pittman is being somewhat underestimated, based on his own talent and how he'll help DK Metcalf in 2026.

“I think people underestimate what [Pittman] is gonna be able to bring,” Kaboly said via 93.7 The Fan. “Not only what he can do, but what he can help Metcalf do, because you can see Metcalf still has a ton of talent and can be a game changer when he’s not bracketed constantly. I think that alone will be good.”

Pittman, who was drafted by the Colts with the 34th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, caught 485 passes for 5,254 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns in 95 games during his six-season stint with Indianapolis.

Despite the additions this offseason, Pittsburgh's wide receiver room continues to be doubted, but Pittman's 2026 impact will play a huge part in silencing the naysayers of the Aaron Rodgers-led offense.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' Michael Pittman is being underestimated, says Mark Kaboly

Throughout the 2025-26 NBA playoffs, former Duke guard Jared McCain has been quite the surprise. Off the bench, McCain has drilled 19 3-pointers in 10 playoff games and led Oklahoma City to a huge Game 3 victory Friday after scoring 24 points.

Following Friday's game, two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander addressed McCain's impact, even admitting to being surprised himself. When asked if he envisioned McCain playing a huge role, he said, "At first no. But after the first couple of games, yeah. It just oozes confidence."

With confidence and momentum at an all-time high, both Gilgeous-Alexander and McCain will hope to take a commanding 3-1 series lead against San Antonio Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: SGA gets brutally honest about Jared McCain's impact on Thunder

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon will face ten matchups against premier wide receivers in the NFL next season that are worthy of circling the calendar for.

Washington Commanders star WR Terry McLaurin will be first up for Witherspoon to deal with in Week 3 of next season. McLaurin has gone for 1,000-yards receiving in five of the last six seasons and was named a second-team All-Pro honoree in 2024, before injuries limited him to 10 games played in 2025.

Witherspoon will face a great challenge in Week 5 against San Francisco 49ers WR Mike Evans. Last season spelt tumult for Evans, who was limited to eight games played due to multiple injuries. However, he went for over 1,000-yards receiving in his first 11 seasons in the league prior to 2025, and is an elite scoring threat that will test Witherspoon in Weeks 5 and 12 of next season.

The Seahawks’ matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13 will present Witherspoon with a pair of daunting challenges against CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Witherspoon had a shadow rate of 32.5 percent last season, which suggests that he will likely be used on both 1,000-yard receivers at home against Dallas. Lamb is one of the most complete receivers in the league, while Pickens is sensational at going up over the top of defensive backs for receptions and making difficult catches.

Week 13 against Dallas will open the door to a slate of difficult matchups for Witherspoon in every game to end the year. Witherspoon will have to deal with New York Giants star WR Malik Nabers in Week 14, who will be returning from injury after recording 1,204 REC yards in 2024. The Eagles, much like the Cowboys, will throw another pair of 1,000-yard receivers Witherspoon’s way in DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, in the event that Brown is not traded this offseason.

Witherspoon will close the season against Los Angeles Rams WRs Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, in a pod of heated rivalry matchups in Weeks 16 and 18. Nacua recorded 1,715 REC yards last season and Adams led the league in REC touchdowns with 14. A meeting against the reigning 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year Tetairoia McMillan will be sandwiched in between those two matchups against the Rams in Week 17.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon will face prominent NFL WR's in 2026

NCAA men's lacrosse bracket 2026: Schedule, TV channels, live streams, scores for college championship originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The march to Memorial Day is here for the nation's top college lacrosse teams. 

A trip through a tough bracket awaits before we get to the two teams contesting the sport's annual holiday afternoon championship game, though, beginning with a pair of opening-round games just three days after Selection Sunday. 

This year's NCAA tournament appears wide open. Notre Dame has held down the top spot most of the year, but the Irish have lost a pair of games to the team hosting this year's semis and final, Virginia. Top seed Princeton is right there with Notre Dame, along with defending champion Cornell and rising power Richmond. 

While Notre Dame could well win its third national title in four years, it will have plenty of competition on the way. Here's everything you need to know to watch this year's tournament. 

NCAA men's lacrosse bracket 2026

The bracket consists of 18 teams, with 10 automatic and eight at-large selections. The top eight schools are seeded nationally, and the four lowest-ranked automatic qualifiers will play in the two opening-round games. See the full game schedule below.

1. Princeton
2. Notre Dame
3. North Carolina
4. Richmond
5. Virginia
6. Syracuse
7. Cornell
8. Penn State

The 2026 DI Men’s Lacrosse Bracket 🏆🥍

➡️ https://t.co/zLkT0Ue1iJ
🎟️ https://t.co/5av2exW2hS#NCAAMLAXpic.twitter.com/kUAk6cBkad

— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) May 4, 2026

Where to watch NCAA men's lacrosse tournament

• TV channels: ESPNU (first round, quarterfinals), ESPN2 (semifinals), ESPN (championship)
• Live streams:ESPN app, fubo

The 2026 NCAA men's lacrosse tournament will air on multiple ESPN platforms, including the first round and quarterfinals on ESPNU, the semis on ESPN2 and the championship game on ESPN.

All of those games will also be available to stream via fubo. Fans can also stream those games and the two opening-round games with the ESPN app.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

NCAA men's lacrosse tournament schedule, scores 2026

Wednesday, May 6: Opening round

Saturday, May 9: First round

Sunday, May 10: First round

Saturday, May 16: Quarterfinals

Games at Hempstead, N.Y.

Sunday, May 17: Quarterfinals

Games at Newark, Del.

Saturday, May 23: Semifinals

Semifinals and final will be played at Charlottesville, Virginia

Monday, May 25: Championship

NCAA men's lacrosse champions list

Here are the last 10 NCAA men's lacrosse champions and runners-up. There was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID-19.

IPL 2026: Full list of teams that qualified for the playoffs stage originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

Five-time champions MI & CSK, along with LSG & DC have been officially knocked out of the IPL 2026 playoff race.

The playoffs will be held in Dharamsala and New Chandigarh, with the grand finale in Ahmedabad on May 31.

IPL 2026 playoffs race: Which teams have qualified for the playoffs?

The IPL 2026 league stage has reached its final stretch, and the top of the table has produced a rare three way tie.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad all finished with 18 points from 14 matches.

RCB secured the top spot thanks to a superior net run rate, with Gujarat Titans close behind in second. That sets up a high-stakes Qualifier 1 clash between the two, with a direct place in the final on the line.

Sunrisers Hyderabad finished third and will now take the Eliminator route.

The race for the final playoff spot, however, remains wide open. Punjab Kings have thrown themselves back into contention with a crucial win, moving into the top four for now.

Rajasthan Royals, currently on 14 points with a game in hand, still control their own fate, a win will take them through.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders remain in the mix and will be hoping for results to go their way.

Delhi Capitals, along with Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Lucknow Super Giants, are officially out of the playoff race.

With one spot still up for grabs, the final round of matches is set to decide who joins the top three in the IPL 2026 playoffs!

IPL 2026 Points Table: Latest updated standings

(After match 68, LSG vs PBKS)

IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule: Dates and Venues

With the league stage nearing its end, the focus will soon shift to the IPL 2026 playoffs. The knockout matches are set to be played in Dharamsala and New Chandigarh, before the tournament concludes with the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Which teams will play Qualifier 1?

Qualifier 1 is played between the top two teams in the IPL points table and for the 2026 season, that clash is set between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans. Both sides finished their league campaigns with 18 points, securing the top two spots.

The stakes are simple, the winner goes straight into the final. The losing team, however, isn’t out they’ll get another shot in Qualifier 2, where they face the winner of the Eliminator for a place in the title clash.

Which teams will play the Eliminator?

The Eliminator will feature the third and fourth-placed teams in the league standings. It is a knockout match, meaning the losing team will be eliminated from the tournament, while the winner will advance to Qualifier 2.

Which teams will play Qualifier 2?

Qualifier 2 will be played between the loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator. The winner of this match will secure the second spot in the IPL 2026 final.

MORE:Which teams can no longer qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs? 

Teams with the most playoffs appearances in IPL history (2008-2025)

Consistency has always been one of the biggest measures of success in the IPL, and the teams with the most playoff appearances have often been the strongest sides in the tournament’s history.

Chennai Super Kings lead the list with the most playoff qualifications, having missed the top four only a few times in their IPL journey. The Mumbai Indians are next with 11 playoff appearances, although their early exit in 2026 means that number will not increase this season.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who won the IPL title in 2025, have also reached double digits in playoff qualifications and continue to remain regular contenders in the league.

MORE:IPL playoff eliminations: Which team crashed out first in every IPL season?

IPL playoffs qualifiers: Season-by-season list: (2008 – 2025)

The history of the IPL playoffs has seen different teams dominate different eras of the tournament. In the early years, teams like Rajasthan Royals and Deccan Chargers made a strong impact before Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians went on to dominate the league for over a decade.

In recent seasons, newer teams like Gujarat Titans have quickly established themselves as strong contenders, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s resurgence has added more competition to the playoff race and title battle.

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

On Friday night, world-famous artist Bad Bunny held his first concert in Barcelona, and it turned out to be a major success.

The Puerto Rican artist kicked off his European tour with a massive performance at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic, where nearly 50,000 people attended.

Barcelona stars in attendance

The concert attracted a long list of familiar faces. Guests enjoyed the show either from the VIP sections or from the specially designed “little house” area that Bad Bunny created for selected attendees.

Among those present were several Barcelona players, including Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Wojciech Szczesny, Joan Garcia, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski.

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A post shared by Anna Lewandowska (@annalewandowska)

The presence of multiple Barça players added even more excitement to a night that already promised to be memorable.

But if there was one player who seemed to enjoy himself more than anyone else, it was Lewandowski, who will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

The Polish striker attended alongside his wife Anna Lewandowska and spent much of the night dancing and enjoying the atmosphere with teammates.

Fans urge Lewandowski to stay

Lewandowski appeared to be having a great time, but the most memorable moment came when fans inside the stadium began chanting his name.

Lewandowski is leaving Barcelona. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Then came another chant: “Robert, stay…,” as fans implored the 37-year-old, who said goodbye to the Spotify Camp Nou last weekend, to reconsider his decision.

Applause followed from the guests inside the special seating area.

Some teammates also joined in, with players such as Pedri embracing the atmosphere and following the chants directed toward the Barcelona forward, who will leave the club at the end of the season, departing as a legend.

Iker Casillas appeared to throw shade at Jose Mourinho by pointing toward a long line of alternative managers Real Madrid could have considered.

The former Real Madrid captain did not need to spell out the full meaning for supporters to understand the message.

With Mourinho being linked with a return to replace Alvaro Arbeloa, Casillas’ post looked like a reminder that he believes the club had better options available.

Iker Casillas points Real Madrid toward Jose Mourinho alternatives after Alvaro Arbeloa’s exit

Iker Casillas on X reacted as Jose Mourinho’s possible Real Madrid return continued to dominate the managerial conversation.

Casillas’ message was interpreted as a dig because it came with several names that fans immediately read as alternatives to Mourinho.

Unai Emery, Vincent Kompany, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Mikel Arteta, Andoni Iraola, Zinedine Zidane, Jose Bordalas, Inigo Perez, and Vicente del Bosque all represented different profiles, but the point was the same.

Casillas appeared to be arguing that Real Madrid could have looked at modern builders, club legends, Spanish tacticians and proven winners before turning back to Mourinho.

That is why the post landed as shade rather than a neutral coaching discussion, especially because Casillas has already made clear that he does not want Mourinho back at the club of his life.

Iker Casillas and Jose Mourinho’s history makes Real Madrid message sharper

The tension behind the post goes back to Mourinho’s first Real Madrid spell, when his relationship with Casillas collapsed during one of the most toxic dressing-room periods in recent club history.

Mourinho benched Casillas, questioned parts of the dressing room and helped split opinion between those who backed the manager’s hard-line approach and those who sided with the club captain.

That history makes every Casillas comment about Mourinho feel loaded, even when he uses diplomatic language. Real Madrid’s current situation also adds weight to the debate.

Arbeloa’s time in charge ended after a difficult, trophyless spell, and reports have framed Mourinho as Florentino Perez’s preferred answer to restore discipline and competitive edge.

Mourinho may still have the experience and authority Madrid want, but Casillas’ message was hard to miss. For him, a return to the Bernabeu would not be the best move when so many other managerial paths exist.

Read more:

Monfils is preparing for a Roland Garros farewell

Gael Monfils is set to make his final appearance at Roland Garros as he continues his farewell season on the ATP Tour.

The 37-year-old Frenchman announced earlier this year that this would be his last season, and he’s already played in six tournaments for the final time.

Although Monfils never won a Grand Slam title, he came close at the 2008 French Open. He reached the semifinals that year, then lost to Roger Federer in four sets.

Before stepping onto the court for what will be his final campaign, Monfils was given a special send-off ceremony on Court Philippe Chatrier. The event included appearances from Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, among others.

Monfils thanks Paris after farewell ceremony at Roland Garros

After the celebration, Monfils took to Instagram to express his gratitude and reflect on the experience:

“I woke up this morning, and I’m speechless. I’m really searching, but no words seem big enough to describe what I experienced last night. All those emotions, that intensity, that beauty—it was indescribable. I woke up thinking, wow, what happened yesterday?

“After all these years, to have been able to experience that, to share that with you on that court, was simply exceptional.

“To you, my French fans, I love you. Deeply, sincerely. You’ve supported me throughout my career, and yesterday you gave me a moment I never dared to dream of. A magical moment that will forever be etched in my heart.

“To my family, to my friends, thank you for being there, by my side. You have always been my strength.

“To my parents, to my mother, to my father, everything I experienced yesterday, everything I’ve experienced over all these years, I owe it all to you. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

“To the French Tennis Federation and Roland-Garros, thank you for allowing me to experience this unique moment, something I never even dared to imagine. A moment that will forever remain in my heart. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.

“To the 15 players who came, who embraced the challenge, who were magnificent, thank you. I am so lucky to have you by my side. You made this moment even more beautiful, even more powerful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“To my three maestros, Matt, Paul, and Martin, you led this show like no one else. You were incredible, you elevated everything from beginning to end. Thank you for giving so much to make this evening so magnificent. I love you.

“And once again, to the French public, I love you. What we experienced together yesterday, I will cherish forever. Thank you. A thousand times thank you.”

Who will Gael Monfils face first at the 2026 French Open

This year, Monfils was given a wildcard entry and will begin his campaign against fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston in the first round.

If he gets past Gaston, his next match will be against either Botic van de Zandschulp or Francisco Cerundolo.

Monfils finds himself in the second quarter of the draw, alongside names like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Flavio Cobolli and Daniil Medvedev.

He’s also on the same side of the draw as Jannik Sinner, who finished as runner-up last year and is aiming to complete a Career Grand Slam in Paris.

Monfils’ 2025 French Open run ended in the second round, where he lost to Jack Draper.

Read more:

Former Juventus forward Fabrizio Ravanelli has joined supporters calling for Alessandro Del Piero to be given a formal role at the club, suggesting that a partnership with Giorgio Chiellini could bring significant benefits to the team.

Juventus believe they now have experienced former players integrated into the structure, with Chiellini already contributing in an influential capacity, while Del Piero remains one of the club’s most iconic figures in its modern history.

Calls for Del Piero’s Return

Del Piero continues to be warmly received by supporters whenever he visits the Allianz Stadium, and he is widely respected by current players who value his insight and experience.

Although he currently works primarily as a pundit, there is growing belief that he could be open to returning to Juventus in a more active role within the club’s structure.

Ravanelli’s Vision for Juventus Leadership

Ravanelli is convinced that Del Piero possesses the qualities needed to support Juventus in both technical and institutional capacities, particularly in guiding younger players and reinforcing the club’s identity.

This perspective has intensified discussion among fans and analysts about how former club legends could contribute to the current project and the long-term direction of the team.

According to Il Bianconero, Ravanelli said via Il Bianconero:“I think Del Piero was incredible. Juve misses him in every way. A figure like him is important on a marketing, institutional, technical level, and when he has to speak to the team. He’s highly respected, speaks good English, and has the ability to take a player aside and teach him what Juventus is all about. Chiellini is there, but he and Del Piero would form a winning combination to get Juventus back on track.”

His comments reflect a broader sentiment among sections of the Juventus fan base that former club leaders could help restore identity and cohesion. The idea of pairing experienced ex-players within the club’s structure continues to gain attention as Juventus look to strengthen both performance and culture.

Maurizio Sarri said Lazio were ‘not structured to win this season,’ but paid tribute to ‘phenomenal’ Pedro ahead of his final game for the club.

The match with Pisa kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

There is a sense of farewell in the stadium, because it is the final match of his Lazio career for Pedro after five years, and the team is wearing special patches on their jersey to mark the occasion.

Sarri and Pedro say goodbye to Lazio

NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 18: Maurizio Sarri SS Lazio head coach during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 18, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“Pedro has had a phenomenal career, won everything it was possible to win, and been an example for everyone both on and off the field. He is phenomenal in every way,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

It is also likely to be the last game here for Sarri, with reports he is on the verge of an agreement to take over Atalanta next term.

Although he was not asked specifically about his future, the coach did note why he was ready to walk away.

CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Maurizio Sarri coach of Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SS Lazio at Stadio Sant’Elia on February 21, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

“We got the silver medal in the Coppa Italia, we were unable to win the Final, but I don’t think this team was structured to win this season,” said Sarri.

“This game reflects our whole season, we are missing eight or nine players. It has been a continual situation of difficulty, we have to make do with what we’ve got.

“My mood? Calm.”

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 07: Pedro of Lazio scores his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on January 07, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Pedro also spoke to the media before kick-off and it seems as if he is not entirely ready to hang up his boots yet, despite the end of his Lazio adventure.

“It’s natural to be emotional at this moment, especially with my teammates and the fans, the staff, Sarri who I’ve known for many years. I look back over so many special moments, it was tough, but I want to go out on a high today and enjoy this game,” Pedro told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is hard to choose a single moment, I think I gave my all for this jersey. I would’ve liked to win something here, it wasn’t possible. This has been a very, very difficult season for us, especially without the fans.

“I would like to have a good memory of my last game here.”

Despite knowing it would be the last chance to say goodbye to Pedro, the Lazio ultras did not suspend their boycott of the home games, so the stadium will again be disconcertingly empty.

28’ — Bayern slowly getting into the game but still no goal to show for it.

17’ — Maximilian Mittelstädt shoots from distance but Urbig dives low to his left just in time to put it behind.

15’ — Michael Olise tried sliding in Jamal Musiala on the byline, but the pass had too much weight and goes out for a goal kick.

13’ — Harry Kane fires from distance but the shot is wide; he was offside as well.

11’ — Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho is in the stands, watching the match.

9’ — Deniz Undav tries shooting from a narrow angle but hits the side netting.

4’ — A Stuttgart player blasts the shot over the bar.

2’ — Stuttgart get a corner and the header is saved by Jonas Urbig. Michael Olise is subsequently fouled.

Kickoff — LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Lineups are out! Vincent Kompany is rolling with a widely predicted near-full strength team:

Bayern Munich plays its final match of the 2025/26 season today in the DFB-Pokal final. The Bavarians will play Franz Beckenbauer Supercup runners-up VfB Stuttgart whom they have bested for three straight matches since said competition. Bayern hasn’t won the Pokal since beating Bayer Leverkusen six years ago, so now they’ll be making up for lost time with a win.

Match Info

Location: Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany

Date: May 23, 2026

Kickoff: 8:00 PM Local time | 2:00 PM EST | 11:00 AM PST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

Prediction

Bayern wins 4-2 with goals from Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Luis Díaz, and Jamal Musiala.

It’s Bayern time

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Where to watch NCAA men's lacrosse semifinals: TV schedule, times, channels, live streams for 2026 semis originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 NCAA men's lacrosse tournament has been full of upsets and unexpected victories, which means the semifinals are sure to excite. 

After several rounds of play, only four teams remain in the running for a title — No. 1 overall Princeton, No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 6 Syracuse and unranked Duke. Syracuse beat out No. 3 seed North Carolina in the quarterfinals, and Duke ousted No. 4 Richmond in the first round.

Reigning champions Cornell couldn't make it past the first round, but Notre Dame is still in the running and looking to hoist the trophy again after back-to-back championships in 2023-24. And of course, powerhouse program Princeton is also making a strong campaign — the school last won it all in 2001. 

Who will secure a bid to the national title game?

Here's everything you need to know about the NCAA men's lacrosse tournament, including TV channel and streaming options for the semifinal games.

Where to watch NCAA men's lacrosse tournament

• TV channels: ESPN2 (semifinals), ESPN (championship)
• Live streams:ESPN app, fubo

The 2026 NCAA men's lacrosse tournament will air on multiple ESPN platforms, with the semifinals on ESPN2 and the championship game on ESPN.

All of those games will also be available to stream via fubo. Fans can also stream those games and the two opening-round games with the ESPN app.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

NCAA men's lacrosse tournament schedule, scores 2026

Wednesday, May 6: Opening round

Saturday, May 9: First round

Sunday, May 10: First round

Saturday, May 16: Quarterfinals

Games at Hempstead, N.Y.

Sunday, May 17: Quarterfinals

Games at Newark, Del.

Saturday, May 23: Semifinals

Semifinals and final will be played at Charlottesville, Virginia

Monday, May 25: Championship

NCAA men's lacrosse champions list

Here are the last 10 NCAA men's lacrosse champions and runners-up. There was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Oleksandr Usyk will return later TODAY (Sat. May 23, 2026) to defend his WBC Heavyweight title against former pro kickboxing world champion, Rico Verhoeven, at the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt, and will be streaming live on DAZN pay-per-view (PPV).

To stream / watch it live online via DAZN click here.

Usyk was last seen knocking out Daniel Duboisfor the second time last summer, once again solidifying himself as the king of the boxing big men. While there were other potential rematches out there for “The Cat,” he opted for a fresh matchup against one of the most lethal kick boxers in the history of the sport. Speaking of which, Verhoeven, has not been in active competition since defeating Artem Vakhitov at Glory 100 in June 2025, upping his win streak to 22 in a row.

Many readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all of the action, as the main card kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV. Feel free to leave a comment (or several) about the bouts and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show — it’s always a lot of fun!

In the co-main event of the evening, Hamzah Sheeraz will face off against Alem Begic for the vacant WBO Super Middleweight title. In the other featured title fight, Jack Catterall will do battle against Shakhram Giyasov for WBO Welterweight title.

USYK VS. VERHOEVEN DAZN PPV QUICK RESULTS:

Heavyweight: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven
168 lbs.: Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic
147 lbs.: Jack Catterall vs Shakhram Giyasov
Heavyweight: Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr.
115 lbs.: Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman – Hiruta via unanimous decision
175 lbs.: Daniel Lapin vs. Benjamin Mendes Tani – Tani wins via fourth-round TKO
200 lbs.: Basem Mamdouh vs Jamar Talley – Talley wins via second-round knockout
135 lbs.: Sultan Al-Mohamed vs. Dedy Imprax – Al-Mohamed wins via first-round knockout
200 lbs.: Mahmoud Mobark vs Ali Ssurunkuma – Mobark wins via unanimous decision
147 lbs.: Omar Hikal vs Michael Kalyalya – Hikal wins via third-round knockout

USYK VS. VERHOEVEN DAZN PPV PLAY-BY-PLAY:

Coming soon…

USYK VS. VERHOEVEN DAZN PPV HIGHLIGHTS:

For more boxing news and notes click here.

The national #3 team in the country and #1-seed in the ACC Championship Georgia Tech Baseball defeated #5-seed Miami 9-3 to advance to the ACC Championship final. Tech is now 47-9 on the season and remains undefeated in neutral site games (4-0). Tech will play the winner of #14-seed Pitt and #2-seed North Carolina. A win in the final would be Tech’s first ACC Championship since 2014.

Both of Tech’s games up to this point in the ACC Tournament have been 1pm starts moved up to 11am in order to avoid rain. So keep an eye on start time. The currently scheduled first pitch is for 12pm.

Tech set another record today in the home run category. With three homers on the day (Vahn Lackey, Ryan Zuckerman x2), Tech is up to 124 home runs on the season, the most in program history.

Jackson Blakely threw another great game, going 5.2 innings and allowing only one run with three strikeouts and one walk. He moves to 7-1 on the season.

Every Jacket in the starting lineup reached base at least once.

How It Happened

After Jackson Blakely easily got through the first inning, Tech got things rolling on a Jarren Advincula double for his 101st hit of the season followed by a Vahn Lackey laser shot home run on a slider down in the zone to give Tech a 2-0 lead, both with two outs. Ryan Zuckerman hit a double down the right field line that ricocheted off the corner of the foul line wall but was stranded to end the inning.

In the third, Vahn Lackey reached on a fielding error by Miami’s shortstop, which Ryan Zuckerman took advantage of hitting a blast to center field for his 21st homer of the season and doubling the lead to 4-0. Tech loaded the bases with two outs on a Parker Brosiu hit by pitch, but Carson Kerce struck out.

In the 4th, Zuckerman hit his second homer of teh game, driving in Burress for a 6-0 lead.

In the 5th, a passed ball scored Alex Hernandez, giving Tech a 7-0 lead.

Jackson Blakely exited the game with 2 outs and 2 on in the 6th after a ground ball chopped over Ryan Zuckerman’s head at third base scored Miami’s first run of the game. He was replaced by Caden Gaudette. Miami scored another on a passed ball on a ball in the dirt that snuck under Lackey’s glove, making it 7-2 Tech.

In the bottom of the 6th, Lackey walked to start the inning. On a hit & run with Zuckerman at the plate, Zuckerman grounded out to the first baseman who then threw to second where Lackey’s foot was able to get in the way of the ball as the shortstop attempted to catch it. The ball rolled to the edge of the infield grass and Lackey immediately sprung up to take third base. The aware baserunning set up Alex Hernandez who hit a routine single to extend Tech’s lead to 8-2.

In the 7th, Kerce led off with a triple. After a Burress walk, a wild pitch scored Kerce and advanced Burress to third, making it 9-2 Tech. On a hard ground ball by Jarren Advicula to the right side, Miami threw home and easily tagged out Burress. Advincula initially had stolen second during Lackey’s at bat, but Miami successfully challenged that Advincula was tagged before reaching second, ending the 7th on that note.

Kayden Campbell came in to start the top of the 8th inning, lasting two pitches after a Miami infield single hit against a shift and a double down the right field line. Dimitri Angelakos came in to pitch, striking out the first batter, getting a flyout to the next (which drove in the runner at third to make it 9-3 Tech), and finishing with a fielder’s choice grounder to third. He pitched a clean 1-2-3 inning in the 9th to secure the win.

There were concerns surrounding Jared Verse’s ceiling when he fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Verse spent two years at Albany before transferring to Florida State and was age 23 by the time he made the transition to the professional level.

The self-fulfilling narrative that Verse was NFL ready with a questionable ceiling seemed to hold true when he went on to win the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and then took a step back in year two.

However, I’m here to tell you today that there is still room for Verse to take a step forward in 2026. He has the potential to enter the Myles Garrett conversation for the league’s best EDGE defender. If he can improve even a little, he will be squarely in the debate for Defensive Player of the Year acknowledgements in his third season.

Verse is already top 10 in the betting odds for the award according to FanDuel:

Honorable Mentions / Longer Shots

Note: Early preseason futures compiled from FanDuel and cross-market reports (May 2026). Corrected: Trey Hendrickson signed a 4-year, $112M deal with the Baltimore Ravens in March 2026 after leaving the Bengals. Odds will fluctuate heavily during training camp and the season based on performance, health, and team success. Always check FanDuel directly for the latest lines. Betting involves risk—gamble responsibly.

A rising tide lifts all boats

The first reason to be optimistic about Verse is that (1) the DPOY often comes from one of the league’s best overall units, and (2) broad improvement on the Rams’ defense should also elevate Verse’s individual production.

The obvious weak link on the LA defense last year was the coverage unit. Coverage and pass rush work together in tandem. The arrival of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson should give the front seven more time to affect quarterbacks and get home more often in 2026. It says a lot that Verse is listed in the DPOY odds and McDuffie is not. Vegas is betting on the tide rising of coverage bolstering the pass rushing production for players like Verse.

Where Verse can improve

While Verse’s total pressures were boosted by the fact LA reached the NFC Championship game resulting in more pass rushing opportunities, he still finished second in the NFL with 100 pressures behind Will Anderson (102). Only four players reached the century mark in 2025. Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Hines-Allen were the others, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).

That puts Verse squarely in the conversation for the league’s most productive defensive linemen. His teammates Byron Young (12th, 74), Kobie Turner (14th, 69), and Braden Fiske (45th, 50) also finished towards the top of the list. There are a lot of mouths to feed on the Rams defensive line, though Verse is clearly the best of the bunch.

And this group accomplished that relentless level of production despite porous coverage on the back end. They will have more time to generate additional pressure and should have more opportunities to convert these to sacks.

Verse is proof that award voters care less about sacks than they used to, as evidenced by the fact he was DROY with only eight sacks. Still, not all have adopted this modern mindset and traditional stats still carry a lot of weight. In order to bring home the hardware, he needs to finish with double digit sacks.

But pass rush isn’t the only area where Verse can take a step forward. His run defense performance dropped notably from year one to two. After finishing with an 81.0 PFF run grade as a rookie, his mark dropped to 62.4 in 2025.

Verse has also missed an astonishing 39 tackles (24.1% of attempts) through two seasons. He can elevate the defense by being more sure-handed, although that can be said about several of the Rams’ core building blocks on the same side of the ball.

The sky is the limit for Jared Verse. Even slight improvement could elevate his name for consideration among the NFL’s elite at his position and for DPOY honors.

Will he make good on this promise in 2026?

Being down 4-0 after the first inning put a damper in the series opener on Friday night in Milwaukee, but the Dodgers offense at least nominally threatened for most of their 5-1 loss to the Brewers.

The Dodgers batted 22 times with at least somebody on base on Friday, compared to 15 plate appearances with the bases empty. That feels weird to say in a game that the Dodgers only had three hits.

All three hits were singles, and all came with nobody out. the one non-leadoff hit was in the seventh inning, when Dalton Rushing singled after Teoscar Hernández reached on an error. Throw in six walks — three of which also led off an inning — and Max Muncy getting hit on his right wrist by a pitch, and the Dodgers had their chances, but they didn’t do much with them.

That seventh inning produced the only run for Los Angeles, with two flyouts scoring Hernández from second base. the Dodgers had one hit in 17 at=bats with anyone on base on Friday, and no hits in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Logan Henderson pitched five scoreless innings, the 10th starting pitcher to last at least that long without giving up a run to the Dodgers this season. Only the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres, at 11 starts each, have had more such games against them.

So far this season, MLB teams bat 55.9 percent of the time with nobody on base, and 44.1 percent with nobody on. Dodgers splits are similar, batting 54.6 percent of the time with nobody on base. They are fourth in MLB in plate appearances with people on base, and sixth in PA with runners in scoring position.

But that was flipped on Friday, batting just 40.5 percent of the time with no one on. It’s out of line with the other three low-hit games this season:

• April 14 vs. Mets (3 hits, 2 runs): 10 PA on base, 21 without
• April 21 at Giants (3 hits, 1 run): 13 PA on base, 23 without
• May 10 vs. Braves (2 hits, 2 runs): 10 PA on base, 26 without
• May 22 at Brewers (3 hits, 1 run): 22 PA on base, 15 without

All those opportunities on Friday led to only one run for the Dodgers, who have been held to three or fewer runs 12 times in their last 22 games. Getting to four runs has been the magic number for Los Angeles this season, winning 27 of their 29 games when scoring at least that many. They are 3-3 when scoring exactly three runs, and just 1-14 when scoring two or fewer runs.

Saturday game info

• Teams: Dodgers at Brewers
• Ballpark: American Family Field, Milwaukee
• Time: 4:15 p.m. PT
• TV: Fox
• Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Last June was a very difficult month emotionally for the Waterford community, and the boys lacrosse program in particular as teammate Steven Jardine died in a car accident and the newborn son of head coach Will Manny passed away shortly after birth.

Fast forward to this spring, and those tragedies bonded the Waterford together through every practice and every game, with Manny saying, “we had a higher purpose to play for.”

“And that wasn’t just individual, the team and in my situation, that was everybody together. We talked about it a lot,” said Manny.

Like every other game this season, Jardine was there in spirit with Waterford during Saturday morning’s 4A state championship game with Juan Diego as the team draped his No. 22 across a chair on the bench.

Just as the Ravens played for their fallen teammate throughout the season, he was at the forefront of their minds as they celebrated the dramatic 7-6 win over Juan Diego as the program won its first state championship since the UHSAA started sanctioning lacrosse in 2020.

Waterford senior Gavin Rurka scored the game-winning goal with 45 seconds remaining as his team outscored Juan Diego 4-1 in the fourth quarter to rally for the state title.

“We’ve been through so much adversity. We know we are playing for a higher purpose,” said Rurka. “Every pass we make, every time we catch, every time we get a dodge down, we’re thinking about they’re up there …. looking down at us. They’re on us, by, they’re by our side. And we’re not, we’re not playing for just us, there’s bigger reasons to play for.”

Steven Jardine’s parents, Jared and Claire were in attendance at Saturday’s championship, as was his little brother Everett.

Rurka said he could only imagine how much it meant to the Jardine family to see Waterford’s success on Saturday.

Waterford and Juan Diego met twice during region play, splitting the season series in two competitive games, which Manny figured would play out the same way.

The game actually unfolded with much more of a defensive tone that forced Waterford to ride the wave and stick with it when things were going great.

After Juan Diego jumped out fast with two goals in the first five minutes, Waterford responded with three straight goals, the third by Rurka at the 8:55 mark the second quarter for the 3-2 lead.

Over the next 22 minutes, Waterford went scoreless against Juan Diego’s stout defense.

The Soaring Eagle scored three straight goals to close the first half to build a 5-3 lead, and the score stayed the same after the scoreless third quarter.

Manny said his team created chances during that stretch, including moments where guys were open in the create but couldn’t can it.

“I just told them to stick with it. We gotta find what’s working. Because they were sloughing in a little bit more than they have in the previous games. But on offense you just gotta stick with it,” said Manny. “You gotta see how they’re playing us, and they’ve done that all year. And we found some slots, and we handled some tough passes to score some hard goals to win this game.”

The team mantra of BEE came to fruition on those tough goals, “Believe, Envision, Execute.”

Early in the fourth quarter, Kellen Kemper scored his 37^th goal of the season to cut Juan Diego’s lead to 5-4. Two minutes later at the 9:31 mark, Andrew Rurka scored the first of two fourth quarter goals to tie the game 5-5.

His second goal gave Waterford a brief lead at 6-5 as he slipped a shot just past the goalie in a very difficult angle with 3:26 remaining.

Manny credited his team for going inside and getting the offense going during that fourth quarter comeback.

Juan Diego, however, had its own response shortly after Andrew Rurka’s go-ahead goal.

With 2:23 remaining, Trey Nicolodemos received a pass from Westley Buck in the crease and buried it tying the game at 6-6. It a snapped a 26-minute scoring drought for the Soaring Eagle as Waterford’s defense locked things down when its offense couldn’t get going.

“Coach Z did a great job game-planning this week, changing up our zone a little bit and matching their shape,” said Manny. “We said we wanted to hold them under eight, and we did that. So credit to everybody on our team. The face-off X, we caused some turnovers there. It’s a full team effort.”

Waterford’s willingness to go inside and make tough passes led to the game-winning goal by Gavin Rurka in the final minute as he received a pass from Max Mishurda and buried the winner.

“I wasn’t really thinking about the score, I wasn’t thinking we’re tied up or anything like that. I was just thinking, I’m on the crease, I have a shot, I’m gonna take it,” said Rurka, who said it was definitely the best goal he’s scored in high school.

“After that, man I just look at my crowd, everyone’s standing up. That’s when it really sits in, like we’re up by one. This game is in our hands,” he added.

A new report has floated the idea of the Atlanta Hawks trading for Rudy Gobert this summer. But what could the Minnesota Timberwolves get back in a deal?

Both the Timberwolves and Hawks have decisions to make this offseason. The pair of NBA teams had productive years in 2025-26. Especially Atlanta, which took a nice step forward in a new era with Jalen Johnson as the new face of the franchise. As for Minnesota, they fell short of reaching the Conference Finals for a third straight year when they found out they are a level below the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

The Timberwolves and Hawks have good cores to build around, but their results this spring show they need to make changes if they want to contend for a championship in 2026-27. Interestingly enough, they may be able to help each other.

There has been speculation that Atlanta could use the No. 8 pick in next month’s NBA Draft on Michigan big man Aday Mara. However, Hoops Hypes’s Michael Scotto floated the idea that the Hawks could fill their need for a rim-protecting big man by trading for Gobert.

“He has a similar physique to Mara and won three of his four Defensive Player of the Year awards while under [Hawks coach Quin] Snyder’s guidance with the Utah Jazz,” Scotto wrote.

What could the Timberwolves get back from Hawks in a Rudy Gobert trade?

The 13-year veteran would be a very nice fit anchoring the Hawks’ defense in 2026-27 and 2027-28 if he picks up his $38 million player option. But what would the Timberwolves get back in return for a player who has been a key, albeit aging, part of their success the last four years?

In a perfect world, it would be great if the Timberwolves could use the No. 8 pick in June to get the young impact point guard they could use. But that’s not happening. Or get Nickeil Alexander-Walker back. However, league rules block him from being reacquired by Minnesota.

Instead, they could still get a pretty nice return of center Onyeka Okongwu, three-point ace Buddy Hield, and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.

Okongwu took another nice development step forward this season as he became Atlanta’s full-time starting center. Posting 15 points, close to 8 rebounds, and blocking a game at 25 years old. Heild is one of the better three-point shooters in NBA history and would be a nice addition to the bench. While Risacher has a ton of talent but probably needs a system change to bring out his potential.

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Big Ten baseball tournament 2026 bracket, schedule, scores, TV channel, live streams to watch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's tournament time for Big Ten baseball, with 12 teams gathered in Omaha to play for a trophy ahead of NCAA tournament selection next week.  

The conference has been incredibly top-heavy this year, with consensus national No. 1 UCLA the clear class of the field after setting a conference record with 28 Big Ten wins. Nebraska sits a notch below them as a formidable threat, followed by a tight group of highly competitive teams battling it out in the middle of the pack.

The top of the bracket features heavy hitters, with the top-seeded Bruins and the No. 2 seed Cornhuskers entering as the clear favorites to meet in the final. Nebraska will look to defend their crown on familiar regional turf, while UCLA aims to translate its historic regular-season dominance into its first Big Ten tournament title since joining the conference.

The next tier of true contenders includes Oregon and USC, who round out the top four seeds and have earned automatic byes past the opening phase straight into Friday's single-elimination quarterfinals. But strange things have been known to happen in postseason baseball, and with a brand-new tournament format, the Big Ten is ripe for chaos.  

Here's everything you need to know to tune in to every game this week.

Big Ten baseball tournament schedule 2026

The Big Ten tournament debuted a brand-new hybrid format this season. The first three days feature a double-elimination bracket for seeds No. 5-12 to determine which four teams advance. From Friday onward, the tournament shifts to a high-stakes, single-elimination bracket as top seeds No. 1-4 join the field. All games will be played at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.

Tuesday, May 19 - First Round (Double Elimination)

Wednesday, May 20 - Second Round (Double Elimination)

Thursday, May 21 - Knockout Round (Double Elimination)

Friday, May 22 - Quarterfinals (Single Elimination)

Saturday, May 23 - Quarterfinals/Semifinals (Single Elimination)

Sunday, May 24 - Championship (Single Elimination)

Where to watch the Big Ten baseball tournament

• TV channels: Big Ten Network
• Live streams: fubo

Every single game of the Big Ten baseball tournament will be broadcast live nationally on the Big Ten Network. Fans can also catch the action streaming via fubo, which offers new subscribers a free trial.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Big Ten baseball tournament bracket 2026

The full seeding, bracket and team records for the 2026 Big Ten baseball tournament are below. 

Big Ten baseball tournament champions list

Here are the last 10 Big Ten tournament champions and runners-up. There was no tournament held in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19

Related Links

• Latest MLB news and rumors
• 2026 MLB schedule and scores
• MLB standings 2026
• How to bet on MLB

The Montreal Canadiens will look to go up 2-0 on the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Canadiens won Game 1 6-2. The Hurricanes are favored with a -207 moneyline compared to the Canadiens' +171.

How to watch Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes

• Date: Saturday, May 23

• Time: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT

• Where: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC

• TV Channels: TNT, truT, HBO, Spor

• Live Stream:ESPN+ | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Odds

• Spread: Carolina Hurricanes -1.5

• Moneyline: Carolina Hurricanes -207 (64.6%) / Montreal Canadiens +171 (35.4%)

• Over/Under: 5.5

Andy Diouf scored a late equalizer Inter Milan wrapped up their triumphant Serie A campaign with a 3-3 draw at Bologna.

Federico Dimarco’s 21st-minute opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Federico Bernardeschi three minutes later, and the hosts took the lead through Tommaso Pobega late in the first half.

Piotr Zielinski’s own goal extended Bologna’s advantage before Pio Esposito clawed a goal back four minutes after the hour.

Diouf ensured the sides would share the points after he was teed up by Serie A debutant Luka Topalovic’s excellent through ball with four minutes remaining.

CAA baseball tournament 2026 bracket, schedule, scores, TV channel, live streams to watch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The CAA baseball tournament is back in Wilmington for 2026, with six teams set to fight through the double-elimination bracket for an NCAA tournament bid.

Making its second conference tournament appearance since joining the CAA, top seed Campbell is looking to return to the big show for the first time since it made five straight appearances from 2018-23 as a member of the Big South. 

The Camels will have plenty of competition, though, including No. 2 seed Northeastern, No. 3 Monmouth and the host, No. 6 seed UNC Wilmington. 

Who will take the trophy and keep their season alive on the road to Omaha? Here's all you need to know to watch every game. 

CAA baseball tournament bracket 2026

The full seeding, bracket and team records for the 2026 CAA baseball tournament are below. Only the top two teams from the North and South divisions by conference record, plus the two next-highest-ranked teams by RPI make the field. Hofstra earned the No. 5 seed over UNCW due to head-to-head record. 

Where to watch CAA baseball tournament

• TV channel: None
• Live stream:FloCollege

The CAA baseball tournament will not air on traditional television, but every game will be streamed live on FloCollege. 

New subscribers can get a 15 percent discount on a FloCollege annual subscription through The Sporting News' exclusive offer. Purchasing a FloCollege subscription gives sports fans access to live streams, event replays and FloSports Originals.

CAA baseball tournament schedule, scores 2026

All games will be played at Brooks Field in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Wednesday, May 20

Thursday, May 21

Friday, May 22

Saturday, May 23

Sunday, May 24

CAA baseball tournament champions list

Here are the 10 most recent CAA baseball tournament champions. There was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Related Links

• Latest MLB news and rumors
• 2026 MLB schedule and scores
• MLB standings 2026
• How to bet on MLB

Liverpool Manager Rumours: Iraola Interest Adds Pressure on Arne Slot

Slot Scrutiny Grows at Anfield

TeamTalk report that Andoni Iraola wants the Liverpool job if Fenway Sports Group decide to sack Arne Slot this summer.

It is a striking claim because Slot, only last season, delivered the Premier League title. Yet football has a brutal memory. Supporters remember trophies, certainly, but they live with performances every week. This season, Liverpool’s rhythm has felt uncertain, their attacking identity blurred, their authority diminished.

Slot has said, “‘We want to compete for every trophy’ | Slot says Liverpool are still transitioning”, yet transition can only carry a manager so far at a club conditioned to expect clarity.

Photo: IMAGO

Iraola Emerges as Serious Contender

Iraola leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season makes this story feel more tangible. His sides are aggressive, organised and intense, all traits Liverpool supporters naturally associate with successful Anfield football.

TeamTalk state Liverpool are keeping tabs on Iraola should they part ways with Slot. That does not mean a decision has been made, but it does suggest FSG are preparing options.

FSG Face Major Summer Call

The Brentford game may matter less than the wider direction. FSG must decide whether this season is a dip after success or evidence that Slot’s Liverpool has already drifted from its best path.

Iraola’s availability gives them a live alternative. Whether they act depends on trust, not noise.

Our View – Liverpool Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s point of view, this report feels both dramatic and believable. Iraola is exactly the type of coach who would intrigue supporters. He has taken Bournemouth beyond expectation, built a team with edge and intensity, and shown he can improve players without demanding endless spending.

Yet sacking Slot one year after winning the Premier League would be an enormous call. That title still matters. It cannot be brushed aside because this season has been awkward, flat and frustrating.

The deeper concern is not simply results. It is the feeling that Liverpool have lost their attacking conviction. Too often, possession has looked sterile. Too often, big players have seemed disconnected from the system. Salah’s exit only increases the need for a clear footballing vision.

Iraola would bring energy, pressing and courage. Slot must show he can bring evolution, not excuses. If FSG believe this is a temporary wobble, they should support him properly. If they believe the performances reveal something more permanent, then Iraola becomes a very serious name.

For supporters, the priority is simple, Liverpool need an identity again.

Jose Mourinho is planning to make big changes to Real Madrid as he gears up for his appointment as the new head coach.

One of the big changes will be to bring in a star player to feature alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. Mourinho appears to have already found the answer in the form of Michael Olise.

Although Real Madrid have not been actively linked with a move for Olise this summer, the rumours have intensified after Mourinho was spotted in Berlin, watching the DFB Pokal final between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart.

Uli Hoeness reacts to Mourinho’s visit

Heading into the cup final, Bayern Munich’s honorary president, Uli Hoeness, was asked about Mourinho’s visit to watch Olise, to which he didn’t hold back.

“José Mourinho is in the stadium tonight to keep an eye on Michael Olise for Real Madrid? He can keep 5 eyes on him, he still won’t get him,” he said (h/t Fabrizio Romano).

Hoeness’ comments do appear to be out of spite, especially considering Bayern Munich’s history of losing players to Real Madrid.

More than a decade ago, Bayern Munich lost Toni Kroos to Real Madrid, and the rest is history. David Alaba, too, left the Bavarian club to join Los Blancos in recent memory.

Is Olise a viable target for Real Madrid?

Olise could be a brilliant addition to the Real Madrid setup. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho going after Olise could prove to be a masterstroke as the Bayern Munich star has been one of the standout players in Europe this season, racking up 22 goals and 30 assists in 51 competitive matches.

Olise could be the missing piece that binds together Mbappe and Vinicius in the Real Madrid frontline. He is also one of the best dribblers in world football and can be Real Madrid’s answer to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.

However, signing Olise will be difficult, with Bayern Munich not interested in selling their star man at all. So unless Real Madrid can engineer a massive coup, it is unlikely the Frenchman is leaving Bavaria anytime soon.

The day after New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart took the stage at a rally with Donald Trump to introduce the president, linebacker Abdul Carter questioned his teammate’s actions on social media.

“Thought this sh!t was AI, what we doing man,” Carter wrote in an X post on Saturday morning.

Carter and Dart were both selected by the Giants in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft and played together last season.

Dart introduced Trump at a rally on Friday at Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York. The event was held in support of New York Republican congressman Mike Lawler, who is running for reelection, and was Trump’s first rally in New York since the 2024 election.

“Big Blue Nation, it’s a pleasure to be here. Go, Big Blue!” Dart said in his remarks. “What an honor. What a privilege it is to be here. Without further ado, I’m grateful, I’m honored, and I’m pleased to introduce the 45th and 47th President of the United States of America, President Donald J Trump.”

Trump called Dart a “future Hall of Famer” and a “beautiful guy”, saying he had “a lot of talent” and comparing the quarterback’s legs to tree trunks.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan on Friday reposted a video of Dart with Trump on X and wrote “sounds bout ole miss” in reference to Dart’s alma mater.

Carter, the No 3 overall pick last year, started all 17 games for the Giants. Dart, the No 25 pick, began the 2025 season as backup to Russell Wilson before taking over as the starter for 12 games.

New York went 4-13 and finished last place in their division in 2025. This season will be their first under new coach John Harbaugh.

KKR vs DC Dream11: Lineups, pitch report and score predictions for IPL 2026 match originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Kolkata Knight Riders have to win against Delhi Capitals to secure playoff qualification.
• DC are already eliminated from the playoff race. 
• KKR need to overtake PBKS on net run rate to reach playoffs. 

KKR vs DC IPL 2026 at Kolkata: Match Preview

Before walking out at the Eden Gardens on a sultry summer evening, Kolkata Knight Riders fans will have their eyes glued to the television, watching the MI vs RR match in Mumbai, which will be held earlier in the day.

If RR beat MI at Wankhede, the match against DC will be a mere formality as RR will become the fourth team to progress to the playoffs with 16 points.

KKR, currently on 13, can hope to secure a playoff berth if RR lose to MI. Also, KKR will have to consider the winning margin as PBKS, also on 15 points, have a superior net run rate.

For DC, it is all about pride as their hopes of progressing to the next round shattered after LSG's loss to PBKS on Saturda evening in Lucknow. 

KKR vs DC: Predicted playing XI and starting lineups

KKRpredicted playing XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Finn Allen, Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Chakravarthy, Saurabh Dubey.

DC predicted playing XI: Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (wk), Sahil Parakh, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (c), Mukesh Kumar, Madhav Tiwari, T Vijay, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi

MORE: MI's IPL 2026 playoff chances: Qualification scenarios, wins and points required

Eden Gardens, Kolkata: Pitch report

Eden Gardens will likely roll out a flat deck, but with some help for the spinners. Anything just over 200 will be deemed a competitive score. The average first-inning score is 171 runs.

MORE: Kohli reaches 300 sixes in IPL despite 'not a natural six-hitter', says Kaif

KKR vs DC: Dream 11 Fantasy XI

Wicketkeepers: Finn Allen, KL Rahul (c)

Batters: Manish Pandey, David Miller, Rinku Singh (vc)

All-rounders: Axar Patel, Rovman Powell, Cameron Green, 

Bowlers: Sunil Narine, Kartik Tyagi, Lungi Ngidi

KKR vs DC Score Prediction and Winner

If MI bats first: 205 - 215 runs

If DC bats first: 185 - 200 runs

Match winner prediction: KKR to secure a victory.

Who do you think will win IPL 2026?To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart introduced President Donald Trump at a rally in Suffern, New York, on Friday. However, the high-profile appearance has raised eyebrows among some teammates and fans, sparking a larger discussion about Trump and politics in sports.

“What an honor, what a privilege it is to be here,” Dart told the crowd before introducing Trump. Dart also led the audience in chanting “Go Big Blue,” a traditional Giants chant. Trump praised the quarterback during his speech, calling Dart a “future Hall of Famer.”

Shortly after walking out, Trump said to the audience, “I’m looking at Jaxson, I’d like to know, is there any woman in the audience that thinks they can tackle that guy? Because I’d like to meet you; I’d like to shake your hand,” the president said. “Jaxson, do you think you could play against women OK? Do you think you’d have any problem? I don’t think so.”

The president then went on to compliment the quarterback’s physique, saying, “He’s this beautiful guy. He’s got legs like tree trunks. This is not a good thing for women. This would not be good.”

Newsweek has reached out to the Giants’ press team for comment via email on Saturday.

Social Media Fallout: Teammates and Pundits Weigh In

The quarterback’s appearance quickly reverberated within his own locker room. Early Saturday, fellow New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter responded to a video clip of Dart at the rally, writing on X, “thought this s*** was AI, what we doing man.” Carter’s post garnered nearly 22 million views by Saturday afternoon.

While many users agreed with Carter’s sentiment, others criticized the linebacker for publicly calling out a teammate over his political views. Sports radio host Jake Asman wrote on X, “Abdul Carter should have messaged Dart privately if he had an issue with Dart doing this. So dumb to publicly call out a teammate.”

Former NFL placekicker Lawrence Tynes also weighed in against Carter’s public approach. “The locker room is a sacred place because it brings together everyone from all walks of life and beliefs for one common goal. Calling a teammate out publicly for his political views and to get attention is nasty work,” Tynes wrote.

However, others like Tara Setmayer, cofounder and CEO of the Seneca Project and a fan of the team, expressed her frustration with Darton X: “As a lifelong, avid @Giants fan, I am beyond disappointed & flat out angry @JaxsonDart has chosen to align himself with an unhinged, racist, criminal, lunatic destroying our democracy. How is this going to go over with his teammates? This is a terrible look for the org.”

In another vein,sports reporter Jemele Hill noted the validity of media scrutiny surrounding the event, posting, “Nothing wrong with his support of Donald Trump, but it is completely appropriate and fair for journalists to ask him why.”

Broader NFL and Political Reactions

The incident has drawn commentary from some member the league as well as politicians. New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan chimed into the conversation, writing on X, “sounds bout ole miss,” in reference to Dart’s alma mater, the University of Mississippi.

On the political front, Representative Clay Fuller, a Georgia Republican, defended the quarterback while drawing comparisons to past sports controversies. “Jaxson Dart is an America first patriot and elite quarterback. Colin Kaepernick is a woke activist and mediocre quarterback. Notice the difference in how the media is treating them?” Fuller wrote on X.

Kaepernick is a former NFL player whose 2017 on-field kneeling protest against police brutality made him a central figure in the league’s debate over player protests. Trump has said those protests were dishonorable.

The regular football season does not kick off until September, but the Giants are scheduled for training and preseason games in August, where team chemistry will likely be under the microscope.

What Was the Rally For?

Trump was in Suffern to headline a campaign event for Representative Mike Lawler, a New York Republican facing a competitive GOP primary race next month.

The appearance was also designed to promote a federal tax law signed last year. A centerpiece of the legislation is the quadrupling of the deduction for state and local taxes (SALT)—raising the cap from $10,000 to $40,000—a policy change highly critical to taxpayers in high-tax states like New York.

Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, a highly competitive battleground that includes all or parts of Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties just north of New York City. Lawler is just one of three House Republicans who represent a district won by former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. With the midterms approaching, the joint appearance underscores a concerted Republican effort to tie localized races to national economic messaging ahead of New York’s primary that is set for June 23.

Ewa Pajor and Salma Paralluelo scored twice each in the second half as Barcelona thrashed a stunned Lyon 4-0 in the Women's Champions League final on Saturday to win the European title for the fourth time.

It took until the 55th minute for the deadlock to be broken by Pajor, but Barcelona ran away with the game after that at the Ullevaal Stadion in the Norwegian capital.

Polish striker Pajor put the pain of five previous final defeats behind her as she also scored her team's second goal on 69 minutes, leaving Lyon with too much to do.

Pajor was on the losing side in four Champions League finals with previous club Wolfsburg before joining Barcelona in 2024 and playing in their 1-0 loss to Arsenal in Lisbon last season.

Spain World Cup winner Paralluelo then added two late goals as Lyon fell apart, exposing a gulf between the two outstanding club sides in women's football over the last decade.

The victory, and manner of it, confirmed that Barcelona have overtaken Lyon as the dominant force in recent years, as they won their fourth title, all of which have come in the last six seasons -- only Lyon, with eight, have won more overall.

Barcelona's European triumph follows a clean sweep of the Spanish domestic honours, and the Catalans brought reigning Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati on as a second-half substitute here following her recent return from a broken leg.

This was a sixth straight Champions League final appearance for Barcelona, and their seventh in the last eight seasons.

They had already beaten Lyon 2-0 in the 2024 final, when Bonmati and Alexia Putellas scored their goals -- the latter wore the captain's armband here in what could turn out to be her farewell appearance with her contract now up.

This was the fourth time the clubs had met in the final, with Lyon coming out on top in 2019 during their run of five consecutive titles, and also winning in 2022 -- but that is now the only time they have lifted the trophy in the last six editions.

Ada Hegerberg scored a hat-trick in the 2019 final and was also on target three years later, but the competition's all-time leading scorer looked a shadow of her former self on this occasion, which was a homecoming for the Norwegian former Ballon d'Or winner.

- Emphatic -

Lyon must now try to lift themselves for a French title decider against Paris FC next weekend, after failing to go the extra step in Europe following their defeat of reigning champions Arsenal in the semi-finals.

The French side thought they had taken an early lead in the evening sunshine in front of a crowd of 24,258, with Lindsey Heaps converting the rebound after a Wendie Renard header had been saved by goalkeeper Cata Coll.

However, the effort was disallowed for offside following a VAR check.

Barcelona perhaps should have scored soon after as a mix-up between Renard and Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler allowed Pajor to try a lob from outside the area, but her attempt hit the side-netting.

Coll saved well from a Selma Bacha free-kick as the first half ended goalless, but Barcelona looked the more likely side and were rewarded with the opener 10 minutes after the restart.

Patri Guijarro was the creator with a driving run and pass to Pajor, who controlled, took another touch to steady herself, and fired in.

Coll tipped a Vicki Becho shot around the post as Lyon sought a leveller, but instead Barcelona increased their lead just past the midway point in the second half.

The French champions failed to clear the ball in their box and Paralluelo cut it back from the byline for Pajor to score.

Substitute Tabitha Chawinga's inability to beat Coll when clean through summed up Lyon's evening, and Paralluelo added a late brace to make it an emphatic victory.

Her magnificent rising strike from range in the 90th minute was the pick of the goals on the day, before she ran through to make it 4-0 in stoppage time.

as/bc

MMA Fighting has PFL Brussels results for the Habirora vs. Henderson fight card and more from ING Arena in Brussels on Saturday afternoon.

In the main event, undefeated prospect Patrick Habirora represents his home country of Belgium when he takes on former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in a welterweight contest. The 25-year-old Habirora (8-0) had an extensive amateur career, but rose to prominence in PFL Europe with two first-round finishes there last year. Henderson (30-12), meanwhile, is an MMA legend, but has not fought in the cage since 2023, instead competing across multiple different disciplines over the past few years.

In the co-main event, Taylor Lapilus (24-4) looks to continue his five-fight winning streak with a victory over UFC veteran Jake Hadley (12-5) in their bantamweight fight.

Check out the full PFL Brussels results below.

Main Card (ESPN at 3 p.m. ET)

Patrick Habirora vs. Benson Henderson

Taylor Lapilus vs. Jake Hadley

Boris Mbarga Atangana vs. Jared Gooden

Marcirley Alves vs. Naoki Inoue

Asael Adjoudj vs. Keisuke Sasu

Preliminary Card (LIVE NOW)

Baris Adiguzel vs. Gustavo Oliveira

Donegi Abena def. Joe Schilling via TKO (retirement, Schilling refused to continue after foul) (R1)

Movsar Ibragimov def. Shane Campbell via submission (RNC) (R1, 3:28)

Khamzat Abaev def. Luca Poclit via TKO (strikes) (R1, 2:56)

Adam Meskini def. Keweny Lopes via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

Ashley Reece def. Rustam Serbiev via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Although Kimi Antonelli believed that he was pushed off the road at Turn 1 by George Russell in their battle for the lead of the Canadian Grand Prix sprint race, the Formula 1 stewards did not see fit to intervene.

Russell maintained position on the inside of Turn 1, with Antonelli attempting to make a move around the outside. However, the Italian found his car in a rapidly closing gap and was forced to take to the grass to avoid contact.

However, Antonelli's stance was evident over the radio; he felt that he had his wheels sufficiently alongside Russell's car to be granted room for the inside of Turn 2, in deference to F1's driving standards guidelines. 

Was he right to be aggrieved? Let's take a look at those guidelines and see whether Antonelli's point of view is justified.

The guidelines differ for overtaking around the outside and the inside. If a driver is taking the inside line, these are as follows:

"Overtaking on the inside of a corner

To be entitled to be given room when overtaking on the inside, the overtaking car must:
i) Have its front axle at least alongside the mirror of the other car prior to and at the apex.
ii) Be driven in a fully controlled manner particularly from entry to apex, and not have “dived in”.
iii) In the stewards’ estimation, have taken a reasonable racing line and been able to complete the move whilst remaining within track limits."

Antonelli stated that he had his front axle in a reasonable position alongside Russell and his argument over the radio hinged on this - but in the first instance into Turn 1, he must refer to the guidelines that cover outside moves.

"Overtaking on the outside will always be viewed as a more difficult manoeuvre to accomplish. To be entitled to be given room, including at the exit, when overtaking on the outside, the overtaking car must:
i) Have its front axle ahead of the front axle of the other car at the apex.
ii) Be driven in a controlled manner from entry, to apex, and to exit.
iii) Be able to make the corner within track limits."

Antonelli was alongside Russell on the approach, and the two appeared to be level at the apex, but the stewards may well feel that Antonelli's axle was crucially not ahead for anything beyond a split second. GPS data then shows that Russell lifts off slightly to maintain some of the momentum to ensure his front axle remains ahead into the corner.

With Turn 1 and 2 in such close proximity, Antonelli may well argue that he was attempting to prise open an overtake into Turn 2, in which the inside-line rules would apply; in that case, his axle was beyond the mirror. Yet, he was already off the circuit at this point before the change in steering direction.

Regardless, this has already been covered in the following part of the guidelines, which states: "The above guides for inside and outside may apply for each element of the combination. Generally, priority will be given to the first corner element."

While Antonelli may have a case if the inside-line guidelines applied, the difference in guidelines for an outside pass thus changes the picture, even in the event of an S-bend. 

It depends how much weight the stewards place on Antonelli being marginally ahead at the apex for a fraction of a second, and whether this was indeed measurable in the moment. 

"You can’t expect to have a lion in the car and a puppy outside of it" – Mercedes boss defends Kimi Antonelli fury

Annoyed Kimi Antonelli demands "clarity" over robust George Russell defence in Canada F1 sprint

F1 Canadian GP: George Russell wins sprint after Kimi Antonelli clash

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Chelsea come into the final weekend of the Premier League season still harboring some hopes of European football. Tuesday’s amusing win over Tottenham Hotspur, which not only raised spirits but kept Spurs still under threat of relegation, has us sitting in eighth currently, which would be good enough for another tour of obscure European towns via the Conference League.

But a win on Sunday, combined with Brighton & Hove Albion failing to beat Manchester United, would see us finish the season in seventh, which would instead give us the Europa League — still not the Champions League but certainly better than other alternatives. There are other permutations at play as well, with upwards of another five teams in the mix potentially for these last two European spots, but as long as we win, we only have to worry about Brighton. And since all the games on the final day are played at the same time, we can only focus on ourselves anyway.

While there is an argument to be made that it would be more beneficial for our league campaign if Xabi Alonso didn’t have to deal with European football as well next season, by rule we should always strive for winning the most things. So let’s start by finishing the season with a win!

Date / Time: Sunday, May 24, 2026, 16.00 BST; 11am EDT; 8:30pm IST
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (on pitch); Matthew Donohue (VAR)
Forecast: Nice and sunny and warm

On TV: Sky Sports+ (UK); none (USA); none (India); SuperSport Blitz (NGA); elsewhere
Streaming: Sky Go (UK); Peacock (USA); JioHotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)

Sunderland team news: The Mackems only came up through the playoffs but have done better than either of the other two promoted teams (though only Burnley are going straight back down), and for a while early on, were even flirting with the top-four. A rough patch in the winter — winning just two of twelve at one point — saw them fall away from the top end, but they haven’t finished higher than tenth since 2001 and have not tasted European football since 1973. Both of those are very much on the table should they beat us.

A big reason for Sunderland’s success was their massive £200m summer spending spree, breaking the club transfer record multiple times as they practically signed a brand new team. Trying to integrate so many new players is never easy, but somehow it worked for them. The likes of Enzo Le Fée, captain Granit Xhaka, goalkeeper Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, top scorer Brian Brobbey, and several others have all played key roles, especially in solidifying the team without the ball. They may be one of the lowest scoring sides in the league — only the bottom two have scored fewer — but only three teams have conceded fewer: the top two, and Brighton. They’ve been especially tough at home, losing just four times all season.

Manager Régis Le Bris does have a couple injuries to contend with, though nothing too significant. Chemsdine Talbi, Romaine Mundle, and Dan Ballard have been ruled out while Omar Alderete and former Chelsea winger Bertrand Traoré face late fitness test.

View from the enemy:Roker Report

Chelsea team news: Chelsea have a fairly clean bill of health as well, with only Estêvão, Jamie Gittens, and Roméo Lavia ruled out. João Pedro, Levi Colwill, and Reece James will be gametime decisions however, after not being fully involved against Spurs — in fact, JP missed out with a knock while Colwill was rested to manage his post-ACL injury workload.

That win against Spurs was just our second win in our last twelve Premier League matches — matching Sunderland’s aforementioned blip — and I’m sure we’re all ready to be done with this season and never mention it again. There’s hope of better days ahead with Xabi Alonso coming in as the new manager. At the same time, this may be the last time we see a few these players in a Chelsea shirt — Enzo Fernández, in particular, is being linked with moves away — so if nothing else, we can at least appreciate them one final time.

Previously: Sunderland got a stoppage time winner at the Bridge earlier this season. That was our first meeting in over eight years. Our last visit to the Stadium of Light ended in 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Cesc Fàbregas. We’d go on to win the league that season; still our most recent title.

Apple got rid of the 256GB SSD version on both of its 13-inch and 15-inch M5 MacBook Air models, giving buyers more breathing room to store data on their local storage. Fortunately, that’s not the only positive thing about this exceptionally powerful portable Mac, because Amazon has a terrific surprise in the form of a mammoth $200 discount, which has reduced the retail price to $899.99 for a short period. Those searching for a notebook with impressive specifications will be thrilled that they stumbled upon this offer. With 16GB of unified memory and an SSD that offers increased read and […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/13-inch-m5-macbook-air-now-starts-from-900-on-amazon-best-price-so-far/

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Samsung’s latest Galaxy S23 Ultra update, which brings One UI 8.5 features, is now available widely. Users have already installed the update, and they continue to explore the changes and features brought in the new version.

One UI 8.5 feels aimed at people who actually use their phones hard every day. Samsung did not go for a dramatic makeover here. Instead, the company cleaned up dozens of smaller frustrations across the interface, AI tools, and system apps.

One UI 8.5 changes and features

Visually, One UI 8.5 looks cleaner without trying too hard to reinvent itself. Samsung added more translucent layers, softer blur effects, and floating panels throughout the interface. Notifications, quick settings, and widgets feel less boxed in now.

Samsung also reworked some of the Galaxy AI experience in ways that feel less gimmicky than before. Photo Assist now lets users move through multiple AI-generated image variations without constantly saving each attempt first.

The One UI 8.5 animations also carry a little more fluidity, especially when jumping between apps or opening multitasking windows. It is subtle stuff, but longtime Galaxy users will notice the difference pretty quickly.

Oddly enough, Samsung Bixby may end up being one of the bigger surprises in this release. Users can speak more naturally, ask follow-up questions, or describe actions casually instead of memorizing exact wording.

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Samsung also made previous conversations accessible from the side panel, making it easier to jump back without starting over from scratch. It still is not replacing Google Assistant for everyone overnight, but the gap feels smaller this time.

Outside the headline features, One UI 8.5 adds several practical improvements. Lock screen photos automatically reposition around widgets and clocks, which prevents faces or pets from getting awkwardly covered.

Battery settings finally look less cluttered, too. The updated page presents usage data and remaining battery estimates in a way that is easier to scan quickly. Direct voicemail transcription is another useful addition, especially during meetings.

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The post Galaxy S23 Ultra users should check out these new One UI 8.5 features appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung users who updated their phones to One UI 8.5 are now facing a small problem with the Home Up app. Many users wanted a cleaner and wider home screen after the update, but a feature inside Home Up is not working properly. Due of this, the Favorites bar at the bottom of the screen is still showing even after users try to remove it.

The issue started after users updated both One UI 8.5 and the Home Up module from Samsung’s Good Lock app. Usually, Home Up lets users hide the Favorites bar to make the home screen look bigger and cleaner. But now, the Favorites section stays visible for some users.

One user shared that even after updating everything, the Favorites bar did not disappear. The user wanted to use a wide home screen layout without the bottom dock showing, but the setting was not working.

The community moderator explained that the “Show Favorites” feature does not work correctly in this mode. Due to this bug, the Favorites bar remains on the home screen even when users try to hide it.

Samsung also said that this problem cannot be fixed by users right now. Reinstalling the app or changing settings may not help. The issue needs a system-level fix from Samsung itself.

The good news is that Samsung is already working on a solution. The company plans to fix the issue in the future with the One UI 9.0 update. Until then, users may need to keep the Favorites bar visible or turn off the “Use Home Screen Only” setting if they want different customization options.

The post You’ll notice this big change in Home Up after One UI 9 appeared first on Sammy Fans.

In just over a week, on June 1, the deadline set by FIFA for national teams to confirm their 26-player squads for the 2026 World Cup will expire. Argentina have yet to make that announcement, and Roberto Ayala revealed details about Lionel Scaloni’s method for making the final decision.

“Each member of the staff makes their own list,” Ayala revealed during a recent interview with Clank. “In the conversations we have, he asks whether each of us has our list ready. Then we send them to the group chat we have, and finally Leo decides.”

The former Valencia defender explained that there are as many as six different lists before Scaloni makes the final call. One obviously belongs to the coach himself, who has the final word, while the others come from assistants Roberto Ayala, Walter Samuel and Pablo Aimar — all former national team players as well — plus Matias Manna (match analyst) and Luis Martin (fitness coach).

Despite the number of lists involved, Ayala admitted the staff members are usually on the same page. “There are very few differences between us. One more name or one less,” he said before explaining how coach Scaloni handles the process: “He opens the discussion so we can talk things through and different topics come up. Those are our preliminary conversations.”

Scaloni’s doubts ahead of the World Cup

Argentina were one of the few teams to officially announce the list of 55 players submitted to FIFA on May 11. From there, reports indicate that Scaloni made a preliminary cut to reduce the number to around 35 players, though he has yet to finalize the definitive 26-man squad.

One of the main reasons for the caution is the considerable number of players dealing with physical issues whose recovery processes are being evaluated on a day-to-day basis. Most of them also play in defensive positions, which complicates planning: goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and defenders Cristian Romero, Gonzalo Montiel and Nahuel Molina are among them.

Ayala explains the debates within Argentina’s staff

In the same interview, Roberto Ayala gave details about the criteria Scaloni will use to determine Argentina’s final World Cup roster. “About 80% of the list is already set. There are others we still have to evaluate, whether because of form or physical condition. We also have to consider that something could happen to someone or that a player could still be doubtful,” he explained.

“So what do we do then? Do we add a defender or a midfielder? We have to look at the versatility of the players and what they can give you. Whether in some cases we need to play with three or five defenders, and which players can offer you more things,” added the former defender.

“We lost (Juan) Foyth, who was important, because he was a reliable center back and a fullback who always delivered,” Ayala lamented, referring to the Villarreal player who suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury earlier this year. “All of that gets evaluated and resolved in a short amount of time.”

Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez are set to headline one of the most unusual storylines of the 2026 World Cup, as the expanded tournament in North America prepares to introduce a series of international clashes the soccer world has literally never seen before. With 48 teams participating for the first time in history, the competition will create matchups that have never happened in official games or even friendly encounters.

According to reports highlighted by Revista Serie Z on X (formerly Twitter), 27 group-stage fixtures at the 2026 World Cup will be completely unprecedented at senior international level. That means some nations will face opponents they have never encountered across more than a century of international soccer.

Fans are used to seeing familiar rivalries at World Cups. However, this expanded format has opened the door for nations from completely different soccer worlds to finally collide on the biggest stage. The 2026 tournament will be the first World Cup to feature 48 national teams, increasing the number of group-stage games dramatically.

As a result, countries that rarely qualify for major tournaments now have a chance to meet traditional soccer powers for the very first time. This statistic alone highlights how much international soccer is changing. Smaller soccer nations that previously had limited exposure outside their own confederations are now entering completely new territory.

Several of the matchups involve debutants or countries that historically have not crossed paths due to geography, qualification structures, or differing competitive levels. The expansion has effectively reshaped the international soccer map.

Portugal, Colombia, and Group K become the biggest curiosity

The most surprising example comes from Group K, where every matchup is reportedly unprecedented. That means Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo have never faced one another in any senior international setting.

For Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, the chance of meeting James Rodriguez’s Colombia for the first time at a World Cup adds another layer of intrigue. Despite both nations having long soccer histories and world-famous stars, they somehow never crossed paths before now.

The same applies to Portugal’s meetings with Uzbekistan and DR Congo. Colombia also enters the tournament facing unfamiliar opponents across the board, creating a group built entirely on mystery and unpredictability.

The full list of reported unprecedented fixtures includes:

• South Africa vs South Korea
• Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Canada
• Haiti vs Scotland
• Haiti vs Morocco
• Curacao vs Germany
• Curacao vs Ecuador
• Curacao vs Ivory Coast
• Ecuador vs Ivory Coast
• Belgium vs Iran
• Belgium vs New Zealand
• Cape Verde vs Spain
• Cape Verde vs Uruguay
• Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia
• Iraq vs Norway
• Iraq vs France
• Iraq vs Senegal
• Jordan vs Austria
• Jordan vs Argentina
• Uzbekistan vs Portugal
• DR Congo vs Colombia
• Uzbekistan vs Colombia
• DR Congo vs Portugal
• Portugal vs Colombia
• Uzbekistan vs DR Congo
• Panama vs Ghana
• Panama vs Croatia
• Ghana vs Croatia

Rare international meetings spark excitement

Some of the clashes immediately stand out because they feel almost impossible in traditional soccer history. Curacao vs Germany, Haiti vs Scotland, and Iraq vs France are examples of matchups fans never expected to see at a World Cup.

The Colombia vs Portugal matchup may attract the biggest global audience because of the star power involved. Ronaldo remains one of soccer’s biggest names even at 41, while James Rodriguez continues to be one of Colombia’s most iconic modern players after his unforgettable performances at previous World Cups.

The expanded competition also allows nations from Africa, Asia, CONCACAF, and Europe to meet in combinations rarely seen before. That unpredictability could make the group stage one of the most entertaining in tournament history.

Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the pitch with another league winner’s medal in his hands, but the celebrations many expected in Riyadh may never arrive. Al-Nassr reportedly decided against organizing an official title celebration despite finally lifting the Saudi Pro League trophy, adding a surprising twist to what should have been one of the club’s biggest nights in recent history.

The Portuguese star delivered once again on the final day of the season, scoring twice in a commanding victory over Damac as Al-Nassr secured the title ahead of fierce rival Al Hilal. While the atmosphere inside the stadium was emotional, reports now suggest the club quickly shifted focus away from festivities.

More than three years after arriving in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo finally won his first Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr. The Riyadh club defeated Damac 4-1 in the decisive final-round clash, finishing narrowly ahead of Al Hilal in one of the closest title races in recent seasons.