Miami (Ohio) rout SMU in First Four as Prairie View make NCAA Tournament history

• Miami bury 16 threes for statement March Madness win

• RedHawks quiet doubters after unbeaten regular season

• Prairie View A&M claim first ever NCAA Tournament win

Eian Elmer scored 22 points and Miami (Ohio) beat SMU 89-79 on Wednesday night in the First Four for their first NCAA Tournament victory in 27 years.

Elmer went 6 of 9 from three-point range as the 11th-seeded RedHawks (32-1), undefeated during the regular season, advanced in the Midwest Region to play No 6 seed Tennessee.

Published: March 19, 2026, 6:53 am

The WNBA’s new labor deal explained: what it means for pay, power and the league’s future

After 17 months of negotiations, the WNBA and its players have agreed to a new CBA. From salaries to revenue sharing, here’s what’s changing and why it matters

• Sign up for WNBA 30: a limited run women’s basketball newsletter

The WNBA and its players’ union (WNBPA) have reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, ending 17 months of negotiations after players opted out of the previous deal and averting mounting fears of a strike.

The agreement would be the sixth in league history and is being framed by both sides as a major step forward for player empowerment and the league’s growth.

Published: March 18, 2026, 5:34 pm

Other nations danced for joy at the World Baseball Classic. Team USA played toy soldiers

Venezuela played with heart, Italy sipped espresso and the Dominicans showed off their verve at the tournament. America wanted to concentrate on war

On the morning of the World Baseball Classic final between the United States and Venezuela, the headline of the New York Times daily briefing read, “America, alone,” in reference to the unwillingness of the country’s traditional allies to join the war with Iran. The revived rhetoric of America First, once a restoration of the isolationist, often Nazi-sympathetic sentiments of the 1930s, has coalesced into current policy, status, attitude: America by itself, making its own rules, intent on largely playing alone by them.

Venezuela won the final, thrillingly, 3-2 over Team USA, but not before the hosts extended that isolationism with a sourness that produced a comically vapid extension of American bravado, and nearly undermined a tournament that in its 20th year is at last becoming one of baseball’s great successes.

Published: March 18, 2026, 1:44 pm

Salah caps comeback to send Liverpool into last eight with rout of Galatasaray

A warm spring evening at Anfield, with a comeback required to salvage a European tie and perhaps a season, and Liverpool delivered once more.

Arne Slot might have done many things wrong this season but losing that feature of Liverpool’s identity can not be added to the list following an emphatic victory over Galatasaray. Liverpool will meet holders Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter finals of the Champions League, in a repeat of the last 16 tie that Slot often reminisces about from last season, thanks to a performance of intensity and incisiveness against sorry visitors from Turkey.

Published: March 18, 2026, 10:00 pm

Lewandowski and Raphinha double up as Barcelona run riot against Newcastle

For a while Newcastle made this fun but they did not make it through, all that hope giving way to hurt and regret.

By the time the final whistle went, the Camp Nou belted out the club anthem and the broken men in black and white trudged towards their own supporters, positioned high above a scoreboard that showed 7-2, it seemed absurd to say that they had played their part, but they had. In the end, though, the biggest night of their lives belonged to Barcelona, who scored as many goals as they ever have in the European Cup.

Published: March 18, 2026, 7:53 pm

Oh deer! Rory McIlroy puts elk on the Masters champions dinner menu

• Reigning champion reveals elk helped fuel 2025 win

• Champ, a traditional Northern Irish side, is an accompaniment

Elk as the key to Masters success: who had any i-deer? Rory McIlroy will serve starters made from the meat of the North American animal at Augusta National next month in tribute to his food of choice before winning the Masters last year.

The wine McIlroy drank to toast victory, food that conjures ­memories of his childhood in Belfast and a dish made by his mother, Rosie, also ­feature in the ­Masters ­champion’s dinner for 2026. In a nod to the venue’s attention to detail, McIlroy revealed that chefs from Augusta made a special visit to a New York restaurant to replicate his favourite tuna recipe.

Published: March 18, 2026, 5:32 pm

March Madness 2026 men’s predictions: who will cut down the nets in Indianapolis?

Who are the players to watch? Which Cinderella team could break your bracket? Our contributors pick the winners, sleepers and upsets for this year’s men’s NCAA Tournament

The annual bevy of trivia that accompanies an NCAA Tournament. Have you heard there are two Miamis? Did you know Nebraska have never won a men’s tournament game? Are you aware that the Queens Royals have a “spirit animal” called Buddy the Street Dog? Even more importantly, I’m looking forward to watching enough basketball over the next three weeks to crack 68/68 on the Sporcle quiz of this year’s mascots. EB

Published: March 18, 2026, 9:00 am

Decision to strip Senegal of Afcon title has left me gobsmacked – and others in Africa furious

Ruling of the Caf appeals committee is against the laws of the game and casts another shadow over Motsepe’s stewardship as president

In more than three decades of reporting on African football, I have gone through the entire gamut of emotions: exhilaration over some of the continent’s great moments at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and World Cup; frustration over the errors its governors make; and deep despair, wondering whether its custodians will ever live up to their responsibilities and do their jobs diligently.

The decision on Tuesday, by the appeals committee of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), to strip Senegal of the 2025 Afcon title and hand it to Morocco, leaves me gobsmacked, as it did a former member of the appeals committee. “As a person who was on the appeals board for six years I know it does not have the power to change the on-field decision of a referee. I cannot understand how they came to this disgraceful decision,” he said.

Published: March 18, 2026, 12:28 pm

Are unbeaten superteams like the UConn Huskies bad for basketball?

Fans love watching an underdog cause an upset. The problem is that unbeaten teams are unbeaten for a reason

A classic narrative, dating back to the classic matchup of David v Goliath, is the underdog v the favorite.

The only problem is that the underdog is an underdog for the reason. Sure, everyone loves it when a David wins, but Goliath usually swats him away with predictable ease and then pounds him into the dirt. Which leads to a problem: who, other than devoted fans of the team in question, roots for the perennial champions? Isn’t that a bit like watching Hoosiers and rooting for the big kids to beat Gene Hackman’s scrappy underdogs? Or watching Rocky IV and rooting for Drago?

Published: March 18, 2026, 10:00 am

Salah springs to life and plays retro Mo in his own tribute act for Liverpool | Barney Ronay

The Egypt forward led Galatasaray a merry dance for 17 second-half minutes to Anfield’s delight

Welcome back, Mo. The old place has missed you. How many more of these are we going to get?

It would be incorrect to say this was Mohamed Salah’s night at Anfield. It was instead Mohamed Salah’s 17 second‑half minutes, although these were the decisive 17 minutes in this Champions League tie, and one of those interludes at this ground where a kind of voodoo descends, the night goes a little wonky and ghosts flicker at the edge of things.

Published: March 19, 2026, 12:03 am

Xavi Simons provides spark of inspiration as Spurs show overdue fight | Nick Ames

Two-goal display against Atlético gives Tudor hope his playmaker can inspire strugglers to Premier League safety

The kind of night that saves a season? That might be pushing it. A comeback for the ages was on, then off, then on again for a little while: a flickering traffic light that, like Tottenham’s season to date, stopped ultimately on red. But they will hoover up any morsels of hope at this point and at least, when a considerably sub‑capacity crowd applauded them off at the end, the appreciation was deservedly heartfelt. If the adage goes that a win can work wonders, perhaps Igor Tudor will be able to cajole a brand of magic now that he has finally achieved one.

Most of the inspiration here, on a night when nobody let a customarily depleted Spurs down, came from the sparkly feet of Xavi Simons. His year in north London has taken on the same stuttering pattern, weeks of liftoff and others of inconsequence. He had started Tudor’s first two games, a reward of sorts for the dynamic form that could not ultimately save Thomas Frank, but his new manager’s affections had quickly waned. Recalled to chase an essentially lost cause, Simons’ task was to display the ingenuity and drive that might propel Spurs out of peril in the longer term.

Published: March 18, 2026, 11:47 pm

‘We need to deal with this’: Howe urges Newcastle to get over Barça thrashing

• Manager insists: ‘I have no problem picking myself up’

• Derby meeting with Sunderland on Sunday will be ‘huge’

Eddie Howe urged his Newcastle players to recover quickly from the 7-2 thrashing at Barcelona that ended their Champions League interest at the last‑16 stage, going out 8-3 on aggregate.

Anthony Elanga scored twice in reply to goals from Barça’s Raphinha and Marc Bernal in the first half, before a penalty from Lamine Yamal in first-half stoppage time. Newcastle collapsed in the second half, with further goals from Fermín López, a Robert Lewandowski double and another for Raphinha racking up an embarrassing scoreline.

Published: March 18, 2026, 9:53 pm

Iran will boycott the US but not the World Cup, country’s football head says

• Video released of federation president Mehdi Taj

• Fifa has no plans to move Iran games to Mexico

Iran will “boycott the United States” but “not the World Cup”, the Iranian football federation president, Mehdi Taj, said in a video released by the Iranian press agency Fars.

Iran are scheduled to play their group matches in the US in this summer’s tournament. “We will be preparing for the World Cup,” Taj said. “We will boycott the United States but not the the World Cup.”

Published: March 19, 2026, 9:33 am

WSL roundup: Lexi Potter makes grade as Chelsea leapfrog Manchester United

• Teenager scores winner against Brighton on full debut

• United lose ground in title race after draw with West Ham

Chelsea leapt above Manchester United to go second in the Women’s Super League as the teenager Lexi Potter scored the winner against Brighton on her first senior start.

The defending champions beat United in the League Cup final on Sunday and rubbed salt into the wounds by nipping a point ahead of them with a 2-1 victory at Kingsmeadow.

Published: March 18, 2026, 10:11 pm

Midtjylland’s innovators aiming to give Forest that sinking feeling

Nottingham Forest seek to overturn a one-goal Europa League deficit against a familiar foe who were early champions of the set piece

“I like a bit of chaos and structure both on and off the pitch,” says Midtjylland’s technical director, Kristian Kjær. “Getting the right mix is most important.” Perfecting this balance has enabled the Danish side to thrive in Europe, powered by a global recruitment model and innovation.

Nottingham Forest travel to the MCH Arena on Thursday seeking to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, having also lost to Midtjylland in the group stage this season. This is the furthest the Danish club, founded in 1999, have progressed in Europe. “It must have been insane to be starting the club [just over] 25 years ago and then see where we are today,” says Kjær. “What a ride.”

Published: March 19, 2026, 8:00 am

Clubs more vulnerable to unfair dismissal claims after changes to employment law

• Sacked managers and released players gain protection

• Employment Rights Act changes happen in January

Premier League and EFL clubs will be more vulnerable to unfair dismissal claims from sacked managers and released players from next year after changes to employment law. Under the Employment Rights Act (ERA), which comes into effect on 1 January, employees will gain protection from unfair dismissal after six months rather than two years of service.

In another significant change, the cap on compensation awards at employment tribunals of £118,223 will be removed, giving dismissed managers and players a far greater incentive to bring a claim.

Published: March 19, 2026, 8:00 am

Japan’s ruthless streak poses fresh challenge for rising Matildas in Women’s Asian Cup final | Martin Pegan

The world No 6 team have scored 28 goals and conceded just one, starting Saturday’s final against hosts Australia as clear favourites

If the Matildas needed any warning of the huge challenge they will face in the Women’s Asian Cup final on Saturday, Japan fired a shot across their bow in a commanding semi-final victory over South Korea. The world No 6 arrived at the tournament as the team to beat and have since cemented their place as the favourites across a near-flawless campaign.

Japan’s emphasis on a controlled, possession-heavy style within a well oiled machine might be a fever dream for Joe Montemurro and how he envisages the Matildas evolving across his tenure. But for now the former Lyon, Juventus and Arsenal manager will be plotting to avoid the final turning into a nightmare, as Australia’s much-vaunted golden generation chases elusive silverware on Saturday night.

Published: March 19, 2026, 5:34 am

Three uncapped players called up for final home Socceroos friendlies before World Cup

• Adrian Segečić missing after switching allegiance to Croatia

• Tony Popovic makes no promises to convince young players to commit

Tony Popovic said he did all he could to convince Adrian Segečić to play for the Socceroos and repeated the maxim that he won’t be “selling the shirt”, after naming a 26-player squad for upcoming friendlies, including one player who has never been to Australia.

Hibernian striker Ante Šuto, who was born and raised in Croatia, joins two other uncapped players for this month’s matches against Cameroon and Curaçao – young defender Lucas Herrington, who plays with Colorado Rapids, and forward Deni Jurić, who departed Socceroos camp last November due to injury.

Published: March 19, 2026, 4:01 am

Arne Slot ready for ‘incredible’ PSG in last eight after dispatching Galatasaray

• Liverpool won 4-0 to overturn first-leg deficit

• ‘This performance gives me confidence’

Arne Slot said Liverpool’s emphatic comeback against Galatasaray should inspire confidence for their Champions League reunion with Paris Saint-Germain and set a standard for the rest of the season.

Liverpool comfortably overturned a 1-0 first‑leg deficit to set up a quarter-final against PSG, who beat Slot’s team on penalties in the last 16 last season en route to winning the Champions League for the first time. As was the case last season, the first leg will be at Parc des Princes with the return at Anfield.

Published: March 19, 2026, 12:05 am

Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg), Spurs 3-2 Atlético (5-7 agg) and more: Champions League last-16 – as it happened

Liverpool set up a quarter-final with Paris Saint-Germain but Tottenham bowed out despite a first win under Igor Tudor

We’ve kicked-off in Munich, London and Liverpool.

Bayern Munich v Atalanta (agg 6-1)

Liverpool v Galatasaray (agg 0-1)

Tottenham v Atlético Madrid (agg 2-5)

I have taken delivery of shiny new headphones so I can get closer to the misery. But if misery it be then the Liverpool players will have brought it on Slot, not the other way round. The manager does not want them to play as slowly as they do in too many games but still it keeps happening. If it happens tonight then the shame is on them, not him.

How on earth are Liverpool going to score two goals? Two free kicks from Szoboszlai?

Published: March 18, 2026, 10:25 pm

Pereira says it is a ‘pity’ Forest must prioritise Premier League status over Europa League

• Club owner Marinakis has made it clear relegation is unacceptable

• Manager will rest players against Midtjylland ahead of Tottenham

Vitor Pereira has conceded it is a “pity” Nottingham Forest feel compelled to prioritise the Premier League over the Europa League, with the head coach saying the owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has stressed that domestic survival is king.

The fiercely ambitious Marinakis targeted European silverware after the club returned to continental competition for the first time since 1995-96, but though Forest are attempting to overturn a first-leg deficit in the last-16 against Midtjylland, there is an acceptance that relegation to the Championship would be a disaster.

Published: March 18, 2026, 8:29 pm

Barcelona 7-2 Newcastle (agg 8-3): Champions League last-16 second leg – as it happened

Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski both scored twice as the hosts ran riot in the second half against brave Newcastle

1 min: Gordon dribbles down the left and spins Eric Garcia, who is fortunate not to get booked for a pull of the shirt. But it is a free kick in a dangerous position, just to the left of the Barca box. Tonali to take.

Newcastle United get the ball rolling. Whistles as they pass it about the back.

Published: March 18, 2026, 8:11 pm

Judge in rugby brain injury lawsuit tells legal teams to hurry up as cases drag on

• Five years on and little progress made, says judge

• Litigants have until October to choose 28 lead claimants

The judge overseeing the pretrial phase of the two landmark litigation cases about brain injuries in rugby has issued another rebuke to the legal teams on both sides over their lack of progress.

Senior Master Jeremy Cook started the latest round of case management hearings by reminding both the defendants and the claimants that “it won’t have escaped anybody’s notice that some of these claims are now over five years old, and we haven’t made much progress”.

Published: March 18, 2026, 5:51 pm

March Madness 2026 women’s predictions: can anyone thwart a UConn repeat?

Can anyone derail the Connecticut juggernaut? Our contributors pick the winners, sleepers and upsets for this year’s women’s NCAA Tournament

There have been just four women’s Final Fours featuring all No 1 seeds. This year feels like it could give us the fifth. UConn v South Carolina would be a tantalizing rematch of last year’s national championship game – made even more interesting by the fact they didn’t meet in the regular season for the first time since 2014-15. Texas held off a late UCLA comeback when they played in November, but the Bruins have rolled off 25 straight wins since. EB

Published: March 19, 2026, 9:00 am

Messi nets 900th goal, but Nashville dumps Inter Miami from Champions Cup with 1-1 draw

• Cristian Espinoza goal leads Nashville to quarter-finals

• Messi’s milestone the highlight for Inter Miami

• Match was Miami’s last at Chase Stadium before move

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi reached a milestone, but Nashville SC got a ticket to the next round of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

In a 1-1 draw, Messi got the 900th goal of his career, but a second-half striker from Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza sent Inter Miami packing on away goals after the second leg of their round of 16 matchup on Wednesday night.

Published: March 19, 2026, 2:11 am

Top WNBA players set to make more than $1m a year after new CBA agreed in principle

• Union and league reach verbal agreement on new deal

• Average annual salary expected to be $600,000

• Sign up for WNBA 30: a limited run women’s basketball newsletter

The WNBA and its players’ union reached an agreement in principle on a new collective bargaining agreement early Wednesday morning.

Specifics still need to be finalized over the next few weeks as lawyers on both sides work on the new deal. A term sheet should be completed in the next day or two. It will then need to be ratified by the players and then approved by the league’s Board of Governors.

Published: March 18, 2026, 11:27 am

Howard hold off UMBC in First Four for school’s first ever March Madness win

• Harris lifts Howard to first NCAA win in history

• UMBC rally falls short in tense First Four loss

• Mark buzzer-beater sends Texas past NC State

Bryce Harris had 19 points and 14 rebounds, and he sank a turnaround jumper with 13 seconds remaining that sent Howard to its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history, 86-83 over UMBC in the First Four on Tuesday night.

Ose Okojie scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Bison (24-10), who entered with an 0-4 record in March Madness and had to hold off a late rally by the Retrievers (24-9).

Published: March 18, 2026, 6:19 am