Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×European Football
Inter Milan espn.com suffered a stunning 2-1 home defeat to Bodø/Glimt, bowing out of the Champions League in the playoff round with a 5-2 aggregate defeat. The result has shocked European football as the Norwegian side proved they belong at the highest level. Meanwhile, Italian clubs bbc.com face historic embarrassment with the prospect of none making the last. Newcastle United bbc.com expressed their "bring it on" attitude ahead of the Champions League last 16 draw after progressing through the play-offs.
Atletico Madrid espn.com secured their place in the last 16 with a 4-1 win over Club Brugge, thanks to Alexander Sørloth's hat trick. In other Champions League action, Real Madrid espn.com faces a potential crisis as Kylian Mbappé is unlikely to be fit for their second leg against Benfica due to a knee problem. Borussia Dortmund espn.com has rebuked police actions that prevented some of their fans from traveling to Italy for their match against Atalanta.
National Teams & MLS
Mexico coach espn.com Javier Aguirre assured everyone would be safe at Wednesday's friendly against Iceland in Queretaro amid security concerns across the country. Meanwhile, Portugal espn.com is monitoring unrest in Mexico ahead of their own friendly in March. In the MLS, Vancouver Whitecaps espn.com have signed reigning MLS Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon to a contract extension through the 2029-30 season. The league has also hired a search firm espn.com to help find a successor to commissioner Don Garber, whose contract expires in 2027.
League Action & Transfers
Wrexham espn.com continued their promotion push with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Portsmouth, marking another step toward a fourth successive promotion. In Scotland, Dundee United skysports.com and Aberdeen played out a goalless draw in a largely uneventful Scottish Premiership match. West Brom skysports.com have sacked Eric Ramsay just 44 days after appointing him head coach. In transfer news, Barcelona espn.com has completed the signing of Norwich City winger Ajay Tavares, while Manchester United bbc.com and Manchester City are reportedly interested in Nottingham Forest players Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson. Ivan Toney espn.com was involved in a bizarre altercation during Al Ahli's Saudi Pro League match against Damac.