Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 8:47 PM ET
Premier League Highlights
Arsenal secured a crucial 2-0 victory skysports.com over Everton, with 16-year-old Max Dowman making history as the youngest player to feature for the Gunners in a competitive match since 2020. The win moved Mikel Arteta's side within striking distance of the top four, though controversy erupted when VAR failed to award a penalty after Michael Keane stepped on Kai Havertz's Achilles. Jamie Redknapp called the decision "a disgrace," while police launched an investigation into an altercation in the away section after Everton striker Thierno Barry claimed his friends were "attacked" during the match.
Newcastle boosted their European hopes skysports.com with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Anthony Gordon scoring the decisive goal against his former club. The result leaves Chelsea six points adrift of the top five with just nine games remaining, prompting questions about Mauricio Pochettino's future. Meanwhile, Brighton edged Sunderland 1-0 espn.com thanks to Yankuba Minteh's winning strike, while Atlético Madrid moved up to third espn.com in LaLiga with a 1-0 win over Getafe.
Championship Promotion Race
The Championship promotion race twisted dramatically skysports.com as Ipswich climbed to third skysports.com with a 2-0 victory over relegated Sheffield Wednesday, capitalizing on slip-ups from rivals. West Brom claimed their first win of 2026 skysports.com with a 3-0 thrashing of Hull, breathing life into their survival battle. Blackburn hit back to beat Millwall skysports.com 2-1, with Mathias Jorgensen scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to dent the Lions' promotion push. Leicester's relegation worries deepened skysports.com after a 3-1 home defeat to QPR, while Norwich eased past Preston skysports.com 2-0 in a predictable outcome between two sides at opposite ends of the form table.
Scottish Premiership
Celtic came from behind to beat Motherwell skysports.com 3-1 at Parkhead, throwing down the gauntlet to Hearts in the title race. The victory, secured despite Motherwell playing with ten men, moved the Hoops within two points of the league leaders. Kilmarnock dented Hearts' title bid skysports.com with a 1-0 victory at Rugby Park, dropping the Tynecastle side three valuable points in their pursuit of Celtic. Wrexham strengthened their grip on a playoff place espn.com with a 2-0 derby victory over Swansea, manager Phil Parkinson praising his side's character in the Welsh capital.
International Football
Iraq will travel to Mexico by private plane bbc.com for their World Cup play-off despite calls from coach Graham Arnold to postpone the match amid escalating US-Israeli tensions with Iran. The Iraqi FA's decision comes as Mexico suffers another major injury blow, with midfielder Marcel Ruiz ruled out of the 2026 World Cup espn.com with a torn ACL. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi will be rested for Saturday's MLS match espn.com against Charlotte FC, with Inter Miami managing the workload of their veteran star.
European Darts and Tennis
Michael van Gerwen's hopes of a record-extending 39th European Tour title skysports.com ended in stunning fashion at the European Darts Trophy, where Dutch compatriot Niels Zonneveld claimed a surprise victory in Goettingen. On the tennis courts, Jannik Sinner raced to his maiden Indian Wells final skysports.com with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Alexander Zverev, setting up a potential title showdown with Carlos Alcaraz. Aryna Sabalenka will face Elena Rybakina in the women's final skysports.com, renewing their Australian Open rivalry at the BNP Paribas Open.
Six Nations Rugby
France retained their Six Nations title skysports.com in dramatic fashion, snatching a 48-46 victory over England with Thomas Ramos' last-gasp penalty in Paris. The 13-try thriller saw England fall agonizingly short of a famous victory, with Ramos' "world-class" performance earning praise as he saved France at the death skysports.com. The result maintains France's dominance in northern hemisphere rugby and sets up an intriguing final round of fixtures.
Formula One and Golf
Lewis Hamilton hailed Kimi Antonelli skysports.com for becoming the first teenager to claim a Grand Prix pole position, before turning his focus to formulating a "different tactic" to turn his early Mercedes challenge around in China. Max Verstappen said driving his Red Bull felt "awful" and that "every lap is survival" after a chastening Saturday for the team. In golf, Scottie Scheffler insists he has still had a good week at The Players despite failing to get into title contention, as Rory McIlroy was left to rue another inconsistent round at TPC Sawgrass. Spectators were delayed entering The Players skysports.com following a fatal shooting close to the course the previous evening.
Transfer Rumors and Contracts
Liverpool have triggered the 12-month option espn.com to extend goalkeeper Alisson Becker's contract until 2027, securing their No. 1 keeper's future at Anfield. Manchester United are reported to be leading the way espn.com to sign Bournemouth and USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams, while Arsenal are in talks for Castello Lukeba and Adam Wharton is wanted by a top-flight trio. Real Madrid are open to Camavinga offers bbc.com as Premier League clubs circle the French midfielder.
Managerial and Tactical News
Michael Carrick says Manchester United are embracing the pressures espn.com of pushing for a Champions League return, while Igor Tudor has hinted Tottenham will stick with a back-three for Sunday's trip to Liverpool, with Archie Gray in line to play centre-back. Arne Slot has urged his Liverpool players to "get the maximum" out of the remainder of their season but admitted he does not know what that will be. Barcelona midfielder Gavi has been cleared to return to action espn.com against Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday after almost seven months out with a knee problem.
NWSL Season Opener
After roughly three years of planning, stadium renovation setbacks and a branding mulligan, Boston's arrival in NWSL was a moment for the club and the league to celebrate, though they fell in their opening match. Sophia Wilson's return and Olivia Moultrie's winning strike highlighted the National Women's Soccer League season opener as the Portland Thorns secured a victory over the Washington Spirit espn.com. The story that the NWSL is trying to tell is one of star power, quality and entertainment, and that's why it needs its biggest stars on the field.