Football/Soccer 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 9:41 PM ET
Premier League Title Race
Erling Haaland struggled in crucial match espn.com as Manchester City's title hopes faded with a draw against West Ham, coming on a night when Arsenal's dramatic late win over Everton shifted momentum in the Premier League race. The Norwegian striker, usually prolific against West Ham, went missing when his team needed him most, contributing to City's unbalanced performance that leaves them clinging to faint title aspirations. A contentious VAR decision bbc.com compounded City's frustrations as officials failed to award Arsenal a penalty when Michael Keane appeared to step on Kai Havertz's Achilles, with the incident under review by officials. Following Everton's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, police are investigating fan altercations bbc.com in the away section at Emirates Stadium after Everton striker Thierno Barry claimed his friends were "attacked" during the match.
La Liga Action
Real Madrid celebrated Arda Güler's stunning goal espn.com from inside his own half, with Álvaro Arbeloa hailing the midfielder's wonderstrike as a "work of art" during their commanding 4-1 victory over Elche. The goal added to Federico Valverde's golden streak as the Uruguayan scored his fourth goal espn.com in nine days, playing a starring role in the win that brings Madrid within a point of Barcelona in the La Liga standings. The comprehensive victory showcased Madrid's attacking prowess and their determination to maintain pressure on the league leaders.
International Football
Iraq will travel privately to Mexico bbc.com for their crucial World Cup play-off despite coach Graham Arnold's calls to postpone the match amid escalating geopolitical tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran. The football association's decision to charter a private flight underscores the importance of the qualifier for Iraq's World Cup ambitions. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi was rested for Inter Miami's espn.com MLS regular-season match against Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium, as the Argentine captain continues to manage his workload in the American league. In a Mother's Day special feature, Celin Bizet joins Ellen White to discuss motherhood challenges espn.com as professional footballers, offering unique insight into balancing elite careers with family responsibilities.