Football/Soccer 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 15, 2026, 2:15 AM ET
Premier League Title Race
Erling Haaland's striking slump has cost Manchester City the Premier League title as their faint title hopes faded following a draw at West Ham, while Arsenal's dramatic late win over Everton boosted their championship bid. Max Dowman stole the spotlight with a record-breaking performance for Arsenal in what could prove to be a vital victory, while VAR failed to intervene when Michael Keane stepped on Kai Havertz's Achilles, leaving Arsenal frustrated with the officiating. Police launched an investigation into an altercation in the away section at Emirates Stadium after Everton striker Thierno Barry claimed his friends were "attacked" during Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Arsenal.
La Liga Action
Real Madrid continued their charge toward the La Liga title with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Elche, moving within a single point of Barcelona as Federico Valverde extended his golden streak with his fourth goal in nine days. Álvaro Arbeloa praised Arda Güler's long-distance wondergoal as a "work of art" after the midfielder scored from inside his own half, a stunning strike that highlighted Madrid's attacking prowess during their dominant win.
European Football
Bayern Munich expressed fury over the decision to send off Luis Díaz at Bayer Leverkusen, with referee later admitting he had made a mistake in the controversial incident that marred the Bavarian club's draw. Liverpool extended Alisson's contract until 2027 by triggering the 12-month option, securing the goalkeeper's services for an additional year after his consistent performances between the sticks. Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon retaliated against criticism from pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, calling their comments "complete nonsense" after his match-winning performance against Chelsea.
International Football
Iraq chartered a private plane to Mexico for their World Cup play-off despite coach Graham Arnold's calls to postpone the match amid the escalating geopolitical tensions in the region, highlighting the determination of the nation's football authorities. Lionel Messi watched from the sidelines as Inter Miami was held to a goalless draw with Charlotte FC, with the Barcelona star left out of the matchday squad while teammate Javier Mascherano received a red card in the MLS regular-season encounter. Ellen White and Celin Bizet discussed motherhood as professional footballers in a special Mother's Day feature, offering insight into the challenges and joys of balancing career and family.