The 11th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon took place on Saturday, February 8, 2026, bringing thousands of runners and spectators onto the streets of Lagos.
In the men’s race, Ezra Kipchumba Kering of Kenya claimed victory in the 42km event with a winning time of 2:11:55. The women’s race was won by Dinke Meleka of Ethiopia, who crossed the line in 2:37:36.
The Lagos City Marathon is an annual long distance road race organised to promote athletics, healthy living, and sports tourism in Nigeria. It is recognised by World Athletics, allowing elite runners to earn international ranking points.
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The race starts at the National Stadium in Surulere and finishes at Eko Atlantic City, passing through major parts of Lagos. Alongside the 42km race, the event also has a 10km fun run, which allows non-professional runners to take part.
Since its launch, the marathon has grown into one of Africa’s leading road races, attracting international athletes while giving Nigerian runners the chance to compete on a global stage.
Oct 20, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) signs autographs before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images.
The Miami Dolphins began a roster and salary cap purge on Monday, preparing for free agency in three weeks. Accordingly, one man could hit the Minnesota Vikings’ free-agent radar: wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
Hill isn’t a clean fit, but Vikings chatter grows when Miami’s cap cut and Hill’s availability start intersecting for a WR3-needy team.
The eight-time Pro Bowler is still recovering from a gruesome leg injury, with an unclear timetable to return. But if the Vikings don’t re-sign Jalen Nailor next month, they’ll need a WR3, and Hill isn’t the worst idea.
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If the Vikings Need a WR3, Why Not Hill?
The Dolphins kicked the offseason into overdrive.
Tyreek Hill works through pregame drills on September 29, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, accelerating through routes and catching passes before the Dolphins face the Jets, sharpening timing and footwork as teammates stretch across the field ahead of kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images.
Hill Dropped by MIA
The Hill era in Miami ends after four seasons.
NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack wrote Monday, “The Dolphins celebrated Presidents’ Day with a flurry of moves. Miami is releasing wide receiver Tyreek Hill, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per sources. Hill, an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, is currently rehabbing from a major leg injury suffered during the 2025 season and it is unclear when or if he’ll play in 2026, per Pelissero, who added Hill would’ve had $11 million of his contract become fully guaranteed this month.”
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“Prior to the Hill news, Pelissero reported the Dolphins were releasing pass rusher Bradley Chubb, guard James Daniels and wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. The four cuts together clear over $56 million in 2026 cap space as head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan begin to completely remake the roster.”
Hill can actually sign anywhere in the NFL right now. He doesn’t have to wait until the free-agency window formally opens. A team can scoop him after dinner if it’s in the mood.
The Career Resume
Hill played four games in 2025 before dislocating his left knee and suffering multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL. The injury was horrendous; there’s no sugarcoating it.
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In those four games, Hil tabulated 66.3 yards per game, translating to 1,127 yards in a 17-game season. He may not be the utterly electric speedster from eight years ago, but the guy can still fly, and he was on pace for a fancy season in Miami by most WR standards.
The rest of his resume speaks for itself. He’s totaled 11,363 in 10 seasons, along with 83 yards, and was known as the fastest player in the NFL for years. Hill is a playmaker personified — aptly nicknamed Cheetah — and will have something to prove next season in 2027.
His contract, too, should be semi-affordable, as he hopes to prove he still has the juice. A slightly diminished Hill next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison could be the thing of dreams.
Vikings Fandom as a Kid
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Hill has been clear about this for years. He didn’t just casually mention Minnesota once — he’s openly said he grew up a Vikings fan.
Back in the summer of 2023, he said, “Growing up a kid, I was a Minnesota Vikings fan. I love the Vikes, man.”
That comment lit up Vikings circles immediately, even though he wasn’t remotely available at the time. He’s also publicly called Adrian Peterson the greatest running back ever, which tracks with a kid raised on purple and gold highlights.
Tyreek Hill stands along the sideline on August 23, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, observing first-quarter action against the Jaguars with helmet in hand as the Dolphins offense settles into rhythm during preseason play. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.
Bottom line: if Hill ever had the option to land in Minnesota late in his career, there wouldn’t be resistance. The connection is pretty real.
Other Landing Spots
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The Kansas City Chiefs, somewhat obviously, dominated “where will Tyreek Hill land?” chatter on Monday. He worked for the Chiefs from 2016 to 2021.
CBS Sports‘Garrett Podell opined, “This is the obvious one. The Chiefs have salary cap work to do to become compliant before the new league year begins March 11, but a reunion makes sense. Since trading Hill in 2022, Kansas City hasn’t had a true No. 1 wide receiver alongside future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce.”
“Hill accounted for just over 25% of Kansas City’s receiving yards in his final two seasons there (2020–21). Since his departure, Kelce leads the team at 22.7%, with wide receiver Rashee Rice second at just 10.2%. Hill and quarterback Patrick Mahomes would also be returning from ACL injuries suffered in 2025, potentially putting their timelines in sync. Hill tweeted about his intrigue regarding offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s return to Kansas City.”
Tyreek Hill carries the football on December 22, 2024, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens during pregame warmups before the Dolphins take on the 49ers, sprinting across the turf as he prepares for another high-profile matchup. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.
SI.com‘sMike Kadlick mentioned the Buffalo Bills as a fit: “Josh Allen has been longing for a No. 1 wide receiver since the Bills decided to trade Stefon Diggs to the Texans several years ago, and unfortunately, the likes of Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir aren’t cutting it.”
“It would make sense for Buffalo to more into their offensive weaponry this offseason after transitioning from Sean McDermott to Joe Brady as head coach, and while Hill may no longer be the dynamic playmaker he once was, his speed is undeniable—and could help Allen and his rocket arm fully unlock a dynamic offense for the Bills.”
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It’s also worth noting that Hill has had some disturbing off-field legal baggage over the years, and those concerns prevented Vikings fans from endorsing the would-be signing with a collective voice. Many said “no thanks” on Facebook and X.
Whether Hill is ready for Week 1 of 2026 also remains a mystery.
Feb 3, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) battles for position on a foul shot with Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The NBA season has reached its most boring part of the season, the All-Star break. With the falling popularity of the Dunk Contest, All-Star weekend has become more of an opportunity for players to rest than anything else.
However, the actual basketball being played this season has been wildly exciting. Many hate CJ McCollum for changing the CBA, making it harder for teams to retain their full rosters, but it has done its job in making the NBA as competitively balanced as it’s ever been.
Unlike years past when we were just waiting for the Cavs and Warriors to rematch in the Finals, this season has us asking a few questions before we finish the second half. Here are my two biggest questions that still need to be answered.
Are the Pistons the Real Deal?
After losing a tightly contested first-round series with the Knicks last year, many were hoping for a small jump out of the Pistons. Well, they’ve skipped that step entirely and have the best winning percentage in the NBA, and have the third-best odds to win the Eastern Conference.
At the start of the year, I highly doubted that the Pistons were real, but I’m done doubting them. When JB Bickerstaff took over as head coach, I looked at him as more of a floor raiser than a ceiling raiser, but he’s instilled a culture in Detroit that is one of the best in the league.
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Cade Cunningham is playing at a first-team All-NBA level, and everyone around them has upped their game. Outside of that, it’s been the smaller moves that have been huge for Detroit. Daniss Jenkins has gone from an unused two-way player to a sharp-shooting rotation piece.
Duncan Robinson looked like he might be a bit of an overpay for Detroit, but he has become the exact floor spacer Cade needed. Then, of course, Jalen Duren turning into a walking double-double, and a perfect rim-running partner for Cade, can’t go unnoticed.
The Pistons didn’t look afraid of the moment last year, so I’m interested to see how they will look as heavy first-round favorites as we make it to April.
Could the Thunder be Vulnerable this Year?
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Jan 21, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
If Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s injury has any long-term impacts, who’s going to lead the Thunder? Chet Holmgren is having a career year in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage. He’s doing this while also having the second-best odds to win the defensive player of the year.
He’s been great, but he’s not a guy I trust as a number one option, and hopefully he doesn’t have to be. On the other hand, Jalen Williams has had a bit of a down year. Besides Williams having the worst shooting splits of his career, OKC has simply been better when he’s been off the court.
There’s no doubt he’s still incredibly valuable, but I’m not sold on him being used properly. I think he would be better suited in a lower usage role, as he’s been a bit of a ball stopper for the Thunder.
Because of these concerns, I think there are some real threats to the Thunder’s crown—specifically, two threats in the Spurs and Nuggets. I also want to believe in the Rockets, but their lack of a true point guard and spacing concerns feel like too much of an uphill battle.
Victor Wembanyama is obviously great, but more than just that, he’s done a miraculous job at giving the Thunder fits. The Thunder rely on getting downhill, and that’s just not going to happen against Wemby. But they’re more than Wemby at this point.
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De’Aron Fox has returned from injury and is back to playing like an All-Star. Not only that, but getting top three picks in back-to-back drafts and nailing those selections with Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, most certainly helps.
Then with the Nuggets, they have Nikola Jokic, but more than having the best player on the planet, this might be the best team they’ve ever put around him. Jamal Murray is playing the best basketball of his career, and they’ve paired that with role players who work perfectly with Jokic.
Also, the firing of long-term coach Mike Malone was heavily scrutinized, but Adelman might have found the perfect offensive fit for Jokic. They slowed the game down significantly, going from 9th in possessions per game last year to 23rd this season. This change of pace has allowed them to work the ball through Jokic more and have him kick it back out to their perimeter shooters.
Both of these teams are much better suited to compete with the Thunder this year, but if OKC is at full strength, they’re still easily the team to beat this season.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi and teammate Usman Tariq leave the field after Pakistan lost their T20 World Cup game against India (AP Photo)
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi launched a scathing attack on the senior core of the Pakistan national cricket team after their crushing 61-run defeat to India national cricket team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at R Premadasa Stadium.Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India dominated the Group A clash on Sunday, handing Pakistan a heavy blow and leaving them in a must-win situation against Namibia to have any chance of reaching the Super 8s.
T20 World Cup: India humiliate Pakistan again
Afridi, speaking on Samaa TV, did not hold back and urged the team management to make bold calls ahead of the crucial fixture. He called for the exclusion of senior players including Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, stating that they had been given ample opportunities over the years without delivering consistent results. Notably, Shaheen is married to Afridi’s daughter Ansha.“Drop Shaheen, drop Shadab, and drop Babar. Try fresh faces against Namibia and give the new players a chance to build confidence. They’ve been playing for a long time. Whenever we expect them to perform, they don’t. If these senior players aren’t giving us the performances we desire, then play the juniors who are sitting on the bench. What is the difference?”, Afridi said during a Live show.Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha admitted after the match that the spinners failed to deliver on a surface that offered assistance.“We were believing in our spinners, and they had an off day today. Execution was missing in some parts of the game. We were obviously going to always believe our spinners, because they’ve done really well in last six month. And with the batting I think we didn’t start well and in T20 games if we lose 3 or 4 wickets in powerplay, you are always chasing the game,” he said in the post-match presentation ceremony.Salman also criticised the batting unit for not adapting to the conditions.“I think, to be very honest, like in first inning it was a bit tacky. The ball was gripping as well. So, the execution was, I think, missing when it comes to bowling, but I think the pitch better played better in the second inning than first inning. But our bowlers like, we didn’t bowl according to the situation. And when it comes to batting, we didn’t apply ourselves and gave us a chance to go deep in the game,” he said.
From the moment of her debut win, trainer John McArdle has envisioned Group 1 glory for capable filly My Gladiola.
Twice those visions were disrupted, initially by a bad draw in the Blue Diamond Stakes and then an inside post in the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Flemington’s straight last spring.
My Gladiola takes the wide gate in the eight-horse field while McArdle seeks a third Group 1 success, his first after more than 20 years.
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“The outside draw suits her better than being inside,” McArdle said.
“In the Coolmore she was drawn down on the inside and had to follow Tentyris, this time she should be in clean air all the way and he will need to chase her down.”
She has three prior runs up the straight, triumphing in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) and runner-up on the other occasions.
My Gladiola debuted successfully at Sandown but was defeated first-up at Caulfield last campaign, her trainer emphasising her preference for the Flemington straight over Caulfield’s turns.
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This played into the decision for Saturday’s race rather than the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield next Saturday, plus Jamie Mott riding My Gladiola 0.5kg over her limit at 54kg.
A further trial was ideal for McArdle’s liking for My Gladiola, yet a Tuesday gallop at Mornington indicated preparedness.
“Jamie galloped her on Tuesday morning and was happy with the way she went,” McArdle said.
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“We put a mate out in front of her to give her something to chase and all the data was good.
“She’s probably a touch above her racing weight, but I think that’s because she’s matured and strengthen up a bit more.
“She’s a powerful girl, but we can’t be unhappy with the way she’s got to the races, so we’ll see if she’s good enough and if she is, and runs well, then we’ll head to the Newmarket.
“Jamie’s happy with her and he’s getting down to 54 kilos to ride her.
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“That gives us some confidence.”
Fans looking to back My Gladiola can find competitive prices via online bookmakers for the Black Caviar Lightning.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Three people, including the suspect, were fatally shot during a Rhode Island youth hockey game Monday, authorities said.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves told reporters that three other victims are hospitalized in critical condition.
“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” she said. Goncalves did not provide details about the suspect or the ages of those who were killed, though she said it appeared that both victims were adults.
Authorities were continuing to try to piece together what happened and speak with witnesses, she said.
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The shooting happened at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, a few miles outside Providence.
Outside the arena, tearful families and high school hockey players still in uniform could be seen hugging before they boarded a bus to leave the area. Roads surrounding the arena were shut down as a heavy police presence remained and helicopters flew overhead.
Pawtucket is nestled just north of Providence and right under the Massachusetts state border. A town of just under 80,000, Pawtucket had up until recently been known as the home to Hasbro’s headquarters.
A top-5 showdown on Monday’s college basketball schedule has the Houston Cougars visiting the Iowa State Cyclones. The No. 3 Cougars (23-2, 11-1 Big 12) are riding a six-game win streak, sit atop the Big 12 standings and knocked off Kansas State, 78-64, on Saturday. No. 5 Iowa State (22-3, 9-3) has won six of its last seven and is coming off a double-digit Saturday win over No. 9 Kansas. These programs have split four all-time meetings.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every college basketball game 10,000 times and it enters Week 15 on a sizzling 11-1 run on its top-rated over/under college basketball picks dating back to last season, and is on an 11-5 run on top-rated CBB side picks. Anyone following its college basketball betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns.
SportsLine’s model has simulated Iowa State vs. Houston 10,000 times and is going Over on the total (135.5 points). Houston takes its offense to another level when facing a ranked opponent as the Over is 4-2 in Cougars games versus ranked squads. The Coogs offense, overall, is among the most efficient in the nation as no team commits fewer turnovers, which leads to more scoring opportunities.
As for ISU, there are few better shooting teams in all of college basketball. The Cyclones rank seventh 3-point percentage and 13th in field goal percentage, which allows it to possess the No. 12 offensive rating in the nation. With the potency of two proficient offenses, each team is forecasted to allow seven or more points than what it gives up on average. Thus, the Over hits with plenty of points to spare with simulations calling for 146 combined points. The total is eclipsed 80% of the time.
MILAN — They were always headed here, the American and Canadian women.
It was always gold or bust.
One game, winner take all.
Of the 14 Olympic gold and silver medals doled out in women’s ice hockey since the event began in 1998, Team Canada and Team USA have captured 13. (Only the ’06 Sweden side surprised with silver.)
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Make that 15 of 16 come Thursday, when the two powers face off at Milano Santigiulia Arena and anything less than top spot on the podium will be a national disappointment.
Young, fast and deep, the U.S. has made quick, easy work of all comers here in Italy, devouring opponents the way reporters do late-night pizza slices.
Cruising through the Swedes 5-0 in Monday’s semis, Team USA (5-0) is a certified wagon, outscoring its opposition 31-1.
That includes a 5-0 shellacking of 2-seed Canada in the preliminary round, the biggest Olympic blowout of the rivalry and a performance that, built on a full year of U.S. wins, has affixed an underdog tag on the defending Olympic champs.
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Still, Canada did not have the ailing Marie-Philip Poulin in the lineup that night, and the Red and White submitted an equally decisive semifinal performance Monday, beating Switzerland 2-1 on a historic night.
Poulin — hurting enough that she required a golf cart to ride from the room to the rink — buried twice Monday, including a lunging second-period rebound for her 19th-career Olympic goal, snapping countrywoman Hayley Wickenheiser’s record.
How tilted was the ice? The shots were 35-4 in favour of Canada after 40 minutes.
Alas, steamrolling any European country is to be expected by the North Americans.
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It’s only how they fare against each other that matters.
Matthew Tkachuk was just one member of the U.S. men’s team who made it a point to take in that first U.S.-Canada, a showdown that morphed into a beatdown.
“I know it was a big game for both teams. Just really wanted to show my support for the women’s team. It was a great game,” Tkachuk said. “They’re defending very well. It seemed like they didn’t have to defend (that) night. They had to puck the whole game. So, it was dominant.”
The gaudy goal differential, the one measly goal against, the running Canada out of the barn… are these Americans the most formidable team yet?
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“Yeah, I think so,” says Swedish defenceman Hilda Svensson. “I played against Canada when they were really good also. So, I would say those two.”
Hmmm… when they were really good. Past tense.
In the present, even with a GOAT like Poulin, the U.S. looms unstoppable.
“We’re definitely hitting a great stride right now,” American defenceman Caroline Harvey says. “We’re still always reaching for more, and we’re never complacent. So, that’s what’s so special about our group, and why we keep succeeding.”
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Teammate Haley Winn says the Americans are prepared and eager for Thursday’s opportunity.
“The USA-Canada rivalry is so fun to play in,” Winn says, “but I think we kind of just took (the preliminary shutout) as a stepping stone.”
Now there’s gold on the line, the only medal that counts between these two foes.
“It’s like a completely different game,” Harvey says. “Now anyone can win, anyone can lose. So, I mean, definitely great confidence in knowing we can do that.
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“But when Thursday comes around, there’ll be nerves, there’ll be excitement, there’ll be a lot of emotion in the building. So, just staying level-headed and knowing, like, we got it in the room, we got it on our team. But we just got to take care of business.”
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge has won three of the last four American League Most Valuable Player awards, and will enter this season with a chance to become the third player in Major League Baseball history to win three in a row (joining Shohei Ohtani and Barry Bonds). That doesn’t mean Judge is content with his game. Rather, he’s looking to add a new dimension this year.
“Baserunning’s on my mind this year a lot,” Judge told reporters on Monday. “I saw a lot of guys around the league with 40, 30 bases that you don’t usually normally expect to be running that much. Especially with how the game’s changed with the pickoffs and the pitch clock, I think that’s one way we can utilize, or, at least, I can utilize some of my skills a little bit more, getting into scoring position.
“With the lineup we have, this was probably the best offense in all of baseball last year. If I can find a way to get myself in scoring position, if they’re going to walk me or do something, then some good things are going to happen.”
To Judge’s point, 17 different players swiped at least 30 bases in 2025. That group included the likes of Juan Soto (38) and Josh Naylor (30), neither of whom fits the conventional picture of a high-volume thief. In fact, Soto and Naylor both finished in the 13th percentile or worse in Statcast’s sprint speed, suggesting their steals were the products of their smarts — and their leveraging of the aforementioned pickoff limit and pitch clock rules — instead of their wheels. Judge, for comparison, ranked in the 42nd percentile in that measure, which helps to explain why he’s been a legitimate center-field option for the Yankees in the past despite his size.
Judge, 33, has never stolen more than 16 bases in a single campaign despite succeeding at around a 75% clip. The key matter for the Yankees is whether or not the additional value he’d provide in running more often would be worth the downside of increasing his injury risk. Given how much Judge produces at the plate (he’s hit .312/.445/.674 and averaged 49 home runs over the last three years), the Yankees can be excused if they decide by Opening Day to give him the red light just as often as in the past.
The second year pf the new format of the UEFA Champions League, brought plenty of chaos on the final day of the league phase as 18 matches kicked off at the same time. Storylines can get muddled along the way during a jam-packed period of action but one stood out above the rest, fully embodying the drama of the day.
Real Madrid started the day well-positioned to finish in the top eight and book a direct spot in the round of 16, a favorable match against a Benfica team who were poised for elimination awaiting them. The script fully flipped, though — Benfica came out with an improbable 4-2 win, rounded out by a red card for Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio and the final goal of the game coming from shot-stopper Anatoliy Trubin. Benfica, coached by ex-Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, snuck their way into the knockout phase playoffs while Los Blancos were doomed to play another two games in the hopes of booking a spot in the last 16.
It makes for an unusual but perfect set-up for a rematch three weeks later, a painful reward for Benfica despite their hard work and a golden opportunity for Real Madrid to fully put that Matchday 8 defeat behind them.
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“They are wounded,” Mourinho said in his pre-match remarks on Monday, “and a wounded king is dangerous. We will play the first leg with our heads, with ambition and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League … Real Madrid is Real Madrid, with history, knowledge, ambition. The only comparable thing is that we are two giants. Beyond that, there is nothing else. But football has this power and we can win.”
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The circumstances could see Mourinho change his approach from the teams’ last meeting, too. Benfica were more forward-thinking than usual in their win over Los Blancos, in large part because they simply needed to score to even have a shot at advancing, but the calculus is usually different over a two-legged tie. A team can attempt to grind the opponent down in an attempt to lock their attack out, something Mourinho teams have done time and time again. Benfica’s attack-focused approach on Matchday 8 was atypical to their Champions League experiences since Mourinho took over after a Matchday 1 loss to Qarabag – they performed well above their average of 14.1 shots per game and 1.5 expected goals, instead taking 22 shots and generating 3.01 expected goals. Even with the 3-2 defeat to Qarabag factored in, Benfica are a solid defensive side – they have conceded just 10.1 nonpenalty expected goals against in eight games.
The question, then, is if this imperfect version of Real Madrid can find a way to break through a tough defense. Even in a season full of ups and downs, it feels hard to bet against the Spanish giants. They rank inside the Champions League’s top five for goals with 21 and expected goals with 18.99, their sheer ability to score papering over a handful of cracks. That is especially true since Xabi Alonso’s January ouster as the coach, his mission to build a more balanced Real Madrid abandoned despite the progress he made. Since Alvaro Arbeloa took charge, Los Blancos have fully switched to a strategy in which Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior share the field at the same time, kicking the can down the road on the longstanding question about the pair’s compatibility.
Both in Spain and in Europe, Real Madrid’s inherent attacking might is enough to survive their own inconsistencies and notch enough wins to keep them in the conversation for silverware. Mbappe himself is on pace for a career-best season with 39 goals across all competitions so far, while Vinicius has delivered since Arbeloa took charge with four goals and two assists in his last seven matches. Individually, the pair are a cheat code as Los Blancos continue to sort through their issues and will be enough of a challenge for Benfica’s defense over the next week and change.
The team, though, has received a boost in the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who notched his first start since December in Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday. He will provide some attacking balance for a team that is at times overly reliant on Mbappe, already providing a preview of what’s to come with an assist over the weekend. The England international is a uniquely creative player as a right back, though his range of passing and positional awareness means he can kickstart an attack from just about every area of the pitch.
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For all their flaws, Real Madrid have a perfect opportunity to put a sizable loss behind them, even if they are still unwilling to answer the big problems that plague their squad – and their pursuit of trophies, for that matter.
