MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 13: 2026 F3 Drivers Champion Ugo Ugochukwu of United States and Campos Racing (2) celebrates during the Round 9 Madrid Feature Race 2 of the Formula 3 Championship at Madring on September 13, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by James Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Nigerian-American driver Ugo Ugochukwu has been crowned the 2026 FIA Formula 3 champion. He is the first American driver to win the championship.
The 19-year-old Campos Racing driver sealed the title at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid after finishing second in the final race of the season. Finland’s Tuukka Taponen won the race, but Ugochukwu’s runner-up finish was enough to secure the championship.
Ugochukwu entered the final race level on points with Freddie Slater and had to finish ahead of his title rival to become the champion.
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Ugochukwu ends the season on 159 points, 14 clear of Slater, to become the newest name on the list of FIA Formula 3 champions.
After securing the title, Ugochukwu said: “We knew we just had to keep it clean to clinch the title, and that’s what we did. No mistakes, brought it home and super pleased.”
The championship is another huge step in Ugochukwu’s career and puts him closer to Formula 1.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca spoke about the controversial decisions for and against his team
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca agreed with Michael Oliver that Phil Foden deserved to be sent off at Old Trafford – but thought that Bruno Fernandes should have followed him off. Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute of the derby for lashing out in retaliation to Fernandez, who escaped without any punishment.
“I think Phil Foden’s red card is a red card but I also think in the same action it’s a red card from Bruno,” he said. “I think reviewing the action, it is clear red card for Phil because it is a reaction but you can also see Bruno’s intention so it’s a red card for Phil but it’s also a red card for Bruno.
“For the goal, the fourth official said to me that Erling was onside and they were just checking on the action so nothing to add. I think Erling was onside and Enzo doesn’t interfere with the action.”
Maresca was booked towards the end of the first half after disagreeing with one of the refereeing calls, and ran down the touchline at the final whistle to celebrate with the City fans. The Italian said he let his emotions out at the end of a match in which he was left delighted with the effort of his players.
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“Last year [as Chelsea manager] with 10 players, red card after two minutes, this season with red card, the emotion was there. To win a game with 10 players is already special but it’s even more special when it’s a Manchester derby – for the fans, the club, the players, and for the coaching staff. I don’t know if it’s correct to say it was a normal reaction but it was a reaction.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates with the trophy after defeating Ben Shelton of the United States in their Men’s Singles Final match on Day Fifteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Alexander Zverev has won his first US Open title after defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the final.
The victory gives Zverev his second Grand Slam title of 2026, after his Roland Garros triumph earlier this year, and his 26th career title. He also becomes the first German man to win the US Open since Boris Becker in 1989.
But after lifting the trophy, Zverev’s thoughts quickly turned to his mother and everything she did to help him pursue his tennis career.
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Speaking during his emotional on-court speech, he said:
“When your 4 year old son gets diagnosed with diabetes, and doctors in the office tell you that life and sports will be very very limited for that child, it takes a very very strong mother to walk out of those offices and say ‘My son will be wherever he wants to be.”
Zverev continued:
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“If he wants to be a tennis player he’ll be a tennis player. If he wants to do something else, he’ll do something else. But this illness will not define us.”
He then added:
“My mother is the most important and strongest person I know. It takes an unbelievably strong woman to do what she did.”❤️
After losing his first US Open final in 2020, Zverev has finally conquered New York. And in 2026, the German now has two Grand Slam titles to his name.
Alexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 to win the 2026 US Open, claiming his second Grand Slam title of the season and denying the home crowd its first American men’s champion since 2
Sep 12, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Dashawn Keirsey Jr. (49) runs to third base against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
The Sunday MLB card is full of interesting matchups all throughout the day.
The Yankees and Mets play the rubber game of their three-game set in the Bronx. AL Cy Young favorite Cam Schlittler takes the mound for the Yankees this afternoon, looking to rebound from Saturday’s 12-2 defeat.
Elsewhere, the Braves seek the sweep of the Phillies at Truist Park after blowing out Philadelphia 12-2 on Saturday. Atlanta owns a six-game edge over Philadelphia atop the NL East standings with 13 games remaining.
We’ll break down two plays for the Sunday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the props, sides, and totals market are constantly changing.
Here are the free MLB picks for Sunday, September 13. Odds Courtesy of DraftKings.
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Best MLB plays today
Phillies (+109) at Braves
Astros (+117) at Rays
Phillies (+109) at Braves – 1:35 p.m. ET
The Phillies (82-67) sit in the second NL Wild Card position as they try to avoid their fourth consecutive loss. Philadelphia has been outscored 18-7 in the first two losses at Atlanta, while dropping seven of the past 10 games.
The Braves (88-61) wrap up a tough six-game homestand after losing the first two contests to Tampa Bay. Atlanta goes after its fourth straight win, sending out right-hander Grant Holmes to the mound.
Holmes tossed six scoreless innings against the Phillies in his last outing, but didn’t receive any run support in a 6-0 defeat. It marked only the second loss for Atlanta in his past 12 starts, while not allowing a run in his last two trips to the mound.
Andrew Painter has pitched better for Philadelphia of late with the Phillies going 4-2 in his previous six appearances. Although he yielded five runs in his last start against the Astros, the righty has allowed two or fewer earned runs in three of his past five road outings.
Since the All-Star break, the Phillies are 3-1 when trying to avoid a sweep and are worth a strong look here as an underdog.
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Astros (+117) at Rays – 1:35 p.m. ET
Another team trying to avoid a sweep this afternoon is the AL West-leading Astros (75-74), who are coming off a pair of low-scoring defeats to the Rays (89-59).
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Tampa Bay walked off past Houston on Friday, followed by a 3-1 victory on Saturday. The Astros send out Hunter Wesneski to the hill, as Houston is 7-1 in his eight starts this season. Wesneski is unbeaten in four road outings, including recent victories over the Phillies and Yankees.
Houston hasn’t been swept on the road since mid-April, when it dropped a pair of series at Colorado and Seattle. The Rays have lost three consecutive series finales as Freddy Peralta tries to stop that streak. The former Mets’ hurler has been solid of late, winning three straight starts and giving up a total of two runs.
This is a huge game to grab for Houston before facing three of four teams sitting below .500 to close the season.
The Vikings’ playoff picture is just barely getting going.
A pair of games have been played around the NFL. In those two games, there have been three NFC teams to have played: the Seahawks, 49ers, and Rams. None are divisional opponents but all three are understood as top combatants within the conference.
Consider the outlook with so much that’s still to come. Below is the Vikings’ game info, the conference rankings, a key game to watch, and a national-level outlook.
The Vikings’ Playoff Outlook | Week 1 Mystery
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) hands off to running back Jordan Mason (27) during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Vikings Game Info:
The Minnesota Vikings play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, September 13th. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. CT and will take place inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
Some will want to see how the Detroit Lions do against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 13th at 12:00 p.m. CT. Well and good.
Allow me to pivot, though, by uplifting the Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans on Sunday, September 13th at 12:00 p.m. CT. Watching that battle will mean seeing a pair of true heavyweights do battle.
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Can the Vikings hang with that level of talent?
The NFL Prophets, Prognosticators, and Pundits:
On CBS Sports, there’s a prediction that the Minnesota Vikings will finish at seventh in the NFC, sneaking into the playoffs as a result.
Consider the prediction: “Apparently, our computer loves Kyler Murray, because we have the Vikings stealing the NFC’s final playoff spot over the Packers and 49ers. The computer almost malfunctioned while trying to figure out who should get the last spot between the Vikings and Packers. Minnesota has a 48.3% chance of making the postseason, while the Packers are RIGHT behind them at 48.1%.”
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton, US Open 2026 Men’s Singles Final Highlights: The US Open crowned a new men’s singles champion at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, as Germany’s Alexander Zverev defeated home hope Ben Shelton in four sets to win his second Grand Slam title and his first in the Big Apple. The 29-year-old, who ended his wait for a maiden Slam earlier this year at the French Open, made it two Majors for the season, beating the 23-year-old American 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-4 after nearly four hours of tennis. Zverev became only the second German man in the Open Era after Boris Becker (1989) to win two Grand Slams in a calendar year. Zverev held a two-set advantage over Shelton and hadn’t given his opponent a sniff of a break point until the final game of the third set. Facing three set points, the American finally converted at the second time of asking. However, Zverev was quick to silence the partisan crowd, breaking Shelton in the very first game of the fourth set to reclaim total control. He protected that early break with absolute composure before holding serve to seal the deal and claim his second Grand Slam title.
US Open 2026 Men’s Singles Final Highlights | Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton, straight from Arthur Ashe Stadium:
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand took to social media to vent his frustration over the controversial goal conceded by his former club against Manchester City
Rio Ferdinand has called VAR ‘deluded’ after the decision to allow Erling Haaland’s winning goal to stand in the Manchester derby. The linesman had initially raised his flag to deny the visitors, with it appearing that Enzo Fernandez had interfered with play to spare Manchester United’s blushes.
At first it was unclear why the goal was allowed to stand, as Haaland appeared offside when Josko Gvardiol delivered his cross into the box. Fernandez, who also seemed to go too early, made an attempt to reach the delivery with a diving header.
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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was positioned between Fernandez and Haaland, but officials ruled that the former Chelsea man had not interfered with play despite being in an offside position. It was later determined that Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot was the decisive factor keeping Haaland onside.
When sharing his thoughts on X, Ferdinand criticised VAR and suggested that Martínez should have done more by defending the player closest to goal – in this case, Haaland. Ferdinand wrote: “Martinez has to go defend the man nearest the goal whether he believes he’s offside or not.
“In split seconds, you make the decision. He goes to defend Fernandez – who then attempts to play the ball. Deluded from VAR! Regardless – Utd never created enough chances once City went to 10 men.”
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Reds head coach Michael Carrick was also left fuming by the decision, stating post-match: “Confused, not even confused, we’ve put things in place to help referees’ decisions, screens, referees in an office somewhere. It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation about football.
“If we’ve got people in place that are meant to understand the game of football or not interfering with play or impacting an attack, throwing your body at it with a defender next to him, it’s really worrying for me, if that’s how it’s interpreted. It’s a staggering decision. I can’t understand it once I seen it then the explanation almost makes it worse.
“Well, the explanation that he’s not interfering with play. Incredible. It’s not going to change a season, it’s a major impact on the game and it’s a massive game. It’s a long season ahead, we’ve got to get back to winning football matches, that’s on us, that (decision) wasn’t on us today.”
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Enzo Maresca’s City went on to win 1-0 despite being reduced to ten men, with Phil Foden sent off for a challenge on Bruno Fernandes in the first half. It was the Portuguese midfielder who initially appeared to swipe at Foden while the City man was on the floor.
Foden didn’t react well, kicking out and catching Fernandes with both feet straight into the lower abdomen, sending the United captain to the turf.
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Normally, there are at least one or two Vikings rumors floating around online. Is there one that rises above the rest?
If so, then it has to be the status of J.J. McCarthy. The third-year passer is now the QB3, resulting in natural questions about his job security (or lack thereof). Kevin O’Connell, perhaps foolishly, explained that the quarterback hierarchy is going to be a weekly thing, at least as it relates to who is the top backup.
The Top Vikings Rumor When Does the Team Need to Trade J.J. McCarthy?
In Week 1, the Vikings host the Packers. Doing so is an opportunity to take down an NFC North rival to get the season rolling, which is a great opportunity.
Kyler Murray is getting the start. He’ll lean on an embarrassment of riches for pass catchers. Justin Jefferson appears ready to nuke corners as Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and T.J. Hockenson all do damage, as well. Seeing the aerial attack reach its potential means seeing a Vikings offense that’s going to be a freight train.
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Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to pass the ball against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Seeing Murray succumb to injury — a stubborn part of his NFL story — will mean needing to elevate depth yet again. Proving so injury prone in the past while being unusually small for the position means there’s a reasonably high chance of needing to lean into the depth.
Seeing Murray get hurt, were that to occur, almost certainly means J.J. McCarthy sticks around.
For a long time, Minnesota was spoiled in this area. Kirk Cousins didn’t rise beyond an average level of winning but he sure could take a hit. Ironically, it was a non-contact injury against Green Bay that began the QB turmoil back in 2023. The Vikings haven’t yet found a way to get off the ride.
J.J. McCarthy was supposed to be the answer, but he also succumbed to injury (several times). As the third passer, does McCarthy make sense to keep around?
Already, Seattle has lost Sam Darnold for at least some of 2026. Atlanta is moving into the Cooper Rush era due to injuries to Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. Surely other teams will follow as real games get played.
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Do one of these QB-needy teams make an offer Nolan Teasley can’t (shouldn’t?) refuse?
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) tosses the ball to a teammate during a preseason opening game between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. – Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
According to Over the Cap, the Vikings could put $2,781,800 back into the open cap space with a swap. Past explorations of a possible trade price have mentioned Trey Lance going for a 4th. That’s a nice comparable since both are raw, talented quarterbacks chosen high who have been hurt and played poorly.
So, does that Day 3 selection get the job done?
Usually, a QB3 boasts very little upside or on-field utility. McCarthy didn’t set the world on fire in 2025 but he did post a 6-4 record. Seeing some sturdier kickoff coverage at the end of that Bears game could have resulted in going 7-3.
The Vikings, in other words, appear unlikely to just give him away. Teams have probably already made low-ball offers. Seeing more injuries take place could prompt a front office to dig a little deeper into the draft pick collection to see about making a move for Mr. McCarthy, the man who was publicly anointed the franchise passer roughly two years ago.
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Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) hands off to running back Zavier Scott (36) during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Kickoff between the Vikings and Packers takes place today at 3:25 p.m. CT. J.J. McCarthy won’t be allowed to enter the game unless the top two passers go down with injuries.
The wheels on the bus go round and round. The questions about the bus keep coming, too. The U.S. team bus at the Solheim Cup, that is.
They first arose on Saturday evening in the Netherlands, when Team USA erupted in sudsy celebration of Jennifer Kupcho’s fourball heroics, which had turned around the day’s last match. What had looked like a sure deficit heading into Sunday was now deadlocked, and the Americans were in a festive mood.
Out came beers on the team bus. As videos of the moment swirled on social media, so did questions — and criticism — from online commentators.
Wasn’t it too early to celebrate? How did the optics look? Might the boozy antics lead to a letdown? Provide the Europeans with extra motivation?
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Leave it to the Internet to pour cold water on a good time.
In the euphoric aftermath of Kupcho’s clutch play, Stanford said she felt the “tide” had turned. Momentum had shifted in her team’s favor. But that was Saturday. On Sunday, the mo’ shifted again. The Europeans came out hot, winning six of the first eight singles matches to claim a lead they never relinquished.
Stanford wasn’t asked directly about the bus ride but she provided some of her thoughts on the matter anyway when asked about trying to manage her team through such an emotional high.
“Well, that’s kind of tricky because you don’t ever want to take away from that moment,” she said.
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It’s a fine line, after all, allowing for justified exuberance without letting matters get out of hand. Stanford had been trying to tread it.
“The worst thing I could have done is go in there and be like, Okay, y’all, come off this high,” she said. “So you don’t want to take away from those moments. We’re never going to see anything like that again.”
Stanford said she’d checked in with her players to make sure the party hadn’t come at the expense of sleep.
“But I talked to Kupcho and everybody and they’re like, ‘Yeah, we got good rest and — but, yeah, it did take a minute to come off because it was a pretty high high.’”
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Europe, as it turned out, had faced a version of the same test the day before.
Assistant captain Mel Reid described a similarly emotional moment after Friday’s session, when Celine Boutier holed a clutch up-and-down to salvage a half point. The mood on Europe’s team bus that evening, Reid said, was hardly subdued. But it wasn’t filmed.
“We were on the team bus — the skipper had to do some press. We were on the team bus. I said a few words. Nobody could hear me, which I think was great. The team bus is a special place for Team Europe. I think it’s where we really unite, we really get together. We put the music on and it’s a special place. I’m just glad there’s no cameras there.”
Whatever happened on that bus carried into the team hotel, where Reid said the mood shifted again.
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“We got to the hotel and we put on a song, and I don’t know what it was, I just felt like it just changed the mood and united us. It was, like, weird. Like, we all just became, we just forgot what happened, like, the disappointment, and we just got back on it.”
By Sunday morning, Reid said, the pep talks were barely necessary.
“Not one of us needed to speak to any player, really. They just kind of knew what their job was today in a very calm, passionate, and fierce way. The horses are ready, just let them go, and they delivered.”
The bus got the headlines. The horses got the Cup.
Shafali Verma produced another explosive batting display in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final, smashing the fastest fifty in the history of the tournament before departing for a blistering 68 off 39 balls against Sri Lanka. The India opener reached her half-century in just 24 balls, surpassing the previous record of 25 balls held by her opening partner Smriti Mandhana, who achieved the feat against Sri Lanka in Sylhet in 2022.Shafali’s record-breaking fifty was built around a relentless boundary assault as she took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers during India’s power-packed start.
Shafali rewrites Asia Cup record
Shafali’s 24-ball fifty now stands alone as the fastest half-century in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history.Fastest 50s in Women’s T20 Asia Cup (by balls faced)
24 – Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs SL-W, Dubai, 2026
25 – Smriti Mandhana (IND-W) vs SL-W, Sylhet, 2022
26 – Richa Ghosh (IND-W) vs UAE-W, Dambulla, 2024
26 – Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs NEP-W, Dambulla, 2024
26 – Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs THA-W, Dubai, 2026
Shafali equals Athapaththu’s record
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Shafali’s 68 also gave her a third 50-plus score in the ongoing tournament, putting her level with Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu for the most 50-plus scores in a single edition of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Athapaththu had recorded three such scores during Sri Lanka’s title-winning campaign in 2024. Shafali has now matched that mark in the 2026 edition, with the final still underway.
Shafali, Smriti smash record partnership
The India openers also established a new record partnership in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Shafali and Smriti Mandhana put together 129 runs, the highest partnership for any wicket in the history of the tournament. Their stand surpassed the previous record of 128 runs between Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, scored against the UAE in Sylhet in 2022.Highest partnerships in Women’s T20I Asia Cup (any wicket)
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