The Milan Cortina Olympics ended Sunday and passed the Olympic flag over to the next Winter Games host nation, France, raising its flag next to Italy’s and Greece’s. The closing ceremony payed tribute to Italian dance and music, as some 1,500 Olympians filed into the arena waving small national flags to a medley of Italian pop hits.
BENGALURU: An SOS call from a Karnataka teammate a month ago prompted KL Rahul to join the former champions for their final Ranji Trophy league match against Punjab, as the side faced a must-win clash in Mohali after a heavy home defeat to Madhya Pradesh left them close to elimination.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Rahul was initially expected to link up only for the knockouts, but he advanced his return ahead of the Punjab fixture. In three matches, he has scored 457 runs, including two centuries and two half-centuries, at an average of 91.40.
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His contribution extended beyond runs. In a dressing room that included five Test players, Rahul was the most experienced, and his calm authority, clarity of thought and willingness to engage with younger teammates added a different dimension to Karnataka’s campaign. Head coach Yere Goud pointed to Rahul’s influence within the squad. “Rahul has made a huge impact. We have young players like R Smaran and KV Aneesh, and he talks to them about handling certain situations. So him being there has given confidence,” Goud said.As Karnataka head into the Ranji Trophy final against Jammu and Kashmir in Hubballi starting Tuesday, the team will draw on Rahul’s consistency and record in previous title wins. He has struck tons in the last two finals that Karnataka have won.Players said Rahul’s everyday conversations left a mark, with many having watched his rise from age-group cricket to becoming an all-format international. Earlier this season, when he played a couple of Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, younger players described the experience as surreal.Wicketkeeper-batter Kruthik Krishna said Rahul’s versatility and approach offered invaluable lessons. “There’s so much to learn from him. He has done everything possible as a batter, opening, batting at No 6 or No 7, and he is also a keeper. So having him is a boost. I can learn how to plan and shape my innings, and that’s irrespective of the performance. That simplifies your game a lot rather than you thinking about the pitch, the opposition and all of that. I’ve had a lot of conversations with him,” Kruthik said.For younger cricketers, exposure to Rahul’s preparation methods and mental approach proved valuable, with an emphasis on temperament, understanding phases of a game, reading match situations and responding rather than reacting.Among those learning was the season’s top run-getter, R Smaran, who has logged 950 runs so far. He said Rahul’s guidance extended across formats. “We’ve had a lot of conversations about how you can go about the game, not only in the Ranji Trophy but also in the shorter formats. We were really glad that we had him in the team for a couple of matches during the Vijay Hazare as well,” Smaran said, adding with a smile, “Till the time that we have him in the Karnataka dressing room, I would like to keep picking his brains.”Smaran said Rahul shared inputs with players across roles. “He’s the kind of guy who prioritises the state when he’s playing for us. He has a lot of inputs to give to youngsters in the team, be it a bowler, keeper or batter.”
West Indies’ head coach Daren Sammy during a training session at the Wankhede Stadium. (PTI Photo)
MUMBAI: West Indies coach Daren Sammy said his team believed they could do “something special” as they prepared to begin their Super Eights Group 1 campaign against Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Sammy said the West Indies drew confidence from four straight wins in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and added that the availability of players, long a point of debate in West Indies cricket, helped the side’s preparation and gave players role clarity.
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“It’s the first time in a long time that we’ve had every single person that is available for the West Indies playing. Each player has put in a conscious effort to pay a little bit more attention to the detail, the preparation, the planning. With the clarity that they’ve had (of their roles), it makes it easier to execute. The guys believe they could do something special,” said Sammy.Wearing a fresh haircut which pacer Shamar Joseph gave him at Sunday’s press conference, Sammy said he was happy with recent outcomes.While the West Indies have been flying high, after disappointing in the last two editions, the 42-year-old isn’t taking Zimbabwe lightly and responded sharply when asked about the African nation’s unexpected qualification for the Super Eights.“Who said Zimbabwe are not supposed to be here?” he shot back. As if for effect, he then added, “A lot of people said the West Indies are not supposed to be here either.”
The sight of Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen celebrating his country’s first Winter Olympic gold medal by dancing a samba on the Stelvio snow was all it took to emphasise the success of the far-flung Milan and Cortina Games.
Ambitiously staged in so many different locations, they will serve as a blueprint for future editions – starting with the French Alps in four years’ time – for how to host a Games without losing its essential snow-bound setting.
Moreover, with Braathen’s win and Great Britain’s belated emergence as a bona-fide snow sports nation, the Games showed how far they have evolved from the era of upturned Jamaican bobsleds, hapless Kenyan skiers and a certain ski-jumper with fogged-up glasses.
In short, they illustrated why proposals to include more summer sports in the Winter Games programme – an option being investigated by an International Olympic Committee working group – are flawed and unnecessary.
As a global sporting spectacle, the Winter Olympics are undeniably unique, and those who pine for a programme packed with high-octane, jeopardy-filled, elite-level snow and ice sports got their answer in Milan and Cortina.
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Purists called Lillehammer in 1994 the last great Winter Games, before its increasing size and skyrocketing commercial interests made small alpine settings unworkable, sending it to a slew of relatively sultry city bases like Vancouver, Sochi and Beijing.
In 2026, the Winter Olympics went back to the future. Livigno, piled with snow and accessible only via precarious alpine passes, and Bormio, with its winding, ice-streaked cobbled streets, felt like a throwback to a less corporate time.
Yet the sport itself remained unaffected by logistical issues. Superstars like Eileen Gu and Chloe Kim revelled in the wintry conditions, while NHL stars brightened up the grey skies that lumbered over Milan by returning for the first time in 12 years.
As usual, the Winter Games also revelled in an off-beat array of news stories, topped with allegations that ski jumpers were using penis injections in order to fly higher, and Norwegian Sturla Holm Laegreid’s tearful post-medal admission that he had cheated on his girlfriend.
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Celebrities were also out in force, with Jake Paul in Milan to cheer Dutch fiancee Jutta Leerdam to speed skating gold, Snoop Dogg as ubiquitous as ever as a roving correspondent for NBC, and Flavor Flav in town as chief cheerleader of the United States bobsleigh team.
It was a historic Games for Team GB, which might have scraped into its broad medal target of four to eight, but did so with three golds, two of which came within hours of each other on an inevitably entitled ‘Super Sunday’.
Matt Weston became the first British Winter Olympian to win two medals at the same Games – and two golds – in skeleton, while Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale combined for a scarcely fathomable mixed snowboard-cross gold on an exhilarating afternoon in Livigno.
It was only in the context of those remarkable highs that there was a touch of disappointment about the final weekend’s haul, Bruce Mouat’s curlers falling short against Canada, and Zoe Atkin landing freestyle bronze after leading in qualifying.
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There were plenty of what-might-have-beens, not least a record five fourth places, including two for Aberdeen freestyle skier Kirsty Muir, and Mia Brookes, who crashed and burned in slopestyle but felt all the better for having given it a shot.
They might have left Italy medal-less, but Muir and Brookes epitomise the exciting, gung-ho approach with which kids will take to the indoor slopes and snow-domes in the wake of their sport’s fleeing, quadrennial moment in the spotlight.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, is the message Milan and Cortina ought to have rammed home to the IOC.
Just give us snow, and never mind sambas: the Winter Games deserves to continue dancing to its own, uniquely exhilarating beat.
Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The Philadelphia Eagles execute a tush push for a first down against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
After heated debate over the “tush push” in 2025, NFL competition committee co-chairman Rich McKay said Sunday that he does not expect an attempt to ban the controversial short-yardage play.
“There’s no team proposal that I’ve seen from it,” McKay said following a day of meetings at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. “So, I wouldn’t envision it. But you never know.”
A proposal to ban the tush push fell short of the required 24 votes at the NFL owners meetings in May 2025, with ESPN reporting the final vote was 22-10.
Critics have cited several issues with the rugby-style play, from aesthetics to competitive reasons.
Also nicknamed the “Brotherly Shove” when deployed by Philadelphia, the play typically features Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts taking the snap in short-yardage situations and driving his legs forward while being pushed from behind.
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Green Bay was the team that drafted the proposal, reportedly at the suggestion of the NFL, citing player safety concerns. The league has not publicized health data supporting that assertion.
The Packers’ initial proposal in February 2025 was to ban offensive players immediately pushing a teammate who is lined up directly behind the snapper and taking the snap, ESPN reported. The owners meeting in March 2025 tabled the discussion.
Green Bay amended the proposal to prohibit players from pushing all ball carriers, no matter their location on the field, which was a league rule until 2005, per ESPN’s report. The revision did not pass by two votes at the May meeting.
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There were additional concerns raised in the 2025 season, with officials reportedly having been instructed to place more emphasis on ensuring the offensive line doesn’t move until the ball is snapped.
According to ESPN, the Eagles ran the play 27 times and the Buffalo Bills 17 to lead the league among 112 total in 2025 — compared to 101 total in 2024. Teams were successful on converting first downs on 82% of the plays from 2022-24 and 76.8% last season, per ESPN.
McKay also said Sunday that there have been discussions about how teams are seeded in the playoffs but he hasn’t seen a proposal. He also said that the competition committee has talked about the catch rule, which was in focus last season, especially in the playoffs, for how the rule was applied.
“Our technology today is extraordinary, so the ability to go frame by frame and slow things down, it’s a great solution for a lot of things,” McKay said, “but it does present challenges for others. We need to make sure your rules, as written, don’t just match up (with) what’s on the field but how it’s looked at in replay.”
Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski speaks with Vikings.com’s Gabe Henderson during a sit-down interview on Feb. 17, 2022, discussing organizational philosophy, front-office strategy, and the hiring of head coach Kevin O’Connell while outlining Minnesota’s leadership structure and long-term football operations vision in a detailed digital feature segment. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Rob Brzezinski is in charge of the Minnesota Vikings for the next few months after the organization claimed it would hire an official replacement general manager for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was terminated at the end of January, after the 2026 NFL Draft. In the meantime, Brzezinski, often known as the “money guy” for the Vikings, must solve three main problems.
Free agency is close, and Minnesota’s priorities are clear for a new and interim GM.
That process for Brzezinski starts as early as now, as free agency is just two weeks away.
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Three Urgent Roster Fixes Facing Minnesota
A look at Brzezinski’s main to-do list, listed in order of importance (No. 1 = most important problem to solve).
Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton (10) breaks free toward the end zone during a pivotal scoring drive, accelerating past defenders to finish a second-quarter touchdown run in a high-profile matchup. On Nov 1, 2025, Singleton found space at Ohio Stadium against the Ohio State Buckeyes, showcasing his burst and balance in one of the Big Ten’s most competitive conference clashes. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images.
3. Find a New Running Back
The Vikings’ offense would likely benefit from prioritizing the running game. Minnesota needs a running back strategy focused on reliability, durability, and efficiency per carry; currently, their approach feels like a short-term fix. While Aaron Jones has been a dependable veteran, his age (32 in the 2026 season) raises concerns about his long-term effectiveness.
This necessitates a crucial decision for Brzezinski and head coach Kevin O’Connell. They could acquire an established veteran, such as Travis Etienne or Breece Hall. Alternatively, they could return to the draft to find a potential star running back, a strategy they haven’t employed since selecting Dalvin Cook in 2017.
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In 2025, the running game was adequate but lacked the dominance needed to consistently challenge opposing defenses. To establish a Top 10 offense, Minnesota needs a true workhorse RB1, a fundamental component rather than a mere luxury.
O’Connell’s offensive system thrives when a strong rushing attack keeps defenses honest, which depends on a halfback capable of handling a significant workload while still delivering explosive plays.
Ideally, because Minnesota is cash-strapped, it will finally draft a running back before the end of Round 4 in April, which could translate to Jonah Coleman (Washington), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame), or Nick Singleton (Penn State), to name a few.
In the event that Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame slid to No. 18, that would be the no-brainer to end all no-brainers for the Vikings.
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2. Fix the Defensive Secondary — Probably with Youth
The Vikings’ secondary had two primary issues:
Harrison Smith may retire. If he does not, he’ll retire after the 2026 season. The Vikings need a replacement for Smith sooner rather than later.
In 2025, Minnesota got away with unusually skimpy cornerback depth. That probably won’t work again in 2026.
Minnesota’s pass defense did not struggle in 2025, but with the personnel, the group might’ve gotten “lucky” at times.
To eventually replace Smith and to successfully draft a cornerback of any kind for the first time since Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander a decade ago, Brzezinski and Flores probably have to find rookie cornerbacks and safeties to feed the defensive depth chart in the long term.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) stands on the field during pregame warmups, surveying the stadium while preparing for another season of defensive leadership. On Aug 18, 2019, Smith went through early routines at U.S. Bank Stadium before Minnesota’s preseason matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, continuing his long tenure as one of the franchise’s most dependable veterans. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports.
SI.com‘s Joe Nelson recently recommended the free-agent signing of Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant, “With Harrison Smith likely retiring, the Vikings need more talent at safety alongside Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, and Tavierre Thomas. If Minnesota doesn’t think Jackson can be an every-week starter, then Bryant is the kind of player they should pursue.”
“Bryant switched from corner to safety in 2024, and he’s been a stud ever since. This season, he had four interceptions on a stout, Super Bowl-winning Seattle defense. At a projected contract of three years and $30 million, his $10 million annual average value would compare to Smith’s 2025 cap hit of $9.9 million.”
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The veteran safety logged a 65.5 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025 and is 26 years old.
Nelson continued, “He makes even more sense if the Vikings want to stay young (he’s 27) and avoid paying a higher price for safeties like Kam Curl (he’s 27 with a projected four-year, $65 million price tag) and Kevin Byard (he’s 33 and projected to receive a two-year, $25 million deal).”
“Another option would be to trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick, who has experience in Flores’ defense and was one of the top-rated safeties in the league this past season.”
1. Sign or Trade for Another QB to Compete with J.J. McCarthy
From the beginning of the offseason, Adofo-Mensah (before his termination) and Kevin O’Connell announced that the Vikings would spend the offseason creating a deeper quarterback room than last year, which included J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer, John Wolford, Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell, and Brett Rypien from March through December.
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San Francisco quarterback Mac Jones pauses along the sideline after the final whistle, watching the field while teammates and staff begin postgame routines following a divisional road victory. On Nov 16, 2025, Jones stood near the bench area at State Farm Stadium after San Francisco completed its win over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images.
If the organziation is serious, that means Brzezinski isn’t far away from acquiring a newcomer, likely someone with more youth or talent than Wentz, the primary backup in 2025.
LOS ANGELES — Jaylen Brown had 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the Boston Celtics swept the season series in the NBA’s most storied rivalry with a 111-89 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Payton Pritchard scored 30 points with six 3-pointers and eight assists for the Celtics, who have won three straight and eight of nine as they attempt to close the gap on Detroit atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Brown and Pritchard scored 19 points apiece in the second half, and Pritchard wrapped up the win on a step-back 3-pointer with 3:24 to play, prompting the Lakers to empty their bench amid scattered boos.
Luka Doncic had 25 points, and LeBron James got the 43,000th point of his career while scoring 20 for the Lakers, who fell short at home against a probable NBA title contender for the third time in two weeks. Los Angeles was held to its second-lowest point total of the season.
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Austin Reaves added 15 points for the Lakers, who also repeatedly lost their cool and got whistled for three technical fouls after a series of questionable calls.
Boston nursed a solid lead throughout the second half and had little trouble controlling the latest meeting between historic franchises with a combined 35 NBA titles.
The Lakers honoured Pat Riley during a halftime ceremony after unveiling a bronze statue of their former coach outside their downtown arena. Riley won six championship rings during his two decades in Los Angeles, including nine seasons and four titles as the head coach of the 1980s Showtime Lakers.
Doncic, James and Reaves played together for only the 12th time this season with the Lakers largely back to full health — but then Los Angeles lost backup center Jaxson Hayes to an ankle injury before halftime.
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The Celtics beat the Lakers 126-105 in Boston last December while Doncic and James were out.
While James extended his NBA scoring record to another milestone number, he also played in his 1,600th regular-season game to join Celtics great Robert Parish (1,611) as the only NBA players to reach the mark.
In a career that has been filled with memorable moments, Pat Riley made history once again on Sunday by becoming the first Los Angeles Lakers coach to receive a statue.
Riley, who has served as the Miami Heat’s president since 1995, was back in Los Angeles this weekend as the Lakers made him the eighth member of the franchise to receive a statue outside Crypto.com Arena. Riley won six NBA titles with the Lakers that included one as a player, one as an assistant coach and four as head coach during franchise’s iconic “Showtime” era during the 1980s.
The statue depicts Riley with his patented slicked back hair and dressed in one of his tailored Armani suits. The statue also includes the following quote Riley that has long attributed to his father, the same quote he referenced during his famous pregame speech that helped spearhead the Lakers’ comeback over the Boston Celtics during the 1985 NBA Finals:
“There will come a time when you are challenged. And when that time comes, you must plant your feet. You must stand firm. You must make a point. About who you are, what you do, and where you come from. And when that time comes, you do it.”
Several prominent figures in Lakers history spoke at the statue unveiling, including Showtime stars Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Shaquille O’Neal, a fellow former Lakers great who won a title with Riley with the Heat in 2006, also spoke in a video that was played. Dwyane Wade, who led the Heat to that championship victory over the Dallas Mavericks, also spoke at the ceremony. Heat owner Micky Arison was also in attendance.
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O’Neal, during his speech, recalled a practice where he confronted Riley, who stood his ground.
“I remember thinking, ‘Oh, this man is different.’” O’Neal recalled. “You don’t build dynasties if you’re afraid of personalities, and Pat was never afraid.”
O’Neal also confirmed that Riley — a master motivator — did indeed dunk his head in a bucket of freezing water and held his breath for more than four minutes in an effort to galvanize his team.
“Finally, he came up, gasping for air, and said, ‘We cannot win unless we treat it as if it’s our last breath,’” O’Neal recalled. “That’s how he coached. Everything urgent, everything intense, everything championship level. And that mentality, that’s why this statue belongs here.”
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Johnson, who became arguably the greatest point guard in NBA history under Riley’s watch, called on the other “Showtime” members in the audience to stand while giving his speech.
Jeanie Buss, the governor and minority owner of the Lakers, also spoke while reference what her farther, the late Dr. Jerry Buss, said of Riley during his 2010 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“Dr. Buss was right of course. Pat really was a guardian angel for this franchise, its employees, and most important, its fans across the world,” she said.
A tenacious, blue collar player who played for the legendary Adolph Rupp at Kentucky, Riley was a member of the 1971 Lakers team that won a then-NBA record 69 regular season games and continues to hold the NBA record with 33 consecutive games. He then dabbled in broadcasting before winning a title in 1980 as Paul Westhead’s assistant.
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Riley was promoted to head coach during the 1982 season and quickly guided the Lakers to another NBA title. The Lakers then lost consecutive NBA Finals that included a gut-wrenching loss the Celtics in 1984 in a classic series that went the distance.
In what was arguably his greatest coaching moment, Riley led the Lakers to a six-game series win over the Celtics in the 1985 NBA Finals after Los Angeles lost by 34 points in Game 1 in a game that was immediately dubbed “The Memorial Day Massacre.” Riley’s passionate leadership appeared to have a significant impact on Abdul-Jabbar, who at age 38 was named the MVP of the series after leading the Lakers to their first championship series win over the Celtics.
Two years later, the Lakers defeated the Celtics in the NBA Finals on the strength of Johnson, who was named the MVP of the regular season and the Finals after Riley directed him at the start of the season to become the focal point of the offense from a scoring standpoint, something that point guards of that era seldom did.
“I said, ‘Did you ask Kareem?’” Johnson jokingly recalled saying to Riley during his speech. “He pushed me to a whole other level. … Pat was way ahead of his time in coaching.”
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During the team’s victory celebration, Riley famously guaranteed the Lakers would successfully defend their title. It wasn’t easy, by the Lakers did defeat the Pistons in a classic seven-game series to become the NBA’s first repeat champion in 19 years.
Riley later enjoyed successful coaching stops with the New York Knicks and Miami Heat. In 1994, he led the Knicks to their first NBA Finals appearance in 21 years. In Miami, he coached the Heat to their first title before overseeing the franchise’s last two championship wins as team president.
“Pat could build different identities in different cities,” Wade said during his speech. “Showtime to grit, it’s the same standard, it’s the same leadership. Just a little different style.”
As he concluded his speech, Riley fittingly alluded to the Lakers’ arch rival, whom they would face yet again later in the day.
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“The time has come to kick some ass,” Riley told the crowd. “The time has come to kick some Boston ass.”
Arsenal recorded an impressive 4–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze both scoring twice.
Arsenal started the match strongly and controlled much of the first half. They took the lead in the 33rd minute when Eberechi Eze controlled Bukayo Saka’s cross and finished well past Guglielmo Vicario.
Tottenham responded quickly. Just two minutes later, Randal Kolo Muani equalised after winning the ball from Declan Rice and firing past goalkeeper David Raya.
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Arsenal came out with more intensity after the break. Gyokeres restored the lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the box early in the second half. On the hour mark, Eze scored his second goal after a loose ball fell to him inside the area.
Tottenham tried to get back into the game and had chances, including an effort from Richarlison that Raya cleared off the line. However, Gyokeres sealed the win in injury time, holding off a defender before scoring his second goal of the match.
The result keeps Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Tottenham, who were managed by Igor Tudor for the first time, remain in the lower half of the table and continue their struggles at home.
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Arsenal will return to action next Sunday with a home match against Chelsea, while Tottenham will look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
1 min read Last Updated : Feb 19 2026 | 10:32 AM IST
AC Milan fell seven points behind Inter Milan in the Italian title race after drawing 1-1 at home to Como.
Argentina midfielder Nico Paz put the visitors ahead in the 32nd minute on Wednesday, following a clumsy error from Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The France No. 1 tried passing the ball from the edge of his penalty area, but Paz swiftly intercepted it and shot through Maignan’s legs for his ninth league goal of the season.
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Portugal winger Rafael Leao equalized midway through the second half for Milan with a neat lob, after being set up by midfielder Ardon Jashari.
Second-place Milan is four points ahead of defending champion Napoli in third.
Como moved into sixth spot on goal difference from Atalanta in the race for a Champions League place next season. Fifth-place Juventus is four points ahead.
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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond lines up against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC wild card playoff game on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium, preparing for a high-stakes postseason snap as Minnesota’s defensive front battles for leverage and momentum in a tightly contested playoff showdown. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Fullback C.J. Ham retired from the NFL a couple of weeks ago, shrinking the Minnesota Vikings’ list of internal free agents from an even 20 to 19. And with free agency just two weeks away, here’s a look at who the club should prioritize in ascending order.
Minnesota’s list is big, yet the real pressure sits on a few names at the top.
It’s actually a very quiet internal free agency for Minnesota compared to recent years, mainly because former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s four draft classes turned out so poorly. So, that’s a perk, right? Sarcasm.
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The Short List That Is Minnesota’s Free Agency
Counting down the Vikings’ top free agents of 2026.
Minnesota Vikings tight end Ben Sims (89) celebrates with fans along the sideline after the final whistle, sharing the moment with traveling supporters following a road matchup. On Dec 14, 2025, Sims greeted Vikings fans at AT&T Stadium after Minnesota’s contest against the Dallas Cowboys, highlighting the young tight end’s growing presence within the offense and special teams. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
Nos. 19 thru 14
19 — Matt Nelson (LT) 18 — Brett Rypien (QB) 17 — John Wolford (QB) 16 — Tavierre Thomas (CB) 15 — Carson Wentz (QB) 14 — Ben Sims (TE)
Nelson: Do you know who Matt Nelson is? Exactly.
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Rypien: This guy was the Vikings’ QB2 fix for about two months of the 2025 offseason. Now, he’s a footnote.
Wolford: Wolford served as the emergency plan behind J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer last year. He might’ve even played better than Brosmer if given a chance. Regardless, with the Vikings emphasizing a deep quarterback room in 2026, Wolford is expendable.
Wentz: The veteran passer did his damndest to keep the enterprise afloat during McCarthy’s absence, but Wentz was just too on-and-off to be considered a QB2 solution going forward. Perhaps a QB3 job title would look great on him.
Sims: If Minnesota makes all the release rumors about T.J. Hockenson come true, it will need TE depth. And that’s Sims.
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Thomas: A penalty machine at times in 2025, Thomas stabilized down the stretch of 2025.
Nos. 13 thru 9
13 — Taki Taimani (DT) 12 — Zavier Scott (RB) 11 — Jeff Okudah (CB) 10 — Ty Chandler (RB) 9 — Fabian Moreau (CB)
Taimani: The Vikings suddenly have a crowded DT room. It’s so rare in recent years for the club to employ DTs with nose tackle size. Perhaps keeping Taimani aboard for his size (6’1″ and 330 pounds) would be wise.
Scott: Minnesota gave Scott a whiff at RB2 and RB3 jobs in 2025. The man was serivceable. He should be retained on the practice squad at the very least.
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Okudah: The former third overall pick experienced a horrid year in 2025, between poor play and two concussions. As a CB4, he might be intriguing. Brian Flores seems to like him.
Chandler: This Adofo-Mensah draft pick scripted a game from heaven in 2023 at the Cincinnati Bengals. And then that was about it. Unbelievably, Chandler will turn 28 this offseason. His career is on the back nine, believe it or not.
Moreau: Moreau did not get enough credit from Vikings fans last year. He held down the fort at CB3, banking a sweet 54.2 passer-rating-against. If your phone buzzes in March and says, “The Vikings have re-signed Fabian Moreau,” you should smile. The guy can ball.
Nos. 8 thru 5
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8 — Ryan Wright (P) 7 — Bo Richter (EDGE) 6 — Justin Skule (LT) 5 — Ivan Pace Jr. (LB) 4 — Harrison Smith (S)
Wright: The Vikings’ punter was a machine as a rookie, returned to earth in 2023 and 2024, and resurged in 2025. He’ll likely be the punter again in 2026. Kicker Will Reichard also trusts him as his holder. Sign us up for more.
Minnesota Vikings tight end Ben Sims (89) interacts with fans near the stands after the game, acknowledging supporters who made the trip for a late-season road contest. On Dec 14, 2025, Sims celebrated with Minnesota followers at AT&T Stadium following the Vikings’ matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, capturing a postgame moment between players and fans after a competitive afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
Richter: Behind Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner next season, Minnesota will need an OLB4. Why not Richter to battle for the job?
Skule: Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery is as mysterious as it is scary. Brian O’Neill is also starting to get “up there” in age. The Vikings need dependable OT depth; Skule is accordingly a priority.
Pace Jr.: Flores benched Pace Jr. for poor tackling in 2025. Is he eternally doomed? Purple fans just watched a season where Sam Darnold felt eternally doomed for ruining the Vikings’ 2024 season with two dastardly quarterback performances. He later redeemed himself in Seattle to the tune of a Super Bowl. Like Darnold, perhaps a few poor games from Pace Jr. won’t define his career forever.
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Smith: With every day that passes and Smith has not announced his retirement, the odds climb on his return for Year No. 15. Why not come back with Flores still in the mix and use Smith as a situation safety? No one would be mad about it.
Nos. 3 thru 1
3 — Jalen Nailor (WR) 2 — Eric Wilson (LB) 1 — Jalen Redmond
Nailor: Some reports say Nailor’s next contract will fetch $5 million per season. Some reports say $12 million. The Vikings have the cash for Nailor at $5 million; they do not have the cash for Nailor at $12 million. It’s pretty simple.
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Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) reacts after a defensive play, celebrating with visible energy during an early-season matchup at home. On Sep 14, 2025, Wilson responded to a successful stop at U.S. Bank Stadium as Minnesota faced the Atlanta Falcons, contributing to the defensive effort while working in a rotational role within the Vikings’ linebacker group. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Wilson: Wilson will turn 32 in September. He’s not the long-term fix at ILB. But wouldn’t it be criminal to let him leave after his 2025 campaign damn near earned the man a Pro Bowl appearance? The Vikings should do both — re-sign Wilson for a year or two and draft a rookie ILB in the middle rounds of April’s draft. Flores should be able to scout the best option.
Redmond: Minnesota owns Redmond’s rights of free agency. Behind Justin Jefferson last season, Redmond was arguably the Vikings’ best player. He’ll be back, and he deserves it. He’s one of the coolest Vikings stories of the last decade. From UFL obscurity to NFL stardom.
