Barker was in the right place at the right time and snuck in a buzzer-beater to lift the Fire to a 98-96 win over the New York Liberty on Tuesday night.
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With the game tied up, Bridget Carleton tried to hit a 3-pointer over Liberty star Breanna Stewart, though Stewart tipped the ball just barely. But Barke found herself wide open in the lane, easly grabbed the rebound and put it back up before the horn sounded.
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That sent the Moda Center into a frenzy and sparked a huge celebration under the rim.
The win marked the first for the Fire since they returned to the WNBA this season along with the Toronto Tempo. The Fire played three seasons from 2000-2002, but ended up folding altogether.
The Fire fell to the Chicago Sky 98-83 in their season-opener, and dropped both of their preseason games.
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Barker finished with five points and went just 2-of-5 from the field off the bench in the win. She was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in last year’s draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, and she averaged just more than three points off the bench during her rookie campaign.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.
Kylian Mbappé has reportedly created fresh tension at Real Madrid after claiming interim coach Álvaro Arbeloa reduced his importance in the squad.
The French forward spoke after Madrid’s 2-0 win against Real Oviedo, a game that did little to calm the growing frustration between the player and sections of the club’s supporters.
Mbappé came on from the bench and provided an assist for Jude Bellingham’s goal, but he was still greeted with loud boos from some fans inside the Santiago Bernabéu.
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The reaction from supporters comes after reports of an online petition calling for the striker to leave the club following Madrid’s recent struggles, including their 2-0 defeat to FC Barcelona that confirmed the La Liga title for their rivals.
After the match, Mbappé questioned why he was left out of the starting line-up and suggested that his place in the team had dropped.
“I was ready to start but Arbeloa told me I am the fourth striker now,” Mbappé said.
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“It’s okay, we have to accept the coach’s decision. I will continue to work harder. I am fully fit and ready to play. Why I didn’t start? Ask the manager.”
However, Arbeloa quickly rejected the claims and insisted he never told the player he was fourth-choice in attack.
“It never happened that I told Mbappé he’s our fourth striker,” the Madrid coach said.
“Maybe he misunderstood. I have never said that.”
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The disagreement has added more pressure around the club as Madrid prepare for changes after missing out on the league title.
Apr 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and his brother Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo talks during a time out against the Detroit Pistons in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Myles Turner was unaccustomed to the lack of discipline and accountability he experienced in his first season with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Turner said on the “Game Recognize Game” podcast that now-former Bucks coach Doc Rivers refused to fine players for violations or tardiness, inspiring Giannis Antetokounmpo and others to “show up whenever he wants.”
Podcast co-host Breanna Stewart asked Turner to identify the player most likely to be late.
“Giannis. Giannis is going to show up whenever he wants, really,” Turner said. “I think that this kind of just came with the territory that — and once I saw it was going down, I was like, ‘Hey man, s—, more power to you. They ain’t going to fine you. S—, do what you do.’”
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The Bucks missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. Milwaukee finished 32-50 and informed Rivers last month he would not return. The franchise has weighed trading Antetokounmpo in what could be a dramatic overhaul this offseason. Ownership pointed to late June, prior to the NBA draft, as a deadline for determining whether the future of the franchise would include Antetokounmpo.
Taylor Jenkins was hired as head coach and Turner said he anticipates a different level of discipline will be part of the regime change.
Turner joined the Bucks in free agency last summer, signing a four-year, $108 million contract after a decade with the Indiana Pacers. He said punctuality was optional, and eventually he stopped monitoring the clock himself.
“Guys were an hour late to the plane,” Turner said. “It got to the point where I knew not to show up until an hour after they said the plane was taking off. It was crazy.”
Brittany Russell is the latest woman with a chance to etch her name into horse racing history.
Two weeks after Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner with Golden Tempo and after Jenna Antonucci won the 2023 Belmont with Arcangelo, Russell has the chance to complete the Triple Crown sweep of female trainers when she saddles Taj Mahal in the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
“It would sort of feel probably a little fairytale-like,” Russell said. “Jena opened the door just a couple years ago with Arcangelo, and Cherie got it done in the Kentucky Derby. The fact that I feel like I have a live one in the Preakness here, look, there’s some pressure and I certainly hope we can do it, but it would mean an awful lot.”
Where the race is taking place and who will be aboard could make it mean even more. The Preakness is being run at Russell’s home track, Laurel Park, for the first time, and husband Sheldon is the jockey. They would be the first married couple, at least as trainer and jockey, to win a Triple Crown race.
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“The dream, the goal was always to get one that would take us to one of the big races, and he’s sort of taken us there,” Sheldon Russell told The Associated Press. “Just like a normal day, really.”
Most weekends, the Russells take their children to Laurel Park, which is just off I-95 between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and six-year-old daughter Edy and four-year-old son Rye are expected to be in attendance.
They were a little younger when they went to the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in Southern California, in the fall of 2024 when Post Time, trained by their mother and ridden by their father, finished second in a world championship mile-long dirt race. It was a cross-country introduction to the sport.
“That was a big event for them,” Sheldon Russell said. “They didn’t really understand what we were doing there until we sort of got there. (This time) it’s not like we have to travel.”
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And, unlike the usual Maryland-based horses who go into the Preakness as long shots, Taj Mahal is right in the mix of contenders in the wide-open field of 14 that does not include Golden Tempo. He opened at odds of 5-1, just behind the morning line favourite Iron Honor.
Taj Mahal is unbeaten in three races, all at Laurel Park, including going wire to wire to win the Federico Tesio Stakes on April 18 by more than eight lengths.
“Immediately everybody started talking, just the way that horse won it,” Maryland Jockey Club president and CEO Bill Knauf said. “To have Brittany as our leading trainer for many years now here, she’s obviously one of the best in the country, and Sheldon has done an unbelievable job.”
Brittany Russell called it a dominant effort, and she hopes the home track advantage could be a major one. Her husband rides most of her horses, and that’s another relationship edge they have over everyone else as they watch replays together and discuss strategy.
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“Most of the time, it’s great,” Brittany said. “Now, look, does everything go to plan? Is everything always perfect? No, and it can be a little tricky. But at the end of the day, it’s horse racing and some things are out of our control. In this particular instance, I think it’s great. He knows the horse. He’s won on it three times. He knows the racetrack better than anybody. I think it’s a good thing.”
This is Brittany Russell’s first Preakness horse in her eighth year of training. It’s her husband’s fourth chance to ride in the middle leg of the Triple Crown after finishing fifth aboard Chase the Chaos in 2023, sixth aboard Excession in 2020 and 10th aboard Concealed Identity in 2011.
This is different, though Sheldon Russell said he has not pondered the big-picture ramifications. His thoughts keep coming back to the little things, like, “We have a chance.”
“I guess if it happened, it’s going to be something,” he said. “We both know that he has a decent chance of showing up on the big day.”
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Jamie Overton does not feature in the playing XI for the clash against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium, on Friday, May 15. The Englishman was recently ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season due to a thigh injury, with the franchise naming Dian Forrester as his replacement.
Jamie Overton had initially travelled to England for scans and assessment of his injury, but was soon ruled out of the remainder of the season altogether. He had played a crucial role in CSK’s resurgence, with his key overs in the middle phase of the innings.
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad confirmed that Jamie Overton is not in the matchday squad, while naming Australian pacer Spencer Johnson as his replacement at the toss.
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“It is tough, you need to keep changing a lot, but it something which we cannot control but also gives an opportunity to the players, Urvil coming in, Mukesh coming in, it helps them grow, and whenever we have a good squad, we deliver. It has been a must-win for a while now, and we want to take it one game at a time. We have a couple of changes – Spencer Johnson makes his debut, and Gurjapneet comes in for Akeal,” the skipper said after being put into bat first.
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary
Jamie Overton left a massive impact on CSK over the course of the IPL 2026 season
Jamie Overton was CSK’s second-highest wicket-taker of the season behind Anshul Kamboj. The right-arm pacer bagged 14 wickets at an average of 17.78 and an economy rate of 8.89, and was touted to play a massive role in the franchise’s run to the playoffs, and potentially beyond.
The all-rounder became the fifth CSK player to be ruled out for the season, after Nathan Ellis, Ayush Mhatre, Khaleel Ahmed, and Ramakrishna Ghosh.
A nine-game homestand that looked promising at the start ended in despair for Toronto FC.
TFC closed out its two-month residence at BMO Field last week with a 4-2 loss to Inter Miami, leaving the Canadian club winless in seven games across all competitions, with its last victory coming on April 4.
The extended home stretch didn’t go quite to plan for Toronto — just 11 out of a possible 27 points — and it won’t be back at BMO Field until mid-August with its next six contests coming on the road, starting with Saturday night’s affair vs. Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium. Next week, the Reds visit the Chicago Fire before MLS takes a month-and-a-half break for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Toronto (3-4-5) sits 10th in the Eastern Conference with 14 points, one spot and one point out of a playoff berth. Over the last four seasons, the ninth-place team in the East has averaged 44.5 points. To hit the 45-point mark in 2026, TFC would have to average 1.41 points per game over their last 22 matches of the season (or 31 of a possible 66 points). That’s a significant jump from the 1.17 points they have averaged through the first 12 matches of the campaign.
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A good start would be for Toronto to collect 12 points from this road swing — that would give it an average of 1.44 points per game. But that would require it to win four of its next six games (or three wins and three draws). What’s more, the team has just one win from three road games in 2026 and recorded a meagre three wins away from home last season.
“Not getting the points at home that we wanted means that we have to get the points elsewhere. So, it just amplifies the importance of every game after this. And obviously everyone would like to go into this World Cup break feeling good with a positive feeling. So, certainly, these [next] two games are really important for us,” second-year coach Robin Fraser said.
Fullback Kobe Franklin, who has two goals and a pair of assists over his last five MLS appearances, admitted there is “a bitter taste in a lot of the guys’ mouths” because the Reds left so many points on the table during their nine-game home stretch.
“I thought there were a lot of games where we played really well and showcased ourselves and should have got points. And there were also games where we fought back and got points when maybe we were staring at zero. So, it was kind of a roller coaster of a ride over the homestand,” Franklin said.
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He added: “Everyone knows where the standings are at, and points are vital, especially during this next stretch.”
Making matters worse for Toronto ahead of its crucial road swing is its ongoing injury crisis. No less than 10 players were ruled out last week vs. Miami due to injury, including forward Josh Sargent, who has sat out the last three games in all competitions and is questionable for Saturday’s visit to Charlotte.
Also ruled out for Toronto are midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, Canadian international Richie Laryea, fullbacks Matheus Pereira and Henry Wingo, and Chilean international Benjamin Kuscevic and fellow centre back Lazar Stefanovic, all of whom are expected to be out until July once the World Cup break is over.
As a result, Fraser has had to turn to his young depth players off the bench, such as Franklin and on-loan Colombian forward Emilio Aristizábal, who bagged a brace in the Miami loss. He’s even had to routinely call up players from TFC II, the club’s reserve team, just so that he can fill out a complete roster for matchdays.
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“It’s obviously not easy and it’s obviously not ideal, but I keep saying we have to get points, regardless of who we have. We believe in our youth and our inexperience and our bench. They’re all now playing all the time, and now we also have to rely on some of the second team players, and it’s definitely challenging, but I do think that every game is winnable if you do enough things right,” Fraser said.
Elsewhere in MLS this weekend…
• The Vancouver Whitecaps climbed into first place in the overall MLS table with a midweek win and will try to keep their momentum going when they visit the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. Vancouver (9-1-2) is unbeaten in its last seven games (five wins) while Sebastian Berhalter has been in an incredible run of form. The American midfielder has six goals this season (a career high) and seven assists — his 13 goal contributions rank him second overall in MLS, trailing only Lionel Messi (16).
• CF Montreal wraps up its three-game homestand on Saturday when it welcomes the Chicago Fire to Stade Saputo. Montreal (4-7-1) appears to have turned a corner since firing manager Marco Donadel after it started the season with six losses through its first seven matches. Under interim coach Philippe Eullaffroy, Montreal has won three of five games with one loss, including impressive wins over the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC.
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• Speaking of the two New York teams, the latest version of the Hudson River Derby takes place on Saturday when the Red Bulls host NYCFC. Red Bulls striker Julian Hall, 18, became the youngest player in league history to record a hat trick in Wednesday’s 3-2 home win over the Columbus Crew. Fellow teenagers Adri Mehmeti and Matthew Dos Santos have also impressed this season under first-year coach Michael Bradley.
• Lionel Messi attempts to keep his hot streak going when Inter Miami hosts the Portland Timbers on Sunday. Messi has scored in three consecutive matches with four goals and five assists over that stretch. Curiously, Miami is winless in its past four home matches (with three losses) since opening Nu Stadium, its new venue, last month.
Editor’s note
John Molinaro is one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, having covered the game for over 27 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.
The 2026 Preakness Stakes is expected to be a battle, with five horses listed at 6-1 or shorter in the Preakness Stake 2026 odds. The race is set for Saturday at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., the first time the race won’t be held at Pimlico Race Course since 1908. Pimlico is being renovated, but the race is expected to be back in Baltimore next year. Iron Honor is the 9-2 morning-line favorite in the 2026 Preakness Stakes odds, followed closely by Taj Mahal (5-1), Chip Honcho (5-1), Incredibolt (5-1) and Ocelli (6-1).
Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo is skipping the 151st running of the Triple Crown’s second jewel, and only three horses that ran at Churchill Downs are in the field. Post time for the $2 million race is 6:50 p.m. ET. Other contenders in Preakness Stakes 2026 include Napoleon Solo (8-1), Great White (15-1), Pretty Boy Miah (15-1) and The Hell We Did (15-1). Before making any 2026 Preakness Stakes picks, be sure to see the 2026 Preakness Stakes predictions and best bets from SportsLine’s elite horse racing expert Gene Menez.
A former reporter and editor at Sports Illustrated, Menez covered an array of sports, including horse racing, for the magazine and its website for almost 14 years. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as SI’s handicapper for the Triple Crown races and correctly predicted Super Saver to win the Kentucky Derby in 2010.
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In 2015, while writing for Sports on Earth, Menez accurately gave out the Kentucky Derby superfecta (American Pharoah, Firing Line, Dortmund and Frosted), which paid $1,268.20 for $2. Then in 2017, he tweeted out his Kentucky Derby picks, including Always Dreaming to win, and hit the Pick 4, which paid almost $6,900 on a $1 bet. In 2024, Menez gave out 18-1 Mystik Dan as a live longshot in the Kentucky Derby. In last year’s Kentucky Derby, he hammered the exacta and trifecta for a $1,045 payout. Anyone who has followed his horse racing betting advice could be way up.
Now, Menez has handicapped the 2026 Preakness Stakes field and revealed his picks. Go here to see them.
Top 2026 Preakness Stakes predictions
One of Menez’s surprising 2026 Preakness Stakes picks: He is fading the favorite, Iron Honor. The horse won his first two starts, which came at 3/4 mile and 1 mile. But then he attempted the 1 1/8 mile distance at the Wood Memorial and had a disastrous finish, placing seventh. The Preakness will be even longer than the Wood Memorial, making it hard to feel confident about his chances versus an even stronger field.
While Iron Honor’s sire, Nyquist, won the 2016 Kentucky Derby, he didn’t fare as well at that year’s Preakness. Just like Iron Honor, Nyquist was the Preakness favorite but placed third, which ended his undefeated racing career after winning each of his first eight races. There are just too many red flags for Iron Honor to justify backing him with Preakness Stakes bets. See who to back at SportsLine.
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Another stunner: Menez is high on The Hell We Did, even though he is a longshot at 15-1. He has been training at Laurel Park for the past two weeks so he and his team can get a feel for the track. The Hell We Did finished second at the 2026 Lexington G3 at Keeneland his last time out. He has run at some lesser-known tracks but has never finished outside of the top two in four career starts.
Menez expects the son of 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic and half-brother of 2024 Saudi Cup winner Senor Buscador to have a solid game plan Saturday. “He also should get the perfect trip behind the speed horses and in front of the late-running closers who are returning in two weeks,” Menez says. “And best of all, the price should be right.” The only question is the distance, but the horse racing expert says “this is a horse who’s moving in the right direction at the right time.” See which other horses to back at SportsLine.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up near midfield following the national anthem before a road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Dec. 22, 2019. Murray prepared for the NFC West contest during his rookie campaign as Arizona closed out the regular season against a familiar division rival in primetime conditions. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports.
It doesn’t quite have the flair of the NFL MVP award, but CBS Sports formally handed Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray the best case to win Comeback Player of the Year this week.
Minnesota’s new quarterback has a clear path to national buzz if the Vikings rebound in 2026.
Murray missed 12 games last season before the Arizona Cardinals dropped him like a bad habit. Now, the speedy 28-year-old is in Minnesota to get back on track.
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A Strong Vikings Season Could Put Murray in Awards Talk
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) goes through pregame warmups before facing the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle on Nov. 24, 2024. Murray prepared for the NFC West road matchup as Arizona attempted to remain competitive late in the regular season against a familiar division rival in one of the league’s loudest stadium environments. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.
Parker Loverich: Murray Has 50% Odds to win Comeback Player of the Year
Parker Loverich of SI.com sized up the NFL’s soon-to-be race for Comeback Player of the Year, and Murray led the way, in his estimation.
He explained, “Kyler Murray | 50% Chance. The ACL tear in late 2022 was serious, the kind of injury that takes a quarterback more than a full year to stop thinking about. Murray came back, got through the early awkwardness, and by 2025 was playing at a level that reminded people what he looked like before it happened.”
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“Unfortunately, last year in week 5 he suffered a season ending foot injury. After sitting out the rest of the season, Murray finds himself with a change of scenery in Minnesota. He has new weapons and a new home to try and revive his career. The market gives him 50%. The remaining half is split across a field that includes some genuinely strong cases.”
In addition to Murray and Mahomes, Micah Parsons (Green Bay Packers), Malik Nabers (New York Giants), and George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) made the cut for Loverich.
The Case … Makes Sense
After stumbling to a 4-8 start in 2025, the Vikings somehow clawed their way back to a 9-8 finish. Just one more win — specifically, the Week 18 game against Green Bay when the Packers were resting starters — could have decisively altered the NFC North race.
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The most remarkable aspect of that turnaround was the quarterback play. The Vikings had the NFL’s fifth-worst quarterback production (by Dropback EPA) yet still finished above .500. The outcome was highly unusual; teams with such poor QB efficiency typically find themselves drafting in the top 10, firing their coaches, or both.
Despite this, Kevin O’Connell guided the Vikings to nine wins.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) stretches and warms up before a home matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Dec. 17, 2023. Murray prepared for the divisional contest as the Cardinals hosted San Francisco during the final stretch of the regular season in the NFC West race. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic.
Given the Vikings achieved nine wins with quarterback play ranked 28th in the league, their ceiling dramatically increases with Murray under center— provided he stays healthy and plays consistently. The team doesn’t require MVP-level football from him. Just solid, healthy quarterback play could easily propel this team to 11 or 12 wins.
In Arizona, Murray averaged roughly 4,000 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, and 30 cumulative touchdowns every 17 starts, so if he could do that on a poor franchise, generally speaking, he’ll have the opportunity to pop off further in Minnesota.
A nine-win team from the year prior, welcoming a usually productive Murray, indeed has all the makings for Comeback Player of the Year.
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Why Not MVP?
At the moment, he has +7500 odds to win the MVP award, wedged between Jaxson Dart (+7000, NYG) and Cam Ward (+8,000, TEN). Bleacher Report‘s Mo Moton even named Murray as one of his first-time winners who could tip the scales for the award in 2026 this week.
In 2024, when the Vikings employed Sam Darnold, he briefly nibbled at MVP consideration before his final two games went off the rails — in a bad away — as Minnesota finished the season with a 14-3 record. And when Darnold arrived in the Twin Cities, he was a punchline to jokes.
If Darnold could post MVP numbers in Minnesota, why not Murray? It’s not a likely outcome, but if Murray has a Comeback Player of the Year resume, that may also factor into the league’s MVP race.
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The Case for Mahomes
Loverich also named-dropped Mahomes as a Comeback Player of the Year candidate: “Kansas City went 6-11 in 2025 and missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. For a team accustomed to January football, that was a different kind of season. Mahomes had stretches where the sharpness was not there, the timing was off, and the offense looked like it was searching for answers.”
“A rough season capped off with an ACL and LCL tear late in the year. A full return to form in 2026, the kind of dominant season the league saw from him in past seasons, would generate serious award conversation. At 37%, the market is treating that scenario as probable, but the question of his timeline for return is what complicates this number.”
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts following the AFC divisional round playoff game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Jan. 21, 2024. Mahomes helped guide Kansas City through another postseason road victory as the Chiefs continued their playoff run in difficult winter conditions against the Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.
If you care about the Comeback Player of the Year trophy, it could be a two-horse race between Murray and Mahomes, two passers back in the saddle after 2025 season-ending injuries.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Chelsea take on vs Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final as both teams look to add to their hefty tallies in the competition.
The Blues, who have won the FA Cup eight times with eight different managers, are looking to make it nine in nine at Wembley with interim boss Calum McFarlane in charge. Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0 in their semi-final courtesy of Enzo Fernandez’s header.
Seven-time winners City, meanwhile, are in their fourth consecutive Cup final but have lost their last two against Manchester United and Crystal Palace. City edged past Championship side Southampton in the semi-finals with Nico Gonzalez scoring a late screamer to win the game.
City outclassed Chelsea in their last encounter, winning 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, but cause for optimism lies in McFarlane’s personal record against Pep Guardiola: in a match at the Etihad in January, Chelsea earned a 1-1 draw.
Follow the FA Cup final with The Independent
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When is the FA Cup final?
Chelsea vs Man City is due to kick off at 3pm BST on Saturday, 16 May at Wembley Stadium.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One, BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Coverage starts at 1:15pm.
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Coverage will also be on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and HBO Max, starting at 9am.
Chelsea face Man City in the FA Cup final (Getty)
Team news
Levi Colwill and Reece James are close to full fitness and could feature in Saturday’s final. Alejandro Garnarcho, Pedro Neto and Robert Sanchez have also all trained this week after recent injuries and are in line to play at Wembley.
Rodri remains a doubt for City’s fourth Cup final in a row, while Josko Gvardiol will be in the squad after returning to action against Crystal Palace. James Trafford, City’s domestic cup goalkeeper, is set to play over No 1 Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Portugal enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup with strong ambition and a sense of destiny, as this tournament is widely expected to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final appearance on the global stage. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be hoping to end his legendary World Cup journey by lifting the trophy in what could be a fairytale farewell.
Unlike previous editions, Portugal arrive with one of their most balanced and complete squads in recent memory. Under Roberto Martínez, the Seleção das Quinas now boast a well-rounded unit featuring elite talent across every department. The supporting cast includes PSG duo Vitinha and João Neves, along with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, forming a midfield capable of competing with the best in the world.
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Portugal’s confidence is further boosted by their status as reigning UEFA Nations League champions, underlining their recent success on the international stage. There is a growing belief that this could finally be the year they reach their first-ever World Cup final.
They begin their campaign against DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston on June 17, a fixture they will be expected to control as they look to build early momentum.
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Decent qualification campaign
Portugal finished their qualification journey with a record of 4 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, scoring 20 goals and conceding 7. Cristiano Ronaldo once again led the scoring charts with 5 goals, while João Cancelo and Nélson Semedo contributed creatively with 2 assists each.
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The campaign started strongly with three consecutive wins, placing them at the top of their group. However, a dip in form saw them drop points in the following two matches, putting pressure on their final game. Roberto Martínez’s side responded emphatically, dismantling Armenia 9-1 in a dominant display that sealed qualification in style.
Portugal’s Group K in FIFA World Cup 2026
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Portugal
DR Congo
Uzbekistan
Colombia
Ronaldo’s final chance at World Cup glory
Cristiano Ronaldo enters what is expected to be his final World Cup at the age of 41, now also known for his off-field influence but still widely regarded as the greatest goalscorer in modern football history. Despite his age, he remains a decisive presence for Portugal, driven by the pursuit of World Cup glory and the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals. Fans can still expect him to deliver moments of brilliance and continue doing what he has always done best, performing on the biggest stage.
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Meanwhile, João Neves represents Portugal’s next generation. Having been just 17 and watching the previous World Cup from home, he now plays a vital role at Paris Saint-Germain. Nicknamed the “little guy,” he has developed into an intelligent and composed midfielder who quietly dictates the flow of games and provides crucial balance in Portugal’s engine room.
Portugal schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Portugal schedule
Fixture
Date
Venue
Portugal vs DR Congo
Wednesday, June 17
NRG Stadium
Portugal vs Uzbekistan
Tuesday, June 23
NRG Stadium
Colombia vs Portugal
Saturday, June 27
Hard Rock Stadium
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Portugal Strengths
Portugal operate in a possession-based 4-2-3-1 system under Roberto Martínez, with a clear attack-first mentality. Their biggest strength lies in a world-class midfield capable of controlling tempo, dominating possession, and dictating the rhythm of matches. Once they establish control, they can move the ball quickly and efficiently, creating dangerous attacking transitions. The presence of lethal goalscorers further enhances their ability to convert dominance into goals, making them a constant threat in the final third.
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Portugal Weaknesses
Despite their attacking quality, Portugal’s main concern is defensive instability. The team is often vulnerable at the back and can be too easily broken down, leading to avoidable goals conceded. Another issue is inconsistency in wide areas, where wingers can struggle to maintain form and impact across matches. These defensive lapses and fluctuating performances on the flanks can disrupt their overall balance, especially against top-tier opposition.
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Portugal squad for FIFA World Cup 2026: Yet to be announced
Man United have given an update on Matthijs de Ligt after his prolonged absence due to an injury.
Manchester United have announced Matthijs de Ligt has undergone surgery to address a back injury. De Ligt was last in action for United against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on November 30.
Ruben Amorim initially suggested De Ligt would miss one game through injury, but the Dutchman has been absent since. United confirmed on Friday that De Ligt had successfully undergone an operation on his issue.
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De Ligt said: “Since November I have done everything, pushing myself in every session and exploring every option, to get back to doing what I love, playing football.
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“I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout a difficult period in my career. I remain as determined as ever to represent Manchester United and play in front of our incredible supporters as soon as possible.”
De Ligt returned to individual training on grass in the last week of April. United had said De Ligt remained upbeat and focused on returning to full fitness, but he will not play for the club again this season.
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The 26-year-old was in superb form in the first few months of the campaign and picked up United’s player of the month award in November. Before De Ligt’s injury, he’d played every minute in the 2025/26 Premier League season.
De Ligt’s injury has ended his hopes of making the Netherlands squad for this summer’s World Cup. The defender was already fighting for a place in the Netherlands squad before he suffered his injury.
Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez have started the bulk of games in central defence since Carrick’s appointment, but Martinez missed five games between February and March due to a calf injury.
Leny Yoro came into the side while Martinez was sidelined, but the Frenchman suffered a minor hip injury last month, which ruled him out of the 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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Ayden Heaven started alongside Noussair Mazraoui in central defence against Chelsea that night. United are tracking centre-backs ahead of the summer transfer window, but strengthening other areas of the squad is the priority.
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