By SuperWest Sports Staff
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Walid Regragui set to step down as Morocco era nears its end
Worn down after four years in charge of Morocco, Walid Regragui is expected to step down with the World Cup now less than four months away. The Moroccan federation, which met on Thursday, is likely to announce Regragui’s successor soon. The leading candidate is Mohamed Ouahbi, currently in charge of the nation’s U20 world champion side.
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Arsenal land dream Champions League draw as Chelsea, Man City and Newcastle face heavyweights
Arsenal have landed a dream Champions League draw and will not need to face a traditional heavyweight before the semi-finals, while the other five English sides in the draw all face potentially daunting ties from the last-16 onwards.
Chelsea will play Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain while Manchester City will once again face Real Madrid and Newcastle will take on Barcelona in a glamour draw as the knockout stage bracket was revealed. Liverpool drew Galatasaray while Tottenham were paired with Atletico Madrid.
Premier League leaders Arsenal, meanwhile, now have an excellent opportunity to go on a run in this season’s competition and will play Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16 before either Sporting or Norway’s Bodo/Glimt, who will attempt to continue their fairytale run after knocking out last year’s finalists Inter.
With six English teams taking their place in the last-16 draw, there could be a record number of Premier League sides in the quarter-finals after Chelsea and Newcastle, who could have faced each other, were handed ties against PSG and Barcelona respectively.
Chelsea’s meeting with holders PSG will invoke memories of last summer’s Club World Cup final, as the Blues produced a stunning performance to defeat the newly crowded Champions League winners in New Jersey.
The winner of that tie will face either Liverpool or Galatasaray in the quarter-finals. Arne Slot’s side will return to Istanbul for the second time this season, following a 1-0 defeat early in the league phase, before hosting the Turkish side at Anfield in the second leg.
In the same half of the draw, Manchester City will play Real Madrid in a Champions League knockout tie for the fifth consecutive season. Pep Guardiola’s side have lost their previous two, but won 2-1 in the Bernabeu in December when they met in the league phase. The winners of that tie would face either Bayern Munich or Atalanta in the quarter-finals.
On the other half of the draw, Newcastle can look forward to a romantic trip to Barcelona for the first time since the 2002-03 season, having lost to the La Liga leaders on the opening night of this season’s league phase. Marcus Rashford scored twice as Barcelona won 2-1 at St James’ Park in September.
Tottenham, who are facing up to the very real threat of relegation from the Premier League, will seek salvation in the form of just a second-ever meeting with Atletico Madrid and their first since the 1963 Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup final, as Spurs became the first English side to win a European title. Should Tottenham advance, they would face either Newcastle or Barcelona.
Arsenal, who boasted the best record in the league phase to qualify as top seeds, were handed perhaps the most favourable draw of the six English sides. The Gunners would not need to face any of PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester City or Liverpool before the final they are to reach a first Champions League showpiece since 2006.
The last-16 first legs will be played across Tuesday 10 March and Wednesday 11 March, with the return legs held the following week. With the exception of Newcastle, who qualified for the last-16 via the play-offs, every other English team will be at home for the second leg.
Full Champions League bracket
Top half
Paris Saint-Germain / Chelsea vs Galatasaray / Liverpool
Real Madrid / Manchester City vs Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bottom half
Newcastle / Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid / Tottenham
Bodo/Glimt / Sporting CP vs Bayer Leverkusen / Arsenal
SAN JOSE — Somewhere off the coast of Mazatlán, the Pacific cruise Dustin Wolf took his fiancée on during the Olympic break included a lovely interaction with a Calgary Flames fan from New Zealand who recognized the young netminder. A reminder, even thousands of kilometres from home, that his name is spreading fast.
The kid from San Jose has indeed done well to make a name for himself in short order, just like he did again Thursday night with 34 saves in a 4–1 win over the hometown Sharks team he grew up watching from the stands. On this night, with close to a dozen family members looking on in their red hoodies, he turned aside one of the world’s hottest players, Macklin Celebrini, who had nine shot attempts in the game.
This was supposed to be Celebrini’s night, as a rare sold‑out crowd showed up to salute the Olympic star, whose stock exploded in Milan where he led all scorers with five goals. Instead, the player of the game was Wolf, who famously kicked relentlessly in his mother’s belly whenever they attended a Sharks game during her pregnancy. The building that once stirred him before birth now fuels him as a professional, and on Thursday he owned it.
“It’s awesome,” said Wolf of his latest homecoming triumph. “Anytime you get to come close to home is awesome. And anytime in the second period, I always find myself looking up to where I used to sit as a season ticket holder for a number of years, and it’s pretty cool to be on the other side of it now.”
He paused, smiling at the thought of the familiar faces in the crowd. “I had my aunt and uncle and my grandma, who loves to come to the games when we’re in town. So glad to have them around. I couldn’t tell you the seats we used to sit in, I just know the general area of it was in their zone up to my right.”
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If the moment felt big for Wolf, it was because the Flames needed him early. They were outshot 17–6 in the first period, sluggish after a long break and a long week. The Sharks, energized by the Celebrini tribute and a rare full house, came out flying. Wolf simply absorbed it all.
“I mean, it took us a little bit to get going, which is understandable,” Wolf said. “We’ve had a long week, long couple weeks off. But I think we showed our resilience there. In the second period, we found a way to get the tying goal off a great play, and we just showed up in the third and played an outstanding period, and they didn’t get anything. And you know, that’s how we have to play to win tight hockey games.”
The tight hockey game part was made possible by Wolf’s calm, almost surgical presence. Celebrini, fresh off his Olympic explosion, tested him repeatedly. The crowd buzzed every time the 20‑year‑old phenom touched the puck. Wolf silenced them each time.
“He’s a heck of a player, man,” Wolf said. “It’s frightening seeing him come down. He’s only been in the league for two years, but it’s gonna be exciting to watch him going forward.”
Flames coach Ryan Huska didn’t mince words about his goaltender’s impact.
“I’ll go back to the first period,” Huska said. “It could have been a much different game if he wasn’t on his game tonight. He made a lot of great saves. And it’s not just the first period, it was right through the game. That was one of the nights where, when you watched him in there, how calm and cool he looked in the net, you knew that they weren’t going to get many by him tonight.”
As for Celebrini, Huska acknowledged the challenge. “He’s one of the most dynamic players in the league right now, and he’s a dangerous guy every time he’s on the ice.”
But the Flames had their own difference‑makers. Nazem Kadri’s line, with Connor Zary and Joel Farabee, tilted the ice when Calgary needed it most.
“I liked Connor,” Huska said. “That line tonight was our line that had the most juice, I thought. I thought Naz was good tonight, Farabee played well for us. They had a little bit more urgency than some of our other lines tonight. It just seemed like they were going to impact the game the right way. And they did.”
Zary, who scored the tying goal, made sure to credit the guy behind him.
“There was no doubt we were outplayed early on,” Zary said. “They had 17 shots in the first, and he held strong and played like Wolf always plays. It’s always nice having him back there when we don’t have our best and allows us to find our game.”
Kadri echoed it: “Wolfie held us down for the first 20 minutes, and we were able to score a few goals for him. He was definitely ready to play. Hometown game for him, and I think it gives you a little cool extra juice. So it’s nice for him to enjoy that.”
Wolf enjoyed it, all right. Another night in San Jose, another memory, another step in a career that keeps expanding — whether in Calgary, Mazatlán, or anywhere in between.
Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale (00) celebrates the game winning shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Royce O’Neale made a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining as the host Phoenix Suns overcame a 13-point second-half deficit for a 113-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
O’Neale gave the Suns a 110-108 lead on their previous possession before LeBron James’ tip-in tied it with 22.7 seconds remaining. The Suns played for one shot, and Grayson Allen drove the lane and kicked it to Collin Gillespie, who found O’Neale wide open on the left wing.
Allen scored 28 points and made six 3-pointers, while Gillespie scored 21 points and also hit six 3-pointers as the Suns overcame a 41-point game from Luka Doncic to win the season series with only one game remaining. Doncic made six 3-pointers and had eight assists and eight rebounds, as well.
LeBron James had 10 of his 15 points in the second half and Marcus Smart had 14 points for the Lakers, who have lost five of seven and are one game ahead of the Suns for the sixth spot in the Western Conference.
Hornets 133, Pacers 109
Kon Knueppel set the NBA single-season rookie record for 3-pointers and Brandon Miller matched a season high with 33 points, fueling Charlotte Hornets to a victory over Indiana in Indianapolis.
Knueppel highlighted his 28-point performance by matching his own franchise rookie record with eight 3-pointers, boosting his season total to 209. LaMelo Ball collected 20 points and eight assists and Moussa Diabate contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets, who extended their franchise-best road winning streak to nine.
Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard contributed 20 points and seven assists and Micah Potter added 19 points off the bench. Jarace Walker added 16 points for the free-falling Pacers, who have dropped five in a row and nine of their last 11 games.
Spurs 126, Nets 110
Julian Champagnie scored 26 points in a successful homecoming and San Antonio extended its longest winning streak since the 2015-16 season to 11 with a victory over Brooklyn in New York.
Champagnie’s big night helped offset a second straight quiet showing from Victor Wembanyama, who was held to 12 points and had eight rebounds. Stephon Castle added 13 of his 18 in the opening quarter, Devin Vassell scored 14 and De’Aaron Fox contributed 10 of his 14 in the third.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 17 of his 25 in the third when the Nets made a comeback attempt before taking their sixth straight loss. Day’Ron Sharpe contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench and rookie Danny Wolf also scored 14.
Rockets 113, Magic 108
Kevin Durant scored 40 points and Houston went on a 21-0 run in the third quarter to overcome a 19-point deficit and drop host Orlando.
Reed Sheppard added 20 points and made five 3-pointers for Houston, while Alperen Sengun had 16 points and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 13 for the Rockets, who won their third straight game.
Desmond Bane led Orlando with 30 points, while Paolo Banchero totaled 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. With the Magic leading 76-57 with 5:04 left in the third, Houston scored 21 straight points over a span of 3:31 to grab the lead. A Sengun layup with 3:07 left in the game gave the Rockets the lead for good.
76ers 124, Heat 117
Tyrese Maxey registered 28 points, 11 assists and five steals to guide host Philadelphia to a victory over Miami.
Joel Embiid produced 26 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who finished the game on an 8-0 run to capture their third straight win. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 21 points and eight boards.
Bam Adebayo paced Miami with 29 points and 14 rebounds and Tyler Herro pitched in with 25 points and seven assists off the bench, but the Heat lost their second game in a row.
Timberwolves 94, Clippers 88
Anthony Edwards scored 31 points and Donte DiVincenzo added 18 as Minnesota shook off short-handed Los Angeles to earn a victory in Inglewood, Calif.
Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu each scored 12 points and Rudy Gobert added 13 rebounds as the Timberwolves improved to 5-1 since Feb. 9 and 2-0 to start a three-game road trip that ends Sunday at Denver.
Derrick Jones Jr. put up 18 points and Bennedict Mathurin added 14 for the Clippers, who were without Kawhi Leonard (ankle) and John Collins (head/neck). Kris Dunn scored 11 points for Los Angeles, which has dropped three consecutive games for the first time since a five-game skid from Dec. 5-18. Hawks 126, Wizards 96
Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum took it to their old team, combining for 58 points to help Atlanta roll to a win over visiting Washington.
The duo, obtained in the trade that sent Trae Young to the Wizards last month, sparked Atlanta to its second wire-to-wire victory over Washington in the past three days,Kispert had career highs with 33 points and 11 field goals, including six 3-pointers. McCollum scored 25 points, shooting 9-for-19. They each scored 22 points in the first half.
Washington was led by Tre Johnson, Will Riley, Justin Hardy and Justin Champagnie with 14 points each. The Wizards were without leading scorer Alex Sarr, who missed his sixth game with a right hamstring strain, and second-leading scorer Kyshawn George, out because of a left knee contusion. Trail Blazers 121, Bulls 112
Jerami Grant scored 27 points and Toumani Camara added 16 to help visiting Portland post a victory over struggling Chicago.
Robert Williams III recorded 14 points, a season-best 14 rebounds and four blocked shots and fellow reserve Vit Krejci also scored 14 points as the Trail Blazers won for the sixth time in their past nine games.
Matas Buzelis had 20 points and seven rebounds and Tre Jones scored 19 points off the bench as the Bulls dropped their 11th straight game, matching the third-longest losing streak in franchise history. Kings 130, Mavericks 121
Precious Achiuwa posted a career-high 29 points to lead Sacramento to a win over host Dallas.
Achiuwa shot 13 of 19 from the field, including 3 of 3 from 3-point range, and had 12 rebounds. Maxime Raynaud scored 22 points and Daeqwon Plowden added 19 off the bench.
Naji Marshall racked up a season-best 36 points to go with 10 boards for Dallas, which fell short of a third successive victory. Khris Middleton contributed 17 points and Brandon Williams had 16. Pelicans 129, Jazz 118
Saddiq Bey had a season-high 42 points along with seven assists and five rebounds to lead New Orleans past Utah in Salt Lake City.
Zion Williamson added 20 points and four steals to help the Pelicans pick up their third straight win. Dejounte Murray tallied 17 points, nine assists and four steals in his second game back from an Achilles tendon injury.
Ace Bailey led Utah with 23 points. Brice Sensabaugh added 20 points off the bench for the Jazz, who shot 50% from the field but still lost their fourth consecutive game.
–Field Level Media
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has issued a direct plea to striker Anthony Gordon, urging him to ignore mounting speculation linking him with a summer transfer to Arsenal.
The call comes as Gordon enjoys a rich vein of form, having netted four goals in last week’s Champions League play-off first-leg victory over Qarabag.
Reports emerged on Friday suggesting the 25-year-old forward is a target for the title-chasing Gunners.
Howe, who is still navigating the repercussions of Alexander Isak’s departure to Liverpool last summer, expressed his desire to avoid a similar saga but conceded his limited power to prevent such rumours.
Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League clash against Gordon’s former club Everton, Howe stated: “I’m not sure there’s a lot I can do about that. I’ve not seen the story, so it’s news to me.”
He emphasised the critical juncture of the season for his player. “But we’re mid-season, we’re in the middle of some of the biggest games of his career and who knows what’s going to happen internationally with him in the summer as well?
“He’s got not time to look left or right, he’s got to be fully focused on straight ahead and the next game and trying to be as good as he can be.”
Gordon, who earlier this month dismissed rumours of an exit from the club where he signed a new long-term contract in October 2024, is aiming to maintain his impressive form to secure a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup finals.
Howe remains hopeful that the ongoing transfer talk will not unsettle his player.
When asked if he feared the player might be affected, the 48-year-old manager responded: “Only if he reads it, I suppose. In this age, there’s always rumour and speculation.
“I don’t see probably 90 per cent of it – I’m sure the players probably see more than I do – but I think it comes with the territory of being a top player and playing at this level, that there’s going to be speculation.
“I think you’ve just got to put it out of your brain and you’ve got to focus on the football because as we know with our schedule, there’s so many games, there’s no time for distractions. We have to be fully focused on each match.”
Howe also addressed the broader trend of numerous Newcastle players, including Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Malick Thiaw, Sandro Tonali, and Nick Woltemade, being linked with moves away from St James’ Park. He challenged the media on the source of these stories.
“You tell me. It’s your industry that’s creating those stories. I think it’s irrelevant, really. It’s how the players take to that. If the players absorb it and it affects them, then of course, that’s a negative. But I think our players are robust enough to ignore it.”
The comments came as the club awaits their Champions League last 16 opponents, either Barcelona or Chelsea.
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Jontay Porter, who was banned for life by the NBA for gambling in 2024, is making his return to the court.
Porter, 26, is going to the Seattle SuperHawks, a member of the rebooted United States Basketball League.
The SuperHawks announced Porter’s signing Wednesday, and the team begins its season March 7.
Porter is awaiting sentencing after he pleaded guilty to a related federal charge. In July 2024, he pleaded guilty in a federal court in Brooklyn to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, a sentence that carries up to 20 years in prison.
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Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors warms up before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., March 9, 2024. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
However, Porter is expected to be issued a sentences of between three and four years. The former Toronto Raptors player was accused of manipulating his performance in coordination with gamblers to win prop bets during two games in the 2023-24 season.
Porter also won $22,000 by gambling on 13 NBA games that he didn’t play in, which is a violation of league rules, according to an NBA investigation.
Jontay Porter (34) of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit March 13, 2024. (Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York indicted dozens of others based on the investigation that began with Porter. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones were all indicted as part of the expanded investigation into Porter.
Porter spent two seasons in the NBA. He signed with the Memphis Grizzlies as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri and played 11 games with them in the 2020-21 season. After spending two years out of the NBA, he played 26 games with the Raptors in the 2023-24 season.
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Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors fights for a rebound with Lindy Waters III of the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game March 22, 2024. (Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty Images)
In 37 career NBA games, Porter averaged 3.7 points per game.
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This year is full of momentous sporting events in the United States, including a first-of-its-kind UFC card at the White House.
However, the event, scheduled for June 14, will cost the UFC a pretty penny.
TKO Group Holdings President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro spoke about the White House event on a quarterly financial call during which he said the promotion is expecting a price tag “upwards of $60 million.”
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UFC President and CEO Dana White reacts during a bantamweight fight between Adrian Luna Martinetti of Ecuador and Mark Vologdin of Russia during Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, week nine at UFC APEX Oct. 7, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“I think by the time all is said and done with the event and what we pay the fighters and the fan fest that we’re going to have, that could move north,” Shapiro said of the expected cost, according to SB Nation. “It’s definitely not moving south. It could move north. Bottom line, it’s still a moving target.”
TKO Group Holdings is taking on all the costs of the event, which included building an arena on the south lawn of the White House and paying its fighters. The UFC hopes to get at least half of that $60 million back through sponsorships and other avenues, but it’s still expected to be a big loss.
“We are working to determine, on a parallel track, a package of inventory in and around the weekend of events we can monetize, primarily with corporate partners,” Shapiro said. “[Business to business] players that will offset half of the spend. Even if that $60 [million] goes up or rides up on us, we believe we can offset half of the spend.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Fox News Digital.
Shapiro said there are “several current and prospective partners that are pursuing multi-year partnerships” with TKO that would be inclusive to the White House event.
It isn’t a surprise to TKO or the UFC that the price tag is so high. The promotion’s CEO, Dana White, previously said it would be one of his most expensive events in history.
UFC CEO Dana White talks to President-elect Donald Trump ringside during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
In the end, everyone involved wants to do whatever it takes to make this event one of the greatest in American history, especially with it being heavily involved in the America 250 celebration this year.
“I want to be clear about something. We will not profit from the White House event independently,” Shapiro said. “We will not be making money on America’s 250th anniversary.
“This is an investment for the long term. This is about earned media. This is about sampling, new fans, casual viewers, a spectacle on a stage that will ultimately expand our audience, our viewership and our success on Paramount+.”
UFC CEO and President Dana White during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena June 29, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
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White has previously promised the “greatest fight card ever assembled” for this event. Many superstar fighters have publicly lobbied to be involved on the card, though negotiations have not begun yet.
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Champions League draw live: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Tottenham and Newcastle set to learn last-16 opponents and route to final
The Champions League knockout stage draw takes place this morning as Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham discover not only their last-16 opponents, but their potential route to the Budapest final.
For the first time, there are six English teams through to the last-16 of the competition, with the potential for several all-Premier League clashes once the bracket is set: Newcastle, for example, will draw either Chelsea or Barcelona in the round of 16.
Arsenal, who topped the league phase, will play Bayer Leverkusen or Atlanta, while their Premier League title rivals Manchester City await to see if they face another blockbuster clash with Real Madrid or a rematch with surprise package Bodo/Glimt.
Liverpool and Tottenham are paired together in the draw – one will play Atletico Madrid while the other will meet Galatasaray – while Chelsea will either take on Newcastle or Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain.
This morning’s draw will not just create the last-16 schedule, but will reveal the path of the Champions League final, as teams also discover who they could face if they progress to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
Follow live updates from the Champions League draw, below
Newcastle will take on either Chelsea in all-Premier League clash, or Barcelona
Newcastle United are proving that they are a competitive Champions League team as they look to progress further in the European top-flight.
Four wins and two draws (plus two defeats) was not enough to ensure that Eddie Howe’s side finished in the top eight spots of the league phase table and a battling 1-1 draw with PSG on the final matchday of the league phase meant both teams entered the play-off stage.
Newcastle were drawn against Qarabag who finished 22nd in the table and Azerbaijani side’s form all but abandoned them in the first leg as Anthony Gordon inspired the Magpies to a 6-1 rout in Baku. Newcastle then finished off the job in the second leg to progress 9-3 on aggregate.
Four wins from their last five matches across all competitions puts Newcastle in good form but will they be strong enough to battle past their opponents in the round of 16?
Coming through the play-off stage means that Newcastle will only face one of two opponents: Chelsea or Barcelona. Those two clubs have been paired together after finishing fifth and sixth in the league phase and will be drawn on opposite sides of the bracket.
Jamie Braidwood27 February 2026 08:05
Champions League play-off results
- Atletico Madrid 7-4 Club Brugge
- Newcastle 9-3 Qarabag
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-0 Olympiacos
- Bodø/Glimt 5–2 Inter Milan
- Galatasaray 7–5 Juventus
- Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 Monaco
- Real Madrid 3-1 Benfica
- Atalanta 4-3 Dortmund
Jamie Braidwood27 February 2026 07:50
What are the Champions League match dates?
Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
Final: 30 May 2026 (Budapest)
Jamie Braidwood27 February 2026 07:35
How the Champions League bracket is shaping up
- vs Liverpool or Tottenham
- vs Sporting or Manchester City
- vs Arsenal or Bayern Munich
- vs Tottenham or Liverpool
- vs Manchester City or Sporting CP
Jamie Braidwood27 February 2026 07:20
Give me the last-16 draw permutations!
Barcelona and Chelsea will be drawn against:
Liverpool and Tottenham will be drawn against:
- Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray
Sporting and Manchester City will be drawn against:
- Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid
Arsenal and Bayern Munich will be drawn against:
- Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen
Jamie Braidwood27 February 2026 07:10
So, the draw: How does it work?
The teams have been grouped into seeded couplets according to how they finished in the league phase.
So, for example, Arsenal (who finished top) or Bayern Munich (who finished second) will play Bayer Leverkusen, who defeated Olympiacos, or Atalanta, who knocked out Borussia Dortmund.
The eight teams who progressed automatically from the league phase are seeded and will play the second leg at home in the last-16. The eight teams who progressed from the play-offs are unseeded.
Jamie Braidwood27 February 2026 07:05
When is the Champions League draw – and how to watch
The Champions League last-16 draw will take place in Nyon at 11am GMT (12pm local time) this morning
The draw will be streamed live on Uefa’s website, YouTube channel and Champions League app.
Jamie Braidwood27 February 2026 07:01
Hello and welcome
Oh it’s a good day: the Champions League knockout draw for the last-16, quarter-finals and semi-finals takes place this morning.
Five Premier League teams – Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City – had already qualified for the knockout rounds, with Newcastle joining them via the play-offs this week.
The outline of the draw has already been made, with teams grouped into small four-way pools of possible opponents based on their league placings.
Jamie Braidwood27 February 2026 07:00
The Tennessee Titans released a couple of players on Wednesday, some 12 days before the start of free agency, and one just so happened to play for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. He’s Xavier Woods, a safety, and he’ll be looking for work as early as now.
Tennessee clears money, and Woods becomes a plug-and-play option for teams seeking experience.
Woods spent just one year in Tennessee and will now seek his fifth NFL team this offseason.
Titans’ Cap Savings Move Puts Xavier Woods on the Market
A little bit of roster maintenance for the Titans.
TEN Drops Woods
TitanWire‘s Mark Mihalko delivered the news this week: “On Wednesday, the Titans decided to part ways with veterans Xavier Woods and Lloyd Cushenberry (failed physical designation), freeing up roughly $7.1 million in salary cap space heading into free agency.”
“Woods was brought in last offseason to be a veteran presence for both the defense and the secondary, but battled some injury issues and eventually gave way to rookie Kevin Winston Jr. as the season progressed. Woods finished 2025 with 11 games played and 39 total tackles. Unlike Cushenberry, Woods’ release did not accompany a failed physical designation, meaning he has recovered from the hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve.”
To refresh your memory, Woods was the guy who took over for Anthony Harris in 2021 for the Vikings.
The Cap Savings and Future at Safety for Titans
The Titans free up about $4 million in cap space with the Woods maneuver, eating about a $1 million in dead cap, which is certainly manageable.
Without Woods in the mix, Winston Jr., last year’s rookie safety mentioned by Mihalko, will presumably get the nod as a starter. Winston Jr. is 22 years old, and Tennessee spent a 3rd-Rounder on him last year.
The rookie played 10 games in 2025, starting 5, and logged 34 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hits, and a sack. Winston Jr. has the necessary size at 6’2″ and 208 pounds, producing a commendable 61.2 Pro Football Focus mark as a rookie. His pass coverage is suspect — a 43.4 grade from PFF — but his pass-rush scoring was stellar (91.7)
Winston Jr. could be on the cusp of a breakout season under new head coach Robert Saleh.
Music City Miracles‘ Jimmy Morris noted on the Woods release, “Woods signed a 2-year $8 million deal with the Titans before the 2025 season. He was mostly a non-factor for the team during his time in Nashville. This will not be the end of the cuts for the Titans. L’Jarius Sneed is certainly going to be cut, and all eyes are on Calvin Ridley. Will the Titans keep or cut him?”
Woods’s Career Resume
A 6th-Round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, Woods has played for four teams in nine seasons, with 134 games to his name, including 121 starts. Here’s his destination resume:
- Dallas Cowboys (2017–2020)
- Minnesota Vikings (2021)
- Carolina Panthers (2022–2024)
- Tennessee Titans (2025)
He’ll turn 31 this summer, so he should have a few seasons left as a dependable safety. He could start with the right team or serve as a reputable backup.
Time in MIN
The Vikings used the franchise tag on Anthony Harris in 2020 — the last time they used that tactic on anyone — and didn’t bring him back in 2021. In return, general manager Rick Spielman signed Woods to patrol the back end of Mike Zimmer’s defense. Woods logged a 66.4 PFF grade that year, and most fans considered him a wise free-agent signing.
But when 2022 rolled around, Minnesota had cleaned house in the front office and on the coaching staff, rendering Woods a non-priority. He eventually signed with the Panthers and registered the best season of his career in 2023 with an 80.3 PFF score.
The Vikings replaced Woods with a combination of Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus. Metellus remains on the team to this day.
Of course, the grand plan to replace Woods was a man by the name of Lewis Cine. Minnesota drafted him in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft. But Cine broke his leg as a rookie, and when he recovered, the NFL had passed him by. He remains one of the biggest busts in Vikings draft history.
Woods, meanwhile, should have no problems finding work this offseason. He’s steady.
The Titans could also be in play to draft Ohio State’s Caleb Downs in April, a safety who is considered by some to be the best defensive player in this year’s draft. If so, the Woods move in February will make a lot of sense.
After last year’s 3-9 campaign, Nevada football has played 39 seasons at the FBS level, dating back to 1946, playing non-FBS football between 1951 and 1991.
During their time as an FBS program, the Wolf Pack have compiled a 238–226 (.513) record through the 2025 season.
Nevada has appeared in 19 bowl games, winning seven, and has won seven conference championships.
The Wolf Pack have also produced one consensus First Team All-America player.
Nevada will begin its 40th FBS season under head coach Jeff Choate in the retooled Mountain West Conference, looking to resume its winning ways.
—FBS Conference Affiliations—
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- Mountain West Conference (2012–present)
- Western Athletic Conference (2000–2011)
- Big West Conference (1992–1999)
- Independent (1946–1950)
The table below gives an all-time FBS season rundown with Conference, W-L record, win percentage, coach, and bowl game, if any, for each year.
| Year | Conf | W | L | Pct | Coach(es) | Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | MWC | 3 | 9 | .250 | Jeff Choate (3-9) | |
| 2024 | MWC | 3 | 10 | .231 | Jeff Choate (3-10) | |
| 2023 | MWC | 2 | 10 | .167 | Ken Wilson (2-10) | |
| 2022 | MWC | 2 | 10 | .167 | Ken Wilson (2-10) | |
| 2021 | MWC | 8 | 5 | .615 | Jay Norvell (8-4) Vai Taua (0-1) | Quick Lane Bowl (L) |
| 2020 | MWC | 7 | 2 | .778 | Jay Norvell (7-2) | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (W) |
| 2019 | MWC | 7 | 6 | .538 | Jay Norvell (7-6) | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (L) |
| 2018 | MWC | 8 | 5 | .615 | Jay Norvell (8-5) | Arizona Bowl (W) |
| 2017 | MWC | 3 | 9 | .250 | Jay Norvell (3-9) | |
| 2016 | MWC | 5 | 7 | .417 | Brian Polian (5-7) | |
| 2015 | MWC | 7 | 6 | .538 | Brian Polian (7-6) | Arizona Bowl (W) |
| 2014 | MWC | 7 | 6 | .538 | Brian Polian (7-6) | New Orleans Bowl (L) |
| 2013 | MWC | 4 | 8 | .333 | Brian Polian (4-8) | |
| 2012 | MWC | 7 | 6 | .538 | Chris Ault (7-6) | New Mexico Bowl (L) |
| 2011 | WAC | 7 | 6 | .538 | Chris Ault (7-6) | Hawaii Bowl (L) |
| 2010 | WAC | 13 | 1 | .929 | Chris Ault (13-1) | Fight Hunger Bowl (W) |
| 2009 | WAC | 8 | 5 | .615 | Chris Ault (8-5) | Hawaii Bowl (L) |
| 2008 | WAC | 7 | 6 | .538 | Chris Ault (7-6) | Humanitarian Bowl (L) |
| 2007 | WAC | 6 | 7 | .462 | Chris Ault (6-7) | New Mexico Bowl (L) |
| 2006 | WAC | 8 | 5 | .615 | Chris Ault (8-5) | MPC Computers Bowl (L) |
| 2005 | WAC | 9 | 3 | .750 | Chris Ault (9-3) | Hawaii Bowl (W) |
| 2004 | WAC | 5 | 7 | .417 | Chris Ault (5-7) | |
| 2003 | WAC | 6 | 6 | .500 | Chris Tormey (6-6) | |
| 2002 | WAC | 5 | 7 | .417 | Chris Tormey (5-7) | |
| 2001 | WAC | 3 | 8 | .273 | Chris Tormey (3-8) | |
| 2000 | WAC | 2 | 10 | .167 | Chris Tormey (2-10) | |
| 1999 | Big West | 3 | 8 | .273 | Jeff Tisdel (3-8) | |
| 1998 | Big West | 6 | 5 | .545 | Jeff Tisdel (6-5) | |
| 1997 | Big West | 5 | 6 | .455 | Jeff Tisdel (5-6) | |
| 1996 | Big West | 9 | 3 | .750 | Jeff Tisdel (9-3) | Las Vegas Bowl (W) |
| 1995 | Big West | 9 | 3 | .750 | Chris Ault (9-3) | Las Vegas Bowl (L) |
| 1994 | Big West | 9 | 2 | .818 | Chris Ault (9-2) | |
| 1993 | Big West | 7 | 4 | .636 | Jeff Horton (7-4) | |
| 1992 | Big West | 7 | 5 | .583 | Chris Ault (7-5) | Las Vegas Bowl (L) |
| 1950 | Ind | 1 | 9 | .100 | Joseph Sheeketski (1-9) | |
| 1949 | Ind | 5 | 5 | .500 | Joseph Sheeketski (5-5) | |
| 1948 | Ind | 9 | 2 | .818 | Joseph Sheeketski (9-2) | Harbor Bowl (L) |
| 1947 | Ind | 9 | 2 | .818 | Joseph Sheeketski (9-2) | Salad Bowl (W) |
| 1946 | Ind | 7 | 2 | .778 | Jim Aiken (7-2) |
LOS ANGELES — Country Night backfired on the Los Angeles Kings Thursday, as the Edmonton Oilers busted their truck, stole their girl, and took the two points over the county line in an 8-1 blow out.
Edmonton two-stepped over and around the Kings at both ends of the ice, getting eight goals from seven different players while allowing just five high-danger chances all night long (per Natural Stat Trick).
“Some games you score, some games you don’t,” offered Zach Hyman, who had a goal and two assists. “But the one thing you can control is how well you defend.”
This was the first time Edmonton had surrendered one or less since a shutout on Jan. 18, 10 games ago. It’s been a bloodletting in Edmonton’s D zone of late, with 40 goals surrendered in their previous eight games.
But Connor Ingram was solid in goal — Warren Foegele’s deflection was the only of 22 Kings shots to elude him — and the Oilers defensive posture returned, particularly on a four-minute Kings power play with the score still 2-1 late in Period 1.
“The four-minute penalty, (Edmonton penalty killers) really came up big. We maybe gave up one, two shots, but really didn’t give much room or chances,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch.
His team snaps a four-game losing streak that transcended the Olympic break, and bounced back from a wasteful 6-5 loss the previous night in Anaheim. In that game, Edmonton had led 4-2 after 40 minutes, and fell apart in the final frame.
“I actually thought we played well last game, despite losing,” Hyman said. “We played better tonight, just cleaning up some of the rushes and the Grade-A’s. I don’t think we gave him too many Grade-A’s today.
“If you do that, and the goaltender makes the saves he needs to make, you’re not going to let in too many goals. Ingo played great today.”
There’s a battle brewing on the goaltending front here, with expected No. 1 Tristan Jarry still searching for his game after getting the hook against the Ducks.
Ingram (2.58 GAA, .899 save percentage) has far better numbers than Jarry (3.85, .864 save percentage), and gave the Oilers exactly what they needed after losing a game in Anaheim that even decent goaltending would have won.
Frankly, Edmonton was a few saves away from sweeping this back-to-back on the road, in which they scored 13 goals and 10 at even strength.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t get the two points (in Anaheim), but overall, I think we played pretty good six periods of hockey,” Knoblauch said. “If we are able to make a couple more defensive plays, get another save or two, we’re probably ecstatic about how we played there. But we were short a couple defensive plays and a couple of saves, we lose it, and we’re very disappointed. But overall, we played pretty well.”
Seven different Oilers scored goals on Thursday, Edmonton’s largest road win since 2009, as the Oilers benefitted from a substandard start by L.A. goalie Darcy Kuemper.
Kuemper returned from the Olympics, where he was Canada’s No. 3 goalie, only to allow a softie to Ty Emberson to open the scoring at the 7:25 mark. Less than a minute later, Vasily Podkolzin’s wrist shot somehow squeezed through Kuemper for a 2-0 deficit, and when he coughed up three more in the first 10 minutes of Period 2, head coach Jim Hiller had seen enough.
It’s funny how fast karma came around for Edmonton. The night before they were pulling Jarry — 24 hours later it was the Oilers who benefitted from some shaky netminding.
It was a much-needed ‘W’ for an Oilers team that’s now six points ahead of the flailing Kings.
“I’ve been with this team for a few years now. Things don’t usually faze them,” Knoblauch said. “When things are on the line and they need a bounce-back game, they respond really well.”
What fans remained at the final buzzer booed the Kings off the ice, and Hiller’s employment will be a topic on the local hockey shows today.
Los Angeles gave up five third-period goals the night before in a 6-4 loss to a Vegas team that sat out Mitch Marner, Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Noah Hanifin and Shea Theodore. The Kings are in rough shape, unsure whether to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline — after acquiring Artemi Panarin in a recent trade.
Meanwhile, Connor McDavid crested the 100-point plateau with a two-point evening. It would have been his 10th straight 100-point season, but for the 97 points he put up in the COVID-shortened, 64-game campaign in 2019-20.
It’s the fourth time in his career he’s reached 100 points in 60 games or fewer.
McDavid played 20:05 against the Kings after logging 22:02 the night before in Anaheim. So much for resting the Olympic tournament MVP.
“We haven’t afforded ourselves the luxury of having the ability to take nights off,” Hyman said. “It’s playoff hockey, pretty much from here on out, and we don’t have much of a leash to play without our best players.
“We’re fortunate that we have a guy who you don’t have to ask him to play. He loves hockey. He wants to play all the time.
“You weren’t going to be able to hold him out of that that game.”
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