AUS

Piastri takes blame for crashing out before home Australian Grand Prix

  • Things like that shouldn't be happening anywhere, especially at my home race where it's obviously even more disappointing," he told reporters.
  • Shattered home hope Oscar Piastri took responsibility for a crash on his way to the grid that ruled him out of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, saying he was "very disappointed".
  • Things like that shouldn't be happening anywhere, especially at my home race where it's obviously even more disappointing," he told reporters.
Shattered home hope Oscar Piastri took responsibility for a crash on his way to the grid that ruled him out of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, saying he was "very disappointed".
The Australian, who qualified fifth fastest, hit the kerb at Turn 4 and spun into the concrete barriers.
It left his McLaren with the front right wheel hanging off and substantial bodywork damage, ending his hopes before the Melbourne race even began.
"It's a shame. Things like that shouldn't be happening anywhere, especially at my home race where it's obviously even more disappointing," he told reporters.
"We need to review fully what happened. I think... I got on the kerb a little bit.
"We had a couple of things going on but I think the first part I want to stress is that there is certainly a big element of it that was me," he added.
It meant Piastri's teammate Lando Norris was the only McLaren to start.
The world champion finished fifth behind Mercedes pair George Russell and Kimi Antonelli and the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
"Not the first race of the season we had hoped for," McLaren said. 
"Lots of learnings to take away before we reset ahead of a sprint weekend in China."
No Australian driver has won their home race since Alan Jones in 1980, but that was a non-championship race before Australia was added to the F1 calendar in 1985.
mp/pst

AUS

Dominant Russell wins Australian Grand Prix in Mercedes 1-2

BY MARTIN PARRY

  • With the virtual safety car repeatedly brought out, pre-season favourite Russell stayed calm to clock a sixth Grand Prix win and his first since Singapore last year.  
  • George Russell kept his cool to win a frantic season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday from Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli after a thrilling battle with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
  • With the virtual safety car repeatedly brought out, pre-season favourite Russell stayed calm to clock a sixth Grand Prix win and his first since Singapore last year.  
George Russell kept his cool to win a frantic season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday from Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli after a thrilling battle with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
The pole-sitting Briton took the chequered flag by 2.974secs in Melbourne with Leclerc third and Lewis Hamilton fourth in a race that tested Formula One's new-look cars for the first time in competitive conditions.
World champion Lando Norris came fifth -- 51 seconds adrift -- in his McLaren with Red Bull's Max Verstappen a sensational sixth after starting from 20th following a crash in qualifying. 
But there was disaster for home hero Oscar Piastri, who crashed on his out-lap to the grid and failed to start with major damage to his McLaren.
With the virtual safety car repeatedly brought out, pre-season favourite Russell stayed calm to clock a sixth Grand Prix win and his first since Singapore last year.  
"Feeling incredible. It was a hell of a fight in the beginning," said Russell. "We knew it was going to be challenging.
"I made a bad start and some really tight battles with Charles at the start. Just really glad to cross the finish line."
Under new rules, half of every power unit now is a battery and drivers had to recharge while braking or by lifting off the throttle to avoid it draining.
The challenge of Melbourne's 58-lap Albert Park circuit was its long sweeping straights, which deplete batteries, and relatively few twisty turns to brake and charge it up again.
Five cars failed to finish as they grappled with the changes, including Piastri, Audi's Nico Hulkenberg, Red Bull's Isack Hadjar, Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.

Strong pace

"Was not the best start we could have wished for, lost a lot of places and I had to recover," said Italy's Antonelli, who crashed heavily on Saturday and only just made qualifying after a major car rebuild.
"But overall was a good race, the pace was really strong especially at the end."
In fine conditions, Haas' Ollie Bearman was seventh and rookie Arvid Lindblad eighth in his Racing Bull. Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto and Alpine's Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10.
"It was a very, very tricky race. None of us knew what to expect," said Leclerc. 
"It has been quite challenging. It looked like Mercedes had a bit more pace than us today."
When the lights turned green Leclerc, on medium tyres, got a jump on Russell while Antonelli, who started second, slid down to seventh.
Hamilton also had a flying start for Ferrari and surged to third, ahead of Hadjar.
Russell immediately hit back, reclaiming the lead on lap two before Leclerc responded a lap later to go first again as they and Hamilton began pulling clear.
It morphed into a thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle at the front, with the lead changing hands three times on lap eight as Russell and Leclerc fought for supremacy.
The virtual safety car came out on lap 12 when Hadjar's car stopped with Russell and Antonelli pitting and coming back on hards.
Leclerc and Hamilton stayed out and when they resumed the Ferraris were 10 seconds clear of Russell, with Lindblad, Antonelli and Verstappen making up the top six.    
The virtual safety car was again deployed when Bottas retired with Russell eight seconds behind the Scuderia when they got going again.
With his tyres starting to wear, Leclerc pitted on lap 26 but Hamilton stayed out and was passed by Russell before coming in.
Russell radioed that he thought a one-stop race was viable and he began pulling clear, with Antonelli second.
And there was no way back for the Ferraris, who were 15 seconds behind and barely made a dent in the Mercedes advantage in the second half of the race.
The season moves to China next weekend before Japan. Rounds four and five are scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia but are under threat given the war in Iran.
mp/pst

WTA

Alcaraz cruises into Indian Wells third round, Djokovic fights through

  • Djokovic, a five-time Indian Wells champion who has struggled in recent years, had to grind for two hours and 12 minutes to subdue 57th ranked Majchrzak of Poland 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
  • World number one Carlos Alcaraz swept past Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 to reach the third round of the Indian Wells Masters on Saturday as Novak Djokovic battled back for a three-set victory over Kamil Majchrzak.
  • Djokovic, a five-time Indian Wells champion who has struggled in recent years, had to grind for two hours and 12 minutes to subdue 57th ranked Majchrzak of Poland 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz swept past Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 to reach the third round of the Indian Wells Masters on Saturday as Novak Djokovic battled back for a three-set victory over Kamil Majchrzak.
Spain's Alcaraz was untroubled by the former world number three from Bulgaria, pushing his perfect 2026 match record to 13-0 in just 66 minutes.
Djokovic, a five-time Indian Wells champion who has struggled in recent years, had to grind for two hours and 12 minutes to subdue 57th ranked Majchrzak of Poland 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Alcaraz said he has been wary of Dimitrov, but even in the swirling winds on Stadium Court he was in control, firing from the baseline with power and accuracy.
He barely broke sweat and cracked plenty of smiles, saving the lone break point he faced in the second set and even getting a high-five from his opponent on a changeover.
"I think I played great," said the 22-year-old Spaniard, whose Australian Open triumph made him the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
"The conditions weren't easy, a lot of wind today. I'm really, really happy just that I was able to do every goal that I set up before the match."
Alcaraz, who followed up his Melbourne triumph with a title in Doha, says Indian Wells is the perfect place to keep the wins coming.
"I love being here so much, I think that's why I'm just playing relaxed, playing calm, chilling," he said.
Although he shares the record for most Indian Wells titles with Swiss great Roger Federer, Djokovic has found the early going in California anything but relaxing in recent years.
That was true again on Saturday, but the 38-year-old Serb superstar -- back on court for the first time since he fell to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final -- managed to escape with a win.
Majchrzak grabbed two quick breaks in the opening set before Djokovic began to find his rhythm from the baseline and assert his superiority.
"Five weeks with no official match, I knew that the first match in such a long time will be a little bit tricky," Djokovic said.
"I felt like I had to find my A-game when it was most needed, particularly the beginning of the third, which was the case," Djokovic added after a match marked by extended, entertaining rallies that included a 40-ball exchange in the opening game of the third.
It was an especially satisfying win for Djokovic, who lost his opener last year to Dutch lucky loser Botic van de Zandshculp and fell to lucky loser Luca Nardi in the third round in 2024.
He hasn't reached the quarter-finals here since his last run to the title in 2016.

Draper rallies

Britain's Jack Draper launched his title defense with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.
Draper halted Alcaraz's bid for a rare Indian Wells three-peat in the semi-finals last year before beating Holger Rune in the final.
That victory launched his rise to fourth in the world, before an arm injury brought his 2025 season to a premature close.
"To come out and play the level I'm playing after the injury I had, I am really proud of that," Draper said.
In other matches, unseeded Brazilian Joao Fonseca saved two match points to take out 16th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4.
Seventh-seeded former champion Taylor Fritz squandered four match points in the second set but held on for a 6-3, 6-7 (8/10), 6-1 victory over 87th-ranked Briton Jacob Fearnley.
bb/pst

WTA

Alcaraz cruises into Indian Wells third round as Djokovic fights through

  • - Draper rallies - Britain's Jack Draper launched his title defense with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.
  • World number one Carlos Alcaraz swept past Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 to reach the third round of the Indian Wells ATP Masters on Saturday as Novak Djokovic battled back for a three-set victory over Kamil Majchrzak.
  • - Draper rallies - Britain's Jack Draper launched his title defense with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz swept past Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 to reach the third round of the Indian Wells ATP Masters on Saturday as Novak Djokovic battled back for a three-set victory over Kamil Majchrzak.
Spain's Alcaraz was untroubled by the former world number three from Bulgaria, pushing his perfect 2026 match record to 13-0 in just 66 minutes.
Djokovic, a five-time Indian Wells champion who has struggled in recent years, had to grind for two hours and 12 minutes to subdue 57th ranked Majchrzak of Poland 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Alcaraz said he was wary of Dimitrov, but even in the swirling winds on Stadium Court he was in control, firing from the baseline with power and accuracy.
He barely broke a sweat and cracked plenty of smiles, saving the lone break point he faced in the second set and even getting a high-five from his opponent on a changeover.
"In general just really happy with the things that I've done today," said the 22-year-old Spaniard, whose Australian Open triumph made him the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
He added the Qatar Open title before heading Stateside to chase a third Indian Wells crown.
"I love being here so much, I think that's why I'm just playing relaxed, playing calm, chilling," he said.
Although he shares the record for most Indian Wells ATP titles with Swiss great Roger Federer, Djokovic has found the early going in California anything but relaxing in recent years.
That was true again on Saturday, but the 38-year-old Serb superstar -- back on court for the first time since he fell to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final -- managed to escape with a win.
Majchrzak grabbed two quick breaks in the opening set before Djokovic began to find his rhythm from the baseline and assert his superiority.
"Kamil is a very solid player," Djokovic said. "He doesn't have tremendous power, but he has every shot in the book and he was not afraid to come in and take the ball early.
"He played a tremendous first set. I kind of reset and started feeling the ball better," Djokovic added after a match marked by extended, entertaining rallies that included a 40-shot exchange in the opening game of the third.
Majchrzak held in that game, but Djokovic broke him twice on the way to a 5-2 lead and was finally looking more relaxed when he closed it out with a backhand volley winner.
It was an especially satisfying win for Djokovic, who lost is opener last year to Dutch lucky loser Botic van de Zandshculp and fell to lucky loser Luca Nardi in the third round in 2024.
"It's kind of hard to find my A-game, particularly at the beginning of the tournament," he said. "So just glad to overcome a challenge."

Draper rallies

Britain's Jack Draper launched his title defense with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.
Draper halted Alcaraz's bid for a rare Indian Wells three-peat in the semi-finals last year before beating Holger Rune in the final.
That victory launched his rise to fourth in the world, but he returned to California in rebuilding mode again after an arm injury forced him to cut short his 2025 season.
"To come out and play the level I'm playing after the injury I had, I am really proud of that," said Draper, who made his return to the tour in Dubai last week having not played since his second-round withdrawal at the US Open.
In other matches, unseeded Brazilian Joao Fonseca saved two match points to take out 16th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4.
Seventh-seeded former champion Taylor Fritz and 11th-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev were in action in the night session.
bb/rcw

WTA

Andreeva powers into Indian Wells third round with 6-0, 6-0 rout

  • Third-seeded Elena Rybakina, the 2023 Indian Wells winner and reigning Australian Open champion, found the going even tougher in a 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-2 victory over 43rd-ranked American Hailey Baptiste.
  • Mirra Andreeva launched her Indian Wells title defense with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Solana Sierra on Saturday to lead a trio of former champions into the third round.
  • Third-seeded Elena Rybakina, the 2023 Indian Wells winner and reigning Australian Open champion, found the going even tougher in a 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-2 victory over 43rd-ranked American Hailey Baptiste.
Mirra Andreeva launched her Indian Wells title defense with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Solana Sierra on Saturday to lead a trio of former champions into the third round.
World number two Iga Swiatek, who lifted the prestigious trophy in 2022 and 2024, survived some sticky moments in a 6-0, 7-6 (7/2) victory over US qualifier Kayla Day.
Third-seeded Elena Rybakina, the 2023 Indian Wells winner and reigning Australian Open champion, found the going even tougher in a 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-2 victory over 43rd-ranked American Hailey Baptiste.
Eighth-seeded Andreeva was understandably delighted with her performance against an opponent she'd never played before.
"I was pretty nervous because obviously I don't know what she's going to do," the 18-year-old Russian said. "Also the conditions were pretty tricky. The wind was changing directions every time. So I'm pretty happy with how I adjusted my game to these conditions."
Rybakina said she had plenty to work on after fending off the aggressive Baptiste.
After squandering an early break in the opening set, Rybakina fought off three set points to force the tiebreaker.
Three forehand winners put her in command before she pocketed the set with another.
Rybakina was broken twice in the second set, Baptiste taking advantage to serve it out after Rybakina double-faulted on break point to hand the American a 5-2 lead.
A shaky service game from Baptiste gave Rybakina a break for a 3-1 lead in the third set and from there she was able to roll home.
"It was a really tough match today, but I'm super-happy with the win," Rybakina said. "She played really well.
"She was staying aggressive. She has a good serve. I had my opportunities, didn't get them from the beginning and then I was struggling in the second set, was rushing a bit."

Drifting off

Swiatek sailed through her opening set against Day only for the 187th-ranked lefty to break the Polish star in the opening game of the second.
Swiatek battled back from 0-40 down to avoid falling 0-3, but when she fell behind 0-40 in the fifth game she couldn't escape and Day gained another break to lead 5-1.
Swiatek responded, winning five straight games as they went to the tiebreaker, in which she powered to a 5-0 lead.
"I think for sure I drifted off a little bit for some games, and then I became tight because of that," Swiatek said. "For sure I needed to get back to my first-set game.
"I feel like I did that quite well," added Swiatek, who is hoping a return to a venue she loves will kickstart a season in which she fell in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open and in Doha.
Fifth-seeded home favorite Jessica Pegula opened the night session on Stadium Court with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Croatian veteran Donna Vekic.
Pegula is coming off a victory in Dubai, where she beat Elina Svitolina in the final to claim her fourth WTA 1000 crown.
Czech Karolina Muchova, who won in Doha last month for her first WTA title since 2019, opened her campaign with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Anna Bondar.
bb/pst

Sports

USA rout Britain after nervy start in World Baseball Classic

  • Phillies slugger Schwarber then immediately crushed a two-run homer to give the US a 3-1 lead and settle any nerves about a potentially seismic upset.
  • A Kyle Schwarber homer and a five-run fifth inning helped the United States overpower Great Britain 9-1 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday, but not before an early British lead tested American nerves.
  • Phillies slugger Schwarber then immediately crushed a two-run homer to give the US a 3-1 lead and settle any nerves about a potentially seismic upset.
A Kyle Schwarber homer and a five-run fifth inning helped the United States overpower Great Britain 9-1 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday, but not before an early British lead tested American nerves.
On the game's very first pitch, Britain's Nate Eaton struck a leadoff home run off two-time reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
A shellshocked Houston crowd booed as Eaton donned a military redcoat and a Beefeater hat amid wild celebrations in the dugout.
It was only baseball minnow Britain's fifth home run in the history of the Classic, the sport's premier international competition.
US slugger Will Smith was prevented a homer in reply in the second inning as Trayce Thompson leapt high above the right field fence for a stunning outstretched catch.
The unlikely British lead lasted all the way until the fifth inning, before Ernie Clement scored from third base on a wild pitch from newly introduced pitcher Andre Scrubb.
Phillies slugger Schwarber then immediately crushed a two-run homer to give the US a 3-1 lead and settle any nerves about a potentially seismic upset.
Gunnar Henderson drove a double to score Alex Bregman and Bryce Harper, making it 5-1, still in the fifth inning.
With bases loaded and no outs in the sixth, the US added three more runs, and then made it 9-1 in the seventh inning. 
Chasing their first title since 2017, the US has assembled a "dream team" for the 20-team tournament, led by New York Yankees star Aaron Judge.
The US launched their campaign with a 15-5 victory over Brazil on Friday, while Britain lost their opening game 8-2 to Mexico.
Games are spread across Japan, Puerto Rico and the mainland United States, with the semi-finals and final to be played in Miami.
amz/pst

Sports

Thunder secure 50th win as Gilgeous-Alexander nears record

  • Although the Warriors briefly tied up the score in the third quarter, Oklahoma City defended resolutely for the win.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ensured the Oklahoma City Thunder became the first NBA team to collect 50 wins this season with a 104-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
  • Although the Warriors briefly tied up the score in the third quarter, Oklahoma City defended resolutely for the win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ensured the Oklahoma City Thunder became the first NBA team to collect 50 wins this season with a 104-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
The Western Conference-leading Thunder's fifth straight win was powered by the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player's 27 points.
It meant Gilgeous-Alexander extended his individual streak of scoring 20-plus points to 125 consecutive games, now just one short of Wilt Chamberlain's decades-old NBA record.
"I wouldn't say it was super tough," said Gilgeous-Alexander, who also provided five assists and grabbed five rebounds.
The victory was the defending NBA champion Thunder's eighth wire-to-wire win of another dominant season, as they seek back-to-back championships.
"If we were the best team last year, all year, we win a championship, and we get better, we should put ourselves in great position to repeat," said Gilgeous-Alexander.
"This year's had a little bit more ups and downs for us, but I think we've done a pretty good job keeping that front of mind," he added.
The Thunder took an early lead and were ahead by 14 points late in the first half. Although the Warriors briefly tied up the score in the third quarter, Oklahoma City defended resolutely for the win.
The loss continued a poor run of form for the Warriors since their star player Stephen Curry injured his knee in late January. 
The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons suffered a surprise 107-105 loss to the lowly Brooklyn Nets, with Michael Porter Jr scoring 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
It was a third straight loss for the Pistons, who remain three-and-a-half games clear of the Boston Celtics.
Anthony Edwards scored 34 points but it was not enough to stop his Minnesota Timberwolves slipping to a 119-92 loss to the Orlando Magic.
And Jalen Johnson poured in 35 points as the Atlanta Hawks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 125-116. It was the Hawks' sixth win in a row, the best current streak in the NBA.
amz/pst

US

White House UFC event to be headlined by Topuria-Gaethje

  • In Topuria's UFC absence, Arizona native Gaethje won an interim lightweight title, but will now have a chance to capture the undisputed championship.
  • An Ultimate Fighting Championship event to be staged on the White House's South Lawn in June will he headlined by Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, the UFC announced Saturday.
  • In Topuria's UFC absence, Arizona native Gaethje won an interim lightweight title, but will now have a chance to capture the undisputed championship.
An Ultimate Fighting Championship event to be staged on the White House's South Lawn in June will he headlined by Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, the UFC announced Saturday.
The lightweight championship clash will top a bill of six fights set to take place on the US Flag Day holiday and the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump, who is an avowed UFC fan.
The June 14 event has been dubbed "UFC Freedom 250," in reference to the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations this summer.
Topuria is one of the UFC's top rated fighters and a double-weight champion who has won all 17 of his fights.
A former featherweight champion, he earned the lightweight belt last year by knocking out Brazil's Charles Oliveira before temporarily stepping away from the sport for personal reasons.
Born in Germany to Georgian refugee parents, Topuria moved to Spain as a teenager, and has both Georgian and Spanish citizenship.
In Topuria's UFC absence, Arizona native Gaethje won an interim lightweight title, but will now have a chance to capture the undisputed championship.
The 37-year-old American has a 27-5 record in UFC.
Trump has said a stadium for more than 100,000 people would be constructed in front of the White House for the fight, although organizers have since said the event is expected to host some 3,000 to 4,000 people at the heart of Washington DC.
Large screens to view the event are expected to be raised in other places near the White House for larger crowds to watch the show.
The event was originally announced for July 4, which is Independence Day in the US, before being moved to Trump's birthday.
The Republican president has also unveiled plans for an IndyCar race on the streets of Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of the country's independence.
UFC is the largest and most successful organization in the burgeoning world of MMA, a blend of martial arts disciplines like jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, boxing and wrestling.
Bouts take place in an eight-sided ring -- dubbed "The Octagon" -- bounded by a chainlink fence.
With few exceptions -- such as eye-gouging -- male and female fighters are allowed to employ almost any technique to attack their opponent.
The sport's popularity with young men -- a key demographic in the 2024 US election -- and Trump's long association with the UFC have made the president a regular fixture at some of its more high-profile events, where he is greeted like a rock star.
Its brutal nature and high injury rate mean the sport is controversial, with doctors decrying the potential for brain damage amongst fighters who are repeatedly hit in the head, though it has gained increasing mainstream acceptance in recent years.
amz/bb

friendly

Thompson strike seals US victory in SheBelieves Cup

  • Hayes said the US performances in the SheBelieves Cup augur well for the squad's development.
  • Alyssa Thompson scored the only goal as the United States clinched the SheBelieves Cup women's football invitational tournament on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat of Colombia.
  • Hayes said the US performances in the SheBelieves Cup augur well for the squad's development.
Alyssa Thompson scored the only goal as the United States clinched the SheBelieves Cup women's football invitational tournament on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat of Colombia.
Chelsea forward Thompson curled a superb strike into the top corner in the 82nd minute to settle a contest the US women had dominated at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.
Thompson's long-range effort broke a valiant defensive effort from Colombia, who had frustrated the hosts for long periods by dropping deep to keep the Americans at bay.
Thompson's opportunistic goal left manager Emma Hayes purring with satisfaction as she builds towards next year's World Cup.
"Everyone in world football is quite compact and well coached now, and sometimes you're going to need something from deeper areas when you can't break blocks," Hayes said.
"It was a wonderful finish from her and one I think we deserved based on the second half."
The victory ensured Hayes' squad finished the four-team round robin tournament with a maximum nine points from three games after earlier wins over Argentina and Canada.
Saturday's win completed a successful campaign for Hayes and her players as they prepare for the World Cup.
Hayes, one of the most successful managers in English football history, took over as US coach in 2024 following the team's early 2023 World Cup exit.
She led the US to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and is now firmly focused on helping the American women regain their global crown at next year's finals in Brazil.
Hayes said the US performances in the SheBelieves Cup augur well for the squad's development.
"I think we've shown how to win when we're not at our best, I think we've shown versatility, I think we've shown depth and I think we've shown maturity," Hayes said.
"As a coach, I'm happy about those things... even when we're not at our best, we still have a belief and a trust that we can keep improving and we'll find a way.
"I've coached enough teams to know that that is golden, and this team is together, but also enjoying themselves and committed to the process of improving."
rcw/amz

Sports

Berger's lead narrows at rain-hit Arnold Palmer

  • - 'Beats you up' - McIlroy withdrew before the third round began, citing a lower back problem.
  • Daniel Berger's lead dwindled to two strokes on a tough, rain-interrupted third day at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Saturday, as world number one Scottie Scheffler struggled and Rory McIlroy withdrew with back pain.
  • - 'Beats you up' - McIlroy withdrew before the third round began, citing a lower back problem.
Daniel Berger's lead dwindled to two strokes on a tough, rain-interrupted third day at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Saturday, as world number one Scottie Scheffler struggled and Rory McIlroy withdrew with back pain.
Play was held up for an hour as a quarter-inch of rain hit Florida's Bay Hill in a 15-minute mid-afternoon period, leaving greens briefly unplayable as grounds crew scrambled to remove the water.
Berger -- a four-time PGA Tour winner, chasing his first title in five years -- led by six strokes before the break. When play resumed, the American runaway leader survived a scare on 13 as his ball somehow held up in thick grass on the water's cusp.
But he still had to settle for a bogey after two-putting, and completed just 15 holes before darkness fell, allowing the chasing pack to gain ground.
His playing partner Akshay Bhatia sank a twilight birdie on the 16th, while Berger opted not to attempt his eagle putt on the same green until Sunday.
"Sixteen was kind of a must... It's fun to be in the hunt," said Bhatia.
Two shots further back was Sepp Straka who carded 66, the day's best score. The Austrian shared third place with Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young, who made a fine 67 featuring four straight birdies at the turn.
Morikawa said barely managing to finish his third round could be an advantage, with the leaders forced to tee off early again Sunday to complete theirs.
"Just being able to wake up and sleep in, and just kind of get the day situated, it's a huge kind of momentum thing I think for the routine," he said.

'Beats you up'

McIlroy withdrew before the third round began, citing a lower back problem.
The world number two said in a statement he had felt a "small twinge" in his back while warming up in the gym.
"As I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it worsened and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back," the Northern Ireland star said. "Unfortunately, I'm not able to continue and have to withdraw."
McIlroy's withdrawal comes at a critical period of the season, with the five-time major-winner due to defend his Players Championship title at TPC Sawgrass and his Masters title at Augusta next month.
Elsewhere, Scheffler endured another rollercoaster round, a day after tossing his ball into the 18th hole's lake in frustration.
Scheffler started Saturday with a string of bogeys, made four straight birdies on the back nine, then ended with a double bogey.
He found the water with an aggressive line from very deep rough on the final hole, then wedged the ball into a bunker.
"When you hit it in the rough out here you don't know what you're going to get," said Scheffler.
"Sometimes you can get the ball on the green. And then you look at the lie I had on one, I can't hit it more than 90 yards, and I'm not necessarily weak in terms of speed."
The end result was an eventful 72 that left Scheffler where he began, on three under.
"Pretty up and down, I would say," Scheffler summarized, joking that "golf's a game that kind of beats you up."
amz/rcw

MLS

Messi bags 899th goal as Miami down DC United

  • Messi, who scored twice in Miami's Florida derby win over Orlando last week, bagged his third goal of the season with a deft chipped finish in the 27th minute at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
  • Lionel Messi moved to the brink of another goalscoring milestone as Inter Miami bagged their second win of the Major League Soccer season with a 2-1 victory over DC United on Saturday.
  • Messi, who scored twice in Miami's Florida derby win over Orlando last week, bagged his third goal of the season with a deft chipped finish in the 27th minute at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Lionel Messi moved to the brink of another goalscoring milestone as Inter Miami bagged their second win of the Major League Soccer season with a 2-1 victory over DC United on Saturday.
Messi, who scored twice in Miami's Florida derby win over Orlando last week, bagged his third goal of the season with a deft chipped finish in the 27th minute at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
The Argentine superstar's 80th goal for Miami takes his career tally to 899, leaving him just one away from reaching the 900-goal milestone.
The eight-time Ballon D'Or winner, who turns 39 in June, scored 672 goals for Barcelona earlier in his career and 32 at Paris Saint-Germain, with a further 115 international goals for Argentina.
Saturday's win moved the reigning MLS champions up the Eastern Conference standings into third place with six points from three games.
Miami, who on Thursday were guests of President Donald Trump at a White House reception, took the lead in the 17th minute with a superb curling shot from the edge of the area by Messi's Argentina team-mate Rodrigo De Paul.
Messi then doubled Miami's lead 10 minutes later, latching on to a sublime through ball from Mateo Silvetti and dinking a first-time finish over the advancing DC United goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
United rallied after half-time, and were given hope when Israeli forward Tai Baribo pulled a goal back in the 75th minute.
Miami though were able to hold off United in the closing stages to seal victory.
rcw/amz

Liga

Yamal bends Barca past Bilbao, Atletico edge Real Sociedad

BY RIK SHARMA

  • Barcelona's teenage star Yamal had an unusually quiet first hour but escaped Athletic defender Adama Boiro's close attentions to break the deadlock.
  • Teenage star Lamine Yamal's superbly-taken goal earned Barcelona a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in La Liga.
  • Barcelona's teenage star Yamal had an unusually quiet first hour but escaped Athletic defender Adama Boiro's close attentions to break the deadlock.
Teenage star Lamine Yamal's superbly-taken goal earned Barcelona a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in La Liga.
The champions restored their four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid, who had temporarily closed the gap by beating Celta Vigo on Friday.
Atletico Madrid tightened their grip on third with an entertaining 3-2 win over Real Sociedad.
Yamal, 18, curled into the top corner after 68 minutes to split the sides at Athletic's San Mames stadium.
"We're already seeing what Lamine can do -- he puts it right in the top corner and there's nothing the keeper can do," Barca midfielder Pedri told Movistar.
"He's very young and he's only going to get better.
"What he has to do is not settle, to keep going like this, keep working and enjoying himself out there on the pitch, because he gives us a lot."
Barca coach Hansi Flick rotated his side, with Tuesday's visit to face Newcastle in the Champions League last 16 looming.
As a result his team put in a disjointed first-half display, creating little and looking far from their free-flowing best.
"Everyone was fighting, defending as a unit and we have a clean sheet again and that's really important," Flick told reporters, focusing on the positives.
"One game less and three points more, it's a perfect situation."
Barca's Ferran Torres floundered up front, bereft of form, and Athletic had the marginally better openings of a forgettable first half.
Joao Cancelo hit the frame of his own goal early on and Selton Sanchez ran through on goal but Barcelona stopper Joan Garcia got down well to dispossess him.
Inaki Williams had a strike ruled out for offside and Garcia thwarted Oihan Sancet early in the second half, in a rare clear opening as the two Copa del Rey semi-final losing sides continued to tussle fruitlessly.
Barcelona's teenage star Yamal had an unusually quiet first hour but escaped Athletic defender Adama Boiro's close attentions to break the deadlock.
Substitute Pedri found Yamal and as Boiro slipped the youngster whipped the ball into the top corner off the post for his 19th goal of the season across all competitions.
"I think he didn't have his best game today but you can see how important he is," said Flick.
"He can decide the games and when he has the space he's able to score. It's good to have him on this level that he can decide, in one situation, the match."

Dress rehearsal

Nicolas Gonzalez netted twice as Diego Simeone's Atletico overcame Real Sociedad to move three points clear of fourth-place Villarreal, who host Elche Sunday.
It was only the second defeat for Real Sociedad coach Pellegrino Matarazzo in 14 matches at the helm, with the Basque side rising to eighth since the American's arrival.
Both sides sealed passage to the Copa del Rey final this week, with this match a dress rehearsal for the showdown in Seville in April.
"It had been a while since I'd scored so it's good I could do it today in this stadium with these fans," Gonzalez told Movistar.
"We're showing in every game what we want and what we're capable of."
Alexander Sorloth continued his good form by sending Atletico ahead but Carlos Soler pulled La Real level in the first half.
Atletico substitute Antoine Griezmann set up Gonzalez's first goal with a tidy backheel as the hosts took the lead again.
Real Sociedad immediately equalised, with Mikel Oyarzabal smashing in from the edge of the box.
Gonzalez won it for Simeone's side, leaping high to nod home Matteo Ruggieri's curling cross.
"I'm really happy for Nico... he got injured in December and hasn't been able to find his form since," said Simeone.
"I hope he keeps it up, because we need everything he has to offer."
Argentina international Gonzalez was coached by Matarazzo at Stuttgart and the pair shared a laugh at the end of the game -- they will meet again in April with a trophy on the line.
"We hate to lose and the performance was not our best," said Matarazzo.
"There's six weeks (before the final) with different players on the pitch... things will be different."
rbs/pb/bsp

FACup

Man City hand Newcastle brutal FA Cup lesson as Chelsea survive scare

BY JOHN WEAVER

  • Eddie Howe made a relatively modest four changes to his Newcastle team, fresh from their late win against Manchester United, with match-winner Will Osula given a rare start.
  • Manchester City shrugged off 10 changes to their starting line-up to crush Newcastle 3-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday as Chelsea battled past 10-man Wrexham.
  • Eddie Howe made a relatively modest four changes to his Newcastle team, fresh from their late win against Manchester United, with match-winner Will Osula given a rare start.
Manchester City shrugged off 10 changes to their starting line-up to crush Newcastle 3-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday as Chelsea battled past 10-man Wrexham.
Earlier, Premier League leaders Arsenal stayed on track for a historic quadruple by seeing off a feisty challenge from third-tier Mansfield to win their fifth-round tie 2-1.
Pep Guardiola's City, who like Arsenal are still chasing glory on four fronts, were almost entirely changed from the side that drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in midweek, with only Matheus Nunes keeping his place.
Eddie Howe made a relatively modest four changes to his Newcastle team, fresh from their late win against Manchester United, with match-winner Will Osula given a rare start.
The home side began strongly at St James' Park and took a deserved lead when Harvey Barnes finished smartly after being found by Sandro Tonali.
City were level in the 39th minute in bizarre fashion when Jeremy Doku's dangerous ball behind the defence ran all the way to Savinho.
The Brazilian stood still and appeared to let the ball bounce off his leg into the net.
Soon after the restart City completed the turnaround when Omar Marmoush smashed the ball into the roof of the goal from close range.
The Egyptian forward then thundered home his second in the 65th minute to put his team in total control.
Guardiola, whose team travel to face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, turned to a bench packed with international talent in the second half to refresh his side, who are seeking to reach their fourth straight FA Cup final.
"In Leverkusen, it was a strong squad too (a 2-0 defeat for a much-changed side), but we won today, so it was fine," Guardiola told the BBC. "It was a good decision and when I lose it was a bad decision.
"This is the best performance we have played in this stadium since my decade here. That is consistency and that is why I am proud."

Chelsea scare

Chelsea are also into the last eight after a 4-2 win but only after a mighty scare against second-tier Wrexham, who twice took the lead at the Racecourse Ground.
Hollywood-owned Wrexham, watched by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, went ahead through Sam Smith but the visitors drew level courtesy of an own goal shortly before half-time.
In a breathless second period, Callum Doyle put the Welsh team back ahead again in the 78th minute, only for Josh Acheampong to equalise four minutes later.
The game changed complexion when Wrexham midfielder George Dobson was sent off in stoppage time and Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho volleyed home in the first period of extra time before substitute Joao Pedro's late strike added gloss to the scoreline.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, who made nine changes with Wednesday's match against Paris Saint-Germain in mind, admitted his side had ridden their luck.
"That's the reason why the FA Cup is what it is," he said. "I thought Wrexham were magnificent -- magnificent in their energy, how brave they were and how they played.
"We had to be at a high, high level. We were pushed all the way by a very good team."
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson, who has masterminded three straight promotions for his side, said they could take "a lot of heart" from the performance.
"We showed a lot of good aspects to our play and played some great football," he told the BBC. "We weren't just coming here to stop Chelsea -- we believe we can play."
Wrexham will now turn their attention to their push for a fourth straight promotion -- this time to the Premier League. 
In the first FA Cup match of the day, Eberechi Eze smashed home the winner as a much-changed Arsenal toughed out a win against Mansfield.
Noni Madueke put the 14-time FA Cup winners ahead against the League One strugglers shortly before half-time, only for substitute Will Evans to level soon after the break.
England forward Eze thumped home midway through the second half to restore Arsenal's lead, minutes after being introduced by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
jw

Sports

Marseille take revenge on Toulouse and rise to third in Ligue 1

BY ANDY SCOTT

  • Greenwood, taken off after 65 minutes after collecting a yellow card, edged ahead of Strasbourg's Joaquin Panichelli at the top of the scoring charts with 15 goals.
  • Mason Greenwood scored the only goal as Marseille won 1-0 in Toulouse on Saturday to climb back into third in Ligue 1.
  • Greenwood, taken off after 65 minutes after collecting a yellow card, edged ahead of Strasbourg's Joaquin Panichelli at the top of the scoring charts with 15 goals.
Mason Greenwood scored the only goal as Marseille won 1-0 in Toulouse on Saturday to climb back into third in Ligue 1.
On a weekend of payback victories, Marseille gained some revenge three days after Toulouse eliminated them from the French Cup on penalties.
When Igor Paixao escaped on the left after 18 minutes, Greenwood made a late sprint from midfield and met the winger's pullback with an emphatic finish.
Ten minutes later, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pounced on a poor back-pass from Cristian Casserez, rounded Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes but dragged his low shot wide.
Marseilles sat back in the second half but the closest Toulouse came was a Yann Gboho shot that smashed against the crossbar.
Greenwood, taken off after 65 minutes after collecting a yellow card, edged ahead of Strasbourg's Joaquin Panichelli at the top of the scoring charts with 15 goals.
In the earlier games, the focus was on the battle to escape the two automatic relegation places.
Auxerre tightened their grip on 18th, the playoff spot, as they drew 0-0 at home with Strasbourg to move two points clear of Nantes who lost 1-0 at home to nearby Angers.
On Friday, Monaco took revenge for their Champions League elimination when they won 3-1 at Paris Saint-Germain.
The result was a setback for PSG in their bid to win a fifth consecutive Ligue 1 title. The closest challengers Lens could trim the lead at the top to one point by beating bottom side Metz on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Lyon can retake third place if they beat Paris FC.
pb/jc

Liga

Yamal class secures Barca narrow win at Athletic Bilbao

  • Barcelona's teenage star Yamal had an unusually quiet first hour by his standards but eventually broke free of Athletic defender Adama Boiro's close attentions to break the deadlock.
  • Teenage star Lamine Yamal's superbly taken goal earned Barcelona a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in La Liga.
  • Barcelona's teenage star Yamal had an unusually quiet first hour by his standards but eventually broke free of Athletic defender Adama Boiro's close attentions to break the deadlock.
Teenage star Lamine Yamal's superbly taken goal earned Barcelona a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in La Liga.
The champions restored their four-point lead on second-placed Real Madrid, who had temporarily closed the gap by beating Celta Vigo on Friday.
Yamal curled into the top corner after 68 minutes to split the sides at Athletic's San Mames stadium in a hard-fought clash.
Barca coach Hansi Flick rotated his side, with Tuesday's visit to face Newcastle in the Champions League last 16 looming.
As a result his team put in a disjointed first-half display, creating little and looking far from their free-flowing best.
"We're already seeing what Lamine can do -- he puts it right in the top corner and there's nothing the keeper can do," Barca midfielder Pedri told Movistar.
"He's very young and he's only going to get better.
"What he has to do is not settle, to keep going like this, keep working and enjoying himself out there on the pitch, because he gives us a lot."
Barca's Ferran Torres floundered up front, bereft of form in 2026, and Athletic had the marginally better openings of a forgettable first half.
Joao Cancelo hit the frame of his own goal early on and Selton Sanchez ran through on goal but Barcelona stopper Joan Garcia got down well to dispossess him.
Ernesto Valverde's side put the ball in Barcelona's net before the break but Inaki Williams had strayed offside before finishing and it was ruled out.
In the second half Barca wanted Alejandro Rego sent off for a foul on Dani Olmo, while Athletic players appealed for Pau Cubarsi to be dismissed for bringing down Williams, but the referee settled for a yellow card in both instances.
Garcia made a good save to deny Oihan Sancet early in the second half, in a rare clear opening as the two Copa del Rey semi-final losing sides continued to tussle fruitlessly.
Barcelona's teenage star Yamal had an unusually quiet first hour by his standards but eventually broke free of Athletic defender Adama Boiro's close attentions to break the deadlock.
Substitute Pedri found Yamal in space and as Boiro slipped the 18-year-old whipped the ball into the top corner, in off the post, for his 19th goal of the season across all competitions.
It was the one outstanding moment of quality in the match and enough to decide it.
"It's a very bad feeling, I think we were better, we didn't deserve to lose," said Athletic defender Dani Vivian.
"Today was a tough day against the hardest team in the league, and we saw how (well) the team did, it's a shame we didn't get the win."
rbs/jc

SerieA

Como boost Champions League bid, Juve back to winning ways

  • Juve ended their wait for a first league win since February 1 by seeing off Pisa with four second-half goals.
  • Captain Lucas Da Cunha scored a brilliant second-half winner as Como won 2-1 at Cagliari on Saturday to move level on points with fourth-placed Roma in Serie A, as Juventus ended their four-match league winless streak.
  • Juve ended their wait for a first league win since February 1 by seeing off Pisa with four second-half goals.
Captain Lucas Da Cunha scored a brilliant second-half winner as Como won 2-1 at Cagliari on Saturday to move level on points with fourth-placed Roma in Serie A, as Juventus ended their four-match league winless streak.
A third straight league victory for Cesc Fabregas's side keeps the pressure on Roma, who visit Genoa on Sunday, in the fight for Champions League qualification.
Como, who have never played in a European competition, will then host the capital club next weekend.
Sixth-placed Juventus stayed just one point behind that pair with an impressive 4-0 home victory over Pisa.
"I liked the way the lads reacted today, as this performance proves what the team is made of, they have a great mentality that is growing game by game," Fabregas, whose Como side drew 0-0 with Serie A leaders Inter Milan in their Italian Cup semi-final first leg in midweek, told DAZN.
"We were all exhausted today, there were so many matches in a row, we were so tired.
"That is why this is the win I am most satisfied with this season. It is genuinely a major step forward for the team."
Como took an early lead at Cagliari when Martin Baturina turned in Da Cunha's mishit shot but the home side levelled 11 minutes after half-time through Sebastiano Esposito.
The visitors secured all three points, though, in the 76th minute, as Frenchman Da Cunha hammered a long-range strike into the top corner.
Juve ended their wait for a first league win since February 1 by seeing off Pisa with four second-half goals.
Andrea Cambiaso nodded in Kenan Yildiz's dinked cross from close range nine minutes after the interval before Juve doubled their lead in the 65th minute.
Bottom club Pisa gave the ball away on the edge of their own box, Manuel Locatelli drilled a shot off the post, and Khephren Thuram slotted in the rebound for his first goal since September.
Yildiz fired in his 10th goal of the campaign with a quarter of an hour left, before Jeremie Boga rounded off the scoring in added time.
Seventh-placed Atalanta's European hopes suffered a blow despite fighting back to grab a 2-2 home draw with Udinese.
Raffaele Palladino's men, who host Bayern Munich in their Champions League last-16 first leg next week, are now five points behind Roma and Como.
Thomas Kristensen and Keinan Davis scored in either half to put Udinese in control.
But Gianluca Scamacca's header with 15 minutes to play halved the deficit and the Italy striker pounced on a rebound to level four minutes later.
jc/pb

FACup

Chelsea deny 10-man Wrexham Hollywood finish in FA Cup thriller

  • Astonishingly, Wrexham had the ball in the net again after Kieffer Moore's header was turned home by Lewis Brunt but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR. Lewis O'Brien flashed just wide as Parkinson's side finally ran out of chances with substitute Pedro grabbing a fourth for Chelsea.
  • Chelsea twice came from behind to deny Hollywood-owned Wrexham a fairytale FA Cup triumph on Saturday, edging past the second-tier side 4-2 in a captivating contest to reach the quarter-finals.
  • Astonishingly, Wrexham had the ball in the net again after Kieffer Moore's header was turned home by Lewis Brunt but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR. Lewis O'Brien flashed just wide as Parkinson's side finally ran out of chances with substitute Pedro grabbing a fourth for Chelsea.
Chelsea twice came from behind to deny Hollywood-owned Wrexham a fairytale FA Cup triumph on Saturday, edging past the second-tier side 4-2 in a captivating contest to reach the quarter-finals.
Wrexham, watched at the Racecourse Ground by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, took the lead through Sam Smith but the visitors were level courtesy of an own goal shortly before half-time.
In a breathless second period, Callum Doyle put the Welsh team back ahead again in the 78th minute only for Josh Acheampong to equalise four minutes later.
The game changed complexion when George Dobson was sent off in stoppage time and Alejandro Garnacho volleyed home in the first period of extra time before Joao Pedro's late strike added gloss to the scoreline.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, juggling Premier League and Champions League commitments, made nine changes to his starting team against the Championship club.
In-form Wrexham, who put out Premier League club Nottingham Forest earlier in the competition, went ahead in the 18th minute when Doyle found Smith with a raking long pass.
Smith's first touch was superb and he raced away from Tosin Adarabioyo before finishing coolly past Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea enjoyed the bulk of possession but created little against Phil Parkinson's organised side, who are targeting a fourth-consecutive promotion -- this time to the Premier League.
But Wrexham suffered heartbreak five minutes before half-time when the ball squirmed into the net off the back of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo for an own goal.
Wrexham started the second half on the front foot again, putting Chelsea's defence under huge pressure, roared on by a passionate home crowd.
Rosenior brought on forward Marc Guiu for defender Mamadou Sarr just before the hour mark, throwing on Marc Cucurella and Dario Essugo a few minutes later.
Wrexham continued to make life uncomfortable for the Club World Cup champions and re-took the lead with a brilliant, instinctive flick from Doyle, who turned home Josh Windass's shot in the 78th minute.
But just minutes later Chelsea were all-square again, with Acheampong firing into the roof of the net.
Windass had a glorious chance to put Wrexham in front for a third time but headed wide with Sanchez stranded and Pedro Neto rattled the bar at the other end.

Red card

The dynamic of the match shifted when Dobson was sent off in stoppage time by referee Peter Bankes following a VAR review.
That gave Wrexham a mountain to climb and their task was even harder when Essugo's cross was finished crisply by Garnacho in the sixth minute of extra time.
Astonishingly, Wrexham had the ball in the net again after Kieffer Moore's header was turned home by Lewis Brunt but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR.
Lewis O'Brien flashed just wide as Parkinson's side finally ran out of chances with substitute Pedro grabbing a fourth for Chelsea.
Chelsea now turn their attentions to a Champions League last-16 date with Paris Saint-Germain in midweek while Wrexham will continue their push to reach the Premier League.
jw/jc

Bundesliga

Dortmund beat 10-man Cologne to tighten grip on top-four spot

BY DANIEL WIGHTON

  • Hoffenheim took a step towards a second Champions League qualification with a 4-2 win at last-placed Heidenheim to stay in third.
  • Goals from Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier took Borussia Dortmund to a 2-1 win at Cologne on Saturday, tightening their grip on Champions League qualification.
  • Hoffenheim took a step towards a second Champions League qualification with a 4-2 win at last-placed Heidenheim to stay in third.
Goals from Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier took Borussia Dortmund to a 2-1 win at Cologne on Saturday, tightening their grip on Champions League qualification.
Dortmund's 3-2 home loss to Bayern Munich last week all but ended their slim Bundesliga title hopes.
But Saturday's win took second-placed Dortmund eight points clear of fifth-placed RB Leipzig.
Beier teed up Guirassy in the 16th minute, floating a ball over the Cologne defence for the Guinean to score his 12th Bundesliga goal this season.
The hosts' hopes of fighting their way back dimmed just before half-time when Jahmai Simpson-Pusey planted his studs in Beier's heel and referee Daniel Siebert upgraded his yellow card to red after a VAR review.
Beier was in the thick of things again when he swept home on the hour mark. Jakub Kaminski scored a late consolation for the hosts but Dortmund held on for their first league victory since mid-February.
Dortmund manager Niko Kovac cut a frustrated figure after full-time, telling Sky Germany: "We won a game today in which we didn't play well -- and the coach has every right to be angry."
Kovac confirmed media reports midfielder Julian Brandt, who set up Beier's goal, would leave the club after seven seasons at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Bayer Leverkusen came from behind twice but gave up the lead late in a wild 3-3 draw at Freiburg, days out from their Champions League clash with Arsenal.
Leverkusen host the Premier League leaders on Wednesday in the first leg of their last-16 tie but Saturday's result left them in sixth and may hurt their chances of reaching next year's competition.
"We're more than a little disappointed," Leverkusen coach Robert Andrich told Sky Germany.
"Starting Sunday, we'll be focused on Arsenal, but we still need a lot of points in the Bundesliga to get back into the Champions League."
Freiburg twice went ahead thanks to goals from Vincenzo Grifo and Yuito Suzuki but Leverkusen twice equalised through Christian Kofane and another superb free-kick from Alejandro Grimaldo. 
Martin Terrier's goal had the visitors on track for victory but Matthias Ginter struck with four minutes remaining to level things up.

Leipzig leave it late

Elsewhere, RB Leipzig forced Augsburg's Arthur Chaves into a stoppage-time own goal in a comeback 2-1 home win. 
Robin Fellhauer gave Augsburg the lead after teammate Keven Schlotterbeck missed a penalty but Yan Diomande pulled one back for the hosts before Chaves scuffed a David Raum cross into his own net.
Leipzig's win took them to fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Stuttgart, who drew 2-2 at lowly Mainz.
Stuttgart fell behind to a Lee Jae-sung strike but looked to have turned the match with goals to Ermedin Demirovic and Deniz Undav inside 61 seconds, before Danny da Costa nabbed a late equaliser for the hosts.
"We fought hard for 90 minutes. When we fight back to take the lead, we need to take the three points," a disappointed Demirovic told Sky.
Hoffenheim took a step towards a second Champions League qualification with a 4-2 win at last-placed Heidenheim to stay in third.
Alexander Prass bagged a first-half brace and Fisnik Asllani and Tim Lemperle scored for the visitors, while Luca Kerber scored a double for Heidenheim.
Elsewhere, Hamburg came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Wolfsburg, with all three goals coming from the penalty spot.
Frustrated home fans threw flaming scarves onto the pitch after the defeat, which pushes second-last Wolfsburg, who were German champions in 2009, closer to a first relegation from the top flight since being promoted in 1997.
dwi/pb/jc

Liga

Gonzalez brace helps Atletico beat Real Sociedad

  • Gonzalez should have put Atletico back in front earlier than the 67th minute, but blazed over from close range before eventually finding the net.
  • Nicolas Gonzalez netted twice for Atletico Madrid in an entertaining 3-2 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday.
  • Gonzalez should have put Atletico back in front earlier than the 67th minute, but blazed over from close range before eventually finding the net.
Nicolas Gonzalez netted twice for Atletico Madrid in an entertaining 3-2 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday.
Diego Simeone's side strengthened their hold on third, moving three points clear of fourth-place Villarreal, who host Elche Sunday.
It was only the second defeat for Real Sociedad coach Pellegrino Matarazzo in 14 matches at the helm, with the Basque side rising to eighth since the American's arrival.
Both sides sealed passage to the Copa del Rey final this week, with this match a dress rehearsal for the showdown in Seville in April.
"It had been a while since I'd scored so it's good I could do it today in this stadium with these fans," Gonzalez told Movistar.
"I'm very happy, and I'll go home happy because of the team's display too, we're showing in every game what we want and what we're capable of."
Atletico's Norwegian target man Alexander Sorloth has hit a rich vein of form in 2026 and netted his sixth goal in his last five matches to open the scoring after five minutes.
The forward reacted swiftly to power home Jose Gimenez's flick-on from a long throw into the box.
Carlos Soler, another player in strong form, pulled La Real level with a well-taken goal, controlling Luka Sucic's pass skillfully and then finishing with aplomb.
Sorloth, a constant headache for the visitors, fired over before the break and had another effort deflected narrowly off-target in the second half.
Gonzalez should have put Atletico back in front earlier than the 67th minute, but blazed over from close range before eventually finding the net.
Atletico substitute Antoine Griezmann created the goal with a tidy backheel, and Gonzalez showed poise before stroking home.
Real Sociedad immediately equalised, with Mikel Oyarzabal smashing in from the edge of the box, inside Jan Oblak's near post.
However, Gonzalez netted again for Simeone's side, leaping high to nod home Matteo Ruggieri's curling cross from the left.
The 27-year-old Argentina international, on loan from Juventus, was coached by Matarazzo at Stuttgart and the pair shared a laugh at the end of the game -- they will meet again in April with a trophy on the line.
"(I don't feel) good, because we hate to lose and the performance was not our best," said Matarazzo.
"There's six weeks (before the final) with different players on the pitch... things will be different."
rbs/pb/bsp 

ITA

Lamaro praises Italy's history-making 'wall in defence'

  • Two years ago they earned a draw away to France and finished with a record of two wins, one draw and two defeats -- their best set of results from a Six Nations.
  • Italy captain Michele Lamaro praised his side's dogged defence as they earned a first ever win over England on Saturday in a tense Six Nations thriller.
  • Two years ago they earned a draw away to France and finished with a record of two wins, one draw and two defeats -- their best set of results from a Six Nations.
Italy captain Michele Lamaro praised his side's dogged defence as they earned a first ever win over England on Saturday in a tense Six Nations thriller.
Italy hit back from 18-10 down early in the second half to beat England 23-18 in front of almost 69,000 spectators in Rome.
Tries from Tommaso Menoncello and Leonardo Marin, plus 13 points from the boot of fly-half Paolo Garbisi, cancelled out England scores from Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck.
"We felt tension before the game as we were nervous," Lamaro told British television station ITV.
"We were close the whole game. We fought together as always.
"We stuck together as a wall in defence."
Italy have really kicked on since Argentine Gonzalo Quesada took over after the 2023 World Cup.
Two years ago they earned a draw away to France and finished with a record of two wins, one draw and two defeats -- their best set of results from a Six Nations.
If they beat Wales next week in Cardiff, they would better that by winning three matches in the tournament for the first time.
"I am feeling amazing because it was a tough game," Quesada told ITV.
"These are not nice games and not beautiful, but I think we totally deserve this win. 
"To win today, with expectations to win against an amazing England side, is such a big step in our growth. 
"We have to keep our feet on the ground and not get too excited -- we have to keep going, but it is a big day for Italian rugby today."

Defeat 'on players'

In a match which was close throughout, there was little to separate the two sides, but discipline made the difference with England picking up two yellow cards to Italy's one.
"Credit to Italy, who have come a long way," England coach Steve Borthwick told ITV.
"We are gutted. For 60 minutes, we are in control and those two sin-bins hurt us.
"Discipline is a significant factor. It is something we have to improve."
Before the tournament began, with England on an 11-match winning streak, Borthwick had spoken about next week's trip to Paris being a potential title-decider against France.
Instead, England will be merely hoping to avoid the wooden spoon and getting a win that would see them finish no higher than fourth.
"As we look at this over the last 12 months, we have been scoring a lot of tries, but right now we're not able to apply as much scoreboard pressure as we want because we are not getting over the line," Borthwick told BBC Sport.
"There are a couple of areas, especially in the breakdown, where we are turning over the ball too much.
"Clearly, this is a really challenging and tough time. We talk about intensity all week, and I thought their intensity was very good today, but it was our discipline that cost us.
"I have seen the players, and they are really feeling this."
The two England yellow cards, which came shortly after Italy hooker Giacomo Nicotera was sent to the sin-bin, turned the game in the Azzurri's favour.
"It is disappointing. I think it is on us as players -- we have to own the performance," captain Maro Itoje, who was yellow-carded alongside flanker Sam Underhill, told BBC radio.
"This team has put together good performances over the past year, but recently we haven't.
"We have to face the facts and get back to work."
Itoje added: "As captain, I take responsibility for that."
bc/jc