Ekitike on target as France beat Brazil in US friendly
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike scored the decisive goal as France beat Brazil 2-1 in a World Cup warm-up friendly on Thursday night.
The two nations met in a high-profile friendly fixture at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, USA, with France coming out on top.
Les Bleus, who will aim to reach a third consecutive World Cup final this summer, opened the scoring through Kylian Mbappe, whose 56th France goal moved him within one of equalling Olivier Giroud’s all-time record.
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🥐☕️ FC Breakfast: Mbappé and Vinicius invited, France in green 🌿
Mbappé and Vinicius invited
While they were facing off at the same time in Boston on Thursday night, Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius were invited by Brazilian club Flamengo to come and watch, together, one of Rio’s club matches in the Copa Libertadores.
Suggested date: April 16!
Les Bleus in green 🌿
Let’s also look back at this clash between Brazil and France, won 2-1 by Les Bleus.
They debuted their new green kit.
This is the earliest the Japanese Grand Prix has been held since the race switched to a sprint slot in 2024 [Getty Images]
Round three of the 2026 Formula 1 season heads to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, from 27-29 March.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who has failed to start the opening two races of the campaign, was quickest in Friday’s second practice session in Japan.
Barcelona shortlist three left-back targets as part of defensive shake-up
Barcelona’s planning for the upcoming summer window is already well underway, and one position that has become a priority is left-back.
With Alejandro Balde’s future uncertain, there is a growing feeling that reinforcement in this area could be crucial for next season.
According to SPORT, the Catalan giants have drawn up a shortlist of three players who fit the sporting and tactical demands of Hansi Flick.
Kai Havertz silences exit talks: “I see my future at Arsenal”
Kai Havertz has firmly dismissed growing speculation regarding a summer departure from the Emirates Stadium by committing his long-term future to Arsenal.
The 26-year-old forward addressed the rumours during his current international duties with Germany, where he is preparing for the 2026 World Cup.
Despite an incredibly difficult season hampered by major health setbacks, Havertz insists he has “not heard anything” about a potential transfer.
Netherlands vs Norway – Match preview and team news
The Netherlands and Norway meet in an international friendly on Friday.
Both sides topped their qualifying groups to reach the 2026 World Cup and will see this clash at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena as a test of their progress.
Netherlands vs Norway – Match preview and team news
Date: Friday, 27th March.
Kick-off: 7:45pm BST.
Venue: Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam.
Netherlands team news
Memphis Depay has become the latest player to pull out of this international window after sustaining a thigh injury.
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who turned 15 today, is already being counted among the most destructive hitters in Indian cricket and the Indian Premier League. His stunning 35-ball century in last season’s tournament was just the beginning, as he has continued to produce big runs and impactful innings across levels over the past year.
Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise saw him make his India A debut towards the end of 2025, featuring in the ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup under the leadership of Jitesh Sharma.
Jamie Carragher names his Liverpool top 10: Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and more
Liverpool Greatest Debate: Carragher’s Top 10 Sparks Fresh Discussion
Carragher’s Liverpool Rankings Revisited
When Jamie Carragher speaks about Liverpool, it carries the weight of experience and memory. With 737 appearances and a career built on consistency, his voice cuts through nostalgia and lands somewhere closer to lived truth. His selection of the club’s greatest players with the LFC website offers a revealing look at how Liverpool’s identity has been shaped across generations.
Following the departure of Odafe Oweh, who signed with the Commanders, the Chargers are in the market for another edge rusher to go along with Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack.
CBS Sports believes veteran Cameron Jordan could be an option to fill the need.
Jordan may not be a long-term solution, but he would be a stopgap option at least who would help the Chargers maintain some of the best financial flexibility in the league. His modest price would also allow this team to spend more heavily on its greatest need: offensive line.
Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 to boost their bid to reach a men’s World Cup for the first time since 2014, as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Poland, Turkiye, Kosovo, the Czech Republic and Denmark also won their European playoff semifinals.
Four-time champions Italy, who lost out in the playoffs for the 2018 and 2022 editions, travel to Bosnia on Tuesday for the final, knowing a win will send them to June and July’s tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.