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Relaxed Real Betis ready for Sevilla challenge

Jerrad Peters 5 minute read 5:57 PM CST

You can make a pretty safe guess, based solely on pre-game preparations, as to which of Seville’s football clubs is the most frantic, and which the most confident, ahead of Sunday’s Gran Derbi (11:30 a.m., TSN+).

Sevilla FC manager Matías Almeyda — currently serving a seven-match ban after confronting the officials in a 1-1 draw with Alavés earlier this month — gave his players a rare Tuesday off, and he broke with tradition when he held his final practice of the week behind closed doors.

City rival Real Betis Balompié, meanwhile, enjoyed a combined squad-staff lunch on Thursday, and manager Manuel Pellegrini’s Friday training session was open to the public.

There’s no hiding it. Sevilla, just five points above the relegation places, is panicking. Betis, presently fifth in La Liga, is chilling. And it wants its opponent to know it’s chilling.

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Court to rule on B.C. class-action lawsuit against Whitecaps over Messi no-show

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Court to rule on B.C. class-action lawsuit against Whitecaps over Messi no-show

The Canadian Press 2 minute read 4:51 PM CST

VANCOUVER - A British Columbia judge says he'll decide on Monday whether to approve a settlement in a class-action lawsuit against the Vancouver Whitecaps over soccer star Lionel Messi's no-show at a game in 2024.

The lawsuit against the team and Major League Soccer was filed after the game with Inter Miami was heavily marketed as featuring stars including Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, but they didn't end up playing.

The proposed settlement calls for updates to the team's ticketing policies and a $475,000 charitable donation.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Andrew Majawa heard Friday that the settlement is more favourable than a so-called direct distribution of funds to the 50,000 class members, since they would get only a few dollars each. 

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4:51 PM CST

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi hoists the trophy alongside teammates after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final soccer match, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, December 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi hoists the trophy alongside teammates after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final soccer match, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, December 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Major League Soccer's New England Revolution postponed their March 7 home opener against Houston because the field won't be ready at Gillette Stadium.

New England now intends to plays its first home game on March 15 against Cincinnati.

“Due to this week’s historic winter weather in the northeast, the harvesting and delivery of the stadium’s new natural grass field has been delayed,” the team said in a statement Friday. “With field-related stadium infrastructure preparations completed on schedule, the Gillette Stadium field crew is prepared to install the grass when it arrives ahead of the Revolution’s new MLS home opener.”

New England opened with a 4-1 loss at Nashville last weekend and is at the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

Espí late show gives Levante priceless win over Alaves

The Associated Press 2 minute read 5:26 PM CST

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain (AP) — Carlos Espí scored twice in the dying minutes to give Levante a 2-0 win over Alaves on Friday and a vital three points in its fight to avoid relegation from La Liga.

Espí, who came through the youth ranks at the Valencia-based club, had scored only once all season but tripled his tally with a blistering late show against an Alaves side that played the last half hour with 10 men after Víctor Parada was sent off.

Espí's deflected shot in the 88th minute put Levante ahead and he then sparked jubilant scenes with almost the last kick of the game when his assured finish rounded off a counterattack.

"This has been one of my greatest nights," the 20-year old told broadcaster DAZN. "It's incredible."

Oristanio’s late goal cancels stunning Folorunsho strike as Parma draw with Cagliari

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Oristanio’s late goal cancels stunning Folorunsho strike as Parma draw with Cagliari

The Associated Press 2 minute read 4:52 PM CST

PARMA, Italy (AP) — Gaetano Oristanio came on at halftime and scored a late equalizer for Parma against Cagliari in a hard-fought 1-1 home draw in Serie A on Friday.

Oristiano’s goal seven minutes from time earned Parma a point but its poor home form continued. It has won only two of its last 12 home games and has not won two in a row at Stadio Ennio Tardini since January 2020.

Still, it has taken 10 points from its last 12 and moves into 11th place, a point behind Lazio and a point ahead of Udinese.

Michael Folorunsho put Cagliari ahead 18 minutes into the second half with a stunning 30-meter strike.

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4:52 PM CST

Parma's Gaetano Pio Oristanio reacts after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma and Cagliari in Parma, Italy, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Gianni Santandrea/LaPresse via AP)

Parma's Gaetano Pio Oristanio reacts after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma and Cagliari in Parma, Italy, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Gianni Santandrea/LaPresse via AP)

Bottom club Wolves shock high-flying Aston Villa at Molineux

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Bottom club Wolves shock high-flying Aston Villa at Molineux

The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 5:01 PM CST

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AP) — João Gomes scored his first Premier League goal of the season and Rodrigo Gomes added a second in stoppage time to give bottom club Wolverhampton a shock 2-0 win over high-flying Aston Villa on Friday.

It was only the second win in the league for a club that remains six points adrift at the bottom of the table and is almost certain to be relegated.

However, there was no hiding the joy felt by the home players and fans who were ecstatic at beating their Midlands rival.

“You have to be pretty good to get a result like that against them,” coach Rob Edwards said.

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Updated: 5:01 PM CST

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Rob Edwards celebrates their win after their English Premier League soccer match against Aston Villa in Wolverhampton, England, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Rob Edwards celebrates their win after their English Premier League soccer match against Aston Villa in Wolverhampton, England, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Lens miss chance to top Ligue 1 after draw with in-form Strasbourg

The Associated Press 2 minute read 4:12 PM CST

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Lens missed a chance to top Ligue 1 after it fought back from a goal down to draw at Strasbourg 1-1 on Friday.

Argentine striker Joaquin Panichelli scored for the third game in a row to put the home side ahead after 18 minutes at Stade de la Meinau.

Panichelli's 14th goal of the season tied him with Mason Greenwood at the top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring chart.

Lens fought back to equalize 17 minutes into the second half through Mamadou Sangare. A corner kick was cleared to Sangare’s feet and his first-time drive flew through a forest of legs and into the bottom corner.

Augsburg beats Cologne to go record-equalling eight straight games unbeaten at home

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Augsburg beats Cologne to go record-equalling eight straight games unbeaten at home

The Associated Press 2 minute read 3:55 PM CST

AUGSBURG, Germany (AP) — Rodrigo Ribeiro scored for the second game in a row and Alexis Claude-Maurice added a second with the last kick of the game as Augsburg beat Cologne 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday.

Six days after he scored in a 3-2 win over Wolfsburg, Ribeiro's cute backheel from a cutback by U.S. defender Noahkai Banks broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.

Claude-Maurice made sure of the win deep in stoppage time when, with all of the Cologne players in the opposition box for a last-gasp corner, he charged forward and rolled the ball into the empty net.

Augsburg’s fifth win in six games left it in ninth place, tied on points with Eintracht Frankfurt, the team above it.

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3:55 PM CST

Augsburg's Robin Fellhauer, right, and Cologne's Said El Mala in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and 1. FC Cologne in Augsburg, Germany, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

Augsburg's Robin Fellhauer, right, and Cologne's Said El Mala in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and 1. FC Cologne in Augsburg, Germany, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

Josh Sargent leaves Norwich City for Major League Soccer’s Toronto in messy departure

Anne M. Peterson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Josh Sargent leaves Norwich City for Major League Soccer’s Toronto in messy departure

Anne M. Peterson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 2:47 PM CST

Josh Sargent joined Toronto from Norwich City in England's second-tier League Championship on Friday, ending a difficult situation in which the striker was exiled to the under-21 squad after he refused to play in an FA Cup match last month. 

Sargent, 26, was signed as a designated player through the 2030-31 Major League Soccer season. He had eight goals this season and 56 goals in 157 appearances with the Canaries overall. 

“Regardless of the manner of his departure, Josh has been a significant part of the club’s recent story, contributing greatly and captaining the team on many occasions," Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper said in a statement. "He now moves on and we wish him well for his next step, and for his future beyond.”

Sargent is a Missouri native who signed with Germany’s Werder Bremen in 2018 and joined Norwich three years later. A member of the 2022 U.S. World Cup team, he appears to be behind Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi and Patrick Agyemang in the competition for forward spots on the 2026 World Cup roster.

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Updated: 2:47 PM CST

FILE - United States's Josh Sargent looks on prior to a friendly soccer match against Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, file)

FILE - United States's Josh Sargent looks on prior to a friendly soccer match against Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, file)

Champions League’s Cinderella club Bodø/Glimt rises after cash-driven Super League rejected

Graham Dunbar, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Champions League’s Cinderella club Bodø/Glimt rises after cash-driven Super League rejected

Graham Dunbar, The Associated Press 5 minute read 1:32 PM CST

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Bodø/Glimt is a feelgood soccer story for the ages just as the divisive and cash-driven Super League project finally ended this month. The timing seems richly ironic.

At the Champions League draw on Friday, Manchester City’s potential opponents in the round-of-16 bracket were two teams representing wildly different visions of European soccer.

Bodø/Glimt, the homely and humble club from a small Norwegian fishing town, or Real Madrid, the aristocrat which drove the Super League toward trying to destroy the Champions League.

“For modern football I think it’s important that a club like ours are a bigger part of this,” Bodø/Glimt chief executive Frode Thomassen told the Associated Press at UEFA headquarters after his club was paired with Sporting Lisbon.

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1:32 PM CST

Glimt's head coach Kjetil Knutsen reacts during a Champions League playoff soccer match between Inter Milan and Bodo Glimt, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb.24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Glimt's head coach Kjetil Knutsen reacts during a Champions League playoff soccer match between Inter Milan and Bodo Glimt, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb.24, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Sheinbaum says FIFA will visit Mexico to assess World Cup security and mobility

Carlos Rodriguez, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Sheinbaum says FIFA will visit Mexico to assess World Cup security and mobility

Carlos Rodriguez, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 1:50 PM CST

MEXICO CITY (AP) — FIFA representatives will visit Mexico soon to assess security and mobility issues for the World Cup, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday.

The country’s ability to co-host the World Cup has been under scrutiny this week following the violence that erupted after the army killed powerful drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes on Sunday.

The operation and its violent repercussions claimed the lives of 70 people. Cartel members set cars on fire to block streets in states across the country, particularly in cities in Jalisco state, among them Guadalajara which is scheduled to host four World Cup matches.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino told Sheinbaum in a phone call on Thursday that he has “full confidence” in Mexico as a World Cup host.

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Updated: 1:50 PM CST

Akron Stadium, a venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stands in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Akron Stadium, a venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stands in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Neymar scores milestone 2 for Santos and boosts case to be in Brazil World Cup squad

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Neymar scores milestone 2 for Santos and boosts case to be in Brazil World Cup squad

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 11:41 AM CST

SAO PAULO (AP) — Neymar broke into the top 10 of Santos club's all-time leading goalscorers this week after scoring twice in a 2-1 win against Vasco da Gama in the Brazilian league.

He also gathered more fans on his side in a bid to make Brazil's squad for the World Cup.

The match on Thursday was only the third of the year for 34-year-old Neymar. He suffered an ACL injury in October 2023 and went through another knee surgery in December.

Critics were impressed not only by Neymar scoring twice but also in the way he did. The first came from a crossed shot that showed more power and accuracy than he had recently displayed. The second came after a run and a gentle lob over the goalkeeper.

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Updated: 11:41 AM CST

FILE - Brazilian soccer player Neymar gives a news conference in Santos, Brazil, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File)

FILE - Brazilian soccer player Neymar gives a news conference in Santos, Brazil, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File)

Fulham winger Kevin to miss several weeks with foot injury

The Associated Press 1 minute read 11:03 AM CST

LONDON (AP) — Fulham's Brazilian winger Kevin will be sidelined for weeks because of a foot injury that likely requires surgery, manager Marco Silva said Friday.

The 23-year-old Kevin, who has three goals and three assists in 28 appearances this season, was injured in the 3-1 win over Sunderland last Sunday in the Premier League.

Silva said the forward has an injury to his fifth metatarsal and is “probably going to have surgery."

“It’s a big blow for us and for him personally,” Silva said.

Lionel Messi knocked down as fans storm the pitch during Inter Miami friendly in Puerto Rico

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Lionel Messi knocked down as fans storm the pitch during Inter Miami friendly in Puerto Rico

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 1:53 PM CST

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Soccer star Lionel Messi was knocked to the ground by a fan and a security guard at the end of Inter Miami's friendly match in Puerto Rico.

Inter Miami was playing Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle in Bayamón on Thursday when a fan ran to the center circle and grabbed Messi by the waist before both were pulled down by a security guard.

Messi appeared to be unharmed. The Argentine star immediately got up and walked to another part of the pitch.

It happened around the 88th minute of the exhibition tour match. Several fans jumped onto the pitch at Juan Ramón Loubriel stadium.

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Updated: 1:53 PM CST

A fan who got onto the field grabs Inter Miami's Lionel Messi at the end of an international friendly soccer match against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)

A fan who got onto the field grabs Inter Miami's Lionel Messi at the end of an international friendly soccer match against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)

PSG hit by injuries ahead of Champions League round of 16 face-off with Chelsea

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

PSG hit by injuries ahead of Champions League round of 16 face-off with Chelsea

The Associated Press 2 minute read 7:36 AM CST

PARIS (AP) — French league leader Paris Saint-Germain will be without injured star forward Ousmane Dembélé for Saturday's trip to Le Havre.

PSG said in a statement on Friday that the Ballon d’Or winner remains sidelined after suffering a calf injury and is training on his own. It's unclear whether Dembélé will recover in time for the title holder's clash with Chelsea next month in the Champions League round of 16.

The midfielder Senny Mayulu, who is continuing his individual training sessions, will also be missing against Le Havre.

PSG added that Fabian Ruiz will carry out an adapted individual training program over the next two weeks to relieve his knee pain. Fellow midfielder João Neves, who is hampered by a left ankle injury, will remain having treatment over the coming days.

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7:36 AM CST

PSG's Ousmane Dembele, second left, challenges for the ball with Marseille's Facundo Medina, right, and Marseille's Leonardo Balerdi during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille in Paris, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Ousmane Dembele, second left, challenges for the ball with Marseille's Facundo Medina, right, and Marseille's Leonardo Balerdi during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille in Paris, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Italian derby between Roma and Bologna drawn in Europa League round of 16. Aston Villa gets Lille

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Italian derby between Roma and Bologna drawn in Europa League round of 16. Aston Villa gets Lille

The Associated Press 2 minute read 7:00 AM CST

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — An Italian derby between Roma and Bologna was drawn Friday in the Europa League round of 16, taking another Serie A team out of contention after a tough week for its clubs.

It gets no easier for the winner of the two-leg series played March 12 and 19 because the next opponent in the quarterfinals will be Aston Villa or Lille.

Their strong half of the draw bracket also includes the round of 16 pairings Stuttgart vs. Porto and Nottingham Forest vs. Midtjylland.

Italian soccer had Inter Milan and Juventus exit the Champions League this week against lower-ranked opponents, leaving only Atalanta representing Serie A in the round of 16 which has six English clubs.

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7:00 AM CST

Roma's Evan Ndicka and Roma's Gianluca Mancini celebrates after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Roma and Cremonese in Rome, Italy, Sunday Feb. 22, 2026. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Evan Ndicka and Roma's Gianluca Mancini celebrates after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Roma and Cremonese in Rome, Italy, Sunday Feb. 22, 2026. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

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