Category: Sports

Real Madrid’s manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, has praised Fran Garcia following his team’s 4-1 victory over Elche in LaLiga.

Garcia excelled as the left-back for Los Blancos on Saturday, March 14, contributing significantly to the team’s impressive win at the Santiago Bernabeu.

With the three points earned against Elche, Arbeloa’s team has narrowed the gap with Barcelona to just one point. The Blaugrana will aim to restore their four-point advantage at the top when they face Sevilla on Sunday, March 15.

After the match, Arbeloa expressed his admiration for Fran Garcia, recognizing him as a remarkable professional. He emphasized that the 26-year-old consistently trains diligently and supports his teammates. The Real Madrid manager stated, as reported by Madrid Xtra:

“Fran García? I must express my gratitude to him. He is an exceptional professional. It is not easy to maintain the level that Fran achieves daily, especially without regular playtime. He trains excellently and is always there for his teammates, maintaining a positive attitude. I wish I had 25 players like Fran.”

This season, Fran Garcia’s role has been reduced to that of a backup left-back following Alvaro Carreras’ transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu during the summer. He has participated in only 17 matches across all competitions this season, starting just seven times.

The attacking full-back progressed through Real Madrid’s youth system but made only one appearance before transferring to Rayo Vallecano. He established himself at Rayo, which led to Real Madrid re-signing him in 2023, and he has since made an additional 102 appearances for his childhood club.

Against Elche, Garcia recorded seven defensive contributions, one shot on target, and one assist. He completed six passes into the final third, created one chance, and executed two accurate long balls.

LaLiga: ‘I wish I had 25 players like him’ – Arbeloa hails Real Madrid star

The 2026 Finalissima match between Argentina and Spain has been called off.

This was confirmed in a statement by UEFA on Sunday.

Reports said it was called off due to the team’s inability to reach an agreement with the World Champions.

It read: “After much discussion between UEFA and the organising authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima between UEFA EURO 2024 winners Spain and CONMEBOL Copa América 2024 champions Argentina cannot be played as hoped in Qatar 27 March.

“It is a source of great disappointment to UEFA and the organisers that circumstances and timing have denied the teams of the chance to compete for this prestigious prize in Qatar – a country that has demonstrated time and again its capability of staging world-class international events in state-of-the-art facilities.

“UEFA would like to express its deep gratitude to the organising committee and relevant authorities of Qatar for the work that has been put into trying to host the game and its certainty that peace will return to the region soon.”

It added: “The first option was to stage the match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on the original date with a 50:50 split of supporters in the stadium. This would have provided a world-class setting, befitting of such a prestigious event, but Argentina refused.

“The second was to stage the Finalissima over two legs – one at the Santiago Bernabeu on 27 March and the other in Buenos Aires during an international window before UEFA EURO and Copa America 2028, again offering a supporter split of 50:50 for the match in Madrid. This option was also rejected.

“Ultimately, UEFA sought a commitment from Argentina that, if a neutral venue in Europe could be found, the game could go ahead on 27 March, as planned and announced on 18 December 2025, or on the alternative date of 30 March. This proposal was also rejected.

“Argentina made a counter suggestion to play the game after the World Cup but, as Spain has no available dates, that option had to be ruled out. Finally, and contrary to the original agreed plan that the match would take place on 27 March, Argentina declared its availability to play exclusively on 31 March, a date which proved to be unworkable.

“As a result, and to UEFA’s regret, this edition of the Finalissima has been cancelled.”

BREAKING: 2026 Finalissima: Argentina vs Spain match cancelled

Nasarawa United Chairman Solomon Babanjah has highlighted the importance of a victory in the matchday 30 clash against Remo Stars.

Babanjah believes that a win in the game against the defending champions will bolster Nasarawa United’s title and continental ambition.

The Solid Miners will lock horns with Remo Stars in Ikenne on Sunday (today).

Nasarawa United are currently third in the league table with 47 points after 29 games.

“Gentlemen, we need a strong performance tomorrow against the league’s defending champions, and I strongly believe you can achieve that,” Babanjah stated to the players in his address.

“Remo Stars are a big side, no disrespect over their current predicament, but we can leave here with a decent result.”

NPFL: Nasarawa United chairman Babanjah demands win against Remo Stars

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has identified areas his team needs to improve following their Premier League 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday.

Guardiola watched as Man City dropped two points in their Premier League title race against Arsenal after failing to beat the Hammers.

Goals from Bernardo Silva and Konstantinos Mavropanos ensured both teams shared a point each at the London Stadium.

Speaking at his post-match interview after the game, Guardiola suggested that the Cityzens need to improve in terms of ‘creativity and also in the final third’ when playing against an opponent.

“In the end, we need the creativity, and we are struggling this season,” Guardiola said.

“We had to be better in the final third. We did not do it. It happened in many games this season.”

‘It happened in many games’ – Guardiola identifies areas Man City need to improve

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will now confront Jordan and Iran in Antalya, Turkey, instead of Amman, DAILY POST reports.

The two international friendlies was moved from Amman, the capital of Jordan to Antalya due to the current situation in the Middle East and the limited movement of people.

Nigeria will face Iran in their first game on Friday, 27 March.

Jordan will do battle with Costa Rica on the same day.

The Super Eagles will confront Jordan in their second game on Tuesday, 31 March, with Iran facing Costa Rica.

Jordan, Iran, and Costa Rica will use the friendlies to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Super Eagles, Iran, Jordan friendlies moved to Turkey

The stage is set for a huge game in the battle for qualification for the UEFA Champions League as Man United welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford on Sunday evening.

The two sides are currently separated by goal difference in the Premier League table.

They both have 51 points each after 29 matches as Man United sit in third position, with Aston Villa is in fourth position.

DAILY POST reports that the reverse fixture ended 2-1 in favour of Aston Villa against Man United at Villa Park last December.

Manchester United will hope to have a revenge against Aston Villa. The visitors will also hope to record a league double against the hosts and bolster their chances in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Ahead of today’s clash, Man United lost their last Premier League fixture against Newcastle, while Aston was defeated by Chelsea.

Man United caretaker manager, Michael Carrick, will be without longer-term absentees Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Mason Mount due to injury.

Carrick could play Lisandro Martinez against Aston Villa as the Argentina international is fighting his way back to fitness and could be involved this weekend.

Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery, will be without Andres Garcia who is currently sidelined.

Lamare Bogarde has a chance of keeping his spot because Matty Cash remains a major doubt. Andres Garcia is also sidelined.

Jadon Sancho is a definite absentee as he is unavailable against his parent club.

The kick-off time for Man United vs Aston Villa is 3 pm, Nigerian time.

EPL: Man Utd seek revenge against Aston Villa in battle for Champions League spot

Paul Onuachu scored for the eighth straight game as Trabzonspor beat Caykur Rizespor 1-0 on Saturday night.

The Nigeria international netted the winning goal for the hosts in the 51st minute.

The goal was Onuachu’s 40th for the Black Sea Storm, making him the third highest scoring foreign player in the history of the club.

Only former Georgia international Shota Arveladze (85), and his compatriot Anthony Nwakaeme (51) have scored more goals than Onuachu.

The 32-year-old is currently the leading scorer in the Turkish Super Lig this season having registered 21 goals.

Trabzonspor moved levelled on points with second-placed Fenerbahce following the win.

Turkey: Onuachu makes history in Trabzonspor’s win over Rizespor

Victor Osimhen was on target as Galatasaray defeated Istanbul Başakşehir 3-0 at the RAMs Park on Saturday.

Ivory Coast international Wilfried Singo gave Galatasaray the lead in the 57th minute.

Osimhen doubled the home team’s advantage nine minutes later.

He was replaced by Mauro Icardi 15 minutes from time.

The striker has now scored 19 goals and contributed five assists in 28 appearances this season.

Substitute Renato Nhaga added the third for the hosts six minutes from time.

Turkey: Osimhen scores as Galatasaray beat Istanbul Başakşehir at home

Arsenal have now opened a 10-point gap between themselves and Manchester City, thanks to a 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.

The Gunners left it late to win at the Emirates, with two late goals to seal a crucial three points.

Mikel Arteta’s men struggled to break down the visitors, and for a long time it appeared it would end goalless.

But the match turned on its head with the introduction of 16-year-old Max Dowman.

Dowman’s cross caused panic in Everton’s box, leaving Viktor Gyokeres with the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net.

The teenager then ran the entire length of the pitch to score on the breakaway, as Arsenal hit the 70-point mark.

EPL table: Arsenal go 10pts clear at the top with Everton win

Nigeria’s D’Tigress rallied to beat Philippines, 101-84 in their third game at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament on Saturday.

The African champions, who lost 77-60 to Colombia in their second game in the competition on Thursday started the game slowly.

Philippines won the first quarter 25-21, and took a comfortable nine-point lead into half-time at 51–42.

D’Tigress took control of the game in the third quarteroutscoring the Philippines 34–21 to erase the deficit.

Rena Wakama’s side sealed the victory by dominating the final period 25–12, and pushing past the 100-point mark in emphatic fashion.

D’Tigress will face France in their next game on Sunday, before wrapping up their campaign against Germany on Monday.

2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers: D’Tigress rally to 101-84 victory over Philippines