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Messi Quickly Scores in Return to Lineup, Inter Miami Tops Philadelphia Union 2-1

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer match between Inter Miami FC and Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)
Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer match between Inter Miami FC and Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)
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Messi Quickly Scores in Return to Lineup, Inter Miami Tops Philadelphia Union 2-1

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer match between Inter Miami FC and Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)
Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer match between Inter Miami FC and Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)

Lionel Messi made an immediate impact for Inter Miami against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night, with what became the winning goal in a 2-1 victory that lifted the Herons into first place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.
Messi returned to the lineup and scored less than two minutes after subbing into the match early in the second half. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took a pass from Luis Suarez on the right side of the penalty box, made a quick move and sent a right-footed shot past two defenders into the net for a 2-0 Inter Miami lead, The Associated Press reported.
It was Messi's second goal in three Major League Soccer matches this season. He did not start the match, but was cleared to play earlier in the week after missing some time — including two World Cup qualifiers for Argentina — with an adductor injury.
Daniel Gazdag got the goal for Philadelphia (4-2-0) in the 80th minute, but Inter Miami held on from there.
Messi also was dealing with an issue with his left thigh along with the adductor injury, which happened two weeks ago in an Inter Miami game against Atlanta. But the team did not play during that two-week stretch, so the only matches Messi missed were the World Cup qualifiers — when Argentina, which Messi captained to the 2022 title, qualified for the 2026 tournament.
Messi came on Saturday in the 55th minute, and the goal came in the 57th. He's had at least one point in all three MLS matches in which he has appeared this season for Inter Miami, which is 4-0-1 in MLS play and 8-0-1 overall this season when adding in four victories in CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.
Inter Miami jumped in front in the 23rd minute and took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a goal by Robert Taylor. Benjamin Cremaschi and Jordi Alba had the assists.
Messi came on for Taylor, and quickly stretched the lead to 2-0 with Suarez and Fafa Picault getting the assists.
The Union return home to play Orlando City next Saturday. Inter Miami — which continues CONCACAF Champions League play Wednesday at LAFC — will return to MLS play next Sunday, hosting Toronto FC.

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Tottenham Winger Odobert Sidelined with ACL Tear

10 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: Tottenham Hotspur's Wilson Odobert receives medical treatment during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire/dpa
10 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: Tottenham Hotspur's Wilson Odobert receives medical treatment during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire/dpa
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Tottenham Winger Odobert Sidelined with ACL Tear

10 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: Tottenham Hotspur's Wilson Odobert receives medical treatment during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire/dpa
10 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: Tottenham Hotspur's Wilson Odobert receives medical treatment during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire/dpa

Tottenham Hotspur's French winger Wilson Odobert has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear, the Premier League club said on Thursday, after the 21-year-old was forced off during Tuesday's 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle United.

Spurs, who sacked manager Thomas Frank on Wednesday amid an ⁠eight-game run without ⁠a league win, said Odobert will have surgery. British media reported that he could miss the rest of the season.

"We can confirm that ⁠Wilson Odobert has sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee," Reuters quoted Tottenham as saying in a statement.

Spurs, who are only five points above the relegation zone, have faced several injury setbacks this season.

Their long list of absentees include forward ⁠Richarlison, ⁠three defenders and several midfielders including James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall.

Captain Cristian Romero criticized the club's thin squad in an Instagram post earlier this month.

Spurs, who are languishing in 16th place, next host league leaders Arsenal on February 22.

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Thomas Tuchel Extends Contract as England Coach Until Euro 2028

Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble
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Thomas Tuchel Extends Contract as England Coach Until Euro 2028

Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble

Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract that will see him remain head coach of the England national football team through to the end of Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland, the Football Association announced on Thursday.

Tuchel was confirmed as the successor to Gareth Southgate in October 2024 and has overseen an unbeaten qualification run to this year's World Cup in North America, with England winning all eight group games under their German boss.

"I am very happy and proud to extend my time with England," said the 52-year-old former Chelsea boss, whose previous deal with the national side ran only until the end of the 2026 World Cup.

"It is no secret to anyone that I have loved every minute so far of working with my players and coaches, and I cannot wait to lead them to the World Cup.

"It is an incredible opportunity and we are going to do our very best to make the country proud."

According to AFP, the FA said the new agreement with Tuchel would provide "clarity and full focus" on the World Cup.

Tuchel had been previously touted as a possible permanent successor to sacked former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, even though the English giants have experienced an upturn in form under caretaker boss Michael Carrick.

But in signing a new England contract, Tuchel appears to have ruled himself out of a post-World Cup move to Old Trafford.

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Ukraine Skeleton Racer Disqualified from Olympics over Memorial Helmet

(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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Ukraine Skeleton Racer Disqualified from Olympics over Memorial Helmet

(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics on Thursday after refusing to back down over his banned helmet, which depicts victims of his country's war with Russia.

The International Olympic Committee said he had been kicked out of the Milan-Cortina Games "after refusing to adhere to the IOC athlete expression guidelines".

Heraskevych, 27, had insisted he would continue to wear the helmet, which carries pictures of Ukrainian sportsmen and women killed since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022, during the men's skeleton heats on Thursday.

After the decision, a defiant Heraskevych posted on X "this is price of our dignity", alongside a picture of his headwear, AFP reported.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky had defended the athlete's right to wear the helmet but he knew he was taking a risk as gestures of a political nature during competition are forbidden under the Olympic charter.

The IOC said in statement on Thursday that the skeleton racer's accreditation for the Games had been withdrawn.

"Having been given one final opportunity, skeleton pilot Vladylsav Heraskevych from Ukraine will not be able to start his race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games this morning," the IOC statement said.

"The decision followed his refusal to comply with the IOC's Guidelines on Athlete Expression. It was taken by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) based on the fact that the helmet he intended to wear was not compliant with the rules."

Athletes are permitted to express their views in press conferences and on social media, and on Tuesday the IOC said it would "make an exception" for Heraskevych, allowing him to wear a plain black armband during competition.

"Mr. Heraskevych was able to display his helmet in all training runs," the IOC said.

"The IOC also offered him the option of displaying it immediately after the competition when going through the mixed zone."

Olympic chiefs said that IOC president Kirsty Coventry had spoken with Heraskevych on Thursday morning in a vain bid to make him change his mind.