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Zambia's Barbra Banda scores the 1000th goal in Women's World Cup history 

Goal scorer Zambia's Racheal Kundananji carries teammate Barbra Banda as Mary Wilombe, right, runs in as they celebrate their third goal during the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Costa Rica and Zambia in Hamilton, New Zealand, Monday, July 31, 2023. (AP)
Goal scorer Zambia's Racheal Kundananji carries teammate Barbra Banda as Mary Wilombe, right, runs in as they celebrate their third goal during the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Costa Rica and Zambia in Hamilton, New Zealand, Monday, July 31, 2023. (AP)
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Zambia's Barbra Banda scores the 1000th goal in Women's World Cup history 

Goal scorer Zambia's Racheal Kundananji carries teammate Barbra Banda as Mary Wilombe, right, runs in as they celebrate their third goal during the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Costa Rica and Zambia in Hamilton, New Zealand, Monday, July 31, 2023. (AP)
Goal scorer Zambia's Racheal Kundananji carries teammate Barbra Banda as Mary Wilombe, right, runs in as they celebrate their third goal during the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Costa Rica and Zambia in Hamilton, New Zealand, Monday, July 31, 2023. (AP)

Barbra Banda scored the 1,000th goal in Women’s World Cup history with a penalty kick in the 31st minute of Zambia's 3-1 win over Costa Rica on Monday.

The 23-year-old Zambia captain used a clever stutter in her run up to make goalkeeper Daniela Solera jump before sending her penalty to the left with ease. Soon after, FIFA posted its congratulations to Banda on social media.

“I was confident, but at the same time I was nervous,” Banda said of the penalty. “I just had to have courage because I was carrying thousands of people back home so it was an honor for me.”

The referee awarded the penalty after Banda appeared to be taken down in the six-yard box by an out-stretched Katherine Alvarado. Costa Rican players argued the call unsuccessfully.

This tournament has been the Women’s World Cup debut for Zambia, and the goal was its second ever, giving the Copper Queens a 2-0 lead.

Lushomo Mweemba scored the fastest goal of the tournament, the first in Zambia's history, after just 2 minutes and 11 seconds off Avell Chitundu’s corner kick. Mweemba lofted a volley into the roof of the net over goalkeeper Daniela Solera.

FIFA has held a Women's World Cup every four years since 1991.

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Defending Champion Sabalenka and Gauff Meet for Miami Open Title

Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
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Defending Champion Sabalenka and Gauff Meet for Miami Open Title

Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are back on a big stage in the final of the Miami Open as their growing rivalry heats up.

Gauff, the South Floridian who beat Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open finals, will meet the top-seeded Belarusian at Hard Rock Stadium at 3 p.m. EDT.

This WTA 1000 final will mark their 13th meeting, with the series knotted at 6-6. They faced off three times in finals in 2025. Sabalenka won the last meeting in the group stage of the WTA Finals in November.

“We’ve played so many matches, and it’s physical when I play her every time," Gauff said. “She’s playing great tennis. She’s definitely world No. 1 for a reason and it’s going to be a great challenge."

Gauff is making her first Miami Open final appearance. The Delray Beach, Florida product had never made it past the fourth round in her hometown tournament.

“She’s a fighter,’’ The Associated Press quoted Sabalenka as saying. “She’s a great player. We played a lot of tight matches, a lot of big finals. She is an incredible player. I’m really excited to face her in the final. I think it’s going to be a great battle. I cannot wait to play that."

Sabalenka is attempting to win the “Sunshine Double” — the back-to-back March hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.

Sabalenka won in California on March 15 with a three-set victory over Elena Rybakina. Gauff had to retire during her third-round match against Alexandra Eala in Indian Wells because of a nerve injury in her left forearm. Gauff said her team wanted to skip the Miami Open but she insisted.

"With Coco, you know that you have to play an extra ball, and the ball always comes back, sometimes not perfect, but it’s always back on your side," Sabalenka said. “She pushes you into the long rallies and I think that’s what makes her difficult.”

Sabalenka’s new residence is Miami and she has a strong Brazilian following because of her Brazilian fiance, Georgios Frangules.

“I’m super curious how the stadium is going to be on Saturday,’’ Sabalenka said. “It couldn’t be a better final. I feel happy for her that she’s finding her tennis back."

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Barcelona's Raphinha to Miss Champions League Quarters Due to Injury

Brazil's Raphinha takes a shot during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Brazil's Raphinha takes a shot during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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Barcelona's Raphinha to Miss Champions League Quarters Due to Injury

Brazil's Raphinha takes a shot during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Brazil's Raphinha takes a shot during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Barcelona attacker Raphinha will miss their Champions League quarter-final tie with Atletico Madrid early next month after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Brazil, the LaLiga side said.

The 29-year-old, who has scored 19 goals in all competitions ⁠for Barcelona this ⁠season, picked up the injury on Thursday in Brazil's 2-1 defeat by France in Foxborough.

"The player is returning to ⁠Barcelona to begin the appropriate treatment. The estimated recovery time is five weeks," Reuters quoted Barcelona as saying in a statement on Friday.

Barcelona, who are four points clear of Real Madrid in LaLiga, host Atletico in the first leg ⁠of ⁠their Champions League quarter-final on April 8 with the return in Madrid on April 14.

Raphinha scored twice in Barcelona's thumping 7-2 victory over Newcastle United in the round of 16 earlier this month.

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Sinner on Doorstep of 'Sunshine Double' after Beating Zverev in Miami

Mar 27, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a backhand against Alexander Zverev of Germany in the semi-finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 27, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a backhand against Alexander Zverev of Germany in the semi-finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
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Sinner on Doorstep of 'Sunshine Double' after Beating Zverev in Miami

Mar 27, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a backhand against Alexander Zverev of Germany in the semi-finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 27, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a backhand against Alexander Zverev of Germany in the semi-finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(4) on Friday to reach the Miami Open final, where the Italian will be a heavy favorite to complete the 'Sunshine Double' following his triumph in Indian Wells earlier this month.

World number two Sinner, who will play Czech Jiri Lehecka in Sunday's final, roared "Let's go!" after the German failed to put his powerful serve back in play on match point.

"It has been an incredible swing," said four-times Grand Slam champion Sinner, who picked up his 16th consecutive Masters 1000 match ⁠victory.

"I've been trying ⁠to play as many matches as possible and I couldn't do any better. Today was a very tough encounter, he played some incredible tennis, but I was serving very well, especially in the end and in the crucial moments."

Sinner is now one win away from becoming ⁠the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the 'Sunshine Double' by winning at Indian Wells in the California desert and the Miami Open in South Florida in the same season.

It could be a double Sunshine Double this year as world number one and Indian Wells champion Aryna Sabalenka will play Coco Gauff for the women's title on Saturday.

Earlier, Lehecka, 24,dismantled Arthur Fils 6-2 6-2 in just 75 minutes to reach his first Masters 1000 ⁠final.

Lehecka broke ⁠the 21-year-old Frenchman early and never relinquishing his grip on the match.

Fils briefly threatened a revival at the start of the second set but he struggled with consistency and committed a total of 21 unforced errors to Lehecka's 14, with three double faults.

"I'm very excited that I'm in a final, definitely one of my goals, but at the same time it's just a sport, there are more important things going on in the world right now. I'm just trying to do what I do best," Lehecka said.