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More Bellingham Heroics for Madrid in Champions League as Arsenal, Man United Are Stunned 

Football - Champions League - Group C - Napoli v Real Madrid - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 3, 2023 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal with Rodrygo. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Group C - Napoli v Real Madrid - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 3, 2023 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal with Rodrygo. (Reuters)
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More Bellingham Heroics for Madrid in Champions League as Arsenal, Man United Are Stunned 

Football - Champions League - Group C - Napoli v Real Madrid - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 3, 2023 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal with Rodrygo. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Group C - Napoli v Real Madrid - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 3, 2023 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their second goal with Rodrygo. (Reuters)

It was an English player's night in the Champions League, even as both of the English teams in action lost.

Jude Bellingham made the difference again for Real Madrid in a thrilling 3-2 win at Napoli on Tuesday as Manchester United and Arsenal were beaten by Galatasaray and Lens, respectively.

Nine games into his Real Madrid career and Jude Bellingham is fast becoming the team's star attraction.

The England midfielder assisted Vinicius Junior for one goal to level the score at 1-1 and then tore apart the Italian champion's defense on his own to score. Even then, it needed an own-goal from Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret — after some unfortunate deflections — to hand Madrid the win.

It was the second Champions League game in a row where Bellingham played a vital role for Madrid after scoring the winning goal against Union Berlin. The 20-year-old player has eight goals and three assists so far this season since joining Madrid from Borussia Dortmund.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti paid tribute to Bellingham, saying he found it hard to believe the midfielder was still only 20.

English Teams lose

Manchester United and Arsenal both lost to teams whose better days in European soccer were in the late 1990s and early 2000s — before Bellingham was born.

A 3-2 loss at home to Galatasaray despite two goals from Rasmus Højlund — United's sixth defeat in 10 games in all competitions — means more pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

In the space of 10 minutes, United gave up a 2-1 lead and had midfielder Casemiro sent off as Ten Hag's team fell apart late against its Turkish opponent. Galatasaray scored in the 71st, won a penalty and missed it — with Casemiro picking up a second yellow card in the process — then scored again in the 81st. The winning goal was scored by Mauro Icardi, who had missed the spot kick shortly before.

That leaves United bottom of its group and four points behind Galatasaray in second place. United has conceded seven goals in its opening two Champions League games after losing its opener 4-3 to Bayern Munich last month.

Elye Wahi scored one goal and set up another to propel Lens to a 2-1 win over Arsenal. Arsenal had the lead through Gabriel Jesus' 14th-minute goal before Wahi assisted Adrien Thomasson in the 25th and then scored himself with a chip in the 69th.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said his team "missed some big chances," but is "just warming up and getting into our rhythm" at this stage of the season.

Arsenal's victory over PSV Eindhoven last time out was a landmark — a win in its first Champions League game since the 2016-17 season — but the wait for Lens was much longer. The French team last won a Champions League game back in 2002 against AC Milan and hadn't qualified for Europe's top club competition again until this season.

Winning run

Bayern kept up its record winning run in the Champions League group stage — now at 15 games going back to 2020 — but it was a tricky feat in a 2-1 win over a determined Copenhagen team.

Bayern's Jamal Musiala leveled the score after Lukas Lerager had given the Danish team the lead, and it was 18-year-old Mathys Tel who scored the winner after combining with 34-year-old teammate Thomas Müller. The action wasn't over yet, and Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich had to dive to stop an own-goal deep into added time.

Bayern hasn't lost for 36 group-stage games going back to 2017.

Heartbreak in Berlin

Two games, two heartbreaking losses in stoppage time for Union Berlin. What an introduction to the Champions League!

The German club lost its first-ever home Champions League game 3-2 to Braga on a goal in the fourth minute of added time from André Castro, two weeks after a 1-0 loss at Madrid on an equally late goal from Jude Bellingham.

Union had been leading 2-0 on two counterattack goals from Sheraldo Becker, but let Braga back into the game with two goals after failing to clear set pieces before the late winner from 35-year-old midfielder Castro. Madrid and Napoli are the other two teams in the group, meaning Union's qualifying chances have already taken a heavy blow.

The 2-2 draw between PSV and Sevilla had more than its share of drama, with goals in the 86th, 87th and fifth minute of stoppage time as PSV twice recovered from a goal down.

Real Sociedad had a smoother time as it picked up its first Champions League win for 20 years, beating Salzburg 2-0 on first-half goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Méndez.

Marcus Thuram scored the only goal of the game for last season's Champions League runner-up Inter Milan in a 1-0 win over Benfica to move level on four points with Sociedad at the top of their group.

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Sports

Tchouameni: Real Madrid Victory for 'Everyone against Racism'

Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni (L) and Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis fight for the ball during the UEFA Champions League play-offs second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain, 25 February 2026. EPA/Sergio Perez
Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni (L) and Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis fight for the ball during the UEFA Champions League play-offs second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain, 25 February 2026. EPA/Sergio Perez
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Tchouameni: Real Madrid Victory for 'Everyone against Racism'

Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni (L) and Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis fight for the ball during the UEFA Champions League play-offs second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain, 25 February 2026. EPA/Sergio Perez
Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni (L) and Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis fight for the ball during the UEFA Champions League play-offs second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain, 25 February 2026. EPA/Sergio Perez

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said his team's 2-1 win against Benfica on Wednesday to reach the Champions League last 16 was a victory for "everyone who is against racism".

The Frenchman was referring to the first leg of the play-off tie, which Madrid won 1-0 last week, which was marred by alleged racial abuse aimed at Vinicius Junior by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni.

"We didn't play our best match of the season, that's for sure. But I think there are things more important than this match, and more important than football," Tchouameni told reporters.

Vinicius scored Madrid's second goal at the Santiago Bernabeu and Tchouameni said the result was a "victory for everyone who is against racism".

Prestianni was provisionally suspended by UEFA for the game while the incident is under investigation and Benfica had an appeal against his ban rejected earlier Wednesday.

"The dance continues," wrote Vinicius on social media afterwards, along with a photo of a big banner hung at the Bernabeu reading "no to racism".

Real Madrid said they had thrown out one of their own supporters before the game for performing a Nazi salute.

"This (club) member was identified by the club's security staff moments after appearing on the (television) broadcast and was immediately expelled from the Santiago Bernabeu stadium," AFP quoted Madrid as saying in a statement.

"Real Madrid condemns this type of gesture and expression that incites violence and hatred in sports and society."

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said he was happy when Vinicius found the net.

"(I reacted) with joy obviously, for the great goal he scored, and because it was him, he deserves it," said Arbeloa.

"Without (Kylian) Mbappe I think it's even more important and I am very happy for him."

Before the game Arbeloa said French superstar Mbappe would spend some time out as he recovers from a knee problem.

"After yesterday's session, we talked with the doctors, I spoke with him, and we felt the best thing was for him to stop, to recover 100 percent, and to come back in top shape, confident and without any discomfort for everything that's coming, which is obviously very important," Arbeloa told reporters after the match.

Asked if it was discomfort or an injury, he added: "I think we can call it an injury, but it seems, and I hope, that it's not a very serious injury, nothing major, and that he'll be able to come back in a few days or weeks."

Sports

Austin WTA Tournament Sets Up 'Rage Room' for Players to Blow Off Steam

Tennis - WTA 1000 - Dubai Championships - Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - February 20, 2026 Coco Gauff of the US reacts during her semi final match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
Tennis - WTA 1000 - Dubai Championships - Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - February 20, 2026 Coco Gauff of the US reacts during her semi final match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
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Austin WTA Tournament Sets Up 'Rage Room' for Players to Blow Off Steam

Tennis - WTA 1000 - Dubai Championships - Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - February 20, 2026 Coco Gauff of the US reacts during her semi final match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
Tennis - WTA 1000 - Dubai Championships - Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - February 20, 2026 Coco Gauff of the US reacts during her semi final match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

A WTA tournament in Texas has unveiled a "rage room" for players to take out their frustrations away from the cameras after Coco Gauff's racket-smashing outburst at the Australian Open last month sparked debate about privacy at tournaments.

Shortly after Gauff's 59-minute quarter-final loss to Elina Svitolina at Melbourne Park, the American went to the match call area and repeatedly smashed ‌her racket ‌on the ground, unaware that it ‌was ⁠being broadcast to ⁠viewers around the world.

Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek were among the players calling for more privacy off the court following the incident.

The ATX Open in Austin, Texas, has come up with a solution, Reuters reported.

"Introducing the ATX Open ⁠rage room - the first of its ‌kind - where players can ‌privately express frustration or emotion in a safe, ‌camera-free environment," the WTA 250 tournament posted ‌on its social media platforms.

The post also featured a sign with the words "don't smile" and "count to three" along with a broken racket.

While reaction online was ‌largely positive, some questioned whether the room would encourage players to vent ⁠their ⁠frustrations in a physical manner.

Dubai Tennis Championships organizers have set up a "Smash Room" truck for fans this week, with Chinese player Shang Juncheng invited to try it out in front of the cameras.

"I smashed a few items, including DVDs and big containers," he said. "It's loud and it's intense but in a good way. You get everything out of your system in there instead of taking that frustration onto the court."

Sports

Infantino Has 'Complete Confidence' in Mexico to Host World Cup Games Despite Violence

Members of the Civil Guard of Michoacan patrol a highway supported by armored vehicles after a wave of violence in the town of Aguililla, in Tierra Caliente, Mexico, on February 24, 2026. (Photo by Enrique Castro / AFP)
Members of the Civil Guard of Michoacan patrol a highway supported by armored vehicles after a wave of violence in the town of Aguililla, in Tierra Caliente, Mexico, on February 24, 2026. (Photo by Enrique Castro / AFP)
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Infantino Has 'Complete Confidence' in Mexico to Host World Cup Games Despite Violence

Members of the Civil Guard of Michoacan patrol a highway supported by armored vehicles after a wave of violence in the town of Aguililla, in Tierra Caliente, Mexico, on February 24, 2026. (Photo by Enrique Castro / AFP)
Members of the Civil Guard of Michoacan patrol a highway supported by armored vehicles after a wave of violence in the town of Aguililla, in Tierra Caliente, Mexico, on February 24, 2026. (Photo by Enrique Castro / AFP)

The violence that erupted in Mexico after the death of a powerful drug lord has left many questioning whether the country will be able to co-host the World Cup in just over three months.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino thinks it can.

“Of course, we are monitoring the situation in Mexico these days, but I want to say from the outset that we have complete confidence in Mexico, in its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will go as smoothly as possible,” Infantino said late Tuesday in a press conference in Colombia.

“Mexico is a great country, like in every country in the world, things happen; we don’t live on the moon or another planet,” Infantino added. “That’s why we have governments, police, and authorities who will ensure order and security.”

 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the inauguration of the Colombian Football Federation's hotel, where he spoke about his support for Mexico for the World Cup, in Barranquilla, Colombia, February 24, 2026. REUTERS/Jairo Cassiani

The Mexican army killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” who led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, on Sunday, sparking several days of violence. Cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states and authorities report that at least 70 people have died.

Four high-level soccer matches from the local leagues were postponed last Sunday, including one in the central city of Queretaro, where Mexico defeated Iceland 4-0 late Wednesday in a friendly match.

Before the match, a minute of silence was held in the Corregidora stadium in honor of the soldiers who died during the operation to capture Oseguera.

Thirteen World Cup matches are scheduled to be held in Mexico, including the opening game in Mexico City on June 11 between the co-host and South Africa. Guadalajara, the central hub for the Jalisco cartel, is scheduled to host four.

Colombia is set to play one game in Mexico City and one in Guadalajara.

“Our first two matches are in Mexico, but we know they will overcome this and move forward,” said Ramón Jesurún, the president of the Colombian Soccer Federation. “I have absolute and total confidence in my geopolitical thinking that this is an issue Mexico will overcome, and overcome very quickly.”

Other nations have expressed more concern. The Portuguese soccer federation said Tuesday that it was closely monitoring developments ahead of a planned friendly against Mexico in March. Jamaica is set to play New Caledonia in Guadalajara on March 26 in an intercontinental playoff semifinal, with the winner advancing to face Congo for a World Cup spot.

“The games are at the end of March, so we still have another month to see what happens; but it is making me very nervous, to be honest,” said Michael Ricketts, the president of the Jamaican Soccer Federation. "We will be listening out for CONCACAF and FIFA to give us instructions (on) whether they are playing the games or whether they are immediately looking for other options.”

Another Mexican city, Monterrey, will host a playoff where Bolivia plays Suriname and the winner faces Iraq for a spot in the tournament.

On Monday, Sheinbaum said there is “every guarantee” that the World Cup matches in Guadalajara will be played as planned and added that there was “no risk.”

“We are in regular contact with the presidency and the authorities in Mexico and we are monitoring the situation,” Infantino said. “The World Cup is going to be an incredible celebration."