PSG Retakes Ligue 1 Lead after Teenager Nets 1st Goal in Rout at Nice

PSG's Pedro Fernandez, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Nice and Paris Saint-Germain in Nice, France, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
PSG's Pedro Fernandez, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Nice and Paris Saint-Germain in Nice, France, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
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PSG Retakes Ligue 1 Lead after Teenager Nets 1st Goal in Rout at Nice

PSG's Pedro Fernandez, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Nice and Paris Saint-Germain in Nice, France, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
PSG's Pedro Fernandez, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Nice and Paris Saint-Germain in Nice, France, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

Dro Fernández scored his first goal for Paris Saint-Germain as it won at struggling Nice 4-0 and reclaimed top spot in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

The 18-year-old midfielder joined from Barcelona in January and grabbed his side's third goal after being neatly set up by Ousmane Dembélé in the 81st minute.

PSG moved one point above Lens, which crushed Angers 5-1 on Friday.

Defending champion PSG has played one game less and the sides meet on April 11 in Lens in what could be a title decider.

Nice competed evenly until a contentious handball decision gave PSG a penalty late in the first half. Désiré Doué's shot was off target and lightly brushed the arm of Nice midfielder Morgan Sanson, who was turning his back and unsighted.

The referee awarded a penalty following a video review and left back Nuno Mendes scored, The Associated Press reported.

Mendes then set up Doué in the 49th with a cross and, after Nice midfielder Youssouf Ndayishimiye was sent off on the hour, PSG added late goals from Fernández and right back Warren Zaïre-Emery.

Disability awareness Substitute Emersonn scored a late solo goal to give Toulouse a 1-0 home win against Lorient.

The Brazilian forward cut inside the penalty area, beat two defenders and fired in off the underside of the crossbar. The win moved Toulouse up to ninth place.

Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes needed brief treatment in stoppage time after receiving a powerful shot from Arsène Kouassi full in the face. He was able to continue.

Emersonn almost scored a second goal with another solo effort deep into added time.

Players from both sides had pictograms of different disabilities on their jerseys instead of their names as part of a disability awareness campaign aimed at providing better facilities in soccer stadiums for those with disabilities.

The game featured an accessible shuttle service; an audio description service; visual help devices, and spaces specifically designed for sensory and autistic disability. There were also introductory sessions about blind soccer and wheelchair rugby, which both featured at the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Easier with 10 players Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Léon was sent off after six minutes but it still secured a 3-0 home win over Brest. He was shown a red card for impeding Rémy Labeau-Lascary.

American-born defender Bryan Okoh scored twice with powerful headers and Cameroon forward Danny Namaso added the third midway through the second half with a fine run and shot.

Auxerre remained in 16th place — which is the promotion-relegation playoff with the side finishing third in Ligue 2 — but closed the gap on 15th-placed Nice to five points.



Magic Johnson Urges Fans to Make Los Angeles their World Cup Destination

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
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Magic Johnson Urges Fans to Make Los Angeles their World Cup Destination

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

Los Angeles sports royalty and former NBA great Earvin "Magic" Johnson on Tuesday urged fans from around the world to make Los Angeles their World Cup destination, calling the city the "sports capital of the world."

A '30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026' event at SoFi Stadium highlighted the sprawling city's desire to ensure visitors experience more than an in-and-out soccer stop, Reuters reported.

"The world game is coming to the greatest city in the world," Johnson said, beaming, at the event designed to entice travelers not only for the tournament but also for the city’s attractions and its role as a global sports hub.

Johnson, a five-time National Basketball Association champion and three-time Most Valuable Player, said this was the time to be in Los Angeles ⁠because "great events are ⁠coming to our city," including the World Cup, the NFL Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympics.

Los Angeles hosts eight World Cup matches, featuring the national teams of the United States, Paraguay, Iran, New Zealand, Switzerland, Bosnia, Belgium and Türkiye.

The expanded tournament will be played across North America, with matches in 16 host cities in Mexico, the United States and Canada. It will feature 48 national ⁠teams, up from the usual 32.

Local and visiting fans will be able to enjoy a "giant soccer carnival" across the city, said Kathryn Schloessman, President and CEO of Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and host committee CEO.

The city's commitment to affordable transportation options was also underlined, with $1.75 tickets to the stadium standing in stark contrast to some of the prices that have drawn controversy on the East Coast.

The World Cup's local impact has been debated for months. Critics have raised concerns about regional homelessness, poverty and the cost to taxpayers, warning that the most vulnerable could be hit by price increases, housing ⁠pressures linked to ⁠the event and disruption to urban services.

Los Angeles is also hosting the tournament's US opening ceremony on June 12, featuring pop star Katy Perry. The show follows an opening ceremony in Mexico City the day before and another in Toronto earlier on June 12, underscoring the tournament’s three-country footprint.

While best known for US sports powerhouses such as the Lakers, Dodgers, Rams and Chargers, Los Angeles has also attracted high-profile soccer stars late in their careers, including David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Steven Gerrard, all of whom played for the LA Galaxy.

The city's World Cup committee has taken advantage of its proximity to Hollywood's famous residents by involving Snoop Dogg, Eva Longoria, Will Ferrell and other celebrities as "community ambassadors."


Man City Boss Guardiola: VAR Decisions Like the Flip of a Coin

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford FC, in Manchester, Britain, 09 May 2026. EPA/GARY OAKLEY
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford FC, in Manchester, Britain, 09 May 2026. EPA/GARY OAKLEY
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Man City Boss Guardiola: VAR Decisions Like the Flip of a Coin

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford FC, in Manchester, Britain, 09 May 2026. EPA/GARY OAKLEY
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford FC, in Manchester, Britain, 09 May 2026. EPA/GARY OAKLEY

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola compared the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system to the flip of a coin on Tuesday and said his side must play well enough to avoid any impact from decisions that go against them.

VAR has been under renewed scrutiny this week after West Ham United’s late equalizer against Premier League leaders Arsenal was disallowed, a decision that could prove crucial in the title ⁠race.

“The only thing ⁠we can do is do it (perform) better, that is only in your control,” Reuters quoted Guardiola as telling reporters ahead of Wednesday's home game against Crystal Palace.

“We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because ⁠the referees didn’t do their jobs they should do, even the VAR. When this happens it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR.

"I never trust anything since I arrived (at City) a long time ago. I learned you have to do it better, be in a position to do it better because (if not) ⁠you ⁠blame yourself with what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin."

City trail Arsenal by five points but have played one game fewer than the London side.

“We play in this game, we go to Bournemouth and the last game in Aston Villa. The important one is tomorrow and we will see what happens to the next games," Guardiola said.


Saudi National Team Advances to AFC U-17 Asian Cup Quarterfinals as Group Winner

Saudi players celebrate (Saudi National Team)
Saudi players celebrate (Saudi National Team)
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Saudi National Team Advances to AFC U-17 Asian Cup Quarterfinals as Group Winner

Saudi players celebrate (Saudi National Team)
Saudi players celebrate (Saudi National Team)

The Saudi Arabian under-17 football team advanced to the quarterfinals of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup as the top team in Group A with seven points, following a 5-5 draw against Tajikistan in the third round of the group stage at the auxiliary stadium of King Abdullah Sports City.

The third-round matches in Groups C and D will continue Wednesday.