Sports
Barcelona stare at Copa elimination as Atletico hold 4-goal edge
Barcelona walk into Tuesday semifinal second leg against Atletico Madrid carrying the weight of a 4-0 first-leg humiliation, knowing that anything short of an extraordinary performance at Camp Nou will end their Copa del Rey campaign.
The defeat in Madrid was not merely a loss but a tactical and physical dismantling, as Diego Simeone’s side imposed their tempo, dominated key duels and exposed gaps that Hansi Flick’s men could neither close nor compensate for.
An early own goal by Eric Garcia tilted the tie in Atletico’s favor, and from there the visitors played with ruthless clarity.
Antoine Griezmann added to the tally, Ademola Lookman struck with power and Julian Alvarez capped a devastating first half that left Barcelona reeling before the interval.
For a club accustomed to controlling ties rather than chasing them, the scale of the deficit presents both a psychological and structural test, because overturning four goals against one of Europe’s most disciplined defensive units requires patience, precision and relentless attacking conviction without sacrificing balance at the back.
There are, however, strands of optimism woven into Barcelona’s season that prevent this contest from feeling entirely lost.
Flick’s side sit top of La Liga and arrive on the back of a convincing 4-1 win over Villarreal, a match illuminated by Lamine Yamal’s first senior hat trick, which underlined the teenager’s growing influence and willingness to shoulder responsibility on the biggest stages.
The return of Pedri, Raphinha and Marcus Rashford after missing the first leg restores creativity between the lines and pace in wide areas, giving Barcelona the technical tools that were absent in Madrid.
Even so, the injury list continues to shape the narrative.
Eric Garcia is suspended following his red card, Robert Lewandowski is sidelined with a fractured eye socket, Andreas Christensen remains out with a cruciate ligament injury and Frenkie de Jong is unavailable due to a thigh problem, while Gavi, although back in training, is unlikely to be risked from the start.
Ferran Torres is therefore expected to lead the line, tasked not only with scoring but also with initiating the aggressive press that could unsettle Atletico’s buildup.
Atletico, for their part, travel to Catalonia in a position of authority built on structure, discipline and experience.
Simeone’s blueprint rarely wavers in high-stakes knockout ties, and with a four-goal cushion, his team are expected to defend in compact lines, restrict central spaces and wait for moments to counter through Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth, with Lookman offering thrust from deeper positions.
Koke and Marcos Llorente will provide balance and control in midfield, while Nahuel Molina anchors a back line that understands the value of concentration over spectacle.
Their recent form supports their confidence, with three wins in their last five matches, including a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Real Oviedo in which Alvarez struck late, reinforcing the sense that Atletico have added efficiency in front of goal to their traditional defensive resilience.
Even with Johnny Cardoso ruled out through injury and Pablo Barrios still sidelined, the visitors possess both the personnel and the temperament to manage momentum swings in hostile environments.
Recent meetings between these sides have produced decisive outcomes rather than stalemates, and that pattern suggests Tuesday’s contest will again lean toward drama rather than caution, particularly if Barcelona find an early breakthrough that forces Atletico to adjust their shape.
Lionel Messi scored twice, Telasco Segovia netted the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute and added two assists, and Inter Miami rallied for a 4-2 victory over Orlando City on Sunday night.
Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the Herons responded with four unanswered goals in the second half. Mateo Silvetti sparked the comeback with a goal and an assist as Miami erased the deficit. The victory moved Inter Miami to 1-1-0 for three points, a strong response after a 3-0 season-opening loss to Los Angeles FC.
Messi began the rally with a goal in the 57th minute and added another in the 90th, giving him eight goals in five career meetings with Orlando City in all competitions.
Marco Pasalic and Martin Ojeda scored for Orlando City, which fell to 0-2-0 after losing control in the second half.
Orlando failed to clear its defensive third on the decisive sequence. Miami’s Germán Berterame gained possession to start the play. Segovia eventually received the ball and fired a right-footed shot into the net in the 85th minute.
Three minutes later, Orlando City’s Colin Guske was shown a second yellow card for pulling down Messi. The automatic red card reduced the Lions to 10 men for the remainder of the match, which included 10 minutes of stoppage time.
Messi converted a free kick in the 90th minute, curling a left-footed shot past the wall and inside the left post to extend Miami’s lead to two goals.
Dayne St. Clair made three saves for Miami, which outshot Orlando City 16-12 and put eight shots on target to the Lions’ five. Maxime Crepeau finished with four saves for Orlando.
Orlando City won both regular-season meetings last season, 4-0 and 3-1.
Silvetti cut the deficit in the 49th minute, striking a right-footed shot from outside the box into the left corner. Messi equalized eight minutes later, placing a left-footed shot inside the right post.
Ojeda nearly restored Orlando City’s lead in the 70th minute, but St. Clair made a kick save on his close-range attempt.
Orlando opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Ivan Angulo set up Pasalic, whose left-footed shot deflected off St. Clair and into the net. Six minutes later, the Lions doubled the lead as Ojeda completed a give-and-go with Griffin Dorsey and sent a right-footed shot into the right corner.
Crepeau made three saves in the first half, including one on Messi in the 28th minute. Messi also sent a late first-half free kick wide left.
The 2026 Finalissima, set to feature a high-stakes showdown between UEFA Euro 2024 champions Spain and Copa America 2024 winners Argentina, now hangs in uncertainty after the Qatar Football Association (QFA) announced an indefinite suspension of all football activities.
Scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha, the match promised a collision of generations, with Barcelona teen Lamine Yamal representing Spain and Inter Miami legend Lionel Messi leading Argentina.
But escalating regional tensions, sparked by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Arabian Peninsula, have upended the sporting calendar.
The Finalissima, a modern revival of the Artemio Franchi Cup, pits the reigning champions of Europe and South America against each other.
Argentina captured the first post-revival edition in 2022, defeating Italy 3-0 at Wembley, giving Messi his inaugural trophy in the competition.
Spain secured its spot after edging England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final, while Argentina defended its Copa America crown with a 1-0 extra-time win over Colombia.
UEFA and CONMEBOL confirmed the Lusail Stadium as the venue in December 2025, part of a broader “Qatar Football Festival” running March 26-31, which included exhibition matches like Qatar vs. Serbia.
Ticket demand reflected global anticipation.
Over 80,000 seats sold out within hours, underscoring the allure of a Messi vs. Yamal matchup.
Lusail Stadium, which hosted the 2022 World Cup final, was set to provide a neutral yet symbolically charged stage.
Kick-off was scheduled for 9:00 p.m. local time (7:00 p.m. CET, 3:00 p.m. Argentina time), with millions expected to watch across broadcast and streaming platforms.
The QFA announcement on March 1 suspended all tournaments, competitions, and matches until further notice, citing no specific reason but coinciding with a spike in regional insecurity.
Bahrain followed suit, and the Asian Football Confederation postponed multiple Champions League fixtures in the Gulf, including the round of 16 and quarterfinal stages.
The geopolitical crisis fueling these disruptions erupted on Feb. 28, when U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian military sites, nuclear facilities, and leadership compounds, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and over 40 senior officials.
Iran retaliated on March 1 with a barrage of missiles and drones hitting U.S. and allied targets across the Gulf, including Qatar.
Doha reported explosions and industrial fires, while regional strikes caused at least four deaths and more than 100 injuries, damaging ports, airports, and civilian infrastructure in the UAE and beyond.
The conflict has widened, with clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and incidents like U.S. warplanes downed in Kuwait.
Gulf nations have heightened defenses, intercepted hundreds of projectiles, and lodged diplomatic protests.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE condemned Iran’s strikes, highlighting the growing insecurity that now shadows international sporting events.
For the Finalissima, the ultimate decision rests with UEFA, CONMEBOL, and FIFA.
While no official postponement has been declared, sources indicate FIFA is closely monitoring safety conditions, weighing potential rescheduling or relocation.
Spanish outlet AS described the match as “up in the air,” while Argentine journalist Gaston Edul noted FIFA’s cautious stance.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed “no news of a potential suspension,” though the rapidly shifting situation could force last-minute changes.
Former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, along with his family and team, found themselves stranded in Dubai on Sunday, just a day after claiming his 23rd ATP title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Tallon Griekspoor, who withdrew from the final due to injury, and Andrey Rublev were also stuck in the city after airspace closures followed U.S. airstrikes on Iran on Saturday.
Medvedev, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, told Bolshe Tennis he has no idea when he will be able to leave the United Arab Emirates.
He and the other players are scheduled to compete at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, where main-draw matches begin Wednesday.
“The situation is unusual, but basically, the only thing is that the airspace is closed, naturally,” Medvedev told Bolshe Tennis in Russian, according to tennisuptodate.com. “So, no one knows when we’ll be able to fly out. It’s not clear whether this will last long or not.
“We’re just waiting to see what happens in the coming hours or days. They keep gradually pushing back the airport reopening time.”
Medvedev said he is coping well under the circumstances and has been able to remain calm.
“As strange as that sounds, on the court, I’m very emotional, but in real life, it might actually help me to be more emotional at times – so, for me, everything is normal,” Medvedev said. “Naturally, I’ve received a lot of messages from friends and family, and everyone is worried, but I can say for my part that everything is fine.”
Medvedev is slated to participate in the Eisenhower Cup mixed doubles exhibition at Indian Wells on Tuesday. His doubles partner is young Russian WTA star Mirra Andreeva.
Rublev, 28, is also slated to be part of the Eisenhower Cup. The Russian’s doubles partner is American star Amanda Anisimova.
Medvedev, 30, also won the Dubai title in 2023. He was ranked 11th in the world entering the event.
Griekspoor, a Dutchman ranked 25th, injured his left hamstring during his semifinal victory over Rublev, the 18th-ranked player.
The other singles semifinalist, Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, left on one of the final flights to leave the city on Saturday, according to the Montreal Gazette.
His agent, Olivier van Lindonk, told the newspaper Auger-Aliassime made it to Indian Wells and was slated to practice on Sunday.
Auger-Aliassime lost to Medvedev in the semis. He’s ranked No. 8 in the world.
Doubles players Harri Heliovaara (Finland), Mate Pavic (Croatia), Henry Patten (Great Britain) and Marcelo Arevalo (El Salvador) are also reportedly stranded. Heliovaara and Patten defeated Pavic and Arevalo in the Dubai doubles final.
In addition, various coaches and officials, as well as tennis journalists, also remain in Dubai.
Neymar Jr., the mercurial Brazilian forward whose career has been a mix of brilliance, setbacks, and controversy, reminded the football world of his enduring talent with a two-goal performance in Santos’ 2-1 win over Vasco da Gama on Thursday.
The display not only rescued vital points for his boyhood club but also reignited debate over his potential inclusion in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
At 34, Neymar’s path back to form has been interrupted by injuries, including knee surgery late last year and a long absence from the national team.
Yet, against Vasco at the Urbano Caldeira Stadium, he demonstrated that flair and instinct remain intact.
Breaking the drought
This was Neymar’s third appearance of the season and only his second full 90 minutes.
Critics had questioned whether the winger could still influence matches after going nearly two months without a goal, his last coming in December 2025.
Neymar silenced the doubters emphatically. His first goal came in the 35th minute, a clinical finish inside the box from a Joao Schmidt through ball.
The second, in the 68th minute, was pure Neymar: he nutmegged a defender on the left flank and curled a 20-yard shot into the top corner.
Vasco’s Dimitri Payet pulled one back late, but Santos held on, climbing to mid-table early in the Serie A season.
Post-match, Neymar addressed critics with characteristic candor. “Last week they said I was the worst player in the world. Today I scored two goals, and that’s what matters,” he told SporTV. “One day you’re no good or you’re ‘retired’; the next, people say you have to go to the World Cup.” He acknowledged lingering fatigue but emphasized progress: “This was my third game of the year and only my second full 90 minutes. I felt some cramping at the end, but that’s part of the process.”
Return to Santos
Neymar’s journey back to Santos, where he began as a 17-year-old in 2009, was seen as a chance to revive his career after a troubled stint at Al-Hilal from 2023 to 2025, where injuries limited him to just three appearances.
He played a decisive role in helping Santos avoid relegation in the 2025 season, scoring five goals in the final five games.
A contract extension in January 2026 signaled his commitment, but fitness remained a challenge.
A meniscus operation in December 2025 in Doha, intended to correct lingering knee pain from an ACL tear in 2023, delayed his full return.
Since leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar has battled a cascade of injuries that sidelined him from the national team for over two years, his last cap coming in October 2023.
World Cup aspirations at stake
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 caps, Neymar’s legacy is secure, yet a World Cup trophy has eluded him.
With the 2026 tournament approaching in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., he faces a race against time to regain full fitness.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has emphasized that only fully fit players will make the squad, leaving Neymar on the fringe despite his experience.
After his brace against Vasco, Neymar remained measured about his World Cup chances.
Speaking to Caze, he said, “I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year. It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now.” He acknowledged the year ahead as pivotal: “This year is very important, not only for Santos, but also for the Brazilian national team, as it’s a World Cup year, and for me too.”
Career defined by brilliance and resilience
Hints of retirement at 34, Neymar is placed alongside stars like Messi and Ronaldo, navigating football’s twilight years.
From his debut at 17, scoring 107 goals in 225 games for Santos, to record-breaking transfers and multiple league titles, his career has been remarkable.
Internationally, he led Brazil to the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2016 Olympic gold, though World Cup glory has eluded him.
Turkish motorcycling is set for a historic leap as three-time World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu prepares to make his long-awaited MotoGP debut in Thailand, becoming the first rider from his country to compete in the sport’s premier class.
The 29-year-old, born in Alanya on Oct. 16, 1996, begins his first season in MotoGP this weekend at the Thailand Grand Prix at Chang International Circuit in Buriram. For Razgatlıoğlu, the moment is both personal and national.
“It’s exciting to be the first Turkish rider in MotoGP,” he said ahead of the season opener. “Everything is different compared to Superbike. My focus now is to adapt. After four or five races, I believe we’ll be in a better place.”
Toprak to the world
Razgatlıoğlu’s journey began at age 7 under the guidance of his father, Arif Razgatlıoğlu, known in Türkiye as “Tek Teker Arif.”
By 16, Toprak had broken the Istanbul Park lap record and claimed the Turkish championship. In 2015, he won the European Superstock 600 title, signaling the arrival of a rare talent.
His career accelerated under the mentorship of five-time Supersport world champion Kenan Sofuoğlu, who took him under his wing as a teenager and guided his rise through the ranks.
Superbike legacy
Razgatlıoğlu leaves Superbike World Championship as one of its modern greats. He captured world titles in 2021, 2024 and 2025, becoming the first Turkish rider to win the championship and ending Jonathan Rea’s six-year reign with his breakthrough crown for Yamaha.
Across eight seasons, he made 258 starts, stood on the podium 173 times and played the Turkish national anthem 78 times from the top step. In 2024, he set a championship record with 13 consecutive victories.
He delivered Yamaha’s long-awaited title in 2021, then gave BMW its first Superbike crown in 2024 and a second riders’ championship in 2025. Few riders have reshaped two manufacturers’ histories the way he has.
Now he steps into the unknown.
MotoGP challenge
Razgatlıoğlu will race the Yamaha YZR-M1 for Prima Pramac Racing in 2026, carrying the number 07 in tribute to his hometown Antalya’s license plate code. The technical leap from production-based Superbikes to carbon-braked, prototype MotoGP machines demands a new riding style and a reset in expectations.
“The bikes are completely different,” he said. “We are working to adapt my style. The first goal is to feel comfortable on the bike. Fighting at the front will take time.”
He has circled 2027 as a key target year, when sweeping regulation changes are set to reshape the grid. If 2026 is about learning, 2027 is about striking.
“If we truly understand everything in the first year, 2027 can be very different for us,” he said.
Understanding the arena
Founded in 1949 by the FIM, MotoGP represents the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, featuring purpose-built 1000cc prototypes that are not road legal and unavailable to the public. The championship adopted the MotoGP name in 2002, replacing the old 500cc premier class.
Italian legend Giacomo Agostini remains the most decorated rider in Grand Prix history with 15 world titles across classes, including eight in the premier category. Modern icon Valentino Rossi claimed nine world championships and 115 race wins, while Marc Márquez has dominated the 1000cc era with seven MotoGP crowns.
Razgatlıoğlu enters a paddock stacked with established champions and factory-backed stars. The Thailand Grand Prix opens with practice on Friday, followed by qualifying and a sprint race Saturday, before Sunday’s 26-lap main event.
Beyond results, Razgatlıoğlu sees his move as a catalyst for Turkish motorsport.
“Motor racing is not widely known in our country,” he said. “As we succeed, more young riders will come. We need more athletes so we can represent Türkiye better.”
Süper Lig leaders Galatasaray will face Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, setting up a heavyweight clash between two clubs who know each other well and have little left to hide.
The draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon on Friday paired the Turkish champions with the Premier League frontrunners, with Galatasaray hosting the first leg in Istanbul before traveling to Anfield for the return.
It is a tie layered with history, recent tension and genuine belief on both sides.
Galatasaray did it the hard way. After finishing 20th in the new 36-team league phase, Okan Buruk’s side were forced into the knockout playoffs.
There, they survived a wild 7-5 aggregate battle against Juventus.
A commanding 5-2 win in Istanbul was nearly erased in Turin, where Juventus forced extra time. Galatasaray struck twice more to seal progression, underlining both their firepower and their nerve.
Liverpool, under Arne Slot, were more measured. They finished inside the top eight of the league phase to earn a seeded berth.
Built on defensive control and ruthless efficiency, they have looked every bit a contender for a seventh European crown.
The round of 16 also delivered other headline ties: Real Madrid against Manchester City, PSG versus Chelsea, Newcastle United facing Barcelona, Atletico Madrid meeting Tottenham Hotspur, Atalanta drawing Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen up against Arsenal, and Bodø/Glimt paired with Sporting CP. No same nation clashes. No easy routes.
There is fresh history between Galatasaray and Liverpool.
In the league phase earlier this season, Galatasaray stunned the English side 1-0 at Rams Park.
Victor Osimhen finished a swift counterattack to secure the win, while the hosts absorbed pressure with discipline. Liverpool dominated territory but struggled to break down a compact back line marshaled by Abdulkerim Bardakcı and Davinson Sanchez.
It was one of the few nights this season when the Premier League leaders left frustrated.
That result will fuel belief in Istanbul and sharpen focus on Merseyside.
Osimhen remains Galatasaray’s focal point, thriving with his pace and direct running.
Mauro Icardi offers poise in the box, while Dries Mertens and Kerem Demirbay supply craft between the lines.
At the back, Fernando Muslera still commands his area with authority, his experience on European nights impossible to quantify.
Liverpool counter with Mohamed Salah’s relentless production, Virgil van Dijk’s authority and the balance brought by Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. Slot’s 4-3-3 presses high and moves quickly, yet the loss in Istanbul exposed that even this Liverpool side can be unsettled by intensity and speed in transition.
Both teams arrive in form. Galatasaray sit top of the Süper Lig, locked in a tight race and unbeaten in their last 10 domestic matches. Liverpool lead the Premier League and carry a long unbeaten run of their own across competitions.
The first leg in Istanbul promises noise, heat and belief. The return at Anfield promises control, tempo and a push from the Kop. The winner will face either PSG or Chelsea in the quarterfinals, with the final set for Budapest.
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