7:05 PM ET Alex Kirkland Rodrigo Faez Karim Benzema is “better every day, like wine,” Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said after the forward scored another hat trick in a 3-1 Champions League quarterfinal first leg win at Chelsea on Wednesday. Benzema scored two headers in three first-half minutes at Stamford Bridge, and added a
Football
10:03 AM ET Noah DavisESPN Mike Keeney embodies a certain type of American soccer story. You know the one: a young man packs a bag with some clothes and a dream, stuffs a couple hundred dollars into his pockets, hops a plane to Europe and dives into football on the continent. He struggles and works,
4:00 AM ET Dan HajduckyESPN Close Hajducky is a reporter/researcher for ESPN. He has an MFA in creative writing from Fairfield University and played on the men’s soccer teams at Fordham and Southern Connecticut State universities. Topps will replace Panini as UEFA’s exclusive partner in producing trading cards, stickers, and collectables for upcoming European Championship,
10:36 AM ET Following Maradona’s death in 2020, Steve Hodge said the shirt was not for sale. Jean-Yves Ruszniewski/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images The shirt worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his infamous “Hand of God” goal against England at the 1986 World Cup is expected to sell for at least £4 million ($5.23 million), auctioneer
7:06 AM ET Derby County have accepted an offer from Chris Kirchner (left). Nathan Stirk/Getty Images American businessman Chris Kirchner has been named as the preferred bidder for second-tier side Derby County, the club’s administrators said on Wednesday. Kirchner said in October he wanted to take Derby out of administration and was seeking approval from the
4:46 AM ET Alex Kirkland Rodrigo Faez Atletico Madrid captain Koke hit back at Pep Guardiola’s assessment of his team’s defensive tactics after the coach said they played a “5-5” formation in Manchester City‘s 1-0 Champions League quarterfinal first leg win on Tuesday. Kevin De Bruyne scored the only goal of a tight game in
8:00 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent John Stones has said Manchester City will call on their experience of the 2019 Premier League title race to see off Liverpool‘s challenge this season. The two teams meet at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday separated by a point at the top of the table. – Stream ESPN FC Daily
5:16 AM ET A decision on Russia‘s expulsion from the Women’s Euros this summer is unlikely to be made until May, and the issue is not on the agenda for UEFA’s Executive Committee meeting at the headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Thursday, sources told ESPN. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, the Russian men’s
10:58 AM ET Pep Guardiola bristled twice at long-held cliches on Monday during Manchester City‘s press conference ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League first-leg quarterfinal clash with Atletico Madrid. For a start, he got sarcastic when the familiar “overthinking in big games” accusation was launched in his direction: “In the Champions League, I always overthink…
3:20 AM ET Ronald Koeman will return to coach the Netherlands national team. Denis Doyle/Getty Images Ronald Koeman is to return as Netherlands coach when Louis van Gaal leaves the role after the World Cup in Qatar. Van Gaal, who has long made it clear he will leave after the World Cup later this year, said