Barcelona returned to winning form in La Liga after their Copa del Rey semifinal disappointment, defeating Athletic Bilbao 1–0 away on March 8, 2026. The only goal of the match came from young forward Lamine Yamal in the 68th minute at San Mamés. Receiving a pass from Pedri, Yamal advanced down the right flank and curled a left-footed shot into the far post, sealing the victory for the Catalan side.

The 18-year-old’s strike marked his 19th goal across all competitions this season, following a hat-trick against Villarreal earlier in the league. Despite Bilbao’s attacking efforts, Barcelona’s defense held firm to secure three crucial points. With this win, Hansi Flick’s team leads the La Liga table with 67 points from 27 matches, four points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.

Barcelona will next face Newcastle United away in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, aiming to carry their league momentum into European competition.

A former personal cook has filed a lawsuit against Brazilian football star Neymar Jr., accusing him of forcing her to work under inhumane conditions at his luxury mansion in Mangaratiba. The report, citing court documents published by Brazilian outlet Metropoles, states that the woman was required to cook not only for Neymar but also for around 150 of his friends and companions.

According to the case file, the woman often worked up to 16 hours a day, sometimes until 11 p.m. or midnight, and was compelled to work even on weekends. She reportedly had to stand for long periods and carry heavy grocery bags, including 10 kilograms of meat, which led to chronic back pain and hip inflammation.

The plaintiff is seeking approximately 262,000 Brazilian reals from Neymar, covering unpaid wages, overtime, medical expenses, and other dues. The report did not mention any response from Neymar or his representatives regarding the allegations.

Cristiano Ronaldo has sustained a hamstring injury that is more severe than initially expected, according to Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus. The Portuguese star limped off during Al Nassr’s 3–1 Saudi Pro League win over Al Fayha last week. He has since left Saudi Arabia for Madrid to undergo treatment. The injury has raised concerns for both Al Nassr and the Portugal national team as the World Cup approaches.

Coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that medical tests revealed the injury to be worse than first thought. He stated that Ronaldo would need both rest and treatment in Spain, similar to how other players manage such injuries. The 41-year-old forward’s return date remains unknown, leaving uncertainty about his readiness for upcoming competitions.

The development has caused worry among fans and officials, as Ronaldo was expected to play in his record sixth World Cup appearance later this year.

Japan delivered a dominant performance against India in their second group-stage match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, winning 12–0 in Perth, Australia. Hinata Miyazawa and Riko Ueki each scored hat-tricks, while Yusugi Yamoto, Ui Hasegawa, Kiko Seike, and Hijikata also found the net. The result left Japan firmly in control of Group standings with six points from two matches, while India remained at the bottom with no points.

From the opening minutes, Japan controlled possession and dictated the pace of the game. Yamoto opened the scoring in the fourth minute, followed by Hasegawa’s strike in the 13th. By halftime, Japan led 5–0, with Miyazawa and Seike adding further goals. The second half saw Japan intensify their attack, with Ueki and Miyazawa completing their hat-tricks and Seike and Hijikata extending the margin.

With this emphatic victory, Japan moved closer to securing a quarterfinal berth, while India’s hopes of advancing from the group stage diminished sharply.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB has reported that the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, one of the country’s main international football venues, has been destroyed in a recent attack. According to the report, the stadium suffered severe damage during the assault, with footage shared on social media showing thick smoke rising from the stands and widespread destruction.

The Azadi Stadium is among Iran’s largest sports facilities and has hosted numerous international football matches. With a seating capacity of around 78,000, it serves as the regular home ground for Iran’s national football team. The report did not specify who carried out the attack or provide further details about casualties or the broader context of the incident.

The destruction of such a major sporting venue could disrupt upcoming national and international football events in Iran, though no official statement on future matches has been issued yet.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque has called on major corporate organizations in Bangladesh to assist in developing underperforming sports federations and promoting talented athletes on the global stage. He made the appeal on Wednesday during a special meeting with top corporate representatives at the National Sports Council conference room.

During the meeting, the minister outlined the government’s long-term plans for transforming the country’s sports infrastructure. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has prioritized sports at the national level and initiated programs to identify talent from the grassroots. Haque emphasized that collaboration between the government and corporate houses could elevate Bangladesh’s sports sector to new international heights.

He further stated that, in line with the election manifesto, new playgrounds will be built between every two wards in Dhaka, including walkways for senior citizens. Plans also include renovating rural fields and constructing modern indoor-equipped “sports villages” in all 64 districts. The minister added that the government will support the expansion of futsal facilities and aims to establish a self-sustaining “sports industry” to produce and export international-standard sports goods, creating employment opportunities.

Barcelona’s title defense ended despite a 3-0 home victory over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the semifinal at Camp Nou. The Catalan side needed to overturn a four-goal deficit from the first leg but fell short, as Atletico advanced 4-3 on aggregate to reach the final.

Marc Bernal opened the scoring in the 29th minute from a Lamine Yamal cross, and Raphinha doubled the lead from a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Bernal added his second in the 72nd minute from a Joao Cancelo assist, but Barcelona could not find the crucial fourth goal. Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso made several key saves to preserve his team’s aggregate advantage.

After the match, Musso said it might not have been their best performance, but they earned the final spot after 180 minutes of play. Raphinha expressed pride in Barcelona’s comeback effort despite disappointment at missing the final. Atletico Madrid will face either Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao in the final on April 18.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments on Iran have stirred controversy ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In an interview with Politico, Trump said he did not care whether Iran participated, calling the country “badly defeated” and “in smoke.” Iran has qualified for the tournament, with group-stage matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle, but rising U.S.–Iran tensions have raised concerns about the fixtures.

FIFA reiterated that all participating nations, players, staff, and fans would be welcomed and protected. The Athletic sought clarification from the White House, and Andrew Giuliani, director of the U.S. World Cup Taskforce, said any threats to the safety of millions expected to attend would be neutralized. The Iranian Football Federation did not respond to The Athletic’s request for comment, though its president, Mehdi Taj, earlier acknowledged concerns about the situation and said the sports ministry would take necessary steps.

FIFA’s secretary general had previously emphasized safety as the top priority, and a spokesperson confirmed that Iran’s participation status remains unchanged despite recent regional tensions.

French football star Kylian Mbappé has reportedly left Spain for France to seek medical treatment after expressing dissatisfaction with Real Madrid’s medical team. The forward, who has been in outstanding form this season, suffered a knee injury in December that has yet to fully heal. Despite ongoing care from the club’s doctors, Mbappé remains unfit and missed the Champions League playoff match against Benfica. He has now consulted several specialist physicians in France with the club’s permission.

Spanish outlet Marca reported that Mbappé is unhappy with Real Madrid’s handling of his injury, believing the medical staff failed to provide an effective solution over the past three months. The exact nature of his knee problem remains uncertain, with possible issues involving both the internal lateral and posterior cruciate ligaments. His main goal is to identify the root cause of the injury and return to full fitness for the crucial stages of the season.

Mbappé’s participation in the upcoming Champions League round of 16 matches against Manchester City remains doubtful, though Real Madrid hopes he will recover before the second leg.

The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) organized an iftar gathering at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment on Monday to mark the holy month of Ramadan. The event was attended by State Minister for Sports Aminul Haque, chiefs of the army, navy, and air force, and other senior officials. BOA President and Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman extended Ramadan greetings and emphasized collective efforts for the advancement of the country’s sports sector.

In his address, General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the BOA has undertaken an initiative to establish an international-standard sports complex with modern facilities in Trishal, Mymensingh, aiming to develop world-class athletes and host global competitions. The State Minister for Sports also spoke briefly about the government’s commitment and plans for national sports development.

Members of the BOA executive committee and general council, officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council, senior serving and retired armed forces officers, and representatives from various national sports federations attended the event.

Inter Miami overturned a two-goal deficit to defeat Orlando City 4-2 in their second match of the new MLS season. After trailing 2-0 within the first 24 minutes, Lionel Messi led a stunning turnaround with two goals and an assist. The match, played on March 2, 2026, saw Miami recover from a poor start to the season following their opening loss to Los Angeles FC.

Coach Javier Mascherano’s tactical change proved decisive when he replaced defender Noah Allen with attacker Mateo Silvetti, who scored Miami’s first goal in the 49th minute. Messi equalized with a precise left-footed strike in the 57th minute, then assisted Talisco Segovia’s goal in the 85th minute before sealing the victory with a free-kick in stoppage time. The win marked Messi’s 70th career free-kick goal and brought his total career tally to 898.

Mascherano praised his team’s mental resilience, noting that Orlando is always a tough opponent. Inter Miami will next face DC United at Audi Field in Washington on Saturday, aiming to build on this momentum early in the season.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stated that it does not foresee any problems with the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan, despite ongoing disruptions to air travel caused by the war situation in the Middle East. Flights using Middle Eastern airspace have been suspended, leaving several teams stranded, including Pakistan in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in India. The Pakistan team is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on March 9, with the series set to begin on March 11 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

BCB’s Chairman of Cricket Operations, Nazmul Abedin Fahim, told Amader Desh that the board remains positive about the series taking place as planned. He mentioned that there are several alternative routes available and expressed confidence that the Pakistan team will arrive on schedule. However, he also noted that there has been no final discussion yet with the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding travel arrangements.

The uncertainty over flight routes remains, but BCB maintains that the series schedule currently stands unchanged.

The Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Trust Foundation has for the first time recognized athletes for their special contributions to sports. A total of nine current and former athletes received the 'Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Award' at a ceremony held at the Le Méridien Hotel in Dhaka. State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque attended as chief guest and presented each awardee with a crest and a cash prize of 100,000 taka.

The foundation, established in memory of the late Arafat Rahman Koko, introduced this award to honor achievements across different sports disciplines. Among the recipients were former national cricket captain Habibul Bashar Sumon, women’s cricketer Marufa Akter, former footballer Alfaz Ahmed, and national women’s footballer Rituparna Chakma. Organizers expressed hope that the award would become one of the country’s most prestigious sports honors.

Award recipients expressed joy at receiving the recognition, saying it would inspire them to perform even better in the future. The state minister noted plans to expand the award to an international level in coming years to further promote a sports-friendly environment in Bangladesh.

Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 in a high-voltage English Premier League match, extending their lead at the top of the table. Under coach Mikel Arteta, the Gunners maintained strong form as Manchester United also claimed a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Manchester City edged Leeds United 1-0 away, with Antoine Semenyo scoring the decisive goal.

City’s win came just before halftime when Ryan Aït-Nouri’s pass found Semenyo, who finished neatly to beat the goalkeeper. The result marked City’s fourth consecutive league victory, narrowing the gap with leaders Arsenal. After 28 matches, City hold 59 points from 18 wins and five draws, trailing Arsenal by two points.

In other European action, Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the Bundesliga thanks to two goals from Harry Kane, while Paris Saint-Germain defeated Le Havre 1-0 in Ligue 1.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a cautious approach to travel and logistics for the 2026 T20 World Cup due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The organization stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and has coordinated contingency plans to ensure the safety and travel arrangements of all tournament participants. The conflict, involving missile exchanges between Iran, the United States, and Israel, led to temporary airspace closures in several Middle Eastern countries, disrupting international flights and forcing airlines to cancel or reroute services.

According to the ICC, the crisis has not directly affected tournament operations. However, many players, team officials, match staff, broadcasters, and event personnel are expected to travel home through Middle Eastern airports, particularly Dubai, after the tournament. The ICC’s travel and logistics division is working with major international airlines to secure alternative routes through Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Security advisers are maintaining contact with relevant authorities and will issue guidance as needed. A special travel support desk has also been established.

The T20 World Cup is now in its final stages, with the Super Eight matches concluding today, followed by semifinals on March 4 and 5 and the final on March 8.