Other Men

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is building the hype around next year’s World Cup promising that the tournament will be equivalent to “104 Super Bowls” in a month.

The expanded 48-team tournament will be the biggest World Cup in history. In the previous 32-team editions there were a total of 64 games played. In 2026 there will be 104 different games played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Infantino appeared on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” and explained how the viewership numbers of the World Cup will be that of “104 Super Bowls.”

Real Madrid overturned a two-goal deficit against Real Sociedad to reach the Copa del Rey final after an extra-time header by substitute Antonio Rüdiger secured a barnstorming 4-4 draw on Tuesday for a 5-4 aggregate win.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad highlights

The visitors gave Real Madrid a scare as they grabbed the lead through Ander Barrenetxea in the 16th minute but a lovely dinked effort by Endrick levelled the score 15 minutes later.

MADRID — The top court in Spain's Catalonia region on Friday overturned Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves' rape conviction, saying the case against him had inconsistencies and contradictions.

The 41-year-old defender was convicted last year of raping a woman in the restroom of a Barcelona nightclub in 2022 and sentenced to 4-1/2 years in prison.

Dani Alves rape conviction overturned

Vinícius Jr. went from hero to villain in a matter of minutes amongst his Brazil teammates during their 2-1 victory vs. Colombia in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

The Brazil star scored a superb long distance goal in the 99th minute to secure the much-needed three points. However three minutes later the Real Madrid star rubbed his teammates the wrong way when he was wasting too much time being substituted.

MADRID — Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz scored a second-half winner as the hosts edged out neighbors Atletico Madrid 2-1 in a scrappy first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Tuesday after Julian Alvarez had cancelled out Rodrygo's opener.

Real started on fire when Rodrygo scored a fine opener four minutes after kick-off but Atletico slowly got into the game and Alvarez equalized with a stunning strike in the 32nd minute.

Julian Alvarez goal vs Real Madrid

The headline of this story might be one of the more unique ones I’ve written in my five years with The18. An American striker scored a key goal at the same time a squirrel was invading the pitch.

Sargent’s squirrely goal took place during Norwich City’s 1-1 draw against Hull City on Saturday in the EFL Championship. In the 47th minute Norwich left back Kellen Fisher was running stride for stride with a furry rodent on the near sideline.

Despite the excellent run made by Hammy from “Over the Hedge” Fisher elected to swing the ball into the box toward Sargent.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham struck a last-gasp goal to give the holders a 3-2 first-leg victory over Manchester City in an edge-of-your-seat Champions League knockout phase playoff on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappé and Brahim Diaz also struck for Real, to cancel out a double from City's Erling Haaland.

England international Bellingham scored the winner in the 92nd minute when Vinicius looped the ball over from the left and the Englishman got in front of John Stones to tap home.

Bellingham goal vs Man City

United States men’s national team fans received devastating news on Thursday as Dutch outlet Eindhovens Dagblad reported that star U.S. and PSV striker Ricardo Pepi is out indefinitely with a knee injury.

MANCHESTER — Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has joined AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season, the two clubs announced on Friday.

Milan said in a statement that they also have an option to buy the England right-back, with Sky Italy saying Walker would cost around $5.24 million.

Kyle Walker Milan loan