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Super League marked a major milestone on Sunday, celebrating three decades since its inception in 1996. The occasion was commemorated with a thrilling match between Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves at Headingley, one of the competition's most iconic venues. Leeds emerged victorious, edging out Warrington 26-22 in a game that could be a contender for the standout match of 2026.The Super League has consistently delivered entertainment on the field over the years, despite facing various challenges, including missed opportunities and boardroom frustrations. The competition has struggled with expansion, with several projects, such as Paris Saint-Germain and Toronto Wolfpack, failing to gain long-term traction.The Leeds Rhinos are a prime example of a club that has successfully evolved since 1996. From financial difficulties and a struggling team to becoming one of the heavyweights of the sport, Leeds has redeveloped its famous Headingley home into one of the game's best venues, attracting the biggest attendances in the competition.As Super League looks to the future, it faces the challenge of balancing the strength of its biggest clubs while finding ways to reach a wider mainstream audience. With an offer of investment from Australia's National Rugby League likely to arrive soon, the league has much to ponder about its future direction and how to capitalize on its English stars like Jake Connor, Jake Thewlis, and George Williams.

Senegal's national football team, the Lions of Teranga, showcased the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy to a crowd of 70,000 at the Stade de France in Paris ahead of a friendly match against Peru. This display comes despite the controversy surrounding their initial 1-0 win in the final against Morocco in January, which was later overturned by CAF due to a mid-game walk-off by Senegalese players.The team's captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy led the parade, taking the trophy to the stadium's presidential box where it was placed in front of Abdoulaye Fall, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation. The event was attended by thousands of Senegalese supporters, who were joined by Peruvian fans and even Bally Bagayoko, the newly elected mayor of Saint-Denis, who praised the team's unity and spirit.The controversy began when Senegal's players left the field in protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco, which was later missed. The match eventually ended 1-0 in Senegal's favor with a goal from Pape Gueye in extra time. Morocco appealed the result, and CAF's appeals panel awarded them a 3-0 win and the title. Senegal has since announced plans to appeal to CAF and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a process that could take up to a year.The Senegalese government has also called for an independent international inquiry into CAF's decision, citing allegations of corruption. This development has added to the tension between Senegal and Morocco, with the two nations set to remain locked in a dispute over the AFCON title.Despite the controversy, the Senegalese team's display of the trophy was seen as a celebration of their on-field victory and a show of unity among the players, fans, and the community. The friendly match against Peru was the team's first since the AFCON final, and they are now preparing for the World Cup, where they will face France, Norway, and either Bolivia or Iraq.

Northampton Saints have effectively sealed their place in the Premiership Rugby semi-finals with a 24-15 victory over Saracens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The win sees them open up a six-point lead at the top of the table.The match got off to a dramatic start, with Northampton's Archie McParland scoring two tries, including the decisive one in the 78th minute. Saracens, under the guidance of departing coach Mark McCall, fought back from 14-0 down but ultimately fell short.Tobias Elliott impressed for Saracens, scoring a try and showcasing his skill with some impressive runs. However, it was not enough to secure the win for his team. Charlie Bracken also made a notable appearance, displaying his passing skills inherited from his father, Kyran Bracken.The result means Northampton are well on their way to securing a home semi-final, while Saracens' hopes of making the playoffs are now extremely slim. The focus for Saracens now shifts to their European campaign, as they prepare to face Bath in the last 16.Despite the outcome, McCall was optimistic about his team's performance, stating, “It’s absolutely gutting to lose, but I’m not gutted about the way we lost. We fought back magnificently.”

In the hallway at the Portuguese federation's base in Oeiras near Lisbon, Roberto Martínez stands with arms outstretched, embodying the warmth of welcome that has defined his coaching career. Seventy-five days before the World Cup begins, the man whose favorite goal was against Scunthorpe at Springfield Park now leads one of football's most formidable nations, with matches against Mexico and the United States serving as final preparation for the tournament.Martínez's journey to this moment defied conventional expectations. Arriving in England in 1995 as a 21-year-old unknown who didn't speak English, he recalls the cultural shock: 'You've spent your whole life learning you have to look after the ball, then you get there and the first thing they say is: 'Second ball'.' The Spanish midfielder, who would later be dubbed one of the 'Three Amigos' at Wigan, embraced the challenge with an attitude that has defined his career: 'Why not?'From his humble beginnings at Wigan, where he helped win the Third Division and Football League Trophy, Martínez has carved an extraordinary path through football. His coaching career took him through Swansea, Belgium—where he led the team to the world's No. 1 ranking—and now Portugal, where he has inherited a squad filled with exceptional talent. 'Portugal is a football school,' he explains, 'Ten million people and yet they fill the world's best dressing rooms.'Central to Portugal's World Cup aspirations is Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary forward who has given 21 years to the national team. Martínez dismisses the notion that Ronaldo's pursuit of 1,000 career goals defines his motivation, instead emphasizing the 40-year-old's unwavering commitment: 'Cristiano's attitude is always: 'I'm here for the national team, whatever you need.' The coach reveals that despite a current hamstring injury, Ronaldo's absence is merely a two-week pause before his return to action.Portugal enters the World Cup as one of the favorites, with a squad boasting captains from Manchester United, Porto, Manchester City, and four key players from European champions Paris Saint-Germain. 'Winning the Nations League was very good for us,' Martínez notes, referring to their victory against Spain, the world's No. 1 team and European champions. 'I wouldn't say there's an anxiety in Portugal to win the World Cup; I would say it's excitement, hope.'The coach's meticulous preparation extends to every detail, including playing at altitude in closed stadiums to simulate World Cup conditions. His selection process reflects both compassion and pragmatism: 'I'll choose a list of 26 and four others who know they are on standby.' This approach, he believes, creates a more positive environment when injuries occur.Martínez acknowledges the unique challenges of a 48-team World Cup spanning 50 days, noting: 'No scientific study would deny a human is changed by that.' Yet he remains optimistic, drawing inspiration from Portugal's football history and the numerological significance of 2026—sixty years since Eusébio's World Cup performance. 'It's all sixes. Let's dream. Why not?' he concludes, embodying the philosophy that has taken him from Spanish unknown to Portugal's World Cup dreamer.

Saracens host Northampton Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a crucial Premiership Rugby match, with Saracens' director of rugby Mark McCall stressing that defeat is not an option for his team to stay in contention for the playoffs.The match pits two top coaches against each other, with McCall's Saracens, currently sixth in the table, eight points behind fourth-placed Exeter, looking to bounce back from a 62-15 thrashing by Bath last weekend. Northampton, table-topping and on a five-match winning streak, aims to maintain their lead.Maro Itoje and Rhys Carré return to Saracens' starting lineup, while Elliot Daly makes his 100th appearance. Northampton's director of rugby, Phil Dowson, has his team well-prepared, with players like Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, and Henry Pollock in the starting XV.Dowson praised his team's heart and passion in their recent win against Newcastle, achieved without some key players. He emphasized the importance of team spirit and togetherness as they look to continue their momentum.McCall expressed confidence in his team's character to respond to the previous defeat, highlighting Itoje's great form and the need to manage his workload carefully. The match promises to be an intense and crucial encounter in the Premiership Rugby title race.

Gianna, a 23-year-old Camden-based artist, has released her debut EP 'Behind the Wings', which blends polished boho-pop with elements of trip-hop and Balkan folk. Her music is reminiscent of early 2000s Nelly Furtado and All Saints. Gianna's songs are bright and effervescent, making a strong case for the revival of coffee-shop pop.Other notable new tracks include:Nia Archives – Danger: A UK junglist's return with a catchy playground chant acronym and swerving beats.deBasement – Aftermarket Bass (ft Nikki Nair): Fuzzed-out dancefloor bass and commanding icy vocals.Downtown Boys – No Me Jodas: Rhode Island punks return with an expanded sound, blending spit-and-sawdust squall with doom.Brennan Wedl and Waxahatchee – Six O’Clock News: A beautiful essay on outlaw love, combining Lucinda Williams and Sheryl Crow styles.Empress Of – Dream House: Sweet, shuffling R&B; offering to her family, whose home burned down in the Altadena fires.Lee “Scratch” Perry and Mouse on Mars – Rockcurry: Lee “Scratch” Perry's final sessions with a German electronic duo, producing synth-winking music.Khun Narin Electric Phin Band – Poet Wong Pt 1 (เปิดวง ตอน 1): Serene, intricate, psychedelic, and pulverising music from a marching band in northern Thailand.Subscribe to the Guardian's rolling Add to Playlist selections on Spotify or transfer it to Apple, Tidal, or other services.

Paris Saint-Germain's highly anticipated visit to Lens in Ligue 1 has been postponed to May 13, allowing the team more time to focus on their upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool. The match, initially scheduled for April 11, could have significant implications for the Ligue 1 title race, with PSG currently leading Lens by a single point.The decision to reschedule the match has been met with some resistance from Lens, who expressed concerns that the French league is being treated as an adjustment variable to accommodate the European imperatives of certain teams. The Ligue de Football Professionnel justified the move by citing the strategic goal of helping France maintain its fifth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which would secure four places in the Champions League.PSG is set to face Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final on April 8 at the Parc de Princes, with the second leg taking place at Anfield six days later. This extra time could prove crucial for PSG as they look to advance in the competition.In addition to the PSG-Lens match, Strasbourg's visit to Brest on April 12 has also been rescheduled to May 13, as Strasbourg prepares for their Europa Conference League last-eight games against Mainz.

Galatasaray's star striker, Victor Osimhen, made a valiant effort to play through a broken arm during the team's 4-0 loss to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League. This courageous attempt was aimed at preventing his side from being eliminated 4-1 on aggregate.The Nigerian international took a knock on his right arm during the first half at Anfield and, despite the injury, remained on the pitch until halftime. However, he could not resume play after the interval due to a suspected fracture.Following the match, a hospital examination confirmed a fracture of the right forearm, and a cast was applied. A decision regarding a possible surgical procedure will be made in the coming days after further tests.The loss to Liverpool has set up a quarterfinal matchup against Paris Saint-Germain, the trophy holder. Osimhen's availability for the remainder of the season is now in doubt, which could impact both Galatasaray's and Nigeria's prospects.Osimhen, known as one of the brightest talents in the game, had previously missed out on a place at this summer's FIFA World Cup 2026 after Nigeria was eliminated in a playoff by DR Congo.

Sardar Azmoun, one of Iran's top football players, has been expelled from the national team over allegations of disloyalty to the government. This development has significant implications for Iran's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.Azmoun, who plays for Dubai's Shabab Al-Ahli, upset Iranian authorities by posting a picture on his Instagram feed with Dubai's ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This move was perceived as a disloyal act, especially given the strained relations between Iran and the UAE, which have included rocket and drone attacks by Iran on the UAE.The 31-year-old striker, known for his impressive career abroad with clubs like Zenit Saint Petersburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and Roma, has scored 57 goals in 91 internationals since his debut in 2014. His absence will undoubtedly weaken Iran's team, Team Melli, in their upcoming matches.Criticism against Azmoun was severe on state TV, with football pundit Mohammad Misaghi stating that Azmoun's actions were an act of disloyalty and that he was not worthy of wearing the national team jersey. There was no immediate response from the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) regarding the matter.This incident comes at a time when Iran's women's national team is dealing with its own controversy, with several players seeking asylum in Australia after being branded 'wartime traitors' on Iranian state TV for not singing the national anthem before a Women's Asian Cup match.