TV

RABAT - Real Madrid are favorites for a record-extending fifth success at the Club World Cup, and in the process keeping up European dominance over South America in the annual tournament, which kicks off in Morocco on Wednesday.

Real, who won previously in 2014 and then three successive tournaments from 2016 to 2018, are on course for a showdown with Flamengo of Brazil in the final but both must play a semifinal match first before they can set up an intriguing decider in Rabat on Feb. 11.

Wrexham's magical run in the FA Cup isn't over yet after the fifth-tier side almost stunned a Sheffield United team that's targeting a return to the Premier League before settling for a bonkers 3-3 draw on Sunday, forcing a fourth round replay at Bramall Lane.

With Manchester City and Arsenal playing their fixture Friday, this felt like the weekend's biggest cup match: It was a sellout crowd of over 10,000 at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground, Ryan Reynolds was in attendance and so was the BBC team with Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker.  

2023 marked the beginning of a new era for U.S. Soccer with broadcast coverage of every USMNT and USWNT friendly being provided by Turner Sports. This has opened the door to live sports on HBO Max, although certain competitions remain reserved for Fox Sports and Paramount Global. 

It follows that the 2023 USMNT TV schedule is all over the place. Despite having just played in a World Cup, the U.S. has a busy calendar year with four windows for friendlies, the completion of the 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League and the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

U.S. Soccer made its debut on HBO Max Tuesday night with the USWNT beating New Zealand in a friendly in Wellington thanks to four second-half goals, including Alex Morgan's 120th international strike off a ridiculous Rose Lavelle backheel. 

The Football Ferns were a little overmatched.  

After an eight-year deal worth around $200 million was struck between U.S. Soccer and WarnerMedia last March, Tuesday's friendly between the USWNT and New Zealand served as the beginning of a new era with the match broadcast on HBO Max.

The $16 per month price point must've proven a barrier to many, but my advice is to instruct your parents to conceive you a sibling and then get that prodigal offspring to share their login and password with you (shoutouts to my younger brother and sister-in-law). 

A new chapter in the celebrated rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will unfurl on Thursday when they meet in an exhibition match as the Portugal forward gears up for his first game in Saudi Arabia since joining Al Nassr.

After a glittering career in Europe that saw him win four Champions League titles with Real Madrid and two Scudettos at Juventus, Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr, describing it as the "right moment" to share his experience in Asia.

LONDON - Leaders Arsenal put on a masterclass to overwhelm shell-shocked north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 away and extend the gap at the top of the Premier League to eight points on Sunday.

The Gunners flew out of the blocks from the opening whistle and built a first-half lead through a clumsy own goal by Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris and a sublime strike from Martin Ødegaard.