Manchester City’s dominance over Sporting CP continued into the second half of Tuesday’s Champions League clash, as Raheem Sterling unleashed a stunning strike to get his name on the scoresheet in Portugal.
The English winger capped City’s commanding 5-0 win by picking out the top corner with a beautiful curling strike in the first leg of the round of 16 matchup.
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RAHEEM STERLING. ? pic.twitter.com/kIj1lxZPwj
— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 15, 2022
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ANOTHER ABSOLUTE SCREAMER FROM @MANCITYUS ? pic.twitter.com/HBt6PoXFOt
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – What the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to do with the first overall pick in the NFL draft isn’t as clear as it was when they picked first last season.
That was a no-brainer: They were taking quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
This year, there are multiple options in play: Pass-rushers Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux and offensive tackles Evan Neal and Ikem Ekwonu. Maybe even someone else.
The Jaguars’ decision, however, depends on left tackle Cam Robinson.
Robinson is an impending free agent, and the Jaguars must decide what to do with him. Do they use the franchise tag for the second year in a row? Sign him to a long-term deal? Let him walk? If they bring him back, the first pick isn’t likely to be an offensive tackle. If they don’t, they may pick a tackle – but it could be another month before that becomes clear.
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to protect last year’s No. 1 overall pick quarterback Trevor Lawrence (left). If left tackle Cam Robinson (right) leaves as a free agent, they may end up drafting a replacement with the top pick this year. Bob Self-USA TODAY NETWORK
The first day teams can use the franchise tag is Tuesday, and they have until 4 p.m. ET on March 8 to do so. If the Jaguars use it on Robinson he’d be owed $16.5 million and the salary would be fully guaranteed. The Jaguars also could try to sign Robinson to a new contract and Spotrac projects a market value of a $16.8 million annual salary, slightly higher than the franchise tag.
Paris Saint-Germain pushed and pushed, and Kylian Mbappe finally delivered the killer blow with virtually the last kick of the game.
Mbappe dashed past two defenders and slipped a firm shot past Thibaut Courtois to give PSG a 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the much-anticipated Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
With the away-goals rule abolished, Madrid made little attempt to attack the game and gave way to an onslaught that tested the solidity of their defense. Courtois did his part, saving Lionel Messi’s poor penalty kick in the 62nd minute.
But Mbappe, the most active player on the pitch, eventually found the breakthrough in the 94th minute. Neymar, who came off the bench to make his first appearance since injuring his ankle in November, played a spectacular backheel pass out wide before the Frenchman blew by Lucas Vazquez and Eder Militao, cut into the penalty area, and sent a low shot through Courtois’ legs.
PSG launched wave after wave of attack, largely feeding Mbappe in one-on-one situations. Though Messi led the game with eight of PSG’s 23 shots, his younger teammate posed a far greater threat with the ball, forcing Courtois into a trio of saves before earning the penalty with another one of his trademark runs into the area. But Messi took the spot-kick and fired a feeble attempt to Courtois’ left.
It nearly left the tie goalless, but Madrid must now win the second leg at home on March 9.
La Liga president Javier Tebas is ready to welcome Kylian Mbappe to Spain with open arms this summer.
Although Mbappe recently said he doesn’t know what the future holds as he nears the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract, Tebas is convinced the French star will be one of the significant arrivals at Real Madrid after the season.
“Madrid will get Mbappe and (Erling) Haaland as the others (Barcelona and Juventus) are half (financially) ruined,” Tebas said, as translated by ESPN’s Adriana Garcia.
“That Mbappe comes is great news for La Liga. It would be a joy for La Liga. It’s the best thing that could happen to La Liga.”
After clarifying that he doesn’t have any information about Mbappe’s decision, Tebas added: “But I’ve seen few cases of players who have six months left on their contracts that have not renewed their contracts and then went on to continue at the club.”
Despite reports that Mbappe could be open to signing a short-term deal to stay in Paris for at least another season, Real Madrid are apparently confident that they can convince him to move to the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer.
Real Madrid pushed hard to sign Mbappe last summer but abandoned their pursuit after PSG reportedly rejected an offer worth up to €200-million.
Tebas’ comments come just days after Mbappe scored in injury time to lift PSG to a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 matchup.
Like Mbappe, there are also strong indications that Haaland will leave Borussia Dortmund this summer when clubs can activate the €75-million release clause in his contract.
