3 reasons why Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Champions League final

Never rule out Real Madrid in this competition. Exactly eight months after a group-stage defeat to Sheriff Tiraspol seemed to signal the end of an era for the Spanish giants, Carlo Ancelotti’s experienced side overcame Liverpool in the Champions League final with a 1-0 win. The victory marks Real Madrid’s record-extending 14th European Cup success. […]

3 thoughts from Liverpool's rousing victory over Villarreal

Liverpool withstood Villarreal’s furious comeback bid on Tuesday to reach the Champions League final once again, ultimately coming away with a 5-2 aggregate victory. Below, we dissect the biggest talking points from a thrilling encounter in Spain. Fighting fire with fire Villarreal were jittery in last Wednesday’s first leg. Their decision-making and composure were fractured […]

4 thoughts from Real Madrid's epic comeback against Manchester City

The Champions League served us another classic. Below, theScore examines the biggest talking points from Real Madrid’s unlikely victory against Manchester City on Wednesday. Ancelotti’s subs make the difference When Real Madrid need a spark, Carlo Ancelotti always looks to his bench. And more often than not, he finds the answer. For all the talk […]

49ers make Iowa State QB Purdy 'Mr. Irrelevant'

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Before Saturday, Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy had a wide range of potential outcomes in mind for his football future. In the days leading up to the NFL draft, he had been told he could be drafted as early as Round 4 or go undrafted entirely. As it turned out, […]

76ers violate injury reporting rules, fined $50,000

7:32 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN PHILADELPHIA — The NBA announced Saturday night that the 76ers have been fined $50,000 for violating league injury reporting rules for their handling of Joel Embiid in the lead-up to the club’s 99-79 Game 3 victory over the Miami Heat Friday. The NBA said the 76ers “failed to disclose center-forward […]

Brown, 2nd-half revival put C's 1 win from Finals

1:04 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN MIAMI — The Celtics found themselves trailing the Heat by five, on the road, at halftime of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night. And yet, the Celtics felt just fine. They couldn’t have played much worse in the first half, committing 10 turnovers and giving up nine […]

Bulls' Lavine has successful left knee surgery

5:38 PM ET Jamal CollierESPN Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on his left knee on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The team announced the surgery was successful and that LaVine is expected to make a full recovery. LaVine, who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, managed discomfort in his knee […]

Carlos Alcaraz is tennis' next superstar. But is he ready to win the French Open?

Carlos Alcaraz comes along at the perfect moment for a sport that has relied on the Big Three for far longer than it had any right to expect.       

Celtics 'hit in mouth' by Bucks in physical Game 1

6:27 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN BOSTON — The Milwaukee Bucks punched first. In Sunday’s Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, the Bucks played with their usual level of physicality on defense and it seemed to catch Boston off guard. After jumping ahead in the first quarter, the Celtics couldn’t find their footing the rest of […]