Photo Webdesk

Crystal Palace made history on April 16, Thursday, by reaching their first-ever European semi-final despite a 2–1 second-leg defeat to Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Leading 3–0 from the first leg, Palace extended their aggregate lead in the 17th minute when Ismaila Sarr headed home a cross from Daniel Munoz. Fiorentina fought back, starting with an Albert Gudmundsson penalty after a soft foul. Palace then lost key players Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix to injury before half-time. In the 53rd minute, Cher Ndour ignited the Florence crowd with a 25-yard piledriver to put the hosts ahead on the night. However, Dean Henderson made vital saves to prevent a total collapse. Palace held on to win 4–2 on aggregate and will face Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 April 2026

The Charlotte Hornets sealed a narrow 127-126 win over the Miami Heat in the NBA 2026 Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament at Spectrum Center on Tuesday. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges combined for 53 points to keep the Hornets in the running despite trailing for the first two quarters. Davion Mitchell's 25 points and Tyler Herro's scoring kept the Heat slightly ahead. In overtime, LaMelo Ball scored a layup with seconds remaining on the clock to give Charlotte the lead, with Bridges producing a brilliant block to clinch the win.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 April 2026

The Portland Trail Blazers edged the Phoenix Suns 114-110 in the NBA 2026 Western Conference Play-In Tournament at PHX Arena on Tuesday. The Suns started the game brightly, leading after the first quarter in an otherwise tight encounter. Jalen Green starred for the hosts with 35 points, while Devin Booker added 22 points. However, the Trail Blazers turned the contest around in the fourth quarter. Deni Avdija, who finished with 41 points, 7 rebounds, and 12 assists, led the visitors' offence. Jerami Grant added back-to-back three-pointers in the final minutes to seal the win.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 April 2026

Nottingham Forest made the semifinals by beating 10-man Porto 1-0 in what’s been a successful return to European competition after a 30-year absence. It advanced 2-1 on aggregate after last week’s draw in Portugal. Morgan Gibbs-White put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute with a deflected effort from outside the box after Porto defender Jan Bednarek was sent off for fouling Chris Wood, who then had to be substituted with a knee injury. Wood is a key striker for relegation-threatened Nottingham — and New Zealand’s World Cup plans — and only recently returned from a long-term knee injury.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 April 2026

Ollie Watkins scored again as Aston Villa knocked out Bologna out of the Europa League in a 4-0 rout Thursday to set up an all-English semifinal against Nottingham Forest. Unai Emery’s team reached its second European semifinal in three seasons with a 7-1 aggregate victory. Watkins had netted twice in last week’s 3-1 win in the first leg of the quarterfinal in Italy, and the striker set the pace at Villa Park. He tapped in a low cross from the left provided by Morgan Rogers for a 1-0 lead after 16 minutes for his 100th goal for Villa. Rogers had a golden opportunity to increase the lead but Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia saved his penalty kick. Only a minute later, though, Villa doubled its lead when Emiliano Buendía scored from a tight angle.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 April 2026

Find today's news in pics from India and around the world for April 17, 2026

BY Photo Webdesk 17 April 2026

Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer struck fluent fifties as Punjab Kings’ winning run continued with a seven-wicket hammering of Mumbai Indians, who suffered a fourth consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League 2026 match on Thursday. Even as Quinton de Kock, with a brilliant 112 not out, and Naman Dhir (50) bailed Mumbai Indians out in the first half with a robust 132-run third-wicket stand, the hosts’ 195/6 was never challenging enough on a docile track against the rampant Punjab batters. Prabhsimran made a wicketless Jasprit Bumrah (0/41) and MI pay for a regulation drop early, smashing a strokeful 80 not out off 31 balls (11x4s, 2x6s), while skipper Iyer was in his elements, notching up his third fifty in as many outings with a 66 off 35 balls (5x4s, 4x6s), as the duo stitched a sturdy 139-run stand for the third wicket.

BY Photo Webdesk 16 April 2026

Find today's news in pics from India and around the world for April 16, 2026

BY Photo Webdesk 16 April 2026

Rosario Central registered their first win of the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Club Libertad at Estadio La Huerta, Asuncion, on Wednesday (April 15). Substitute Enzo Copetti scored the all-important goal in the 83rd minute to give the visiting Argentine side all three points. Last week, Canalla were held to a goalless draw by Independiente del Valle of Ecuador at home. Libertad, the 26-time Paraguayan champions, have lost both their matches so far. On match day 1, the Cabbage Growers were humbled 1-3 by Venezuelan rivals Universidad Central in Caracas. After round two, Independiente lead the group standings with four points, on goal difference, followed by Rosario, Universidad (3 points) and Libertad. The two top teams from the group will qualify for the round of 16 of South America's top continental club tournament.

BY Photo Webdesk 16 April 2026

Visiting Universidad Catolica defeated two-time champions Cruzeiro in a Group D match of the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores 2026 at Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on Wednesday (April 15). The Chilean outfit, which lost to Boca Juniors of Argentina 1-2 on match day 1, surprised 'The Greatest in Minas' with the opener in the 30th minute, scored by Justo Giani. The Fox levelled at the hour mark, thanks to Matheus Pereira's penalty. After a protracted play, Jimmy Martinez found the winner with a late goal (90+4'). The victory helped Catolica move second in the group standings, behind Boca, while winless Barcelona SC of Ecuador are fourth. In the opening round, a Matheus Pereira goal helped Cruzeiro beat Barcelona.

BY Photo Webdesk 16 April 2026