Monday Scoreboard
| Competition | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|
| WBC Pool B | USA 5-3 Mexico | Skenes 7 K; Judge HR |
| WBC Pool A | Puerto Rico 4-1 Cuba | Maldonado 3-RBI 2B |
| WBC Pool D | Dominican Rep. 10-1 Israel | DR 3-0; clinches QF |
| WBC Pool D | Venezuela 4-0 Nicaragua | Acuna HR; VEN 3-0 |
| WBC Pool B | Great Britain 8-1 Brazil | Brazil 0-3; eliminated |
| WBC Pool A | Colombia 4-3 Panama | Colombia 1st win |
| Liga MX J10 | Toluca 3-1 Juarez | Paulinho; 24 pts, invicto |
| Liga MX J10 | Tijuana 1-2 Santos | Ocejo 90+11; 1st win |
| WBC Pool B (Sun) | Mexico 16-0 Brazil (6) | Run-ruled; 4 HR |
| ATP Indian Wells R3 | Fonseca d. Paul 6-2 6-3 | R16 vs Sinner Tue |
BASEBALL
Skenes and Judge Lead USA Past Mexico 5-3 in WBC Blockbuster
The United States defeated Mexico 5-3 on Monday night at Daikin Park in Houston in the most electric atmosphere of the World Baseball Classic so far. Paul Skenes was dominant in his WBC debut, pitching four shutout innings with seven strikeouts while generating a staggering 48% whiff rate. The offence exploded in a five-run third inning: Bryce Harper singled, Aaron Judge crushed a two-run homer — his second of the tournament — and 20-year-old Roman Anthony followed with a three-run blast to make it 5-0.
Mexico fought back. Jarren Duran hit two solo home runs — one in the sixth, one in the eighth — to pull within two, and the tying run reached the plate in the ninth. But Garrett Whitlock shut the door. It was the first US victory over Mexico in the WBC since 2006 — Mexico had won all three previous meetings. The Americans are now 3-0 and face Italy on Tuesday to close pool play.
Mexico manager Benji Gil remained defiant afterward, saying he hoped for a rematch in the championship game. Mexico (2-1) must beat Italy on Wednesday to advance. The loser of that match is eliminated.
BASEBALL
Puerto Rico, DR and Venezuela All Clinch Quarterfinal Spots as WBC Pool Play Heats Up
Three LATAM powerhouses punched their tickets to the WBC quarterfinals on Monday. Puerto Rico beat Cuba 4-1 in San Juan, with veteran catcher Martin Maldonado clearing the bases with a double in the second inning to put the game away early. The Boricuas are now 3-0 and firmly in control of Pool A, with Cuba falling to 1-2 and needing to beat Canada on Wednesday to stay alive.
In Miami, the Dominican Republic continued their demolition of Pool D, hammering Israel 10-1 to move to 3-0. The DR are averaging 10.7 runs per game through three contests with their star-studded lineup featuring Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Junior Caminero. Venezuela also clinched with a clinical 4-0 shutout of Nicaragua, paced by Ronald Acuna Jr.’s solo homer and RBI single.
Colombia picked up their first tournament win, edging Panama 4-3 in Pool A to keep their slim hopes alive. In Pool C, South Korea beat Australia 7-2 to advance on the run-quotient tiebreaker alongside unbeaten Japan.
BASEBALL
Mexico Crush Brazil 16-0 in Run-Rule Rout as Brazils WBC Ends at 0-3
Mexico Crush Brazil 16-0 in Run-Rule Rout as Brazils WBC Campaign Ends at 0-3
Before their Monday night showdown with the USA, Mexico had already made a devastating statement on Sunday evening by run-ruling Brazil 16-0 in six innings at Daikin Park. The Mexican lineup was relentless — Jarren Duran, Alejandro Kirk, Alex Thomas and Julian Ornelas all homered as the team pounded out 16 hits and drew five walks. Taijuan Walker held Brazil hitless for 3.1 innings on the mound, while Brazilian starter Eric Pardinho was knocked out after three innings with ten hits and eight runs allowed.
Brazil’s elimination from Pool B was confirmed Monday when Great Britain beat them 8-1. Making their first WBC appearance since 2013 — a gap that reflected the country’s struggle to build a competitive program despite being one of the world’s largest baseball-playing populations — Brazil finished 0-3 and were outscored 23-6 across three games. They will need to go through qualifiers to return for the 2029 edition.
The Pool B picture is now clear heading into the final two days: the USA (3-0) are through, and the Wednesday clash between Mexico (2-1) and Italy (2-1) will decide who joins them in the quarterfinals.
FOOTBALL
Toluca Stay Unbeaten and Close on Cruz Azul After 3-1 Win Over Juarez
Toluca maintained their status as the only unbeaten team in the Clausura 2026, beating FC Juarez 3-1 at the Estadio Nemesio Diez on Sunday to climb to 24 points — just one behind leaders Cruz Azul. The match was goalless and frustrating for the hosts through the first half until the VAR intervened: Oscar Estupinan pulled Antonio Briseno’s shirt inside the box, and referee Luis Enrique Santander pointed to the spot after reviewing the footage. Helinho converted in the 54th minute.
Briseno then turned from provocation to production, heading home from a free kick at the 70th minute for 2-0. Guilherme Castilho pulled one back for Juarez almost immediately at the 71st, but Toluca sealed it deep in eleven minutes of added time: Marcel Ruiz played a through ball and Paulinho lifted a delicate chip over the goalkeeper in the 99th minute for 3-1.
The match also marked the return of Alexis Vega, who came on as a substitute after three months out with a knee injury, nearly scoring with a shot that flew inches wide. Toluca remain unbeaten through 10 jornadas with seven wins and three draws, and face their Concacaf Champions Cup debut against San Diego FC on Wednesday.
FOOTBALL
Santos Laguna End 737-Day Away Drought With Last-Gasp Winner at Tijuana
Santos Laguna won their first match of the Clausura 2026 in the most dramatic fashion possible, beating Tijuana 2-1 at the Estadio Caliente with Alberto Ocejo’s goal in the 101st minute — the 11th minute of nine added on by the referee. Ezequiel Bullaude had opened the scoring in the 53rd minute after a lay-off from Lucas Di Yorio, and Santos looked comfortable when Porozo was sent off to leave Tijuana with ten men in the 59th.
But Tijuana equalised through Gomez, who fired from outside the box at the 72nd minute in a moment of individual brilliance that stunned the visitors. The game lurched into chaos in added time — Di Yorio had a goal disallowed by VAR for offside in the 97th minute — before Javier Guemez headed the ball down for Ocejo to prod home from close range and end Santos’ extraordinary 737-day wait for an away victory.
Santos remain bottom of the table on five points but the emotional lift is significant. Tijuana drop to 15th on nine points.
TENNIS
Fonseca Demolishes Paul in 82 Minutes to Earn First Masters 1000 R16 and Sinner Showdown
Joao Fonseca delivered the statement performance of his young career on Sunday evening at Indian Wells, demolishing 23rd seed Tommy Paul 6-2, 6-3 in just 82 minutes to reach the Round of 16 of an ATP Masters 1000 for the first time. The 19-year-old Brazilian broke Paul’s serve twice in the opening set and again midway through the second, hitting 20 winners to just 12 unforced errors in a display that left the American with no answers.
It was a markedly different Fonseca from the one who arrived in California with a 1-3 season record. Since surviving those two match points against Karen Khachanov on Saturday, the world number 35 has looked reborn — hitting through the ball with ferocious intent and showing the composure that carried him to the Basel title last October. He is now 7-1 against top-30 opponents since September.
His reward is a first career encounter with a top-five player: world number two Jannik Sinner, who beat Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday to reach the same stage. The match is scheduled for Tuesday evening and will mark the biggest test of Fonseca’s professional career. He is the first Brazilian to reach the Indian Wells R16 since Thomaz Bellucci in 2012.
FOOTBALL
Liga MX Jornada 10 Final Table: Cruz Azul Lead on 25, Toluca Close Gap to One
The complete Jornada 10 standings after Sunday’s closing fixtures paint a clear picture at the top of the Clausura 2026. Cruz Azul lead on 25 points after their 3-0 demolition of Atletico de San Luis on Saturday, with Toluca now second on 24 — closing from four points behind to just one after their victory over Juarez. Chivas sit third on 21 after their Clasico Tapatio comeback.
The top eight, who will qualify directly for the Liguilla with no Play-in this season due to the World Cup, currently reads: Cruz Azul (25), Toluca (24), Chivas (21), Pachuca (17), Pumas (16), Tigres (16), Atlas (16), America (14). Monterrey (13) are ninth and outside the cut, having lost three of their last four. Santos Laguna remain bottom on five points despite their dramatic win at Tijuana.
The individual scoring race is led by Joao Pedro of Atletico de San Luis with nine goals, though he may have suffered a rib injury in the loss to Cruz Azul. Paulinho of Toluca and Armando Gonzalez of Chivas are joint second on seven and six respectively.
BASEBALL
WBC Pool Standings: Who Has Clinched, Who Needs to Win, and Wednesdays Elimination Games
With pool play entering its final two days, the quarterfinal picture is taking shape. In Pool A (San Juan), Puerto Rico (3-0) have clinched. Cuba (1-2) face Canada (1-2) on Wednesday in an elimination game, while Colombia (1-2) and Panama (1-2) play simultaneously in a contest that could decide the second qualifier depending on other results.
In Pool B (Houston), the USA (3-0) are through. Italy (2-1) and Mexico (2-1) meet Wednesday in a straight elimination match — the loser goes home. Great Britain (1-2) and Brazil (0-3) are eliminated. Pool C (Tokyo) is settled: Japan (3-0) and Korea (2-2, via run quotient) have both qualified.
Pool D (Miami) is the most dominant: Dominican Republic (3-0) and Venezuela (3-0) have both clinched. The remaining games will determine seedings. The quarterfinals begin Friday, March 13, with Houston hosting two games and Miami hosting two more.
FOOTBALL
State Champions Crowned: A Weekend of Finals Reshapes Brazilian Football Calendar
Sunday’s extraordinary quadruple of Brazilian state finals settled the regional calendar before the Brasileirao intensifies this week. Palmeiras won their 27th Paulistao, beating Novorizontino 2-1 (3-1 agg) with goals from Murilo and Vitor Roque — Abel Ferreira’s 11th title at the club. Flamengo claimed a 40th Carioca on penalties (5-4) over Fluminense in Leonardo Jardim’s first match as manager, with Rossi saving two spot kicks.
Gremio secured a 44th Gauchao with a 1-1 draw at the Beira-Rio (4-1 agg over Inter), celebrating at the home of their rivals for the first time in 20 years. And Cruzeiro ended Atletico-MG’s six-year stranglehold on the Campeonato Mineiro, winning 1-0 through Kaio Jorge’s header in a final that descended into a mass brawl between the players.
With state championships now settled, attention shifts fully to the Brasileirao — Rodada 5 kicks off Wednesday with Atletico-MG vs Inter and Cruzeiro vs Flamengo at the Maracana — and to the Copa Libertadores group stage, which begins later in March.
PREVIEW
Looking Ahead: Fonseca vs Sinner, WBC Final Pool Day and Brasileirao Rodada 5
TUE MAR 10 ATP Indian Wells R16: Fonseca vs Sinner (not before 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET). WBC: Czechia vs Japan (6 a.m. ET), Israel vs Netherlands (7 p.m.), Canada vs Puerto Rico (7 p.m.), Italy vs USA (9 p.m., FS1). Argentine Apertura Fecha 9 opens: Tigre vs Velez, Independiente vs Union.
WED MAR 11 WBC elimination day: Cuba vs Canada (3 p.m., FS2), Mexico vs Italy (7 p.m., Tubi) — both win-or-go-home. DR vs Venezuela (8 p.m., FS1) for Pool D seedings. Brasileirao R5: Atletico-MG vs Inter (19h), Cruzeiro vs Flamengo (21h30). Argentine Apertura Fecha 9 continues: Boca vs San Lorenzo, Argentinos vs Rosario Central, Banfield vs Gimnasia. Liga MX Concacaf Champions Cup: Toluca vs San Diego FC.
THU MAR 12 Brasileirao R5: Palmeiras at Vasco (19h30), Gremio vs RB Bragantino (21h30). Copa do Brasil 3rd phase begins.
FRI MAR 13 WBC quarterfinals begin in Houston and Miami.