March was a month filled with drama, ‘madness’, and stellar sports highlights. From the World Baseball classic to College Basketball’s biggest event, let’s take a look back at some moments you’ll want to see again.
March Madness
One event that captures the eyes of basketball fans everywhere in March of each year is, of course, March Madness. This year, history was made in the tournament’s early stages, as a number 16 seed won a game during the tournament for only the second ever time. Fairleigh Dickinson University went into the matchup as true underdogs, facing off against top-seeded Purdue. In what proved to be a tightly contested game, FDU managed to battle with a team few believed they were capable of beating. These doubters were proved wrong as FDU came away with a historic 63-58 win. Take a look at the joy on the players’ faces as they realize what they have accomplished!
(16) FDU UPSETS (1) PURDUE 😱😱😱
MARCH. KEEPS. ON. GIVING. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/4T0K3n13Er
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2023
WBC
The 5th edition of the World Baseball Classic was held in Florida this March, bringing together baseball fans worldwide. After a dramatic group stage, the bracket played out to deliver a stunning battle in the tournament’s final: Japan vs the USA. The build up to the game between the world’s two biggest baseball nations was filled with anticipation, specifically to see Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani face off. The Los Angeles Angels teammates became rivals on the night, with Ohtani pitching off against Trout with the game on the line. Ultimately, it was Japan who came out on top, with Trout being struck out in the game’s defining moment. Watch the scenes of celebration back!
There it is! Japan wins the WBC for the 3rd time in history! 🇯🇵
🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/4iwSRlqU9D
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 22, 2023
F1 Returns
The greatest show in motorsports returned this March, with the 2023 F1 season getting underway. Fans were curious to see what story lines would unfold this season. Would Red Bull’s dominance continue? Would Mercedes be able to challenge them once more? Would Ferrari offer up a real challenge this time around? These questions began to be answered with the first two Grand Prixs of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. With Verstappen and Perez of Red Bull claiming 1st and 2nd place respectively in Bahrain, before swapping places in Saudi Arabia, it’s shaping up to be a battle of the Red Bulls in 2023. Take a look back at some great moments from the start of the season!
The race-winning move for Checo! ☝️#SaudiArabianGP #F1 @SChecoPerez pic.twitter.com/1zqAjBIvpS
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 19, 2023
Dominant display in the race, and full marks for the @FerrariTrento shower too! 💦@Max33Verstappen starts the party on the podium 🍾#BahrainGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/P3i5xnnF0S
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 6, 2023
Baseball Is Back!
More baseball now, as the MLB returned this March. Following the drama of the World Baseball Classic, the sport’s stars returned back to their teams to prepare for the upcoming season. March 30th marked opening day, with all 30 teams facing off. Opening weekend produced some stunning sports highlights already, perhaps the best of these being the Los Angeles Angels’ Hunter Renfroe’s ridiculous no-look catch on his very first game for the team! A moment that will surely be shown on sports highlights reels for years to come.
Hunter Renfroe, No Look Catch. 🫣
When you impress Shohei, you've done something. pic.twitter.com/7JH3oO2yAO
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 31, 2023
Gordon Steamrolls the XFL
Troubled former NFL wide receiver put on a display that showed he still has elite level play in his locker during March’s XFL matchup between the Seattle Sea Dragons and the Las Vegas Vipers. Gordon had 6 receptions, 118 yards, and 2 touchdowns, carrying Seattle to a dominant victory. Check out his stunning 65 yard touchdown as Gordon danced past defenders, throwing in some showboating to ensure his place in sports highlights history!
JOSH GORDON ON 4TH DOWN ARE YOU KIDDING ME 🤯@XFL2023 | @XFLSeaDragons pic.twitter.com/UqMwOZlten
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 5, 2023
Derby Day Drama
A day that will go down in history for both Manchester United and Liverpool – but for very different reasons. United and Liverpool faced off this March in perhaps the Premier League’s fiercest rivalry game. United hadn’t been victorious at Liverpool’s home ground, Anfield, since 2016, but with the Manchester side in great form, placed third in the league, compared to Liverpool, sitting closer to mid-table, the visitors were confident of breaking their run of poor results.
The game, however, played out very differently. After a tightly contested first half, Liverpool slotted home in the 43rd minute, sending the game into halftime leading 1-0. While United fans would have been hopeful of a second half comeback with the score still tight, instead, a stunning second half performance from Liverpool saw the game finish 7-0! This was the biggest ever win for Liverpool over their rivals, giving their fans something to smile about in a difficult season. With so many moments to watch back, check out the highlights below!
A day to remember.
We think you might enjoy these, Reds…😁 pic.twitter.com/ZqNYPMWTuI
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 5, 2023
Jon Jones’ UFC Return
Jon Jones made UFC history this March as he returned to the Octagon after a three year absence. A former two time Light Heavyweight World Champion, Jones made his return to the sport in a new weight class, heavyweight. In order to make the jump up to heavyweight, Jones had to put on around 43 lbs, with his new build at the center of much of the fight’s build up. Ultimately, Jones’ hard work paid off as he made UFC history, winning the bout in the very first round! Watch back the moment of victory below.
HE'S BACK 😤
JON JONES NEW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION.
(via @ufc)pic.twitter.com/uv4mfGPi4A
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 5, 2023
Kazakhstan’s Comeback
Kazakhstan shocked European football this March in a stunning comeback win against Denmark in the EURO 2024 Qualifiers. Kazakhstan, a team ranked 115th in the world, found themselves 2-0 down against Denmark, who were themselves semi finalists at the previous European Championships tournament, with only 20 minutes to go. While many Danish fans will have felt secure in their chances of victory, the underdogs were able to string together a performance that will go down in the nation’s sporting history, scoring in the 73rd, 86th, and 89th minutes to give them a stunning victory. Watch the pandemonium at the winning goal!
Miami Magic
Tennis’ Miami Open got underway this March, as some of the sport’s biggest stars made their way to Florida to face off. In the tournament’s Semi Final, 10th seed Jannik Sinner shocked tennis fans worldwide, coming back from 1 set down against World Number One Carlos Alcaraz, going on to win the game. It was a rally from the pair that caught the eyes of fans across social media, with Sinner forcing Alcaraz to dive around all over the court to keep the ball in play, Watch the moment back below!
OUT.
OF.
THIS.
WORLD.🤯 @janniksin @carlosalcaraz #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/YjwASznMS5
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 31, 2023
Luka’s On Fire
Luka Doncic has made a real mark on the NBA in just five short seasons, but the Slovenian continues to produce moments that surprise and delight fans everywhere. In a game between Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Pacers, a pass from the 4 time All-Star caught the eyes of fans all across social media. Take a look for yourself here!
WHAT A PASS BY LUKA 😱
Watch live on NBA TV
📺: https://t.co/WjxYAo0Ivs pic.twitter.com/v11BEs94pY— NBA (@NBA) March 28, 2023
Chelsea’s Great Escape
In the Quarter Final of the Women’s Champions League against French side Lyon, Chelsea left it right to the wire to give themselves a chance at progressing to the next round. With the London side going into the fixture’s second leg with a 1-0 advantage, there was all to play for. The game heated up in the 77th minute as Lyon scored, leveling the tie on aggregate, after which no side was able to find a breakthrough goal before 90 minutes was up, sending the game into extra time.
It looked as if all might be lost for Chelsea, when in the 110th minute, Lyon scored again. Chelsea were left fighting for their lives, but matched up to the challenge, when in the game’s 128th minute, right in the game’s dying stages, a penalty was given. Chelsea’s Mjelde calmly slotted home, sending the tie into a shootout. The penalty fortunes continued, as Chelsea came away victorious, going heading into the tournament’s semi final! Watch the best bits back here.
Bonus – A Different Kind of Pitch Invader
Take a look at the moment a furry pitch invader makes themselves at home on the pitch during a Philadelphia Union game!
Was this on your bingo card?
Yeah the @PhilaUnion is a good team and all, but this doggo is even better 🐶⚽️ pic.twitter.com/cK882huibw
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 8, 2023