April was a major month for sports with the NBA and NHL starting their Playoff slate, and the English Premier League reaching boiling point in the race for the title. Join us as we take a look back at some of the best moments from the month, as well as the sports highlights we know you’ll want to see again and again!
1 – The First Finalissima
Soccer history was made this April, as the first ever Women’s Finalissima was held between the winners of the European Championships, England, and the Copa America, Brazil. The game was held at a sold out Wembley Stadium in London, with 90,000 fans in attendance for the match between two heavyweights. England fans did not have to wait long for some excitement, as Ella Toone put the Three Lions ahead after just 23 minutes. The game was back and forth from that moment on, but it looked like England would claim victory as the game reached the 90th and final minute. However, Brazil’s Andressa Alves ensured the South Americans did not go down fighting, managing to equalize at the death. Extra time followed, with the two sides unable to break each other down. In a drama-filled penalty shootout, it was England who emerged victorious, with Chloe Kelly, the scorer of the winning goal at England’s European Championship victory, further solidifying her status as a hero of her nation after scoring the winning penalty. Watch the scenes back here.
2 – March Madness Comes To a Close
March Madness wound to a close as it always does in April (it never makes sense to us either) in dramatic circumstances. In the Men’s tournament, the University of Connecticut’s Huskies claimed victory over San Diego state, securing the school’s 5th ever National Championship.
In the Women’s tournament, it was LSU’s Tigers who hoisted the Championship trophy. This was in spite of a historic tournament from Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, who throughout the tournament set records for the most 3s made in a single tournament, as well as securing the most total points in a single tournament – and of course, we have to mention her stunning 41 point triple double! Managing to beat an Iowa team with a true star like Clark makes LSU’s victory all the more impressive. Check out some clips from the final games, as well as some of Clark’s best moments in the tournament.
3 – Golfing Greatness Secured
Now for the yearly visit to Augusta, Georgia, for an unmissable golfing classic. The Masters took place this April, with Spaniard Jon Rahm claiming his first ever Green Jacket. After notching three wins on the PGA Tour prior to The Masters, Rahm was one of the favorites to win the tournament going into it. However, Rahm’s tournament got off to a less than ideal start, starting the first day with a double bogey. After this error, Rahm cleaned up his game, marching to his first ever victory in the tournament, and reclaiming his spot as number one on the golf rankings. Take a look at just how much it meant to Rahm and his family.
4 – Premier League Heats Up
The race for the English Premier League title took a turn this April. Leaders Arsenal, who had sat atop the league for the majority of the season, entered the month knowing it would be make or break for their hopes of ending their long wait for victory. After games against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton all ended in ties, Arsenal knew that in order to keep their chances in their own hands, only victory at 2nd placed Manchester City would be enough. The eyes of the footballing world tuned in for what many assumed might end up being a title deciding game. It soon became apparent that Manchester City would be handed the reins in the race, as they opened the scoring against the Gunners after just six minutes. From that moment forward, City looked the better team, with the game ultimately finishing 4-1 to the Mancunian side. Watch the goals from the big game back below.
5 – Champions League Fight Rolls On
The matchup between Manchester City and Arsenal was not the only thriller that the Premier League produced in April. A crucial battle for a Champions League spot was played out between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. Both teams entered knowing the result would have major implications for their season’s hopes. However, the battle between the sides was short lived, as Newcastle scored an outstanding five goals in the game’s first 20 minutes. This was a shock to all in the stadium, who expected a far more even game. The match finished 6-1, with Harry Kane showing his class once again bagging one for Spurs. Newcastle fans were rightly left overjoyed, as their team now looks to be on the brink of a return to Europe’s elite competition after a 20 year wait. While it’s back to the drawing board after a bad day in the office for Tottenham.
6 – Miraculous Miami
The NBA season began winding down last month, as April signaled the start of the Playoffs. There have already been an array of impressive highlights to choose from, but we simply cannot take our eyes off this moment from the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler. In the 5th game in the series between the Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami found themselves trailing with just seconds left on the clock. Somehow, Butler was able to score a miraculous shot with just over two seconds to spare, sending the game to overtime – one that Miami would go on to win, ending the series and sending the Heat on to the next round. Watch the stunning moment back below!
7 – NHL Playoff Drama
The NHL Playoffs also got underway this April, with one matchup proving to be particularly dramatic. The Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers went head to head in the first round of the postseason, with game after game of nail-biting action. The Bruins seemed to be edging ahead in the series, leading 3-2 in wins heading into the 5th game. If the Bruins were to win, it would be the final game of the series. Instead, a thrilling 7-5 matchup unfolded, with the Panthers forcing a 7th game between the sides. Take a look back at the best bits from an incredible game.
Congratulations to the Florida Panthers who were able to finally claim the upper hand, ending the series with victory in Game 7, progressing to the 2nd round where they’ll face the Toronto Maple Leafs who secured their first NHL Playoffs series win in 19 years! We can’t wait to see how the rest of the playoffs unfold!
8 – Snooker Legend Usurped
One of the biggest events in Snooker, the World Snooker Championships, kicked off in London this past month. The sport’s greatest ever player, Ronnie O’Sullivan, began his campaign to claim a potential 8th victory in the tournament in great fashion, this coming after his last World Championship win in 2022, becoming the oldest world champion at age 46. O’Sullivan marched his way to the Quarter Finals with relative ease, setting up a matchup with Belgian player Luca Brecel, who had won his first World Championship game only 10 days earlier. Sadly for the Snooker great, it was the up-and-comer Brecel who claimed victory, progressing to his first Semi-Final. Take a look at the winning moment below. Could this be the last time we see O’Sullivan at the World Snooker Championships? We’ll have to wait and see…
9 – The Grand National
A moment from the world of Horse Racing now, as we take a look back at the Grand National, one of the sport’s premier events. The race, which takes place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, saw a delayed start after protestors tried to put a stop to the day. After the incident was cleared up, it was Corach Rambler, ridden by jockey Derek Fox, who claimed first place in a fiercely contested fight that went close to the wire, with the winning horse pulling away only in the race’s final stages. Watch the final moments back!
10 – XFL Trickery
A moment of magic now from the XFL, well worthy of its place in this sports highlights recap. In a game between the Orlando Guardians and the Seattle Battlehawks, the Guardians executed a trick play to sheer perfection. Facing 4th down, and 21 yards needed, the Guardians sent out their punting unit to, seemingly, return the ball to Seattle. However, a fake punt ensued, not only securing the 21 yards needed for a new set of downs, but leading all the way down the field for a remarkable touchdown! Take a look at the stunning play.
11 – Rodgers Drama Comes To a Close
Former NFL MVP and Super Bowl Champion Aaron Rodgers has ended his 17 year stint with the Green Bay Packers in a heavily publicized move that NFL fans everywhere had been curiously following. Despite playing for the Packers for his entire professional career, being drafted by them in 2005, Rodgers had become discouraged by the team’s direction this past offseason, announcing back in March that he planned on playing for the New York Jets going forward. This delighted Jets fans, who have since faced a long wait to see whether the two teams would be able to get a deal over the line. Finally, in late April, the sides announced a deal had been struck, and that Rodgers would be a Jet. Take a look at Rodgers’ reaction to arriving for his first day in New York – we can’t wait to see him in action.
Bonus – Keeper Calamity
Take a look back at this comedy moment that occurred in Swedish soccer this April. We’re not sure the keeper will want to watch it back, though!
