Vegas and Seattle a step closer to getting NBA teams. League's owners approve expansion exploration
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA's board of governors has voted to approve a plan that brings the league one step closer to expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle. The league's owners are essentially beginning the process of working with potential ownership groups who will aim to have franchises in those two cities in the next few years.
Mariners pitcher Emerson Hancock tosses 6 no-hit innings in 8-0 win over Guardians
SEATTLE (AP) — Emerson Hancock pitched six hitless innings for the Seattle Mariners in his season debut against the Cleveland Guardians before being removed from the game by manager Dan Wilson. Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter lined a clean single leading off the seventh against reliever Cooper Criswell to break up Seattle's bid for a combined no-hitter. The only baserunners Hancock allowed came when he walked José Ramírez in the first inning and hit CJ Kayfus with a fastball in the sixth. The sixth overall pick in the 2020 amateur draft needed 97 pitches to get through six scoreless innings on a chilly late afternoon in the Pacific Northwest. Hancock set a career high with nine strikeouts. No batted ball against him left the infield.
Harry Kane ties England’s record for World Cup goals in 4-2 win over Croatia
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Harry Kane scored twice to equal the English record for World Cup goals, Jude Bellingham added another two minutes into the second half and England beat Croatia 4-2.
Portugal great Ronaldo fails to score in a surprising 1-1 draw against Congo at the World Cup
HOUSTON (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a pretty forgettable performance in the first match of his sixth World Cup. After Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland all scored in their opening matches, the 41-year-old Ronaldo couldn’t find the net in Portugal's 1-1 draw with Congo.
Mexico ends a 40-year knockout drought, beats Ecuador 2-0 to reach the round of 16
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The 40-year wait is over. Mexicans had learned to live with defeats in the knockout stages of the World Cup. On seven occasions, El Tri fans were left heartbroken at this stage. Not anymore. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored within a nine-minute span in the first half and Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday night to break a four-decade drought in the knockout stage and progress to the round of 16.
Mexico’s World Cup run ends short of quarterfinals again with loss to England at Estadio Azteca
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico had an enormous home-field advantage and an opportunity to make its deepest run in the World Cup, but El Tri let it slip away against England on Sunday night. Playing at altitude with the passionate backing of 80,824 fans at Estadio Azteca, and with a man advantage for most of the second half, Mexico scored twice but could never equalize and lost 3-2. Mexico hadn't conceded a goal in its first four World Cup matches but had no answer for Jude Bellingham, who scored twice in a 98-second span in the first half.
Kylian Mbappé has a goal and an assist as France beats Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup quarterfinals
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé spread his arms out wide and spun around after scoring his eighth goal of this year’s World Cup. He later gave the jubilant France fans dotted around the stadium a wave when he left the game because of an injury scare. Les Bleus, with a star striker who said he's fine despite a right ankle issue, are headed back to the semifinals for the third straight World Cup tournament. Mbappé had a goal and an assist after missing a first-half penalty kick, Ousmane Dembélé also scored and two-time champion France beat Morocco 2-0 Thursday in the quarterfinals.
Mikel Merino stars again as Spain edges Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute on a rebound yielded by backup Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens, and Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 victory on Friday. Merino was the late hero for the second straight match for Spain, which will face tournament favorite France in the semifinals on Tuesday in the Dallas area. “It will be a clash of giants,” Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said through a translator.
Defending champion Argentina reaches World Cup final by beating England 2-1
ATLANTA (AP) — No “Hand of God” this time. Argentina didn’t need it. Instead it was the hallowed feet of Lionel Messi and the unbreakable spirit of a team that has repeatedly fought back at this year's World Cup that is now one step away from back-to-back titles. Trailing 1-0 going into the 85th minute, Argentina rallied for a 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday with goals from Enzo Fernandez and substitute Lautaro Martinez.
The World Cup final is set, with Messi and Argentina facing Yamal and Spain for the title on Sunday
The best offense. The best defense. The World Cup final is set, and fittingly, a clash of styles awaits. Lionel Messi — the most prolific goal scorer in the tournament's history — and defending champion Argentina will take on Spain's defensive juggernaut on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain beat France in one semifinal on Tuesday; Argentina, the comeback king of this tournament, rallied to beat England 2-1 in the other semifinal on Wednesday.
