MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra time. The go-ahead score for Argentina was credited as an own-goal after Cristian Romero’s header deflected off Cape Verde’s Diney Borges in the 111th minute. Messi scored early in regulation, his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal. Argentina advanced to face Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi has scored again, making Friday’s contest against Cape Verde the record-extending eighth consecutive World Cup match in which Argentina’s captain has delivered at least one goal. Messi’s goal in the 29th minute against Cape Verde was the 20th of his World Cup career, extending his record and moving him two goals ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé on the all-time list. Messi has seven goals in this year’s tournament. That's one more than Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot as the top scorer of this World Cup. He has scored 12 times in his last eight World Cup matches. Argentina escaped with a 3-2 win in extra time.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Vozinha's dream was for his mother to see him play at the World Cup, and he achieved that and more. Cape Verde didn't win a match, but their debut was unforgettable, thanks to the 40-year-old goalkeeper. Their journey ended Friday in the round of 32 against Argentina. The final score was 3-2 in extra time. Vozinha's performance included four elite saves against Messi. Cape Verde's debut, marked by a scoreless draw against Spain, captivated fans. Despite their loss, the Blue Sharks gained recognition and $11 million from FIFA. They became known for their spirit and determination.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Aroldis Chapman has become the major leagues’ career leader in strikeouts as a reliever, toppling a record that had stood for more than half a century. The Boston Red Sox’s 38-year-old Cuban left-hander fanned the Angels' Denzer Guzman for the 1,364th strikeout in Chapman’s 17-year career with seven teams. It broke the record long held by Hoyt Wilhelm, the Hall of Fame knuckleballer whose 21-year career ended back in 1972. The Red Sox celebrated Chapman’s achievement in their Angel Stadium clubhouse, showing a video retrospective of Chapman’s career to his younger teammates.
MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James is at the center of NBA attention despite a wave of trades. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, and others have moved teams, but all eyes are on James. His agent, Rich Paul, says James remains the league's face. James, turning 42 in December, will play his 24th season, but not with the Lakers. Paul hinted at possible teams, including Philadelphia and New York, on the “Game Over” podcast. James' decision timeline is unknown, and money isn't a major factor. He seeks a title-contending team that suits his lifestyle. The wait for his choice continues.
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Egypt coach Hossam Hassan waved a Palestinian flag on the pitch after his team beat Australia in the World Cup. He said he was dedicating it to both Egyptians and Palestinians. Egypt won its debut in the elimination round by beating Australia 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in the round of 32. The victory comes in Egypt’s fourth World Cup, the first one with an expanded field of 48. A video of Hassan on social media shows him walking around the pitch holding the flag as people chanted “free free Palestine.” The fate of more than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, largely displaced and living amid ruins, remains uncertain after more than 2 and a half years of war.
LONDON (AP) — Iga Swiatek’s title defense at Wimbledon has ended in a 7-6, 6-2 third-round loss to 21-year-old Alexandra Eala who continues to make history for the Philippines. Eala is the first Filipino player, male or female, to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament. Swiatek earned her first Wimbledon women’s title a year ago when she beat Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the final.
The FIFPRO players union says more must be done to protect footballers from racist abuse at the World Cup being held in North America. The Netherlands-based union says players are suffering from verbal abuse often of racist nature both on social media and in person. The union asked for soccer authorities, public officials and private institutions to double their efforts against such behavior.
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA has gotten a lot more attention the past few seasons with the addition of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and others to the league. A multi-billion dollar media rights deal, million dollar salaries and higher attendance have been the positives. An increase of social media vitriol toward players and teams has been the negative. Social media hatred toward players and teams is nothing new and isn’t just directed toward WNBA players. It’s been going on for more than a decade toward the league and its players. However, it has gotten worse lately with players and coaches receiving threats for things that happen on the court.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jhon Arias scored in the opening minutes for Colombia, and Los Cafeteros held on the rest of the way for a 1-0 win over Ghana and a spot in the round of 16 of the World Cup. The win Friday night sets up a match against Switzerland on Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia. Arias scored off a cross from Luis Suárez, who had just come on as an injury substitute. Colombia dominated possession, while Ghana struggled to mount any offense. The match took place in sweltering conditions at Arrowhead Stadium. It was 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31.1 Celsius) with a heat index of 96 when the game kicked off at 8:30 p.m. local time
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final Baltimore 3 Cincinnati 0
Final Miami 12 Athletics 5
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final N.Y. Yankees 5 Minnesota 2
Final Cleveland 4 Chicago White Sox 3
Final Tampa Bay 3 Houston 1
Final Boston 5 L.A. Angels 2
Final Toronto 2 Seattle 0
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final St. Louis 17 Chicago Cubs 1
Final Washington 9 Pittsburgh 5
Final Atlanta 5 N.Y. Mets 3
Final Colorado 15 San Francisco 3
Final L.A. Dodgers 4 San Diego 3