MADRID (AP) — Spain’s World Cup-winning soccer team has returned home to an estimated crowd of almost 2 million. The 26 players and their coaching staff met with the country’s royals and then with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after arriving in the Spanish capital a day after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final in New Jersey. The team then boarded an open-top bus for a raucous parade through central Madrid. “Stars shine together” was written on the bus, which also carried photos of the footballers. Players danced and interacted with the fans along the route.
The World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico wasn't perfect, but has still been widely hailed as a success. The tournament featured 48 teams and 104 games, with stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé captivating audiences. Despite some political issues and weather challenges, the games mostly went smoothly. Fox and Telemundo reported strong viewership, with the Spain-Argentina final drawing millions.
The Asian Tour is joining a new strategic alliance with the PGA Tour and European tour. And that could be another setback for LIV Golf. The new alliance is separate from the PGA Tour and European tour partnership that awards 10 PGA Tour cards to European tour players. The three-way alliance involving the Asian Tour is through 2029 and is meant to create commercial and playing opportunities. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia invested $300 million for the International Series on the Asian Tour before LIV Golf launched in 2022. That ended a previous alliance between Asia and Europe.
It’s the women’s turn now. The next World Cup, the women’s edition, is set for next summer in Brazil. Just as Spain won the men’s trophy on Sunday, that nation’s women were the champions three years ago. Currently the top-ranked women’s team in the world, Spain topped England 1-0 in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Sydney. The memories of 2023 aren’t so sweet for the United States, which was knocked out of the tournament in the round of 16 by Sweden. Still, the U.S. has won four World Cup titles and is currently ranked No. 2 in the world.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC is having serious talks about breaking away from the NCAA. On Monday, Sankey explained that school presidents are frustrated and considering significant changes. However, he emphasized that this isn't their preferred solution. The SEC is dealing with issues like Congressional legislation, new eligibility rules, and transparency around player payments. Despite these challenges, Sankey highlighted the league's 13 national championships last season as a reason to stay within the current framework. He believes there's value in participating in a national organization.
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have won 14 straight games. With one more victory, they would match the franchise record set by the 1946 club led by Ted Williams. Caleb Durbin hit a tiebreaking homer over the Green Monster with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Red Sox extended the second-longest winning streak in club history to 14 games, beating the Baltimore Orioles 6-5 on Monday night. Durbin connected on a 1-0 cutter from Tyler Wells, setting off a celebration by his teammates in front of Boston’s dugout. Boston was 37-48 when the streak began and is now in position for a wild-card playoff berth.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy says the Brewers want to monitor Jacob Misiorowski’s workload coming out of the All-Star break. The first example of that came Monday night. Misiorowski worked just four innings in an 8-3 victory over the New York Mets that marked his first appearance since pitching seven innings in a July 7 victory at St. Louis. The Brewers scratched Misiorowski from a scheduled July 12 start in Pittsburgh due to arm fatigue. He didn’t pitch in the All-Star Game last week despite getting selected to the team for a second straight year.
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Ryan Fox didn't turn pro until he was in his 20s and nearly quit as he was getting started. That's why he had such a hard time grasping his British Open title that made him a major champion. Fox made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-shot victory over Cameron Young at Royal Birkdale. He won on a wild day in which four players had a share of the lead at one point and Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood were on the edges of contention. Fox is the oldest first-time major champion in 10 years.
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA has grown at an exponential rate during Cathy Engelbert’s nearly seven years as commissioner of the league. Engelbert, the second-longest tenured WNBA president or commissioner, has helped elevate the league amid a strained relationship with players. While Engelbert helped negotiate a transformative collective bargaining agreement this past spring that gives the WNBA its first core of million-dollar player salaries, New York's Sabrina Ionescu says she talks more with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver than Engelbert. Breanna Stewart says there is a respect for Engelbert among the players, just not much of a relationship. While the commissioner continues to try and strengthen her relationship with players, the business of the WNBA has thrived.
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final N.Y. Yankees 8 Pittsburgh 5
Final Kansas City 4 San Francisco 3
Final Houston 8 Miami 5
Final Detroit 8 Chicago Cubs 6
Final Seattle 8 Cincinnati 0
Final L.A. Angels 3 St. Louis 2
Final Athletics 5 Arizona 2
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Cleveland 13 Minnesota 4
Final Boston 6 Baltimore 5
Final Tampa Bay 7 Toronto 1
Final Chicago White Sox 10 Texas 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Atlanta 3 San Diego 2
Final Philadelphia 10 L.A. Dodgers 7
Final Milwaukee 8 N.Y. Mets 3
Final Washington 7 Colorado 3