Congo rallies to a 3-1 win against Uzbekistan to seal place in the World Cup knockouts
ATLANTA (AP) — Congo has advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time by rallying to a 3-1 win against Uzbekistan. The African nation was playing in soccer’s biggest tournament for only the second time in its history after a 52-year absence. Two second-half goals from Yoane Wissa and one from Fiston Mayele sealed the win and saw Congo join Cape Verde as another surprise qualifier for the round of 32. Uzbekistan led through Eldor Shomurodov’s first-half strike that looked set to end Congo’s hopes. But Sébastien Desabre’s team fought back after the break.
England beats Panama 2-0 on goals by Bellingham and Kane to win its World Cup group
EAST RUTHERFORD, N,.J. (AP) — Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored early in the second half, lifting England over Panama 2-0 and into what appears to be a more favorable bracket for the World Cup’s knockout phrase. Bellingham put the Three Lions ahead in the 62nd minute from Bukayo Saka’s corner kick. Held in bear hug by Jorge Gutiérrez at the top of the 6-yard box, Bellingham stuck out his left leg and stabbed the ball past goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera for his third World Cup goal, his second this year. Five minutes later, Kane became England’s record World Cup scorer with his 11th goal, one more than Gary Lineker.
Austria and Algeria draw 3-3 at World Cup to advance to knockout round and send Iranians home
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Austria and Algeria played to a thrilling 3-3 draw Saturday night in what amounted to a win-win result in their World Cup group-stage finale, allowing both to advance to the knockout round while eliminating Iran from the tournament. The game was tied 2-all in the closing minutes, and Algeria looked as if it was content to run out the clock, when captain Riyad Mahrez scored his second goal with about a minute left in stoppage time. That put Austria on the verge of elimination, only for Sasa Kalajdzic to head in the equalizing goal moments later and rescue Das Team’s World Cup hopes.
Padres' Walker Buehler beats the Dodgers for the first time after nearly a decade in Blue
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Walker Buehler usually pitched superbly against the San Diego Padres during the near-decade he spent wearing Dodger Blue. In his first chance to pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his still-new Padres uniform, Buehler was a star in this NL West rivalry once again. Buehler beat the Dodgers for the first time since he left the World Series champions 1 1/2 seasons ago, pitching three-hit ball into the sixth inning of the Padres’ 7-1 win. The veteran right-hander played a significant role in building the baseball-dominating powerhouse he faced from the Petco Park mound in the opener of this weekend rivalry series.
Hovland flips the script on Scheffler and takes the lead at Travelers Championship
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Viktor Hovland waited until the final hole to take the lead over Scottie Scheffler in the Travelers Championship. The Norwegian star was one shot behind until hitting a sand wedge to 6 feet on the 18th hole for a 64. Scheffler three-putted from 25 feet on the fringe and made bogey. Hovland has plenty of support at the TPC River Highlands from a contingent of jersey-wearing fans who were at the World Cup in Boston the day before. The next closest players to Hovland are five back. But he says Sunday could produce a low score by anyone.
Ty Dillon ready for another Denny Hamlin showdown as NASCAR In-Season Challenge begins at Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. (AP) — For the second consecutive year, Ty Dillon will be an underdog against Denny Hamlin in the first round of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge. Last year, Dillon beat Hamlin and kicked off a run to the final round of the five-race bracket-style tournament with $1 million at stake for the winner. There are 32 Cup Series drivers competing in 16 head-to-head matchups Sunday at Sonoma Raceway with the highest finisher advancing to the next round. Dillon is ranked 31st with a best finish of 12th this season, but the In-Season Challenge looms as another chance to garner headlines and unlikely fans.
Iran narrowly knocked out of tumultuous World Cup on Austria's last-second goal
Iran has been eliminated from the World Cup, narrowly failing to advance past the group stage in a politically charged tournament where the team played its matches amid tight restrictions imposed by the United States. Iran missed the round of 32 by one spot in heartbreaking fashion. It finished third in Group G with three points earned with draws against Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt. Iran appeared to have advanced via tiebreakers when Algeria scored a stunning stoppage-time goal to go ahead of Austria 3-2 Saturday night, but Austria tied it back up seconds later on the game’s final play. Their draw ensured Iran’s elimination.
White Sox chairman Reinsdorf officiates wedding of former Rookie of Year Kittle during game
CHICAGO (AP) — As the White Sox were slugging their way to a 22-1 victory over the Royals on Friday night, former player Ron Kittle was getting married in a ballpark suite with Chicago chairman Jerry Reinsdorf officiating. Kittle tied the knot with his girlfriend, Barbara, in Reinsdorf’s suite during Chicago’s 10-run third inning. The White Sox went on to score their most runs since a 22-13 victory at Boston in May 1970. Harold Baines and Greg Walker, Kittle’s teammates on the 1983 White Sox squad, and their spouses also attended the quick ceremony.
Pittsburgh is twin city after Penguins draft Markus Ruck in 2nd round after Liam in 1st
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Born eight minutes earlier than his twin brother Liam, Marcus Ruck is fine with ceding NHL draft bragging rights. All that mattered to Ruck on Saturday was being selected with the 39th pick in the second round by Pittsburgh in following his brother, who was drafted 22nd overall by the Penguins a day earlier. Liam was projected to go first, and when the Penguins chose him, Markus began looking ahead to No. 39, Pittsburgh’s next turn to pick.
Stearns under added scrutiny after firing Mendoza as the last-place Mets look for a path forward
NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Mendoza is out. Just like Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. Last year’s New York Mets coaching staff, too. And maybe a few more quality players by the Aug. 3 trade deadline. In the past eight months, president of baseball operations David Stearns has remodeled the reeling Mets to a degree that probably would have seemed just about unthinkable on June 12, 2025. On that date, New York had the best record in the majors. But not much has gone right since. The latest big move came Friday, exactly halfway through a dismal season, when Mendoza was fired as manager of the underperforming Mets and replaced by former San Diego Padres skipper Andy Green, who was already working in the organization.
