AP Sports Digest
Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.
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UPCOMING
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SOC--WORLD CUP COVERAGE
WCUP-CLIMATE-HEAT-ATHLETES
DESCRIPTION: Saturday’s afternoon match between France and Paraguay in Philadelphia could be the hottest so far during this FIFA World Cup tournament, posing heat-related dangers to athletes and tens of thousands of fans watching the game in the open-air stadium or elsewhere across the region. The knockout round game is coinciding with a dangerous heat wave that will continue across the eastern and central U.S. through the end of the week, with peak heat indexes — which combine air temperature with humidity — between 100 F to 115 F.
UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 3:00 a.m. EDT
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SOC--WCUP-AUSTRALIA-EGYPT
DESCRIPTION: ARLINGTON, Texas — Egypt is in the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time, facing an Australian team looking the first victory in its third try beyond the group stage. By Schuyler Dixon.
UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT
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TEN--WIMBLEDON
DESCRIPTION: Novak Djokovic plays Arthur Rinderknech and Jannik Sinner meets Jenson Brooksky in the third round of Wimbledon. Naomi Osaka faces Daria Kasatkina.
UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 9:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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CAR--F1-BRITISH GP PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: A sprint qualifying session headlines the action on Friday ahead of the British Grand Prix. Includes preview coverage and first practice.
UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 12:15 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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BBO--ROCKIES-GOODMAN’S KEEN EYE
DESCRIPTION: Colorado catcher Hunter Goodman has 27 homers this season, tying him with Larry Walker for the most by a Rockies player before the All-Star break. He still has 10 games left before the break. Goodman also ranks fifth in ABS challenge wins among catchers.
UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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CAR--NASCAR-CHICAGOLAND
DESCRIPTION: NASCAR Cup Series is running at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend for the first time since 2019. By Jay Cohen.
UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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ATH--PREFONTAINE CLASSIC
DESCRIPTION: EUGENE, Ore. — The two-day Prefontaine Classic gets under way Friday night at Hayward Field. The evening starts with the men’s hammer throw and finishes with the men’s two-mile race. 300 words.
UPCOMING: By 07/04/2026 1:00 a.m. EDT, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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SOC--WCUP-CROATIA-PORTUGAL-WILD FINISH
Croatia vs. Portugal: What happened in those final, chaotic minutes
SUMMARY: In the 109th minute of a wild, pulsating, nerve-shredding World Cup match for the ages, referee Espen Eskås finally called time. Portugal advanced to the round of 16 after a 2-1 win against Croatia at Toronto Stadium. That doesn’t even begin to tell the story of the most dramatic of clashes that relentlessly swung back and forth and ended in the cruelest way for Croatia when Mario Pasalic’s would-be game-saving equalizer 13 minutes into added time was ruled out for offside after video review. What just happened?
WORDS: 966 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 12:07 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:45a84c0d7703c3d8ad9a36dce09fa9c4&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-PORTUGAL-CROATIA
Ramos, Ronaldo score as Portugal rallies to beat Croatia 2-1 and advance to round of 16
SUMMARY: Goncalo Ramos headed in the stoppage-time winner as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in a wild finish that also included a Croatian goal disallowed for offside just before the final whistle in a World Cup round of 32 match. The game featured a matchup 40-somethings Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, in his sixth World Cup, and Croatia’s Luka Modrić, making his fifth bid for a tournament title. Ronaldo initially tied things up in the 68th minute on a penalty kick and give the megastar his first knockout stage goal at the World Cup before being subbed out in the 81st minute. But, it was Ramos who gave Portugal the victory and a berth in the round of 16.
WORDS: 710 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 11:35 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ad94f33ede5ada4c8fb63b3893ee2b8e&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-SPAIN-AUSTRIA
Mikel Oyarzabal’s 2 goals send dominant Spain past Austria 3-0 and into round of 16 at the World Cup
SUMMARY: Mikel Oyarzabal scored two goals and Spain beat Austria 3-0 for its first World Cup victory in a knockout match since winning the title in 2010. Pedro Porro added a goal in the second half for Spain, which put on its most impressive performance of the tournament while dominating possession and demonstrating the offensive creativity across its vaunted lineup. Spain also has yet to allow a goal at this year’s World Cup, with Unai Simón keeping his fourth consecutive clean sheet. La Roja will next face Portugal, a 2-1 winner over Croatia, in Dallas in the round of 16.
WORDS: 901 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 11:26 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e5d701b4628f62556d18bdf565081c79&mediaType=text
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BBO--WHITE SOX-GUARDIANS
Brayan Rocchio hits 2-run homer in 9th to lift Guardians over White Sox 6-5 in AL Central showdown
SUMMARY: Brayan Rocchio hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the Cleveland Guardians a 6-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a four-game series between the top two teams in the AL Central. Cleveland rallied from a three-run deficit and trails Chicago by less than a full percentage point atop the division standings. Pinch-hitter David Fry launched a solo homer in the seventh that trimmed the Guardians’ deficit to 5-4. White Sox reliever Grant Taylor walked Rhys Hoskins leading off the ninth. Kahlil Watson flied out to center before Rocchio pulled a 99 mph fastball down the right-field line for his sixth home run this season. Tim Herrin pitched a perfect inning for the win.
WORDS: 338 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 10:40 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:89cb6b463b7331c2d9e17ab7e11c9c07&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-SPAIN-SIMON-SHUTOUT STREAK
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón sets World Cup record with 519 straight scoreless minutes in net
SUMMARY: Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón has the longest shutout streak in World Cup history. He broke a 36-year-old record while blanking Austria in a 3-0 victory for his fourth consecutive clean sheet in this World Cup. Simón hasn’t allowed a goal in 519 consecutive minutes across the past two World Cups. He broke the record set in 1990 by famed Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga. Simón isn’t the most famous goalkeeper in this competition, or even on his own team. But his outstanding play at the back of Spain’s superb defense has launched him into the World Cup record books.
WORDS: 697 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 8:33 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fef3b3d47df0e38e722e4bc7f1798e1b&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-US-TELEVISION RATINGS
US win over Bosnia-Herzegovina most-watched soccer telecast in English language history
SUMMARY: The United States has World Cup fever. Wednesday night’s match between the United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina was the most-watched soccer telecast in English language history with more than 24.4 million viewers tuning in, according to Fox Sports. The United States won the game 2-0 to advance to the round of 16. It was its first knockout round win since 2002. The peak audience was 31.8 million.
WORDS: 177 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 8:27 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d05c03d63efd603f5e2a2b0f2d39d764&mediaType=text
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GLF--US SENIOR OPEN
Stewart Cink, Charlie Wi share US Senior Open lead after opening 67s
SUMMARY: Stewart Cink got off to a great start in a bid to win his third straight senior major. Cink was the only player to make five birdies on the back nine at Scioto Country Club on Thursday, shooting a 3-under 67 for a share of the first-round lead in the U.S. Senior Open with Charlie Wi. The 53-year-old Cink has four wins in nine PGA Tour Champions starts this year, including the Senior PGA Championship and the Tradition. The last player to win the Senior PGA, Tradition and U.S. Senior Open in the same year was Jack Nicklaus in 1991. Scioto, the Donald Ross course hosting its third U.S. Senior Open, is where Nicklaus learned to play the game.
WORDS: 657 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 8:14 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4429812995bddd01aee544729ec00297&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-FANS-PHOTO GALLERY
World Cup fans flood stadiums and fan zones with dazzling costumes, facepaint and flags — in photos
WORDS: 42 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 7:38 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1d86f9b4c972d1537f88f906b56d49d3&mediaType=text
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TEN--WIMBLEDON
Anisimova avoids Wimbledon upset with 20 aces in win over Kenin. Swiatek, Zverev also advance
SUMMARY: Amanda Anisimova served three of her 20 aces in the deciding tiebreaker to hold off Sofia Kenin 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (3) and reach the third round at Wimbledon as Kate, the Princess of Wales, visited the All England Club. Anisimova who was consoled by Kate a year ago after being routed by Iga Swiatek in the final trailed 3-1 in the third set before she broke back in the sixth game. Swiatek beat 2021 Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova in straight sets. There were straight-set victories on the men’s side for Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz.
WORDS: 705 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 7:21 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b46b1170c3c3a0cce1e6652f857cc88e&mediaType=text
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TEN--WIMBLEDON-SERENA-DJOKOVIC
Novak Djokovic says ‘people need to cool off a little bit with judgment’ on Serena Williams
SUMMARY: Novak Djokovic knows just what it means to have to live up to lofty expectations after years of titles and trophies. He’s 39 and is a 24-time Grand Slam champion who now plays only sparingly. So he’s better positioned than almost anyone else to analyze what Serena Williams must have been feeling after losing the first singles match that she played in nearly four years at the All England Club earlier this week. Djokovic says “people always expect you to play at your best because they’re used to seeing you dominate the sport for many years.” Djokovic adds that”people need to cool off a little bit with judgment and criticism and everything. Let’s just enjoy the greatness.”
WORDS: 752 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 5:15 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e9949d93824b1357e309cae10a70dcd5&mediaType=text
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BBO--REDS-BREWERS
Chase Burns wins star-studded pitching matchup with Jacob Misiorowski as Reds beat Brewers 7-2
SUMMARY: Sal Stewart and Jose Trevino homered off Jacob Misiorowski, and Chase Burns pitched six strong innings as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2 on Thursday. TJ Friedl also went deep as the Reds beat the Brewers for the first time in seven attempts this season. Garrett Mitchell homered for Milwaukee. The game featured two of baseball’s best and hardest-throwing pitchers in Burns and Misiorowski. Burns (10-1) earned the win by giving up two runs and four hits. Misiorowski struck out 10 but allowed five runs in five innings. Only one of the five runs off Misiorowski was earned.
WORDS: 436 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 4:57 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2b1d21d5244a521bb55278381eeaf1df&mediaType=text
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TEN--WIMBLEDON-PRINCESS KATE
Princess Kate greets fans at Wimbledon and sits next to Andy Murray to watch the tennis
SUMMARY: Princess Kate met tennis fans lining up in Wimbledon’s famous Queue and sat next to Andy Murray in a day of rooting on British players at the grass-court Grand Slam. The princess early last year announced her cancer was in remission. She’s the patron of the All England Club. Kate also met with children from a local program that supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Kate last year was at Centre Court on consecutive days to present the winners’ trophies to singles champions Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner.
WORDS: 463 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 4:22 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:993488d4a3d51fc2b812e535b4a93a7c&mediaType=text
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HKN--CAPITALS-OVECHKIN
Alex Ovechkin declares ‘I’m back!’ and re-signs with Capitals to return for a 22nd NHL season
SUMMARY: Alex Ovechkin is returning for a 22nd NHL season after re-signing with the Washington Capitals. The league’s career goal-scoring record holder inked a deal with a $1 million salary and bonuses worth an additional $8 million. Ovechkin turns 41 in September. He has 929 goals after scoring 32 in his 40-year-old season. The Russian superstar broke Wayne Gretzky’s mark of 894 goals in April 2025. He had said in recent months he was waiting until the offseason to decide whether to return or retire. Ovechkin in a news release sent out by the Capitals declared, “I’m back.”
WORDS: 736 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 3:37 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2f1410cc72e150169fe3b07cc51eb574&mediaType=text
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BKN--76ERS-BROWN
Jaylen Brown set to form All-Star trio with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia
SUMMARY: Jaylen Brown is now a Philadelphia 76er after a surprising trade from the Boston Celtics. The deal pairs him with Joel Embiid, despite past tensions between the two. The 76ers, aiming for their first NBA title since 1983, traded Paul George to Boston in exchange for Brown. George’s contract was seen as immovable due to his age and injury history. Brown, a five-time All-Star and recent NBA Finals MVP, joins Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe as key players for the Sixers. The trade positions Philadelphia as a strong contender in the Eastern Conference.
WORDS: 1080 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 3:19 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d0bbd171e23e4e8a6dfec75752bd99f4&mediaType=text
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BKN--76ERS-BROWN-REAX
Jaylen Brown still processing how he became a former Boston Celtic after stunning trade with 76ers
SUMMARY: Jaylen Brown says he’s still processing his trade from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers. Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP and a five-time All-Star, is being traded for Paul George and draft picks. The deal was revealed Wednesday but still needs league approval. Brown expressed mixed emotions, highlighting his respect for Boston and its fans. He also noted feeling underappreciated after being included in previous trade talks. The 76ers gain a star to pair with Joel Embiid, alongside Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Brown looks forward to earning respect in Philadelphia.
WORDS: 439 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 3:17 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b06616ec92312054b299414a2114b0f9&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-RED CARDS-WHAT TO KNOW
A red card means trouble and controversy at the World Cup: Here’s what to know
WORDS: 986 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 3:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e36f64ea0b5439ee53fb0f4b111ee1fe&mediaType=text
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HKN--FREE AGENCY-WINNERS AND LOSERS
Winners and losers of the NHL offseason include teams in big markets spending and improving
SUMMARY: NHL teams committed over $862 million in salary on the first day of free agency, not counting entry-level or minor-league contracts. Some of that money will be well spent, and other dollars will be regretted for years to come. The early returns look like the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks are among the big winners. The Detroit Red Wings are losers for not being able to pull together a deal for Dylan Larkin and making a couple of questionable goaltending moves. The jury’s still out on the Buffalo Sabres and others.
WORDS: 890 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 2:12 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c68dc2fd6040ed22adf7a50dfd430612&mediaType=text
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BKL--WNBA ALL-STAR STARTERS
Caitlin Clark voted to start third straight WNBA All-Star Game, joined by two Fever teammates
SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark was voted to start her third straight WNBA All-Star Game and will be joined by Indiana Fever teammates Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston. It’s the second time in four years that three players from the same team were chosen to start the game, with Las Vegas doing it in 2023. Clark wasn’t able to play in last year’s game that the Fever hosted because she was injured right before it. Clark and Mitchell will be joined this year in the backcourt by Paige Bueckers and rookie Olivia Miles. It’s the fourth consecutive year that a rookie was chosen as an All-Star starter. A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Jessica Shepard, Natasha Howard and Gabby Williams were selected for the frontcourt for the game that will be played in Chicago on July 25.
WORDS: 381 - MOVED: 07/02/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b7e42aeea9be631f3359aae0d09e03d9&mediaType=text
