SPORTS HEADLINES

Lionel Messi leads Argentina to 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt and spot in World Cup quarterfinals

ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi did it yet again at this year’s World Cup. The Argentina great scored once while inspiring his team to an improbable 3-2 victory over Egypt despite trailing by two goals with only 11 minutes to play. The defending champions will next face either Switzerland or Colombia in quarterfinals on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. Messi, who was in tears after the final whistle, scored his eighth goal of this year’s tournament in the 83rd minute to level the score at 2-2. It was his record-extending 21st at the World Cup. Enzo Fernandez scored the winning goal in stoppage time.

Djokovic outlasts Auger-Aliassime after more than 5 hours to reach Wimbledon semifinals at age 39

LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic was pushed to five sets by Felix Auger-Aliassime before the seven-time Wimbledon champion prevailed 7-6 (10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4) after more than five hours to set up a semifinal against defending champion Jannik Sinner. Sinner beat Djokovic in straight sets in last year’s Wimbledon semifinals. Djokovic outlasted the Italian over five sets in the semifinals of this year’s Australian Open. The 39-year-old Djokovic continues to break records as he chases an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title. He’s reached a record-setting eighth consecutive Wimbledon semifinal which moves him one ahead of Roger Federer for most consecutive runs to the last four in men’s singles semifinal appearances at the grass-court championship.

Royals’ Tyler Tolbert ties MLB record with hits in 12 straight plate appearances

NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Tolbert of the Kansas City Royals has tied a major league record with hits in 12 consecutive plate appearances. He reached the mark with an infield single against the New York Mets for his fifth hit Tuesday night. Tolbert matched the record set by Chicago’s Johnny Kling in 1902 and equaled by Walt Dropo of the Detroit Tigers in 1952. With a chance to break the record, Tolbert was finally retired in the ninth on a fly ball to right against A.J. Minter to finish 5 for 6. The second-year player homered in the second inning and singled in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.

Pirates’ Ryan O’Hearn sets club record with 10 RBIs during 3-homer night vs. Braves

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ryan O’Hearn set a franchise record by driving in 10 runs on three homers against Atlanta. O’Hearn hit a grand slam in the first inning, a three-run shot in the third, and another three-run homer in the sixth. His 10 RBIs broke the franchise record of nine RBIs set by Johnny Rizzo in 1939. O’Hearn’s 10 RBIs are the most by any player in the majors this year. An All-Star last season, O’Hearn also became the 16th player in Pittsburgh’s 145-year history to hit three homers in a game.

Lionel Messi scores his eighth goal of this year’s World Cup, takes lead in Golden Boot race

ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi let the tears flow at the final whistle, succumbing to emotion after Argentina conjured up an incredible two-goal comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 and advance to the World Cup quarterfinals. Argentina’s three goals came in the final 11 minutes of regulation and injury time. Messi played a direct hand — or foot — in two of them. He assisted on Cristian Romero’s header in the 79th minute and leveled the match at 2-2 four minutes later. Messi’s goal marked his eighth of this year’s World Cup, putting him at the top of the Golden Boot race.

Kylian Mbappé condemns Paraguayan senator over racist remarks after World Cup match

France star Kylian Mbappé condemned a Paraguayan senator over racist remarks she posted on social media after France defeated Paraguay in the round of 16 of the World Cup. Mbappé on Monday called Celeste Amarilla a “despicable woman.” Amarilla posted a series of racist comments mocking the French captain’s origins, upbringing, education and appearance. The French Football Federation said it would refer the matter to prosecutors. Paraguay’s government too condemned the remarks. Late Monday, Amarilla issued an open letter in which she wrote that she regretted mistreating Mbappé with “the same insults” she’s received and that she had deleted her post. But she demanded an apology from Mbappé and threatened legal action.

Same old story: US men’s soccer team has been stagnant for quarter century

SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. men’s national soccer team remains stagnant despite growth in American soccer. Christian Pulisic and teammates have not advanced beyond the round of 16 at the World Cup, similar to past teams. The U.S. lost to Belgium 4-1 on Monday in the round of 16. Billions have been invested to boost the team, but it remains far from elite. Coach Mauricio Pochettino plans to discuss his future with the U.S. Soccer Federation. Goalkeeping has become a weak spot, and qualifying for future World Cups should be less challenging with 48-team tournaments. Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman have shown promise.

Kremlin hails ‘important step’ as IOC eases Olympic restrictions on Russia

The Kremlin has welcomed as an “important step” the International Olympic Committee’s decision to remove many of its restrictions on Russia, a big step closer to letting it field a full team when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Games. The IOC provisionally lifted a suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and advised Olympic sports bodies they no longer need to be vetting its athletes for permission to compete as neutrals. The IOC’s guidance to reintegrate Russians in international events is not binding for the governing bodies of individual sports.

Zlatko Dalić steps down as Croatia’s coach after World Cup exit

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Zlatko Dalić is out as Croatia’s coach after a spell that included leading the team to two consecutive top-three finishes at World Cups. The announcement comes less than a week after Croatia lost 2-1 to Portugal in the round of 32 at this year’s edition. The federation called Dalić’s time at the helm an “unforgettable journey” and said his departure was a “proud farewell.” The federation did not immediately announce a new coach.

Shohei Ohtani hits his 300th career homer, becoming first Japanese-born MLB player to reach mark

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has hit his 300th career homer, a leadoff shot against Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen. It made Ohtani the first Japanese-born player in the majors to reach the milestone. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar blasted a 409-foot line drive to center on a 2-0 pitch for his 20th homer of the season in the first inning. It was Ohtani’s 31st career leadoff homer and seventh this season. He also homered in the Dodgers’ 8-7 victory in 11 innings on Monday night to highlight a 3-for-4 performance.

Brought to you by www.srnnews.com

Click here to read the full article