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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 last four of this year’s Australian Open. The 39-year-old Djokovic continues to break records as he chases a 25th Grand Slam title. He’s reached a record-setting eighth consecutive Wimbledon final four which moves him one ahead of Roger Federer for most consecutive men’s singles semifinal appearances at the grass-court tournament.

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.

Ruben Vargas sends Switzerland to the World Cup quarterfinals in shootout win over Colombia

VANCOUVER, British Colombia (AP) — Ruben Vargas converted his penalty and Switzerland advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals with a 4-3 shootout win over Colombia after a scoreless draw. Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez’s penalty attempt hit the crossbar and Switzerland goalkeeper Grego Kobel saved an attempt by Cucho Hernandez. Switzerland will next face defending champion Argentina on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2 earlier in the day. Switzerland had not reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup since hosting the tournament in 1954.

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Kneeland had early stage CTE at time of death

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had a brain abnormality linked to repeated head trauma when he killed himself after a high-speed chase with police in November 2025. The findings of a postmortem analysis of Kneeland’s brain tissue were released Tuesday by his family through the Concussion and CTE Foundation. Researchers at the Boston University CTE Center determined Kneeland was in stage one of four of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Kneeland was 24. He had played at Western Michigan University, before he was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

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.

Clark hopeful of returning for Fever against Sparks but may avoid back-to-back against Storm

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three-time WNBA All-Star Caitlin Clark hopes to return from her back injury Wednesday night when the Indiana Fever visits the Los Angeles Sparks but may be forced to sit out Thursday’s highly anticipated rematch at Phoenix. Clark missed each of Indiana’s last two games since departing the June 24 contest at Phoenix with the back problem. The next day, league officials issued a one-game suspension to Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for “recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area” of Clark. Clark said she expects to be on a minutes restriction Wednesday, hoping to play a little over 20 minutes.

Knicks, Taylor Swift, World Cup: Is Serena Williams at the US Open next in the Summer of New York?

LONDON (AP) — Serena Williams could be up next in the Summer of New York. After the Knicks’ first NBA championship in more than 50 years. After Taylor Swift’s wedding at Madison Square Garden. And the World Cup final to be played just across the Hudson River. It looks like another circus is coming to town. To the Flushing Meadows section of Queens. All indications point to the 44-year-old Williams playing the U.S. Open next month for the first time in four years. Williams’ coach Rennae Stubbs says “her intention is to keep playing; the U.S. Open as well.”

Naomi Osaka laments sore feet and ‘getting old’ after Wimbledon quarterfinal loss

LONDON (AP) — Sure, Naomi Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion who also impresses with her fashionable outfits. On Tuesday, she sounded like the rest of us. The plantar fasciitis was acting up. She’s working too much. Osaka says “I’m just getting old.” The 28-year-old Osaka’s Wimbledon run and fashion show ended in a 7-6 (4), 6-4 loss to Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals of the grass-court Grand Slam. Former No. 1 player Osaka ousted top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round but couldn’t find her rhythm Tuesday against her Czech opponent. She says she has “plantar fasciitis on my feet” and that “I didn’t have any energy” Tuesday.

Jalen Brunson has left wrist surgery, Knicks star expected back on court this summer, AP source says

NEW YORK (AP) — A person with knowledge of the details says Jalen Brunson has undergone left wrist surgery and is expected to be back on the court when the New York Knicks begin defense of their NBA title. The NBA Finals MVP is expected to resume basketball activities later this summer, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because there was no announcement about Brunson’s procedure. Brunson, who is left-handed, didn’t let the wrist injury slow him down on the Knicks’ run to their first championship since 1973. He scored 45 points when the Knicks won the title in Game 5 in San Antonio.

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