Spain Defeats Argentina to Claim World Cup Title
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Spain captured the FIFA World Cup championship with a 1-0 victory over defending champion Argentina, with substitute Ferran Torres delivering the decisive blow in the 106th minute. Spain controlled the match throughout in terms of possession and scoring chances, but Lionel Messi and Argentina managed to hold on through regulation and into extra time. In the opening moments of the second 15-minute extra time period, Torres pounced on a bouncing ball inside the penalty area and drove a left-footed shot just beneath the crossbar and into the net to seal the title.
What to Watch Now That the World Cup Is Over
The World Cup may have wrapped up, but soccer fans won’t have to wait long for their next fix. Within weeks, many of the tournament’s top players will return to their club teams in competitions like England’s Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, and Germany’s Bundesliga. Europe’s elite clubs will also compete in the Champions League, considered the pinnacle of club soccer. In the meantime, MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX are already underway, offering fans year-round action and a chance to continue following their favorite World Cup stars.
Spain’s Champions Return Home to Royal Welcome and Madrid Parade
MADRID — Spain’s World Cup-winning squad was set to arrive back in Spain on Monday afternoon, where a celebration awaited them. The 11-man team was scheduled to be received at the Spanish royal palace and by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez before making their way through central Madrid in a victory parade. Fans were expected to line the streets as the team traveled from Moncloa Palace to Cibeles Square. Spain secured the championship on Sunday by defeating Argentina 1-0 in New Jersey — the country’s second World Cup title, following their 2010 triumph in South Africa. Thousands flooded the streets of Madrid in celebration, though the festivities were tragically overshadowed by the death of a 13-year-old in Salamanca during the revelry.
Post-Match Scuffles Mar Spain’s World Cup Celebration
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The joy of Spain’s World Cup victory was briefly clouded by on-field confrontations between players after the final whistle. Video footage captured several players involved in a physical altercation, with Argentina defender Leandro Paredes seen appearing to grab Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat. When Spain substitute Gavi stepped in to intervene, Paredes shoved him to the ground. Other players and Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni moved in quickly to calm the situation. It remained unclear whether any of the players involved would face disciplinary action. Spain had won Sunday’s final 1-0 after extra time.
Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel to Step Down After Buyout Agreement
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan and athletic director Warde Manuel have reached a buyout agreement, with Manuel set to leave his position at the end of the year. The departure ends a decade-long tenure that included four national championships but also a series of controversies. The university cited ongoing investigations into former football coach Sherrone Moore’s relationship with his executive assistant, as well as a broader inquiry into the athletic department’s culture, as factors in the decision. Under Manuel’s leadership, the department celebrated a men’s basketball national title this year and a football championship in 2023.
Ryan Fox Claims British Open Title at Royal Birkdale
SOUTHPORT, England — Ryan Fox took an unlikely path to becoming a major champion, having not turned professional until his 20s and nearly walking away from the sport early in his career. That journey made his British Open victory all the more meaningful. Fox drained a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole to edge Cameron Young by a single stroke at Royal Birkdale. The win came on a dramatic day that saw four different players share the lead at various points, with Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood also in the mix. Fox is now the oldest first-time major champion in a decade.
Red Sox Ride 13-Game Win Streak Into Series with Streaking Orioles
The All-Star break did nothing to interrupt the Boston Red Sox’s hot stretch. After completing a sweep of division-leading Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Red Sox have now won 13 consecutive games. The franchise record stands at 15 straight victories, set back in 1946. Boston will have a chance to chase that mark this week when the Baltimore Orioles come to Fenway Park — a team that arrives riding a seven-game winning streak of their own, setting the stage for a compelling AL East showdown.
Ohtani’s Knee Issue Keeps Him Off the Mound for Dodgers
NEW YORK — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani will not take his next scheduled turn as a starting pitcher due to irritation in his left knee, and there is no clear timetable for his return to the rotation. Ohtani received a lubricant injection in the knee just before last week’s All-Star break and had been expected to pitch Wednesday against Philadelphia. However, he still did not feel fully healthy while playing catch over the weekend, leading him and the team to hold off on any mound activity. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that Ohtani experiences no pain in the knee when batting.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Homer Lifts Yankees Over Dodgers to Split Doubleheader
NEW YORK — Jazz Chisholm Jr. launched a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning as the New York Yankees beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the nightcap of a doubleheader, splitting the twin bill. Five Yankees pitchers combined to limit the Dodgers to four hits. Cody Bellinger had contributed an early RBI single for New York, which had won just once in its previous 11 home games. The victory prevented a three-game sweep by the Dodgers, who were making their first trip to the Bronx since winning the 2024 World Series. In the opener, the Dodgers cruised to an 8-2 win behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw a complete-game four-hitter — his first in 66 major league regular-season starts.
Logano Snaps Drought with Win at North Wilkesboro
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — Joey Logano held off Denny Hamlin to claim his first NASCAR Cup Series win of the season Sunday night, triumphing in the first points race held at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 30 years. The victory was Logano’s 38th in Cup Series competition and ended a personal 45-race winless stretch dating back to May 2025 at Texas Motor Speedway. At 36 years old, Logano extended his streak of winning at least one race per season to 15 consecutive years — the longest active streak in the sport. The all-time record belongs to the late Kyle Busch, who won in 19 straight seasons from 2005 through 2023. Hamlin crossed the line in second, followed by Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, and Shane Van Gisbergen.
